USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Plymouth County, Massachusetts > Part 18
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the Life-saving Station at Point Allerton. He has been honored with various testimo- nials, including a bronze medal from the Massachusetts Humane Society for rescuing the crew of the French brig "L'Essay " at Nantasket Beach on April 1, 1850; a certifi- cate for rescuing the officers and crew of ship "Delaware " off the Toddy Rocks in Boston Harbor, March 27, 1857 ; a silver medal in 1886 from the Massachusetts Humane Society for rescuing the crew of the brig "Anita Owen," ten in number, and for his brave and faithful service of more than forty years in the life- boats of that society ; a gold medal from the same society for his humane exertion in rescu- ing the lives of twenty-nine persons from five wrecks on November 25 and 26, 1888; also a gold medal from United States Signal Service for bravery at the wreck of the schooner "Ger- trude Abbott " lost at that time.
Even now, in his seventieth year, his physi- cal strength, his resolute daring and heroic promptitude in emergency, are not abated. The rescue of the crew of the British schooner "Ulrica" at Nantasket Beach by Captain James and his hardy surfmen during the vio- -lent storm of December 16, 1896, was deserv- edly chronicled in the papers as "an achieve- ment of exceptional skill and bravery." The wreck occurred opposite Kenberma. A spe- cial railway train brought the life-savers from the station three miles away. The Humane Society's life-boat was launched; and three un- successful attempts were made to reach the broken vessel, hopelessly stranded, buffeted by the raging billows. The third time the boat was tossed like a feather twenty feet into the air, and Captain James was hurled into the roaring, foaming water. Reaching shore again, wet and chilled, but undaunted, he di- rected the firing of the Hunt gun that had just been brought to the scene of action, and which
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on the first trial sent the life-line high up in the rigging of the "Ulrica," where it could not be reached by the half-frozen sailors. A second shot was fired, and a third. A hawser was made fast to the vessel: the life-boat by its means was pulled out, and the shipwrecked crew, scven in number, were saved.
Captain James, when thirty-two years of age, was united in marriage with Louise F. Luchie, of Hull. They have had ten chil- dren, six of whom are now living, namely : Louise Z., who married Eben T. Pope, of this town, and has two children - Hildegarde U. and Dolly T. ; Osceola F. James, who is cap- tain of the Life-saving Boat of the Humane Society at Nantasket Beach; Edith G., who married Joseph T. Galiano, of Hull, and they have one child, Eva; Bertha C .; Roselle F. ; and Genevieve E. James. The father of Mrs. James was John Luchie, who came from Aus- tria, and settled in Hull in the early part of 1830. He was a sailor until 1840, when he was employed as agent of the F. Tudor Ice Company in Boston. He was a very successful business man, and was highly esteemed. He died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, formerly Eliza T. Lovell, now at the age of seventy-eight, resides with her daughter Louise, Mrs. James, in Hull.
RA ALLEN LEACH, late an able lawyer of Campello, was born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton), June 7, 1850, son of Allen and Huldah G. (Morey) Leach. His paternal grandfather was Oliver Leach; and Peleg and Lucius Leach, shoe manufacturers of Brockton, were his uncles. Allen Lcach, his father, was a farmer. He resided in Whitman during the war, and there manufactured shoes.
Ira Allen Leach was graduated from the
high school and the Bridgewater State Normal School. Being mentally equipped, he began a commercial career, at first becoming a trav- elling salesman for his father, selling shoes in the West. For a time after that hc engaged in the manufacture of shoes; but, owing to disastrous losses by the Boston fire, he was obliged to give it up. Nothing daunted by this experience, he then worked in the shop of his uncle Marcus Leach, at the same time reaching out after something higher by read- ing law at home evenings. He also studied with W. W. & F. M. Wilkins, prominent lawyers of North Bridgewater. He passed a a most. meritorious examination for admit- tance to the bar, and began the practice of law in Campello, where he remained until his death, which occurred on January 10, 1 893.
In politics he was an undeviating Republi- can, and was actively interested in political measurcs. Fraternally, he affiliated in mem- bership with St. George's Lodge A. F. & A. M., of Campello, which he served as Audi- tor; the Massasoit Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brockton; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, in which he had the highest office.
On May 12, 1871, Mr. Leach was united in marriage with Abbie A. Clayton, a daughter of George W. Clayton, of Farmington, Me. Mr. and Mrs. Leach became the parents of sev- eral children, namely: Allen, who died at the age of seven; Cora B., who was graduated from the Brockton High School, and is now a stenographer; Ira Allen, who manages the place; Carrie E., Grace M., Helen F., and Oliver -five of whom reside here with their widowed mother. The parents both attended the South Congregational _Church, of which Mrs. Leach is a member.
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IRA A. LEACH.
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ASHINGTON I. JAMES, the cour- teous superintendent of Melville Gardens at Downer's Landing, Mass., was born in Hull, Plymouth County, on May 1, 1851. son of Samuel and Mary P. (Cushing) James, of Duxbury, Mass.
His grandfather, William James, a native of Holland, was a soldier who left the army to become a sailor. In early manhood he came to America, and, settling in Hull, thereafter followed the occupations of sailor and fisher- man. He married Esther Dill, who belonged to one of the old families of this town; and they had twelve children, six of whom - namely, four sons and two daughters -- are still living. Mrs. Esther Dill James met with an untimely end, being drowned with others of her family in 1837 in Hull Gut. The sloop in which they had set sail capsized, and the rocks and eddies made rescue impossible. William James lived to be eighty-six years old.
Samuel James, son of William, was a native of Hull, and has been a mariner on the coast all his life, making his home here. While he was connected with the Massachusetts Humane Society, which was incorporated in 1791, at the risk of his life he rescued from drowning twelve persons, the only survivors of the ship "Maritana," wrecked near Boston Light, November 3, 1861, on her way from Liver- pool, England. He received a certificate from the Humane Society in appreciation of his skill and courage. Other medals and purses that have been offered him his modesty has led him to decline. He now makes a busi- ness of keeping pleasure yachts, which he leases to the summer visitors. Though seventy-three years old, he is still hale and hearty. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Samuel James married Mary P. Cushing; and they became the parents of nine children, eight of whom grew to maturity; namely,
Washington I., Samuel, Laura R., Fannie E., Lillie R., Abbie A., Charles M., and Esther S. James. Laura R. James married for her second husband Warren Towle, of Bridgeport, Conn. By her former marriage to James W. Pope, of Hull, she had one child, Clarence Pope. Lillie R. is the wife of Clarence E. Leonard, of Wakefield, Mass. She has no children. Abbie A. is the widow of William Cullihan, of Hull, and has one child, a son named Paul. Esther S. James married Joseph Keon, of Middleboro, and died leaving two children - Esther S. and Harry Keon. Mr. Samuel James and his wife are highly re- spected members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. James has now attained the age of threescore years and ten, and still enjoys good health.
Washington I. James, after acquiring his education in Hull, was engaged in coasting with his father between Maine and New York. In 1870 he settled in Hingham at Downer's Landing, and officiated as assistant superin- tendent of Melville Gardens until the death of James D. Scudder, when he succeeded to the superintendency. For the past nine years he has served as Constable. In politics he is in- dependent. He also has been instrumental in saving a number of lives. In 1872, when the schooner "Helena" ran ashore on North East Bar, Point Allerton, he assisted in the rescue of five persons, receiving a prize for his bravery. Personally, Mr. James is highly esteemed, having made many new friends since his connection with Melville Gardens.
On November 28, 1878, he was united in marriage with Catherine L. Foley, daughter of Cornelius Foley, of Hingham, Mass. They have three children - May Gertrude, Frances Lilian, and Helen Catherine. The father and mother are both members of the Catholic church in Hingham.
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REDERICK A. WARD, a general agriculturist and cranberry-grower, was born January 4, 1855, in South Middle- boro, this county, son of Austin and Ann Janette (Sherman) Ward. His paternal grandfather was Eliab Ward, a native of Carver, where he was engaged in farming dur- ing the greater part of his entire lifetime. Austin Ward had his birth, July 3, 1826, in Carver, where he grew to manhood, and fol- lowed the business of butcher. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E of the Eighteenth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, and served at the front for one year and three months. He was then discharged on account of disability. Some time after he re-enlisted in Company C of the Fifty-eighth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. After a few months' service he was mustered out, June 8, 1865. On June 15, 1853, he married Miss Ann Janette Sherman, a daughter of Joseph R. Sherman, of Carver, where she was born September 3, 1833. They had three children, namely: Frederick A., the subject of this sketch; Emma J., who is now the wife of Samuel J. Sporrow, a carpenter, of Middle- boro; and Betsy W., now the wife of Wilston B. Chandler, of Middleboro, who is a conduc- tor on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. The father died in 1878, in his fifty-third year. The mother, who survives him, makes her home in Middleboro.
When about a year old, Frederick A. Ward removed with his parents from South Middle- boro to North Carver, where he passed the rest of his boyhood, receiving his education in the district schools. He began to earn his living at the age of sixteen. In his twentieth year he went to Plymouth to learn the moulder's trade, and there subsequently followed that calling for five years. He then worked in Providence, R.I., and Wakefield, Mass., for
six months each, after which he returned to Carver, and engaged in a general mercantile business. Discontinuing that after two years, he then conducted a stage and express route from Carver to Silver Lake in Plympton, tak- ing the cars thence to Boston, and making the round trip every day for nearly six years. One year later he purchased about forty acres. To this he has since made considerable addi- tions. He carries on general husbandry, and gives special attention to the cultivation of cranberries.
On July 16, 1881, Mr. Ward wedded Miss Clara E. Perkins, who was born March 26, 1857, to Mr. and Mrs. William Perkins, of Plympton. Mr. Ward and his wife have now one child, a son, Jay A., who was born No- vember 28, 1883. Mr. Ward participates actively in the civic and social affairs of the community. He has served his fellow-towns- men since 1889 as a member of the Board of Selectmen, officiating as the Chairman since the summer of 1892. In politics he acts in- dependently of party, giving his support to whatever candidates and principles he may think the circumstances of the time demand.
UFUS P. KEITH, Vice-President of the extensive corporation of the Pres- ton B. Keith Shoe Company, and clerk of the South Congregational Church of Campello, in Brockton township, was born in Campello, March 2, 1851. His parents were Charles Perkins and Mary (Williams) Keith. His paternal grandfather, Charles Keith, a farmer and shoemaker, was also a prominent Congregationalist, a member of the South Church of Brockton, one of the founders of the Campello church, and a teacher in the Sun- day-school. He married Mehitable Perkins, and reared a family of five children.
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Charles Perkins Keith was a lifelong resi- dent of Brockton, formerly North Bridgewater, and was engaged in the leading industry of the place - manufacturing shoes - until 1872. He, too, was connected with the South Con- gregational Church, and was liberal in its support. He died July 12, 1893, aged seventy-three years. His wife, who was a daughter of Josiah Williams, of West Bridge- water, died in 1884, aged sixty-two years. She left three children, namely: Sarah W., wife of Fred W. Park, of Campello; Preston B., shoe manufacturer of Campello; and Rufus P., the special subject of this biographi- cal sketch.
Rufus P. Keith acquired his education in his native town, finishing with a three years' course in the high school. He went to work at the age of eighteen in his father's factory, remaining until 1872, when he assumed charge of his brother's work-rooms. The business conducted by the Keith brothers is a flourish- ing one, having increased twelvefold since they took charge of it. In the beginning they employed twenty-five or thirty men, and they now have three hundred hands at work.
Mr. Keith was married in October, 1880, to a daughter of Jonathan Keith, a distant rela- tion. She died in 1893, aged thirty-six years, leaving one child, Clara May; and in April, 1896, Mr. Keith was united with Mrs. Sarah C. Reed Blades, daughter of the Hon. Will- iam L. Reed, and widow of the Rev. John T. Blades, a former pastor of the Campello South Congregational Church.
Mr. Keith, who is a Republican, has filled the office of Deputy Warden of Ward 3. He has been Treasurer of St. George Lodge, A. F. & A. M., for a number of years, and was Master some two years; and he belongs to Satucket Royal Arch Chapter. A member of the South Congregational Church since a boy
in his teens, he has been Clerk of the church a number of years, and a member of the Parish Committee seven or eight years.
JDWIN PUTNAM GLEASON, M.D., who has recently settled in Brockton, Mass., is a well-qualified physician and surgeon, a graduate of the Harvard Medi - cal School. He was born in Washington, D. C., May 3, 1866, and is a son of the Rev. John F. and Olive M. (Jefferds) Gleason. Dr. Gleason, on his father's side, claims descent from General Israel Putnam of Revo- lutionary fame, and on his mother's side from John Alden, who came to Plymouth in the "Mayflower," and from Thomas Dudley, one of the early governors of Massachusetts Col- ony. His father; the Rev. John F. Gleason, was born in Bedford, Mass., and now lives in Amherst. For thirty years a preacher, he be- lieved in battling for the right in deed as well as word; for during the war he served four years and a half in the Twenty-second Regi- ment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. His wife is a native of Middleton, Mass. .
Edwin Putnam Gleason passed the first six years of his life in the national capital. His parents then removing to Williamsburg, Mass., he attended school there four years; and he subsequently lived for nine or ten years in Norfolk, Conn., attending Norfolk Academy, Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass., and Amherst College. At the Har- vard Medical School he took the regular course in the class of 1890; and immediately after receiving his degree he opened an office in Cambridge, Mass., where he remained about a year and a half. He was subsequently appointed to the medical staff of the Brooklyn Sanitarium, previous to which he passed the exacting examinations of the New York Uni-
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versity Regents, this making him a legal prac- titioner in that State. After a brief practice in Rockland, Mass., he in 1896 located at 1106, Main Street, Campello, Brockton, where he now has a general practice, steadily increasing. He is a member of the Massa- chusetts Medical Society. A Republican since his majority, he has taken an active interest in politics. Dr. Gleason was married in 1895 to Miss Sadie L. Harlow, of Whit- man, Mass. He is a Mason, belonging to Charles A. Welch Lodge, of Maynard, Mass. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist, being a member of that church and of the Young People's Society of Christian En- deavor.
'REDERICK W. ROBBINS, formerly
a ,well-known merchant of Plymouth and a veteran of the Civil War, died at his home in this town, January 20, 1884. He was born in Plymouth, August 24, 1826, son of Deacon Josiah and Rebecca (Jackson) Rob- bins, and was a representative of an old Colo- nial family, whose founder was Nicholas Rob- bins, of Duxbury, 1638.
As the proprietor of Robbins's Rope Walk, Josiah Robbins was for many years a conspic- uous figure among the business men of Plym- outh ; and he was one of the most prominent supporters of the Orthodox church, of which he was Deacon for a long period. He was four times married, and he reared six children, five of whom were by his third wife, Rebecca Jackson, who was a native of Plymouth; and of these Frederick W., the subject of this sketch, was the third-born.
Frederick W. Robbins completed his educa- tional course at a Marlboro boarding-school, and for a short time afterward was employed in a retail grocery store in Boston. Returning to Plymouth, he entered the general store car-
ried on by his father in connection with the Rope Walk, and which, after coming into his possession, was managed by himself and a brother for some time. He later engaged in the wholesale grocery business, which he con- ducted for about one year, or until the break- ing out of the Civil War; and in August, 1861, he enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Callingwood, which formed a part of the Eighteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. Being near-sighted, he was pre- vented from entering the ranks as a regular soldier, but was eligible to the post of Com- missary of his company, in which capacity he served with ability for three years, accompany- ing the regiment through its various campaigns and battles. He thus contracted fever and ague, from which he never fully recovered.
After his discharge from the army in 1864 he returned home, and was obliged to pass a year in convalescing. He then went to New Berne, N.C., where in company with his brother he engaged in the grocery business, later becoming interested in a cotton planta- tion and the operating of cotton gins. From North Carolina he went to Texas, where his stay was of short duration; and, returning to Plymouth, he passed his last days among his kindred and friends, dying at the age of fifty- seven years. He was an exceedingly upright, conscientious business man, whose many ster- ling qualities endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. He possessed a natural desire for progress and the development of business enterprises. For a number of years he was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being a comrade of the post in New Berne, N.C.
On August 21, 1850, Mr. Robbins was united in marriage with Mary Wade, who sur- vives him. She was born in Boston, daughter of John and Mary (Dolbear) Wade, the former
JARVIS BURRELL.
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of whom was a native of Weymouth, and a boat-builder by trade, who was connected with the United States Navy Yard at Charlestown, Mass., for eighteen years. He married for his first wife Mary Francis, and for his second Mary Dolbear, of Boston; and his family consisted of eight children, seven sons and one daughter, Mrs. Robbins being the third of four children born of his second union. The Wade family were Unitarians, and attended the church in Charlestown which was formerly presided over by the Rev. Dr. Walker, and later by the Rev. George E. Ellis.
Mrs. Robbins in her girlhood attended the public schools of Charlestown, Mass., later entering a private school ; and her studies were completed at the Charlestown Female Semi- nary. Her married life was exceedingly happy, her love and devotion to her husband having been returned with the deepest and most sincere affection. They became the par- ents of seven children, five of whom died young. The survivors are: Abbie J., wife of George M. Gifford, a tailor of Plymouth ; and George J., a carpenter of Whitman.
Mrs. Robbins is prominently identified with the Ladies' Relief Corps connected with Call- ingwood Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Plymouth, having been a member of several visiting committees, and being much inter- ested in the corps and its work.
ARVIS BURRELL, the present Town Treasurer of East Bridgewater, Plyn- outh County, Mass., and a prominent business man, is a native of West Bridge- water.
He was born June 15, 1828, his parents being Jarvis D. and Nancy H. (Howard) Bur- rell. His maternal great-grandfather, Leavitt Thayer, was a Revolutionary soldier and pen-
sioner. (See muster roll, Captain Abner Crane's Company, 1779, State Archives.)
Jarvis D. Burrell, whose birth occurred in 1798, was for many years a merchant in Ran- dolph, Mass. He was also prominently iden- tified with the militia, of which he became a major, and was familiarly known as Major Burrell. In politics he was a Free Soiler. He lived to be eighty-eight years old. Five of his children survived him, namely : Jarvis; Sarah T., the widow of the late Josiah Bacon, of Boston, Mass. ; Nancy J., who died Sep- tember 17, 1894; Emily L., now living in West Bridgewater; and David T., of Brock- ton, Mass.
After acquiring a practical common-school education, Jarvis Burrell, in his eighteenth ycar, began learning the blacksmith's trade in West Bridgewater; and he followed that occupation for over three years. Subse- quently, in 1850, he came to East Bridge- water, and entered the employ of E. Carver & Co., cotton gin manufacturers, whose business is now carried on under the name of the Carver Cotton Gin Company. He worked as a machinist up to 1856, when he began travel- ling through the South as salesman and agent, following this until 1861, when the breaking out of the war put an end to the business for a time. He afterward entered their shop as a draughtsman and experimenter, and several years later, being made foreman of their iron department, held that position some time. So that altogether he was in the employ of the Carver Cotton Gin Company over forty-five years.
Mr. Burrell made valuable improvements on the machine for cutting moulding for marble slabs for shelves and marble tops on furniture. It was placed on exhibition at the Mechanics' Fair in Boston, and proved a great success, the marble manufacturers testifying that it did
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the work of from twelve to fifteen men without an increase in the cost of the tools. The Labor Committee waited on Mr. Burrell, in- forming him that he had better take his ma- chines away, as they were robbing men of work. He replied that he should still continue the; machines; and with characteristic pluck he adhered to this resolution, and finally suc- ceeded in convincing the committee that the men had no less work than before, though much more was accomplished in the same time. Mr. Burrell also made improvements on steam gauges, taking out a patent which was sold to the steam gauge manufacturers. For several years now he has carried on a printing business, getting out cards of all kinds, circulars, pamphlets, and catalogues. His inventive ability has shown itself in this department of business also; and Curtis & Mitchell, of Boston, deceased, when living, had control of his improvements in this line, and sold thousands of the presses that embody his improvements.
Mr. Burrell married Sarah A. Snell, of West Bridgewater, and by her has had four children, namely : Ina L. (deceased), wife of Fred C. Nutter, who left one child, Maude C., who was nineteen years of age June 27, 1896; Alice M., wife of F. O. Keith; Lura J., wife of A. G. Waterman; and George A., who married Louise M. Keith.
Mr. Burrell is a Republican in politics. Under a former school law he was Secretary and Treasurer of the School Board. In 1893 he was elected Town Treasurer, and he has been re-elected annually up to the present time. He is a member of the East Bridge- water Improvement and Social Club. Frater- nally, he is a charter member of Satucket Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of East Bridgewater, having originally been a member of Fellow- ship Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Bridgewater,
from which he withdrew to join the former. He is also a charter member and Treasurer of Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Bridgewater, and is a member of the Old Col- ony Commandery, Knights Templars, at Ab- ington. Few enjoy in a higher degree the respect and confidence of the community than does Mr. Burrell.
OHN C. GARDNER, a well-known native resident of Hingham, is a de- scendant of one of the town's early settlers. He was born on September 13, 1839, son of Enoch W. and Orra A. (Amadon) Gardner. He is a representative of a family said to be of Scotch origin, which has resided in Hingham for seven generations; and his lineage can be traced through Enoch W., Samuel, third, Samuel, second, Samuel, first, and Francis, to John Garnet, that being an early form of the family name.
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