USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Plymouth County, Massachusetts > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
Mr. Boyden has filled the position of princi- pal of the Bridgewater Normal Sehool with eminent ability and fidelity. Under him the number of students has steadily increased, the course of study has been expanded, the build- ing, grounds, and equipments of the school
Alsoyders
٠٫١٠
27
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
have been greatly enlarged, and the profes- sional spirit of the school has been greatly developed. In the fall term of 1860, when he assumed charge, there were sixty-seven pupils. In the fall term of 1894 there were two hun- dred and fifty-three. In 1860 the course of study extended through three terms of twenty weeks each. At the present time four courses are in operation : a two years' course, a four years' course, a post-graduate course for col- lege graduates, and special courses for teachers of long experience.
The first six years of its life the school held its sessions in the Town Hall. In 1846 it moved into a new building, the first State Normal School building erected in America. In 1861 this building was enlarged, increas- ing its capacity seventy per cent. In 1871 the building was again enlarged by adding a third story. In 1881 a building for chemical, physical, and industrial laboratories was built. In 1890 these buildings were removed, and a massive brick structure, eighty-six feet in front by one hundred and eighty-seven feet in length, three stories above the basement, was erected. In 1894 this building was extended, increasing its capacity fifty per cent. In 1869 the boarding department of the school became a necessity, and a residence hall was erected, accommodating fifty-two students and the family of the principal. In 1873 it was en- larged to accommodate one hundred and forty- eight students. In 1891 the laboratory build- ing was converted into a residence hall, accommodating thirty-two students. The
present school building, with its equipments, is not surpassed by any normal-school build- ing in the country in its adaptation to its pur- pose. It will accommodate two hundred and fifty normal students and a practice school of five hundred pupils. The grounds have been increased from one and one-quarter acres to
sixteen acres, including a beautiful park and grove of six and one-half acres.
Mr. Boyden has given his best thought to the study of man, to find the principles of edu- cation which determine the method of all true teaching, and, to the application of these prin- ciples in co-ordinating the work of the school, to make it a thorough normal training school in all its course. He has sought, with the more than thirty-five hundred pupils who have come under tuition in his school, to set before them a high ideal of what life should be, to awaken the conscience to the responsibilities of the teacher, to give them command of them- selves, of the philosophy of teaching, and of the subjects to be used in teaching, and such a knowledge of children that they shall be able to practise wisely the art of teaching.
The school has a national reputation. Its graduates are engaged in all lines of educa- tional work - as teachers in common, high, and normal schools, as superintendents of schools, State agents, and State superintend- ents. Some have become prominent as law- yers, physicians, clergymen, and in business. Many as wives and mothers exert a strong educational influence. Some are missionaries in distant lands.
As teacher and citizen, Mr. Boyden is held in the highest esteem. He has been President of the Plymouth County Teachers' Associa- tion, of the Massachusetts Teachers' Associa- tion, of the Massachusetts Schoolmasters' Club, of the New England Normal Council ; Vice-President of the American Institute of Instruction ; Secretary of the National Council of Education; Trustee of the Bridgewater Savings Bank; clerk of Central Square Con- gregational Society since 1863; President of the Old Colony Congregational Club; editor of Massachusetts Teacher; author of numerous educational addresses.
28
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Mr. Boyden was married in Newport, Me., November 18, 1851, to Isabella Whitten Clarke, daughter of Thomas and Martha Lou- isa (Whitten) Clarke. Miss Clarke was a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal school, and a successful teacher. Of this union were three sons: Arthur Clarke Boyden, A. M., Vice-President Bridgewater Normal School ; Walter Clarke Boyden, who died in infancy; and Wallace Clarke Boyden, A.M., sub- master Boston Normal School.
Mr. Boyden has been invited to take charge of normal schools in other States, with larger compensation, but has preferred to remain in Bridgewater that he might carry forward his plans for the development of this school.
G EORGE A. WOOD, proprietor of one of the best markets in Brockton, was horn in Westport, Bristol County, Mass., January 26, 1857, son of Alexander and Bathana B. (Manley) Wood. The Wood family, which is an old one, was connected with that of Captain Miles Standish, "the doughty warrior of Plymouth." Mr. Wood is of the third generation of his family born in Westport, that place having been also the birthplace of his grandfather, Captain Nathan, who was a son of William Wood. The Cap- tain devoted much of his life to the pursuit of agriculture. He was one of the prominent citizens of Westport, held several town offices, and commanded a company of Statc militia. He lived to attain the advanced age of eighty- nine. Annie Gifford, of Westport, became his wife, and bore him six children - Alex- ander, Nancy, Clarinda, Amanda, Angeline, and Nathan W.
Alexander Wood was born in Westport, and educated in the common schools of the town. He learned the cooper's trade, and went to sea
as cooper on a whaling-vessel. Attracted by the adventurous life, he learned the principles of navigation, and was subsequently first officer of a vessel for a number of years. At the age of thirty-nine, having followed the sea for twenty years, he retired and settled on a farm at Westport Point, where he died at the age of seventy-three. His wife, who was a daughter of John Manley, of Little Compton, R.I., died at the age of sixty-two. He had seven children, three of whom are living.
George A. Wood attended the common schools of Westport until fifteen years of age. He then took up the business of designing and engraving on silver, at the same time attend- ing the Taunton Art School. He was with the Taunton Silver Plate Company about five years, at the end of which they went out of business. Then for three years he was in the employ of the Meriden Britannia Company of Connecticut. His next engagement was as foreman of a room for Steen, Son, & Hall, successors to the Taunton Silver Plate Com- pany, the establishment being in New York City. Having remained five years with them, he, in September, 1884, opened a meat market at his present location in Brockton, in partner- ship with D. F. Hathaway, of Fall River. The firm, which was known as Wood & Hath- away, was dissolved at the end of two years, Mr. Wood purchasing his partner's interest, and since that time he has carried on the busi- ness alone. He now employs four clerks, and uses three delivery teams. He has also an in- terest in the Brockton Building Association.
In November, 1878, Mr. Wood was married to Mary J. Davol, daughter of Albert I). Davol, of Taunton, Mass. They have had four children, namely: Harold A., who at- tends the Brockton High School, and is a member of the High School Cadets; Bessie May, who died in infancy; Florence D., now
29
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
eight years old: and Mildred B., aged five. In politics Mr. Wood is a Republican. Though taking an active interest in political affairs, he has not accepted public office, pre- ferring to devote his time to his business. He is a member of Paul Revere Lodge, A. F. & A. M .: of Massoit Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows: of Damocles Lodge, No. 16, Knights of Pythias. of which he was Treasurer for a number of years; of Brockton Division, No. II. Uniform Rank. Brockton Council, Royal Arcanum. of which he is also Trustee; a charter member of the Senate of the Ancient Essenic Order, and a Trustee of the First Board; and a charter member of El Katif Temple, No. 44. Knights of Karassum. While in Taunton he was connected with the Taunton Hook and Ladder Company some three years, and was Sergeant of the Taunton City Guards. When he left the State for New York he severed his connection with the mili- tia. He is now an associate member of Fletcher Webster Post, No. 13, Grand Army of the Republic, of Brockton. Mr. Wood attends the Universalist church, and has for a number of years been a contributor to the Young Men's Christian Association, which has done much for him. His business success is due entirely to his own exertions, as he has never received any outside help.
ILLIAM AUGUSTUS THOMP- SON, a prosperous farmer of Brock- ton, and a representative of an old and highly reputable family of this section, was born in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, December 14, 1824, son of John and Sarah (Jones) Thompson. The family is of Irish origin. Its founder in America was Archibald Thompson, who, with his wife and son, emi- grated from the north of Ireland in 1724, and
first settled in Abington, this county. A short time later he moved to Bridgewater, and was one of the first settlers in the North Parish. It is claimed that he made the first spinning-wheel constructed in New England. He died in 1776, aged eighty-five. He reared a family of eight children, of whom Thomas, the second born, was William A. Thompson's great-grandfather. In 1754 Thomas Thomp- son married Elizabeth Strowbridge, and he died May 28, 1810, aged eighty-one years. His wife died October 18, 1811, aged seventy- nine. Of their eight children, Captain Thomas, the sixth born, was William A. Thompson's grandfather.
Captain Thomas Thompson was born in North Bridgewater, July 4, 1767. He was engaged in farming and the manufacture of spinning-wheels, and died November 10, 1835, aged sixty-eight years. On August 5, 1792, he wedded Martha Kingman, daughter of Matthew Kingman, and she became the mother of six children; namely, John, Charlotte, Sophronia, Jane S., Martha Kingman, and John (second). The mother died December 28, 1840, aged seventy-five years. John Thompson, Mr. Thompson's father, was born in North Bridgewater, March 16, 1795. He was engaged in tilling the soil during the ac- tive period of his life, and died May 25, 1866, aged seventy-one years. His wife, Sarah, whom he married November 18, 1819, was a daughter of Captain Asa Jones. She died February 20, 1853, aged fifty-three years, leaving one son, William A., the subject of this sketch.
William Augustus Thompson received his education in the common schools of North Bridgewater and at a private school in Shrews- bury, Mass. He has followed agricultural pursuits since young manhood, and owns a farm containing seventy acres of excellent
30
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
tillage land. He works occasionally in his sons' shoe factory, as the opportunity serves; but his time and attention are chiefly devoted to his farm, which he carries on very success- fully.
In 1844 Mr. Thompson was united in mar- riage to Almira J. Hayward, of Brockton, by whom he became the father of five children. These were: George Hayward, who was born September 27, 1848; Alma, who was born September 26, 1851, and died September 6, 1852: Abby, who was twin sister of Alma, and died June 28, 1852; John Franklin, who was born September 9, 1857; and Sarah Rus- sell, who was born November 9, 1861. Mrs. Thompson died August 27, 1883, aged fifty- eight years and three months. George H. and John F. Thompson, under the firm name of Thompson Brothers, conduct a shoe factory near the family residence. The father is a Republican in politics. His ancestors were noted for ability, thrift, and industry - the characteristics of himself and his sons.
AMUEL L. BEAL, A.M., an en- terprising business man of Brock- ton, was born in Jefferson township, Switzerland County, Ind., June 24, 1840, son of Lewis W. and Mary (Lester) Beal. After acquiring his elementary education in his na- tive place, he prepared for college at Hills- dale, Mich. Graduating from the Free Bap- tist College there in 1868, he entered the Congregational Theological Seminary at Bangor, Me. Here, before he had finished the course, his religious opinions underwent a change, and he completed his theological course at St. Lawrence (Universalist) Uni- versity at Canton, N. Y., graduating in the class of 1870.
His first pastoral charge was the Universal- -
ist church at Westminster, Mass., which was under his direction some two and a half years. His next was the Universalist Church at Provincetown, this State. Here he had spent two years and a half, when he resigned. Later, complying with a recall, he labored there for six months more. On April 12, 1876, he moved to Brockton, and, about a year after, he became connected with the Universal- ist Society, which, at that time was ruptured by internal schisms. Mr. Beal took the rem- nants of the society, founded an independent movement, and for six years was engaged here in active and unceasing labor. During three summers of that time he preached also at South Easton for the Unitarians, and in Avon to a small independent congregation. The severe strain caused his voice to fail him, and his physician advised him to abandon the pulpit. He followed this advice, and was afterward engaged for some time in book can- vassing. He then became interested in Spiritualism in Brockton, and about the year 1884 joined the ranks of the Spiritualists. In this new field he became as enthusiastic and energetic as in his former charges. During the past six years he has presided at different Spiritualist camp meetings at Ocean Grove, Ilarwichport, and has spent much time in the lecture field. Mr. Beal also acts as agent for several property owners, and is the proprietor of a news-stand and a circulating library. In connection with his newspaper business he sells about five hundred papers daily, em- ploying several boys on paper routes.
On March 27, 1875, Mr. Beal was united in marriage with Lizzie P., daughter of Albert and Martha Johnson Sweetser, of Province- town, Mass. The union has been blessed by four children. Their eldest son graduated from the Brockton High School in 1895, and is now studying at Brown University; the
31
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
eldest daughter graduated from the high school in 1896: and the other children are at- tending school in this city. Mr. Beal votes the Prohibition ticket. In Westminster and Brockton he has served on the school Commit- tee. He has been Assessor of Brockton since 1891. In the temperance movement he has taken a prominent part, and was nominated by the Prohibition Party for Mayor at one time. He is a member of the Independent Order of Good Templars in this city, and was Chaplain of the Grand Lodge at one time. He was made a Mason at Gardiner, Mass., and took chapter degrees at Provincetown. He has also affiliation with Massasoit Lodge, No. 69, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of Brockton.
J OSIAH A. TORREY, a well - known manufacturer and merchant of Rock- land, was born December 31, 1835, son of Josiah and Elizabeth D. (Estes) Tor- rey, both natives of Plymouth County. The family is a distinguished one, and of English extraction. Its founder was Captain Will- iam Torrey. of Combe, St. Nicholas, County of Somerset, England, who settled in the town of North Weymouth as far back as 1640, and established the family seat, where his descendants have since resided.
Phillip Torrey, the great-grandfather of Jo- siah A., was a farmer of North Weymouth, in which place he spent most of his life. His son William, the grandfather, who was there born and educated, married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Captain David Hersey, of Abington.
Josiah Torrey, William's son, also a native of Abington, was born November 29, 1798, and spent all his life in that place. At first a farmer, he subsequently engaged in the manufacture of soap. He married Elizabeth D. Estes, a native of Hanover, Mass., who
came of good Italian ancestry, and was a woman of great personal attractions through- out her life. Born thirteen years later than her husband, she survived him thirteen years, and died as he did, at the age of eighty-one, having been the mother of thirteen children. Eight of the children are living; namely, Mary L., Josiah A., Ann E., Hattie R., Clara, William, Ella, and Ruth.
Josiah A. Torrey, the eldest surviving son of his parents, was brought up on a farm of his father's in the town of Rockland. His opportunities for obtaining an education were somewhat limited, as he had to spend much of his time helping on the farm. He attended the district schools each winter during his early boyhood, thereby obtaining a foundation for the knowledge that he afterward acquired. He worked with his father on his farm and in the soap factory until he was twenty-one years old, when he was made a partner in the latter concern. At his father's death he succeeded to the business, and has since been the sole proprietor. The factory is in a flourishing condition, and has proved a most profitable investment. He is also interested in the Rockland National Bank, of which he is a Director, and in the Rockland Savings Bank, of which he is President.
Mr. Torrey married Arabella Grover, of Bethel, Me., and by her became the father of four children. These were: J. Carlton, who was a civil engineer by profession, and died a victim of overwork; Arthur E., who is a ma- chinist, and resides in Rockland; Harry A., a market gardener of Rockland; and Lena G., who resides at home. In his politics Mr. Torrey is a strong Republican, and a stanch upholder of the temperance cause. He was formerly a Selectman, and was Assessor for four years. He is a member of the Congrega- tional church. Both he and his wife regularly
32
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
attend the Congregational church, of which he is a member. He belongs to Standish Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
ILLIAM W. CROSS is the senior member of the firm of W. W. Cross & Co., tack manufacturers, of Brockton, Mass., one of the leading industrial concerns of this thriving business centre. He was born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton), November 20, 1833, the son of Nathaniel H. and Lucy (Vose) Cross, and is a member of an old New England family.
His paternal grandfather, Captain Nathan- iel Cross, came from Exeter, N.H., to the vicinity of Brockton, early in the century. Nathaniel H. Cross, son of Captain Nathan- iel, was born in East Bridgewater, October II, 1803. He was an ambitious and enter- prising man, and tried more than one way of earning a livelihood, engaging for a while in the manufacture of carriages, and subse- quently managing a store and a hotel. Active in public affairs, he was captain of a fire engine company, was a member of the North Bridgewater Board of Selectmen, and was for a time Postmaster of the town. He died at the age of thirty-nine. His wife, a daughter of Elijah and Catherine (Cobb) Vose, of Bos- ton, died May 4, 1896, at the advanced age of eighty-nine.
William W. Cross attended school for a while in his native town, and went at the age of nine to live with an aunt at Westminster, Vt. He there worked on a farm for three years and three months, and then, returning home, found employment in the Boston Water Works at Needham, Mass., receiving six dol- lars a month. He was employed in the water- works six months, and was then hired by Z. F. Brett, dry-goods merchant of Wareham, who
gave him two hundred dollars a year, board, clothing, and two years' schooling. With steady perseverance he retained this position until twenty-one years and eight months of age, managing to save the greater part of his salary; and he then opened a dry-goods store of his own in Palmer, Mass., which he suc- cessfully managed until 1869. On the 23d of March, that year, he came to Brockton (then North Bridgewater), and on April 15 he bought a tack factory on the site of his pres- ent building. Starting with nine machines, he gradually increased the amount to one hun- dred and twenty, and during the past year he has had all these machines in operation, run -. ning overtime at the rate of a day and a quar- ter a week. In the twenty-seven years that he has been in this business he has not expended two hundred dollars to increase the sale of his goods, as his manufactures are of the highest grade only, and speak for themselves; and he is often obliged to run night and day to fill orders. He exports largely to England, Scot- land, Russia, and Germany.
Mr. Cross was one of the first to become interested in the Brockton Street Railway when it was projected, buying a goodly amount of its stock. He became President of the company after the expiration of his term as Selectman of the town, having previously de- clined the office, and such was the benefit of his administration that when he came to sell his stock its value had risen to one hundred and fifty dollars a share.
Mr. Cross was one of the four who con- ceived and carried out the idea of the City Theatre. He built the theatre, and is now one of its four owners. He has been Vice- President of the Brockton National Bank ever since its incorporation, and on its tenth birth- day he gave a dinner to the Board of Directors at Young's Hotel, Boston. He has been a
WILLIAM W. CROSS.
35
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Trustee of the Brockton Savings Bank from its - beginning. In 1892 he was elected President of the Board of the Standard Rubber Com- pany, and held the position until January I, 1896: and he has been Vice-President of the Brockton Agricultural Society from the date of its incorporation. He was one of the four original members who started the society, and purchased the twenty acres of land, which constituted the nucleus of its handsome grounds. Additional purchases have been made from time to time, and now the land alone is worth one hundred and twenty thousand dol- lars. The society has laid out over one hun- dred and thirty thousand dollars for construc- tion, and they find their venture a paying investment, for in four days in 1895 their gross receipts were forty-three thousand dol- lars. Mr. Cross takes a deep interest in the welfare of this society.
He was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Bartlett, of Wareham, Mass., on January 8, 1855; and two children have blessed their union. The elder, William B., who was born November 15, 1858, became his father's part- ner in 1878, and he has largely increased the foreign trade of the firm. The younger son, Charles L., was born in July, 1866, and died in November, 1866. William B. Cross is a Director of the Brockton Agricultural Society.
Mr. Cross is a strong Republican, but not an active political worker. When Brockton was known as the town of North Bridgewater, he was Selectman for two years, and Water Commissioner for three years. One of the original Board of Construction of the water- works, he was actively interested in their completion, and was elected to the Board of Commissioners as a man who understood the affairs, and would look after the town's best interests. He has been a Mason since 1856, when he joined the first lodge at Palmer,
Mass., and he was made a Royal Arch Mason in Springfield, and a Knight Templar in Abington. He attends the Congregational church, contributing liberally to its support. As a self-made man, Mr. Cross has accom- plished a remarkable amount of work, with no backward slips in his upward career: and this brief sketch of his progress shows the power for success in tenacity of purpose, aided by the faculty of living within one's means, even though the means are small as his were in his early youth. 1136100
HOMAS ARCHIBALD, an esteemed business man of Rockland, was born April 25, 1866, in Nova Scotia, of which Canadian province his parents, Samuel and Susan (Parker) Archibald, also were na- tives. Samuel Archibald is a manufacturer of fertilizers in his native country, and does a flourishing business.
Thomas, who was one of seven children (five boys and two girls), received a good edu- cation in his native country. He was first employed in a shoe store, where he served in the capacity of clerk. After remaining there for some time, he found employment with a large wholesale house as travelling salesman. Shortly after, his father engaged his services, and finally took him into the firm, of which he has since remained a member. Of late years he has also been in business for himself. Coming to Rockland a few years ago, he started the manufacture of what are now known as the "Black Band Cannon Crackers," which enterprise has been a decided success, and at- tests to his ingenuity and high business quali- ties. The goods attract a great amount of attention from dealers, and have a large sale. The business is conducted by Mr. Archibald, under the firm name of Archibald & Co. The
36
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.