USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Plymouth County, Massachusetts > Part 27
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Artern, Saxony, died January 31, 1895, aged fifty-eight years. They were the parents of four children, two of whom died young. The survivors are Frank E. and his sister Minnie.
Frank E. Angerer attended the public schools of Washington, D.C., and subse. quently graduated from Gonzaga College. He served for nine years in the House of Repre- sentatives, in the successive capacities of page, clerk. and book-keeper. This experi- ence, which brought him into contact with the most brilliant men of the nation, broadened his mind, and gave to his early training a finish which no college could supply. He was afterward associated with his uncle at Wülfrath, Germany, for about four years. He returned to America in 1887, and was en- gaged as confidential clerk and book-keeper by Lilly, Brackett & Co., of Brockton. In May, 1895, a corporation was formed of this com- pany, and Mr. Angerer became Secretary and one of the Directors of the body.
Mr. Angerer was married December 10, 1889, to Marian Inglee, of Halifax, Plymouth County, and has two bright little daughters. Politically, he favors the Republican side. He was elected from Ward 6 to the City Council in 1894. He is a member of the Brockton Lodge of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, No. 164; and of the Brockton Commercial Club. In religion he favors the Unitarian belief, attending the Church of the Unity of Brockton.
OHN DUNHAM, who is extensively engaged in the cultivation of cran- berries at Carver, was born here Sep- tember 3, 1822, son of James and Ruth (Pratt) Dunham.
James Dunham, who had his birth in Plym- outh, was engaged throughout his active life
in general agriculture in this town. By his wife, who was a native of Carver, and a daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Pratt, he became the father of nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom seven yet survive. Mr. Dunham passed away July 31, 1870, aged sixty-nine years; and his wife, August II, 1881.
John Dunham attained maturity on the home farm, receiving his education in the pub- lic schools of his native town. When about eleven years old he began to learn shoemaking from his father. In his fifteenth year he went to work on a farm by the month, at which he continued three years. He then turned his attention to peddling, and was engaged in it for ten years. During the succeeding three years he ran a wagon through the surrounding country, selling boots and shoes, with other articles. Then, resuming the last, he con- ducted a shoe shop at North Carver for nine years. Since then he has been extensively and successfully engaged in the culture of cranberries. He erected all the buildings used in the industry. In 1861, on the out- break of the Civil War, Mr. Dunham enlisted in Company K, of the Third Regiment of Massachusetts Infantry. Subsequently, he was mustered in at Fortress Monroe as First Lieutenant, and then went to Hampton, Va. At the expiration of his term of service he was discharged at Boston as First Lieutenant.
On November 22, 1845, Mr. Dunham was united in marriage with Miss Hannah H. Cobb, a daughter of Captain Charles and Sylvia Cobb, of Carver, where she was born March 7, 1820. Four children were born of the union, namely: Algelo L., now deceased ; Rebecca, born November 16, 1850; Rolinda, June 4, 1854; and Marrietta L., November 17, 1861. Mr. Dunham takes an active in- terest in the affairs of the town, and he has
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served it for sixteen years in the capacity of Public Surveyor. He maintains his fellow- ship with his comrades of the late war by as- sociation with Post No. 8, of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Middleboro. He attends the Congregational church. In politics he supports the Republican party.
ENRY W. SEARS is one of the leading merchants of Middleboro, Mass., managing an extensive trade in lumber, doors, sashes, blinds, hardware and paints, and builders' supplies of all kinds. He was born in South Yarmouth, Mass., April 24, 1859, son of Barnabas and Deborah M. (Clark) Sears.
Barnabas Sears was a carpenter and builder. He removed from South Yarmouth to Middle- boro in 1874, and, in company with his brother, engaged in the lumber business, under the firm name of J. K. & B. Sears. He met with good success; and in the latter part of his life was practically retired, leaving the management of the business to his son. He died August 30, 1894, aged seventy-five. His wife was a daughter of Captain William Clark, of Brewster, Mass. Captain Clark's family consisted of four children; and it is curious to note that his youngest child died first, the third child next, then the second, next the eldest, then the mother, and last the father, who was the oldest of all. Mrs. Sears died April 22, 1885, when she was about fifty- three years of age. Her children were: Isaiah C. ; Etta F., wife of W. H. Doane, of New- ton, Mass .; and Henry W., the special sub- ject of the present sketch.
Henry W. Sears, after attending the com- mon schools of South Yarmouth, took a three months' course of study at a commercial col- lege in Boston. When he was fifteen years of
age he obtained a position in a grocery store, where he was employed about six months; and in 1875, when he was sixteen years old, he began to work for his father. On January 1, 1882, he took an interest in the business, the firm name being changed to its present form of J. K. & B. Sears & Co. Mr. Sears carries an extensive stock. His business is well con- ducted, and his trade is increasing every year.
He married December 5, 1883, Martha S., daughter of James M. Pickens, of Middleboro, and has two children: Henry W., born Janu- ary II, 1888; and Mabel B., born April 20, 1892. Mr. Sears is a strong and active Re- publican, and has served on the Town Com- mittee. He is a stanch advocate of total abstinence, and is a member of the Sons of Temperance. He has been a Director in the Middleboro Co-operative Bank since the date of its organization in 1889, and is also on the Finance and Security Committee, and is Pres- ident of the Commercial Club. In the Con- gregational Church he is Deacon, clerk, and President of the Christian Endeavor Society, and he is interested in the Sunday-school.
IEUTENANT HENRY A. SEAV- ERNS, late a prominent member of the Grand Army, and the senior partner of the firm of Seaverns & Spear, one of the leading mercantile houses of Scituate, Mass., was for years actively identified with the business and social life of this town. He was born in Dorchester, Mass., April 21, 1842, a son of Charles H. and Sarah L. (Smith) Seaverns. His parents also were natives of the old Bay State. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Dorchester, and after leaving school learned the machinist's trade, at which he worked for a short time.
He was one of the youthful soldiers who
HENRY A. SEAVERNS.
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answered President Lincoln's call for volun- teers in May, 1861, enlisting on the tenth of the month, having just entered on his twenti- eth year. He was first enrolled as a private in the Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry, joining Company K, under command of Captain Benjamin Stone, and was mustered into the United States Service at Fort War- ren, Boston Harbor, June 13, 1861. He was discharged August 26, 1861, at Washington, D. C., by reason of sickness. He re-enlisted August 7, 1862, as Sergeant in Company H, Thirty-ninth Regiment, Massachusetts Volun- teer Infantry, in which he served also as Commissary-sergeant. He was discharged April 18, 1864, by order of Major-general Warren in order that he might accept a com- mission as Second Lieutenant, this commis- sion being dated March 30, 1864. He was present with his regiment and participated in the following engagements: Bristol Station, October 14, 1863; Rappahannock Station, November 1, 1863; Mine Run, November 27, 1863; Wilderness, May 3 to 7, 1864; Spott- sylvania, May 8 to 19, 1864; Jericho Mills, May 23, 1864; North Anna, May 23 to 30, 1864; Magnolia Swamp, June 1, 1864; Be- thesda Church, June 1 to 3, 1864; Cold Har- bor, June 2 and 3, 1864; Norfolk Railroad, June 18, 1864; Jerusalem Plank Road, June 20, 1864; Petersburg, June 30, 1864; Wel- don Railroad, August 18, 1864.
In the last-named engagement he was se- verely wounded, a minie ball splitting on his sword; both pieces entered his thigh, piercing to the bone, one deflecting to the front, the other to the back, just glancing over the sciatic nerve. He was carried to the field hospital, where one piece of the bullet was removed. August 19 he was transferred to the division hospital, and on August 26 to the Mcclellan Hospital at Philadelphia. On
September 7 he was transferred to the Officers' Hospital. On September 15 he was commis- sioned First Lieutenant; and on January 7, 1865, he was discharged from the service on account of his wound. He then returned home, but found himself unable to resume work at his trade. In 1867 he bought out the firm of H. W. Bailey & Co., dealers in dry- goods and notions at North Scituate. This business was established in 1823, and the store was well known to the people of Scituate and the adjoining towns. The store was enlarged, and the business was greatly increased by Mr. Seaverns. He managed the business for twenty years, from 1867 to 1887, under the name of H. A. Seaverns & Co .; and then S. T. Spear, of Chelsea, Mass., becoming a partner, the style was changed to its present form, Seaverns & Spear. Shortly after this Mr. Seaverns visited Florida, hoping that his health would be benefited by the change of climate. There he contracted typhoid ma- laria, and his old wound broke out afresh, taking the form of serious inflammation of the knee joint. A complication of troubles re- sulted, and he was an invalid for over six years. He passed away September 26, 1894, as the result of hemorrhage from wounds received in service.
Mr. Seaverns was a very successful business man, and had the confidence and esteem of the community. He was Postmaster at North Scituate for a number of years, and served for some time on the School Board. A popular member of society, he belonged to the Masonic fraternity and to George W. Perry Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Scituate.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church, having united with the Neponset church by baptism in May, 1860, and was for nineteen years actively identified with its work, teaching also in the Sabbath school.
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His obsequies were attended with cere- monies befitting the part he had taken in life, the Grand Army Post escorting his remains to Groveland Cemetery, where they were in- terred. In accordance with his expressed desire, the Rev. B. W. Barrows, of New York, the clergyman who had baptized him, came to officiate at the funeral ; but he was so much affected that the Rev. A. D. Spalding, his pastor here, conducted the services. The monument which marks his grave bears this inscription in obedience to his dying request : "A soldier of the Cross and of the Flag."
Mr. Seaverns was married May 16, 1867, to Mercy G. Litchfield, a native of Scituate, daughter of James S. and Martha L. (Mott) Litchfield. Mr. Litchfield, now in his eighty- sixth year, resides in Scituate, a widower, his wife having departed this life some years ago. Mrs. Seaverns, who is a very capable woman, now represents her husband in the mercantile business. She has been a member of the First Baptist Church at North 'Scituate since she was nineteen years old. She has many acquaintances and friends in this vicinity, and is highly esteemed.
HOMAS N. ELDRIDGE, a prosper- ous merchant of Plymouth, was born March 5, 1833, in Bourne, Mass., son of Captain Thomas M. and Ann (Haines) El- dridge. The Eldridges were among the early settlers of Cape Cod, and became one of the most prominent families in that district. Captain Thomas M. Eldridge was a master mariner, and for many years was engaged in the China and East India trade. He aban- doned the sea some twenty years previous to his death, and passed his last days in retire- ment. He married Ann Haines, a native of Cape Cod, whose father was a soldier in the
War of 1812. By her he became the father of eight children. Of these, Ann M., twin sister of Thomas N., is now a resident of New Bedford, Mass.
Thomas N. Eldridge attended the common schools of Bourne. At the age of twelve years he went to sea. When fifteen years old he obtained employment in the dry-goods store of Jason Hart in Plymouth, where he remained until he was twenty-one, receiving for salary a dollar per week and his board. He then went to Boston, where he secured a position as clerk in the store of William R. Storms, with whom he remained for six months. Returning then to his former employer in Plymouth, he con- tinued with him until Mr. Hart's failure a year later. Thereupon he once more became an employee of Mr. Storms in Boston. He subsequently worked in several of the largest dry-goods stores of Boston, including that of Prescott Barker, at the corner of Tremont Row and Pemberton Square, formerly located at 28 Hanover Street, and those of George B. Milton and George Whiting. After leaving the employ of Prescott Barker he went to Fair- haven, Mass., where he managed the grocery store of M. Delano & Co. for three years. About the year 1861 he returned to Plymouth as head clerk for B. O. Strong, in whose em- ployment he continued for twenty years. In 1883 he commenced business here on his own account. Two years later, compelled by his increasing trade, he removed to his present store. Since then he has been obliged to take for his use another story of the building. He is also interested in one of the banks here, of which he is a director.
In 1855 Mr. Eldridge wedded Eunice Pope, a daughter of Richard Pope, of Plymouth. His only son, William T., now assists him in business. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for the past twenty years.
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His success in life has been won in the face of many difficulties by pluck and perseverance.
B ARZILLAI FIELD, a farmer of Brockton, was born here February 17, 1842, son of John and Olive (Thompson) Field. His grandfather, Bar- zillai Field, fought in the Revolutionary War with his three brothers, Ephriam, Fobes, and Richard. John Field, when but sixteen years old, served his country in the last war with England. He followed farming, and was Selectman of North Bridgewater for one term. His wife, Olive, was a daughter of John Thompson, whose house stood on . the line between Stoughton and North Bridgewater. They had ten children - Olive, Franklin, Eustace, Owen A., Elizabeth, Clarissa, John, Charles T., Caroline, and Barzillai. Olive, born June 16, 1820, married Elisha Bumpus, a tailor of North Bridgewater, and is now deceased. Also deceased are : Franklin, born April 7, 1822; Eustace, born May 17, 1824; and Owen, born July 24, 1826. Elizabeth, who was born April 11, 1829, married Francis Brett, of South Paris, Me., and now resides in this city. Clarissa, born January 5, 1832, married William W. Allen, of Brockton, and resides in California. John, born March 19, 1834, is now living in the State of Minnesota. For information regarding Charles T., see the notice of his life elsewhere in this work. Caroline, born August 27, 1839, who became Mrs. Charles G. Wilber, of Brockton, has since passed away. The father died January 20, 1866, in the seventieth year of his age. He was a man of independent ideas respecting religious questions, being one of the original members of the Swedenborgian Church. The mother died on March 25, 1883, in the eighty- first year of her age.
Barzillai Field, after acquiring a common- school education here, took a course of study in the Hunt Academy. He then worked in the shoe shops for D. S. Howard and others for some time, and then went to the West. Later he returned to the farm, which he now con- ducts. On July 8, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany C, Sixtieth Massachusetts Regiment, and, after serving for a little more than four months at Indianapolis, he was honorably dis- charged November 30, 1864.
On August 11, 1874, Mr. Field was united in marriage with Elizabeth Putnam Kimball, of Campello. Her parents were Samuel and- Betsy Ann (Keith) Kimball. Her father, who was born September 19, 1819, enlisted in Company E, Eighteenth Massachusetts, Au- gust 30, 1862, and was killed at the second battle of Bull Run. Mr. Field and his wife have a daughter, Flavella Field. In politics Mr. Field is an Independent. He is a com- rade of the Fletcher Webster Post, No. 13, Grand Army of the Republic.
LLEN DANFORTH was a well-known editor and banker of Plymouth. He was born at Taunton, Mass., Janu- ary 18, 1796, son of Asa and Deborah (Thayer) Danforth. The Danforths, who are an old and respected family of New England, come of English extraction. In England their an- cestral history goes back to the year 1538. A record gives the information that Thomas Danforth in 1634 was executor of his mother's will. In the same year his brother Nicholas emigrated from England, and settled at Cam- bridge, Mass., where he died in 1638. Nich- olas's son Samuel, who was born in England in 1626, and died in 1674, labored in the ministry at Roxbury, Mass., in conjunction with John Eliot, the celebrated Indian missionary. His
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son, the Rev. Samuel Danforth, who was born December 18, 1666, graduated from Harvard College in 1683. Samuel wedded Miss Han- nah Allen, and with his family removed to Taunton, Mass., in 1687, where he passed away November 14, 1727. His son James, who was born November 11, 1692, married Miss Sarah Dean, and died February 27, 1759. James Danforth, Jr., born July 16, 1724, married Miss Mehitable Baker, by whom he became the father of Asa, and passed away on April 15, 1777. Asa Danforth, who was born January 9, 1766, wedded Miss Deborah Thayer, the mother of the subject of this sketch, and departed this life July 15, 184I.
Allen Danforth resided in Taunton until 1822, when he removed to Plymouth. On May 4 of that year he published the first num- ber of the Old Colony Memorial, which was the first newspaper produced in Plymouth. Hav- ing conducted that journal until 1836, he thereafter devoted his attention exclusively to financial institutions, enjoying the confidence and respect of all the people of Plymouth. He was one of the incorporators of the Plym- outh Institution for Savings, now called the Plymouth Savings Bank. In 1829, when the bank was a year old, he was elected Treasurer, in which capacity he served until his demise, a period of nearly forty-three years. When he assumed charge of the bank, its total de- posits were six thousand, seven hundred and forty dollars. At his decease they amounted to over one million, eight hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Danforth was also Secretary of the Old Colony Insurance Company from its organization in 1835 to 1853, during which time the company enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity.
On December 13, 1813, Mr. Danforth wedded Miss Lydia P. Seaver, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Seaver, of Taunton.
Five children came of the marriage, namely : Nathaniel, born in 1821, who died in the fol- lowing year; James Allen, born September 19, 1819, who married Sarah T. Jackson, of Plymouth; Lydia Ann, born October 16, 1825, who still resides on the old homestead; Mary A., born June 6, 1828, who became the wife of John J. Russell, of Plymouth; and William Seaver, born January 20, 1832, who wedded Miss Abbie D. Mace, of Colebrook, Conn. Mr. Danforth represented his district in the legislature of 1830-31, and he was Selectman of Plymouth in 1848 and 1849. He was affiliated with the fraternity of Masons, being a member of Plymouth Lodge, Plymouth. In national politics he was a Re- publican. He maintained fellowship with the Unitarian Church of Plymouth from the date of his settlement there to his decease, serving it for a part of that time in the capacity of Treasurer. He died May 28, 1872, in the full enjoyment of the confidence and respect of all who knew him, and regretted as a loss to Plymouth.
ALEN HUMPHREY, an intelligent, prosperous, and highly esteemed citi-
zen of Wareham, this county, was born September 2, 1823, at South Carver, Mass., son of Asa and Mary (Maxim) Hum- phrey. He attended the public schools at Carver, where he acquired a practical educa- tion fitting him for the position of a teacher in the common schools, and before attaining his majority had spent two years as a teacher in Middleboro, Plymouth County. At the age of twenty he removed to Hopkinton, Middle- sex County, Mass.
In 1845 Mr. Humphrey settled in East Warcham, and he there taught fifteen consecu- tive terms. In 1850 he started for California,
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the Eldorado of the West, taking the pioneer route to San Francisco. He remained in that vicinity until the spring of 1852, engaged in prospecting and mining ; but, not meeting with the wished-for success in his search for gold, he then returned to his native State. From that time until 1863 he was engaged in farm- ing in East Wareham, where he subsequently carried on a substantial grocery business for fifteen years. Disposing of his store in that place Mr. Humphrey was engaged as a mer- chant in South Wareham from 1880 until 1883, but since that time has made his home at Wareham, where he occupies an assured position among the useful and valued members of the community.
On January 19, 1853, Mr. Humphrey was united in marriage with Miss Nancy N. Besse, a daughter of Captain Seth and Sarah (Briggs) Besse, of Wareham. They have four chil- dren, namely : Sophia B., born November 23, 1853; Albert, born December 3, 1855 ; Clin- ton, born April 30, 1858, now deceased; and Horace M., born January 25, 1867. Sophia B. Humphrey married, May 26, 1887, Almon H. Stone, of Phillipston, Mass., and is the mother of one child - Nelson, born September 9, 1891. Albert Humphrey married in Janu- ary, 1892, Emma G. Pettigrew, of Phillipston, Mass. They have one child - Mary E., born in February, 1893.
Politically, Mr. Humphrey is a decided Re- publican, and faithfully sustains the principles of that party. He is also a stanch temperance advocate. He has been a member of the School Committee fifteen years, a Justice of the Peace for the same period; and he has likewise served as Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of the Poor, besides being Road Master and holding other minor offices. Re- ligiously, he and his estimable wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
'SAAC SAMPSON was born in Lakeville, Plymouth County, Mass., July 12, 1826, and is to-day, after varied experi- ences in life, a successful farmer in his native town. His parents were Nathaniel and Zil-
pha L. (Shaw) Sampson. Nathaniel Sampson was also a native of Lakeville, and was the father of six children, three of whom are no longer living. The survivors are: Nathaniel M., Zilpha L., and Isaac. Attending the district school and Pierce Academy in his boyhood, until the year 1850, Isaac Sampson lived on the farm where he had made his advent into the world, and among the sur- roundings of a peaceful country home passed his childhood and youth. The tidings from the adventurous explorers of the American Eldorado, who told of fabulous fortunes made in the Californian gold mines which had just been discovered, filled him with a desire to seek his fortune there also; so he took passage for San Francisco by way of the Isthmus, and landed in the city of the Golden Gate in the fall of 1850.
Following the precedent of the Western pioneers, he took possession of a tract of land in Alameda County, and became what is called in the settlers' parlance, a "squatter." With an energy born of intense ambition, the young New Englander put in a crop of vegetables in July, and then hurried to the mines, where he purchased an interest in one which seemed to promise great returns. Having accomplished this arrangement, he then returned to his field, and gave it his whole attention for several months. He then engaged in a mercantile enterprise at the Mission of San José, and continued in this from the winter of 1851 to that of 1853. In the latter year he returned to the old farm in Lakeville, Mass., glad, no doubt, to set his foot once more upon New England soil. Here he remained until 1859,
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when a desire to breathe the balmy air of the Pacific shore again seized him, and he returned to San José and resumed his former pursuit in that growing town. In 1863 he returned East for his family, for the ties of home and kin- dred were as strong as ever about his heart.
The Western life seemed a different thing when wife and children were with him, and for three years the Sampsons lived in the land where so many fortunes had been made and wrecked within one short decade. In 1866 he returned with his family to New England ; but the West seems to have had a strange hold upon him, for in 1869 he again went to the Pacific coast, engaging this time in the com- mission business in San Francisco. His last journey to Calfornia was made in 1877, in which year he established himself in San Leandro as a merchant. This venture was short lived, as he returned to his native home in 1878, and has since resided here. It was on the third of his many Western voyages that Mr. Sampson experienced the horrors of ship- wreck, near Cape St. Lazro. The vessel went ashore ; and he was finally taken off by a pass- ing steamer, and in this wise reached his des- tination after suffering and delay.
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