USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Plymouth County, Massachusetts > Part 36
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EORGE M. BAKER has long been an honored citizen of Marshfield, his native place. He was born February 2, 1820, and is a son of George and Becky (Snell) Baker. His grandfather, Major Eli- jah Baker, served in the Revolutionary War. His father, George Baker, who was born in Duxbury, Mass., resided for a number of years in Marshfield, following the carpenter's trade and also acting as auctioneer. He was an officer in the State militia, and was familiarly known as Major George Baker. In politics he was a Whig. He died in 1838. His wife, who was born in Bridgewater, Mass., died in 1845.
George M. Baker was born and reared in his
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present home. He obtained his elementary education in the public schools of Marshfield, subsequently attending the academy and the State Normal School at Bridgewater. After finishing his studies, he was engaged as a dis- trict school teacher in Duxbury and Marsh- field some fourteen winters. In 1855 he en- gaged in the sale of general merchandise at Marshfield, and managed a prosperous busi- ness for fifteen years, retiring then from trade. In his early manhood he became agent for the Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, and he was subsequently employed as agent for the Hingham Mutual and other fire insurance companies. At present he repre- sents a number of leading insurance associa- tions, including the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and devotes the greater part of his time to the insurance busi- ness.
Mr. Baker was married in October, 1842, to Sophronia H., daughter of Captain William Weston, formerly a well-known seafaring man of Marshfield. Five children have blessed their union, namely : George ; Frank; Mary W. ; Stella B. ; and Martin, who died at the Massachusetts Agricultural College, aged nineteen years. George Baker for several years was one of the Board of Se- lectmen, was a member of the legislature for the year 1882, and for many years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Frank Baker gradu- ated in 1872 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, standing number five in a class of fifty-seven members. He served with his regiment (the Thirteenth Infantry) in various parts of the United States, and was transferred in 1879 to the Ordnance Depart- ment of the army. He is now a Captain in that branch of the service. Mary and Stella Baker have been teachers in the public schools for many years.
When a young man, Mr. George M. Baker was elected to the School Committee of Marshfield, and served over twenty-five years; and he was also one of the Selectmen for sev- eral years, serving at different periods. In 1852 and 1853 he was in the Massachusetts State legislature, and he was Postmaster from 1858 to 1885. He was one of the founders of the Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society, was elected its first President, and held that office twenty years. For fourteen years he was a member of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture.
He has been a lifelong temperance man, and interested in all measures for the suppression of the traffic and use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. He was early interested in the anti-slavery agitation, and cast his first vote for James G. Binney in 1841. When the Liberty party became merged in the Free Soil party, he was with that party; and he em- braced the Republican party at its organiza- tion. He has never voted with any other national party. He was one of the movers in the enterprise to shut out the tides from Green Harbor Marsh, whereby some fourteen hundred acres of salt meadow were reclaimed for agri- cultural purposes by the construction of the Marshfield Dike. The welfare of his native town has always been dear to him, and he ranks as one of her public-spirited citizens.
JDWARD Y. PERRY, one of the fore- most citizens of Hanover, Mass., was born in that part of the town of Pem- broke, Plymouth County, now known as Han- son, November 4, 1812. His parents were Elijah and Chloe (Stetson) Perry. The old homestead has been occupied by his ancestors for several generations.
The Perry stock is among the best in New
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England. Its representatives have been wor- thily engaged in various spheres of human activity ; but more especially have they figured among the sturdy and intelligent holders and tillers of the soil, who, independent and patriotic of spirit, were quick to resist oppression in time of danger from foreign foes, and as quick in time of peace to do their part in developing the resources of the country.
Mr. Perry's paternal grandparents, Seth and Hannah Perry, were of this class. The for- mer, a farmer by occupation, gave up the plough for the musket, and fought bravely for American independence in the Revolution- ary War. Their son Elijah learned the trade of a moulder, but subsequently devoted most of his time to farming. He shared in a large degree the sturdy patriotism of his father, and performed active military service in the War of 1812. The hardships which he endured at this time were the cause of his death about two years after the close of the war. His wife, Chloe, had died in December, 1812, when their son Edward, the subject of this sketch, was but seven weeks old.
Left an orphan at the age of but two years, little Edward was taken care of by his pater- nal grandparents, with whom he remained dur- ing his minority, engaged in his later youth in tilling the ancestral acres. Seth Perry and his wife both lived to be very old, he dying when about ninety-five years of age, and she surviving to the remarkable age of ninety- nine years and nine months. Upon attaining his majority, Edward Y. Perry started in busi- ness for himself, his first venture being as a country merchant in Hanson, where he contin- ued for several years, meeting with fair suc- cess. Having, however, for the purpose of accommodating others indorsed some paper which subsequently proved worthless, he lost
all he had made, and found himself several thousand dollars in debt besides. This debt he paid in time, but it proved for some years a heavy tax upon his resources. By no means discouraged by this unfortunate experience, he looked about him for a chance to retrieve his fortunes. With quick intelligence he saw that the future of New England depended largely upon her manufactures, and he resolved to enter the lists in what was comparatively a new industry.
Taking into partnership Mr. Charles Dyer, a gentleman who, like himself, had failed in business and was in debt, the two, without a dollar in the world, engaged in the manufact- ure of tacks in the town of Hanover, on the site of the present factory of S. C. Waterman & Sons. They began with one or two hun- dred pounds of iron, which they worked into shape and sold, and with the proceeds pur- chased a larger supply of raw material. From this modest beginning they gradually built up a business, making a little advancement year by year. But their progress was slow; and, when fifteen years had elapsed without any marked degree of success, they mutually agreed to dissolve partnership. Mr. Perry, however, resolved to continue in the business, and ac- cordingly purchased Mr. Dyer's interest, which he did mostly on credit. He then bought the property of the Hanover Forge Company at South Hanover, and shortly after- ward associated with himself Mr. Ezra Phillips and Martin W. Stetson, under the firm name of E. Y. Perry & Co. Mr. Perry gave his attention to the old factory; while Messrs. Phillips and Stetson made necessary changes in the newly acquired property to adapt it to the manufacture of tacks instead of anchor forg- ing. The machinery from the old factory was then transferred to the new, and manufacturing conducted in the latter entirely.
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Shortly after this Mr. Stetson withdrew, and Messrs. Perry and Phillips carried on the business together. This proved a happy com- bination, and lasted for a period of thirty years, at the end of which time Mr. Perry withdrew, in order to devote his attention to his outside interests. The business had been most suc- cessful, and the firm was known as one of the largest tack manufacturing concerns in the country. Mr. Perry pays a high tribute to the ability and character of his partner with whom he was so long associated, and whose qualities, business and social, were so well adapted to make their connection both pleasur- able and profitable. Besides their tack busi- ness they had established in 1870 a steam- mill at West Hanover, which was at once a grist and saw mill, and where also they manu- factured boxes. At the same time, in con- nection with others, they had started a coal and grain business in Rockland and Hanover and a leather and findings store in Boston, under the firm name of Phinney & Phillips. On dissolving partnership, all these outside interests fell into Mr. Perry's hands. The mill at West Hanover is now conducted under the firm name of L. Phillips & Co., Mr. L.ot Phillips being a partner. The grain business at Rockland is continued under the name of Culver, Phillips & Co. The leather store in Boston, although a successful venture, was discontinued in 1882.
In 1883 Mr. Perry, in company with Will- iam A. Vannah and E. P. Sweeney, purchased the property known as Winslow's Mills at Waldoboro, Me., and, under the firm name of Vannah, Sweeney & Co., went into business as dealers in lumber, bark, wood, grain, flour, hay, and groceries ; and he still remains con- nected with this firm, which does a flourishing business. He is also engaged, in company with Charles E. Soule, of Pembroke, in buy-
ing and selling real estate, lumber, and wood ; and they have been very successful.
Prior to 1861 Mr. Perry was one of the lead- ing men in agitating the question of building a railroad from North Abington to Hanover. But at that time few could be found willing to invest a dollar ; and the accomplishment of the enterprise would have remained something rather to be wished than hoped for, had it not been for Mr. Perry's persistent and aggressive efforts. An old charter had been granted for the purpose many years previously, but noth- ing had been done. It was now renewed, and matters were just beginning to assume a prac- tical form when the breaking out of the Civil War stopped operations. After the war Mr. Perry renewed his efforts; and in July, 1868, he had the satisfaction of seeing the road an accomplished fact. Upon its completion there was a debt of sixty thousand dollars, which has since been reduced to twenty thou- sand dollars. Mr. Perry had general super- vision of the building of the road, besides the engineering. He was President and active manager of the road from its inception to the time it was sold to the Old Colony Rail- road. He exercised a watchful supervision over its business and traffic, and everything relating to its finances passed through his hands.
Mr. Perry has performed his share of public service. He has been Justice of the Peace for many years, has besides done much probate business, and in 1867 he was a member of the State legislature. At an early period he threw himself into the anti-slavery movement, becoming a member of the American Anti- slavery Society at its organization by William Lloyd Garrison in 1832, and so remaining until the emancipation of the slaves was an accomplished fact. He has long been an ear- nest advocate of the temperance cause, on
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which as on other matters his opinions are pronounced and outspoken. He is so opposed to usury in every form that on July 1, 1880, he stopped taking interest on his loans; and he collects no interest upon mortgages now in his hands. He is known throughout Plym- outh County as one of the best judges of real estate values. Though wealthy, he is still as full of enterprise as in his younger days. Of dauntless spirit, strong will power, keen in- telligence, and unswerving honesty, he is widely recognized as a thoroughly capable man of affairs; and he has done much to improve the town and add to the prosperity of the gen- eral community.
On July 8, 1834, Mr. Perry married Miss Mary B. Oldham, daughter of David and Dcb- orah (Barker) Oldham, of Pembroke; and on July 8, 1894, they celebrated together their golden wedding. They had one child, who died in infancy.
EV. W. C. RYDER, the well-known ) pastor of the Independent Congrega- tional Church of Rock, Plymouth County, Mass., was born in Leeds, Me., No- vember 30, 1840, son of a Baptist clergyman who was then located in that town.
W. Clarkson Ryder came when he was six months old with his parents to Middleboro, where he grew to manhood. After attending the public schools he took a supplementary course of study at Peirce Academy, from which institution he was subsequently gradu- ated. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching, being in Marion, North Scituate, and Fairhaven, Mass., and Woonsocket, R.I. After following the profession for ten years he was obliged, on account of failing health, to resign. He then came to Rock. The follow- ing year, 1872, he entered the employ of the
American Tack Company, of Fairhaven, Mass., and has remained in their employ and that of their successors, The Atlas Tack Cor- poration, as salesman in New England, and manager of their store in Boston, for twenty- five years. Being religiously inclined, he be- came an evangelist, and, with the co-operation of others, gathered a congregation. In 1886 he was ordained pastor of the Independent Church of Rock, which has grown and pros- pered under his pastorate. A number of years ago Mr. Ryder began a grove meeting on his land, with five tents. It has become under his management a camp meeting, with six large society tents, a ladies' pavilion, tabernacle, preacher's stand, with seats for about one thousand, large dining-rooms, etc. A com- pany has been formed to continue these meet- ings, which are held in July of each year, and are for the promotion of Scriptural holiness.
In 1863 Mr. Ryder married Emily F. Holmes, a native of Rock. They have one child, Harland H., who was graduated from Boston University in the class of 1894. He is now principal of Hopedale High School.
DWIN SAWTELL, an enterprising and successful citizen of Brockton, promi- nent in business, politics, and social affairs, was born in Rindge, Cheshire County, N.H., August 25, 1838, son of Solomon Nel- son and Nancy (Whitney) Sawtell. His grandfather, Jonathan Sawtell, a native of New Hampshire, was for many years engaged in farming in Jeffrey, that State. Jonathan fought in the Revolutionary War, bearing the rank of Lieutenant, and lost a thumb in the battle of Bennington. He died at the age of eighty-nine years. His children numbered four sons and three daughters. Solomon Nel- son Sawtell was born April- 6, 1786. A
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EDWIN SAWTELL.
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farmer like his father, for many years he lived in Rindge or its vicinity. He served in the War of 1812, was a Congregationalist in re- ligion, and died at the age of seventy-seven. He was twice married, and had a family of fif- teen children, of whom eleven were borne by Edwin's mother. Five of the boys served in the war of the Rebellion. The youngest was killed during the raid on Washington. Nel- son died in a hospital. John L. died in Mansfield, Mass., July 22, 1894. Of the other two who are living, one was wounded at Antietam.
Edwin Sawtell, who was the tenth child borne by his mother, completed his education in the high schools of Rindge and Jaffrey. For a few years after leaving school he was employed as a painter in pail factories, and he was working in Lancaster. Mass., when the war broke out. Enlisting in Company I, Fifty-third Massachusetts Regiment, he was sent to Louisiana, where he was detailed as hospital nurse. In this capacity he performed many painful duties. He was one of the at- tendants sent with the wounded soldiers from Alexandria to Brashear City. There they were disturbed by the Rebels, and were obliged to move on to New Orleans. Mr. Sawtell was ordered to report for duty in the hospital wards, but requested to be allowed to join the regiment, and was sent to Port Hudson. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he came home. In November, 1866, he started a hulled-corn business in Abington. The following April saw him established on Cary Hill in Brockton. His venture in hulled corn, which he carried on in the winter for twenty-four years, was quite successful. In the summer he dealt in ice-cream. He also speculated in real estate. After spending three years on Cary Hill, he exchanged his place of business for his present stand on
North Main Street. He now owns a large amount of real estate. He has given away several lots for manufacturing purposes, and conceived the idea of building a power house, in order to enhance the value of his other property. In 1891 he bought the business of the New England Ball Castor Company, and, after conducting it under their patent for two years, gave it up. Among the lots given away was one of three hundred feet in length to the Industrial Improvement Corporation, and one to the Stevens Shank Company. He was one of the principal movers toward the locating of the W. L. Douglas Company, and several other shoe companies upon a portion of his land. It is to his enterprise that the upbuild- ing of that portion of Brockton called Mon- tello is due; for up to the year 1880 no de- velopment of the land in that quarter had taken place. During that year fifty-six house- lots west of the railroad were laid out, streets were built, and house building commenced. At the present time nearly all the lots have dwellings of neat design. Beginning in 1880, he was constantly purchasing land east of the railroad until 1890, when at that time he owned in all two hundred and sixty acres. At the present time, on this property are manu- factories of various kinds, and over one hun- dred homes. At a celebration held when the first factory was completed, he was designated the "father of Montello." He is now Presi- dent of the Brockton Power Company, which was organized for the purpose of erecting fac- tories in this city.
Mr. Sawtell was married November 24, 1859, to Anna L. Holbrook, of Fitzwilliam, N.H. She died March 14, 1891, leaving two children, who are both living. On August 14, 1893, he was again married, this time to Miss Lucy A. Doolittle. A lady of remark- able ability, before her marriage she spent
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several years in the Argentine Republic as principal of a kindergarten school and school for training teachers. She also opened a school for the same purpose in Topeka, Kan., and formed a free kindergarten association in Bangor, Me., and for ten years she was en- gaged in educational work in Florence, Mass. She died April 8, 1896, in her fifty-first year. For a number of years Mr. Sawtell has been affiliated with the Prohibition party. He was one of the original twenty-four in Brockton that voted in accordance with their convic- tions. He has served on the State and County Committee for many years, and was a delegate to the National Convention at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, in 1892, and to the convention at Pittsburg, Pa., in 1896; and he has been nominated for various official positions. At one time he served on the City Council. Before the war he became a Mason and is now a member of Paul Revere Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; and for a number of years he has been a member of Fletcher Webster Post, No. 13, Grand Army of the Republic. He has been a member of the Methodist church since he was fourteen years of age, and he filled several official positions in the Central Church of this city, his services extending over a period of twenty-five years.
ILLIAM FEARING, 2d, Town Treasurer of Hingham, Plymouth County, Mass., was born here on May 13, 1832, son of David and Polly S. (Burr) Fearing. The earliest known progeni- tor of the family in America, John Fearing (also written Fering and Ferin), came from Cambridge, England, in 1638, settling in Hingham, Mass. Land was granted him in 1635 and 1647; and after his death other lots in the six divisions fell to his heirs, being
drawn in his name. He was a prominent man in the early local history, holding various positions of trust and responsibility. He was Freeman in 1652, Selectman in 1648, 1661, and 1663, and was a Deacon of the church for many years. He was a farmer, and resided on North Street, nearly opposite the Universalist church. He died May 14, 1665. In his will, dated three days previously, and proved June 12, he names his wife, two sons, and two daughters, and specifies that the eldest son is to have a double portion. His wife, Margaret, survived him, and subsequently married on November 3, 1675, Robert Williams, of Roxbury.
Of John's four children, all of whom were natives of Hingham, Israel, the second-born, was baptized in September, 1644. On July 22, 1673, he was united in marriage to Eliza- beth Wilder, daughter of Edward and Eliza- beth (Eames) Wilder. Israel Fearing, who was a cooper, died in Dorchester in January, 1693 ;, and his wife died in Hingham, January 27, 1730. Five children were the result of their union. John, the eldest, born December 29, 1674, was a weaver. He served the town as Constable in 1703, and as Selectman in 1731 and 1732. The maiden name of his wife, to whom he was married May 8, 1708, was Margaret Hawke. Her parents were James and Sarah (Jacob) Hawke. The sec- ond John Fearing died November 7, 1752; and his wife passed away on September 28, 1764, being eighty-three years of age. Their home was on Pleasant Street, and they had four children.
Hawkes Fearing, their third child, was born July 13, 1715. He was a farmer. He held the office of Selectman in 1751, 1754, and 1755. On December 3, 1741, he married Margaret Lincoln, daughter of David and Leah (Beal) Lincoln. She was born in
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Hingham, April 19, 1722. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes Fearing resided on Main Street, Hingham Centre, and had thirteen children. He died June 16, 1785; and his wife lived until November 12, 1816. Hawkes, the fifth child, born November 26, 1750, was a farmer and trader. He resided on the homestead, and was a man of prominence, serving as Rep- resentative from 1806 to 1811, inclusive. On May 5, 1779, he married Leah Lincoln, daughter of Enoch and Rachel (Fearing) Lin- coln. She was born here, December 3, 1758. Eleven children blessed their union. The father passed to the life immortal June 6, 1 826, and the mother, January 18, 1844.
David, the sixth child of Hawkes and Leah Fearing, was born here, August 28, 1789. He was engaged in trade ; and he served as Repre- sentative to the legislature in 1839 and 1840. On January 31, 1819, he married Polly S. Burr, daughter of Levi and Susanna (Stowers) Burr. They resided on the paternal home- stead, and had six children. The mother, born in Hingham, November 24, 1794, died September II, 1859. David, the father, died October 1, 1876. Their children were : Mariah; David; William, who died at the age of three; Mary Hannah Thayer; and William.
William Fearing, 2d, who was reared in this town, had excellent educational advan- tages, supplementing his common-school in- struction by attending Derby Academy, which stood high among the institutions of learning of the day. His commercial career began in his father's grocery store, where he continued until it was burned out. In 1858 he built a store here; and he continued to engage in the sale of goods and in business generally therein until 1892, when he sold out. He now has an office in the second story of the same building.
In politics, since casting his first vote for John C. Fremont, he has affiliated with the Republican party. He has been actively interested in local affairs, serving efficiently as Town Treasurer for thirty-nine consecutive years. He is Vice-President of the Hingham Institution for Savings, Treasurer of the Hingham Public Library, President and Treas- urer of the Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and Treasurer of the Hingham Cordage Company. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Old Colony Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Past Commander of South Shore Commandery, Knights Templars, having passed the thirty- second degree; and Life Member of Massa- chusetts Consistory. In New York City, February 19, 1863, Mr. Fearing was united in marriage with Emily L. Cushing, of Boston. She died twelve years ago, leaving four chil- dren, three of whom are living and at home : William B., born September 25, 1864; Alice L., born August 29, 1866; and Gertrude I., born October 1, 1872. In religion Mr. Fear- ing is a man of liberal ideas, being a Unita- rian. Personally, he is a man of social as well as official prominence and power.
OHN B. HOLLIS, a prominent citizen of Duxbury, Mass., and one of the messengers of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, is a native of Weymouth, Norfolk County, this State. He was born January 8, 1833, a son of John B. and Emily (Harvey) Hollis, the former of whom was born in Weymouth, and the latter in North Yar- mouth, Me. Hosea Hollis, father of John B., Sr., was also a native of Weymouth, where the founder of the family settled at an early date. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. John B. Hollis, Sr., was a lifelong resident of Weymouth, and was engaged in shoe manu-
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