USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Plymouth County, Massachusetts > Part 43
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EORGE HUNT, M.D., physician and surgeon, is one of the leading profes- sional men of Bridgewater, Mass. A son of David F. and Rebecca C. (Jenkins) Hunt, natives of Rockland, Mass .; he was born in that town, March 12, 1855. The Hunts, who are of English origin, have been domi- ciled in New England a great many years, the first of the race having settled here in the seventeenth century. On the maternal side also Dr. Hunt's lineage runs back to the in- fancy of Massachusetts, his mother being a descendant of Governor Bradford of the Plym- outh Colony.
George Hunt attended school in Rockland, graduating from the high school. He subse- quently took a thorough course in medicine at
GEORGE B. DUNBAR.
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Boston University, and he received his degree in ISSI. He commenced practice in Brock- ton, this county, where he remained one year. Then he moved to West Bridgewater, and there was for some time associated with Dr. James C. Swan. In 1884 he started an inde- pendent practice in East Bridgewater, and in 1892 he located in Bridgewater. He now has a large and lucrative business in the Bridge- waters and Brockton, where he is well and favorably known. In 1884 he was united in marriage with Lillian A. Browne, who was born in Abington, Mass.
The founder of the Browne family in Abing- ton is thus mentioned in Hobart's History : " Richard Brown, a remote descendant of An- thony Brown, emigrated to this country from England with Edith, his wife, and settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1633." Although the pedigree of Richard has not been traced, many interesting particulars concerning the English Browns of former generations have been gath- ered, partly, doubtless, from tradition, partly from records. The original Sir Anthony Browne is said to have been knighted at the coronation of King Richard II. in 1377, and to have received the title Lord Viscount of Montague. His sons were: Robert, who suc- ceeded to the title; and Stephen, who was Lord Mayor of London in 1439. Sir An- thony's grandson, a second Anthony, was suc- ceeded by his son, Anthony, third, his grand- son, Anthony, fourth, a George, and others later bearing the title. Old Sir Anthony Browne is mentioned in Volume II. of Miss Strickland's "Lives of the Queens of Eng- land." What is known of this line of worthies is of a nature to stimulate further genealogical research. Mrs. Hunt's family have in their possession a copy of the original coat-of-arms which appertain to Sir Wolstan Browne, who in 1510, while in the service of
King Henry VIII., was knighted by the king of Arragon. This coat-of-arms was brought to Abington by Mrs. Hunt's ancestor, the Rev. Samuel Brown (son of Richard), who was a graduate of Harvard College, and the first minister in Abington, where he was settled in 1712. It has been handed down since his day from father to son.
Mrs. Hunt has borne her husband four chil- dren - William E., Marion B., Harold D.,. and Reginald S. In politics Dr. Hunt favors the Republican side. Prominently interested in Masonry, he is a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge of East Bridgewater. He takes an active interest in the welfare of Bridgewater, where his friends are legion.
ISS TRYPHENA WHITING, now residing in Hanover, her birthplace, was for many years successfully engaged as an instructor in the public schools of different towns in Plymouth County and in the West. She is a daughter of William and Cynthia (Curtis) Whiting, being the eldest of four sons and four daughters. Her father, William Whiting, was a farmer and merchant trader during the years of his business activity. He at one time served as Selectman of the town. He died at the age of seventy- five years, his wife being fifty-nine at the time of her death.
Tryphena Whiting grew to womanhood on the farm which is now her home, and was edu- cated in the public schools, Hanover Acad- emy, and the academy at Lunenburg, Mass. She began teaching at eighteen, her first school being in the town of Hanson, after which she taught in Pembroke for a year, and in Norwell and Hanover schools for several years. Going then to St. Joseph, Mo., she became a teacher in the public schools of that
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place, where she remained for sixteen years, a part of which timc she was principal of the grammar school. She then returned to Han- over, and until three years ago, 1893, con- tinued to engage in her chosen vocation. Though she no longer presides over the school- room, the boys and girls grown to men and women, whose minds she has helped to train, are living lives of greater usefulness, and striving for the accomplishment of higher aims through having come under the influence of her instruction and example. Her interest in educational work still continues; and, as she has been a member of the School Committee for the past fifteen years, it has often found expression in many helpful ways. Miss Whit- ing is a communicant of the Baptist church of Rockland, Mass.
UTHER A. DOUGLAS, a successful merchant in Hingham, Mass., where he has been located for twenty-three years as a dealer in gentlemen's furnishing goods, was born in Sandwich, Mass., July 25, 1847. His parents were Luther and Lucy S. (Gibbs) Douglas.
The earliest progenitor of this branch of the family in America was John Douglas, a native of Scotland, who was kidnapped in London, it is said, and brought to America in a merchant vessel, when he was twelve years of age, being subsequently bound out in Middleboro, Mass. He married Eunice Rat- liffe, of that town; and they had three children - Elijah, John, and George. John, second, born about 1722, married Mary Braley. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary War he volunteered his services, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
John and Mary Braley Douglas had seven children, the first of whom was John, Jr., born
March, 1752, who married Lydia Southworth, born June 12, 1759, and had thirteen children.
One of this large family was John Douglas, fourth, a native of Middleboro, a farmer and school-teacher, who removed to South Plym- outh, and taught the first school there. He served his country in the Revolutionary War, being Orderly Sergeant at Bunker Hill. He lived to an advanced age. His son Ephraim, the grandfather of the subject of this biog- raphy, was born in Middleboro, but removed thence to New Hampshire for a short timc, going thereafter to Plymouth. He was a farmer, and lived to be eighty-seven years of age. He volunteered in the War of 1812, and, serving under General Brown, was in the Indian skirmish at Bridgewater, N. Y.
Luther Douglas, son of Ephraim, was a sea- faring man, and is now a resident of Sand- wich. He married Lucy S. Gibbs, daughter of Josiah and Jane (Swift) Gibbs, of Sand- wich, Mass. By this union there were nine children, five of whom are living: Luther A .; Ansel G., a travelling salesman for a furni- ture house; Millard F., of Lynn, who is in the same business; Charles E., an engineer ; and Mary M., wife of Charles Sherman, of Kingston, Mass. The mother died at the age of forty-six years.
Luther A. Douglas received but a limited common-school education, being obliged when he was very young to work upon the farm. For a number of years he lived with his grand- father. At the age of twenty he went to Plymouth, where he became the clerk and manager of the Samoset House, remaining four and a half years. He then went to Clin - ton, Mass., and had served as manager of the Clinton House for one year, when he came to Hingham. At the Cushing House he offici- ated as clerk for four years, subsequently tak- ing charge of the café at Downer's Landing,
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which he managed efficiently five years. In the mean while he had established in a small way his present business. which gradually in- creased until it required his entire time and attention. In politics he has been an inde- pendent most of the time since he first voted, but he is now a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to Old Colony Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Royal Arch Chapter; and South Shore Com- mandery. Knights Templars.
Mr. Douglas was united in marriage with Ella Brewer, of Brewer, Me. Her parents were Francis F. and Mary S. (Howes) Brewer. Her great-grandfather was Colonel John Brewer, for whom the town was named He was the first Postmaster, the first Sheriff, and one of the most influential men in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas have one child, Alice B. In religious belief they are Unitarians. Personally, Mr. Douglas is popular socially and as a citizen. He takes great interest in genealogy, and has a penchant for collecting old curios.
BENEZER CRANE, who has followed farming in Lakeville, Plymouth County, since early manhood, winning by his industry and uprightness the respect and es- teem of his townsmen, was born in Berkley, Bristol County, Mass., on November 2, 1820. His parents were Gershom and Sallie (Strow- bridge) Crane, the mother a native of Lake- ville. His parents also had two daughters - Caroline and Betsey ; but he, the only son, is the only one of the family now living.
When but five years old, Ebenezer Crane was brought to Lakeville by his parents, who settled on the farm where he now resides. As a boy, he attended the district schools, and later was a student at Peirce Academy in Middleboro. The farm, of which he has had charge since about the time of leaving school,
is the old Strowbridge homestead. It con- tains about fifty acres, and besides this he owns a wood lot in Lakeville. He is success- fully engaged in general husbandry. In poli- tics Mr. Crane is a Republican.
EORGE O. ALLEN is a representa- tive citizen of Scituate, a member of an old family long prominent in Plymouth County. He was born in Scituate, May 17, 1838. His parents were George M. and Hannah E. (Otis) Allen. His grand- father, the Rev. Morrill Allen, was born in Dover, Mass.', an early home of this branch of the Allen family. A college graduate, he was ordained to the Unitarian ministry, and took charge of a church in Pembroke, Mass., in his early manhood, being one of the first ministers of that town, where he was settled for forty years. He was widely known and esteemed. Owning an extensive farm in Pembroke, he was actively interested in agriculture, and was a recognized authority on that subject. He was a member of the Whig party, which elected him to the State legislature. The Rev. Morrill Allen died in 1870, his ninety- fifth year. His wife lingered even longer here below, being in her ninety-eighth year when called to the life immortal.
Their son, George M. Allen, was born in Pembroke, Mass., and reared to manhood in Plymouth County. He was well educated, and taught school for a while; but, shortly after attaining his majority, he engaged in mercantile business in Scituate, and, being very successful, followed that line for a num- ber of years. He was also interested in ship- ping. A man of strong character and more than average intelligence, he was prominent as a member of the Republican party, and was many years Selectman of Scituate. He also
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represented the town in the legislature of the State. He was a strong supporter of schools and churches, and was for a number of ycars connected with the Unitarian society. He died in 1878, and was succeeded in business by his brother, William P. Allen, who also was a well-educated man, a school-teacher in his youth, and for many years a member of the Scituate School Committee. William P. Allen died in 1891. Mr. George M. Allen's wife, who was born in Scituate, died August 28, 1889.
George O. Allen was educated in the public schools of Scituate and at Plympton Academy. He has been engaged since early manhood in agricultural pursuits, owning an extensive landed property ; and he is one of the wealth- iest and most progressive farmers of this vi- cinity. He was married December 8, 1880, to Deborah N., daughter of the late Thomas M. Hatch, of Scituate. In politics Mr. Allen is a Republican. He is a generous-minded man, always ready to promote worthy objects and to aid in well-considered public improve- ments. Mr. Allen is Chairman of the Parish Committee of the Unitarian church.
APTAIN ALEXANDER WADS- WORTH, one of the most venerable and highly esteemed citizens of Duxbury, a retired ship-master, was born in this old Plymouth County town on August 22, 1808, son of Ahira and Deborah (Sprague) Wadsworth. The Wadsworth family is of English origin; and this branch of the family in America descends from Christopher Wads- worth, its founder, who came, it is thought, on the ship "Lion " in 1632, and who was one of the earliest settlers in Duxbury, where his name appears on the records in 1633. Cap- tain Wadsworth's grandfather was Lieutenant
Seneca Wadsworth, a native of Duxbury, who served in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War.
Ahira Wadsworth, son of Seneca, was in his earlier years a seafaring man, and sailed as master of a vessel engaged in the merchant service. He finally retired from the sea, and was engaged in mercantile business here until his death, which took place some thirty years ago. His wife, whose maiden name was Deb- orah Sprague, was born in this town. Her father, the Hon. Seth Sprague, was formerly a prominent and influential citizen of Dux- bury, and for several years a member of the State Senate.
Alexander Wadsworth acquired his educa- tion in the common schools, which he at- tended until he was fifteen years old. At the age of seventeen he became a sailor, shipping before the mast, and advancing step by step until he was twenty-five, at which age he com- manded his first vessel. He was engaged in the foreign trade nearly thirty years; and dur- ing that time he visited almost every part of the civilized world, and commanded eighteen different ships, all of which were first-class sea-going vessels. In 1861 he retired from the sea after a career of unusual prosperity, both for himself and his owners; and he has since resided in Duxbury.
Captain Wadsworth wedded for his first wife Beulah Holmes, who became the mother of two sons: Frank G., who is now First Lieutenant of the cutter "William Windom," in the United States revenue service; and Alexander S., who was born in the Bay of Bengal, and is now in the employ of Dame, Stoddard & Kendall, wholesale hardware mer- chants of Boston. He married in 1857 Selina Hilton, his present wife, a native of Lincoln County, Maine, and a daughter of Joshua and Abigail B. (Keene) Hilton.
HORATIO CHANDLER.
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Although fast approaching his ninetieth birthday, the captain is well preserved and exceedingly active for one of his advanced years. His generation of the family has a somewhat remarkable record for longevity, as he has one sister, Catherine, widow of the late Francis G. Ford, who is now in her ninety- fourth year, and another, Deborah, who is nearly eighty-four.
Captain Wadsworth is one of the few master mariners left who commanded vessels during the palmy days of the American merchant ser- vice, and he honored the flag under which he sailed. His many sterling qualities and his unfailing courtesy have endeared him to his fellow-townsmen, most of whom are of a younger generation than himself; and he re- mains as a connecting link between the sturdy old navigator of the past and the younger, but no more efficient, commander of the present day. His residence is one of the handsome and commodious dwellings which contribute to the attractiveness of Duxbury as a summer resort.
ORATIO CHANDLER, of Duxbury, has achieved success in three distinct lines of industry-agriculture, man- ufacturing, and fish culture - his trout breed- ing especially, which has passed the experi- mental stage, yielding most gratifying results. Mr. Chandler was born in Duxbury, Mass., August 20, 1835, a son of Nathaniel L. and Sallie (Sampson) Chandler. He belongs to one of the old Duxbury families, tracing his descent from Edmund Chandler, an English- man, who settled in this town in 1633.
From Edmund the line of descent was con- tinued by Joseph, Joseph, second, Philip, Asa, Asa, second, to Nathaniel, the father above named, who was a native and lifelong resident of Duxbury. He was a thrifty and enterpris-
ing man, who cultivated a farm, and at the same time worked at the stone mason's trade. He was at first a Whig, and later a Republi- can in politics, and was elected to a number of town offices. His death occurred July 14, 1890. His wife, a native of Kingston, Mass., had passed away some years previous. Of their children, three are dead - Sarah T., Nancy D., and Martha J. - and the following are living: Nathaniel L .; Emmons A., in West Duxbury; Horatio, in Duxbury; Julia W., wife of Jason H. Randall, of Duxbury ; and Willard R.
Horatio Chandler, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in his present home, acquiring his education in the public schools of Duxbury. His first business venture was in the manufacture of box boards, he purchas- ing a share in the Howland box board mill on Pine Brook, his father at the same time buy- ing a share, and Captain H. B Maglathlin two shares. The stock company thus formed fur- nished the funds for the enterprise, which from that time to the present has been con- ducted in Horatio Chandler's name, and has been very successful. Mr. Chandler likewise has a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, much of which is under cultivation. The most fascinating of his pursuits, however, is raising trout. In April, 1890, he estab- lished a "hatchery " on his farm, beginning with about ten thousand trout fry, and in the spring of 1891 a most promising second crop was started. The place must be well adapted for trout culture, as the fish have continued to increase from year to year; and it is well worth the tourist's while to visit the Chandler farm, and see the trout in their home. Mr. Chandler deems it a pleasure to explain to the visitor the various important features con - nected with trout breeding, and his enthusiasm is infectious.
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Mr. Chandler was married February 18, 1873, to Rosa Spaulding Avery, a native of Montpelier, Vt., daughter of Ebenezer and Rosamond (Spaulding) Avery. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire. Her grand- father, George Avery, who was a Revolution- ary soldier, was taken captive by the Indians, and held in confinement for some time, being finally exchanged. His last days were spent on a farm in New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have two daughters: Rosa A., born September 11, 1875; and Mabel M., born Oc- tober 18, 1877, both graduates of Partridge Academy at Duxbury. Mr. Chandler is a Democrat in political affiliation. He has served for some time as Surveyor of Highways in Duxbury, and has been solicited to occupy higher official positions. He and his wife and daughters are esteemed members of Dux- bury society.
RANCIS COLLAMORE, M.D., a practising physician of Pembroke, Mass., is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of this town, of which he is a native. He was born December 7, 1825, son of Horace and Laura (Briggs) Collamore. His paternal grandfather was Enoch Collamore, of Scituate. Horace Collamore, son of Enoch, was born in Scitu- ate in 1791. He was educated in the public schools of Scituate and at Hanover Academy. Upon starting out in life for himself, he was first employed in Boston as a clerk; and he afterward entered into business in that city as a merchant. Subsequently he removed to North Pembroke, where he erected a brick building, and engaged in a general mercantile business, which he continued until his death on August 27, 1867. He was a member of the Massachusetts legislature in . 1841 and
1842. His wife, Laura, was born in Pem- broke, and was a daughter of Elisha and Laurentia (Hall) Briggs. Her maternal grandfather, Dr. Jeremiah Hall, served in the American forces as a surgeon during the French and Indian War, was a member of the Provincial Congress held in Massachusetts in 1774, and was subsequently a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, having command of a Rhode Island regiment. Dr. Hall was a na- tive of New Hampshire, whence he came to Plymouth County, Massachusetts. He mar- ried Elizabeth Bailey, of Hanover. Mrs. Laura B. Collamore died at the age of seventy- three years. She had reared ten children.
Francis Collamore was educated at Hanover Academy. When seventeen years old, he began teaching school, which occupation he followed for a number of terms. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Anthony Collamore, who practised in Pembroke for about forty years. He, subsequently attended lectures at the Harvard Medical School, and later at the Medical Department of Dartmouth College, where he was graduated in the fall of 1846. The young Doctor first practised in Brain- tree for about six months ; but upon the death of his uncle, Dr. Anthony, in September, 1847, he came to Pembroke, succeeded to his uncle's practice, and has since resided here. He has kept well up with the advance of his profession, being familiar with all the wonder- ful discoveries made during the last few years in medicine and surgery, in bacteriology and kindred sciences, and he has gained a wide reputation as a thoroughly competent and skil- ful practitioner. He is a member of the Mas- sachusetts Medical Society and of the Plym- outh District Medical Society. Aside from the pursuit of his regular calling he has been actively engaged for many years as a man of
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affairs, and as an incumbent of public office, in which capacity his ample talents have been devoted to promoting the interests of the town, and pushing forward every practical scheme for the betterment of the community. He was Town Clerk for twelve years, for over thirty years a member of the School Commit- tee; and he is now Town Treasurer, and is also Secretary and Treasurer of the Marshfield Agricultural Society. He has been a Repub- lican in politics since the formation of that party. In 1881 he was a member of the State legislature.
On April 9, 1849, Dr. Collamore was united in marriage with Miss Priscilla Joslyn Mann, daughter of John C. and Sylvia (Hedge) Mann, of Pembroke. The Doctor and his wife have reared one son and one daughter, namely: Francis, Jr., who married Florence A. Whitman, and resides at East Bridgewater; and Florina M., who is living at home with her parents. The Doctor has led a careful life, and is still hale and active to a greater extent than many a younger man. He is widely known, and wields a strong influence for good in the community.
ON. HENRY BARSTOW, ex-State Senator, is a well-known business man residing in Mattapoisett, where he owns box and board mills. He was born in this town, December 3, 1817, a son of Ben- jamin and Rebecca (Hammond) Barstow. His father, who was born in Duxbury, was a ship-builder of New Bedford and Mat- tapoisett. He died on March 2, 1867. His mother died February 13, 1865. There were eight children in the family, and two are now living, namely: the subject of this sketch; and Susan C., who married David H. Cannon, of Mattapoisett, now deceased.
Henry Barstow was given a limited school- ing in his native town, and is mainly self-ed- ucated. He began to work at ship-building with his father when fourteen years of age, and in 1849 was an expert at his trade. In that famous year he made one of a company of seventy-three who purchased the whaling vessel "Oscar " at Sag Harbor, Long Island, and started for California. They sailed around Cape Horn, and were somewhat over five months on the voyage. Arriving at San Francisco, Mr. Barstow disposed of his inter- est in the vessel; and, there being few ship- builders on that coast willing to work, and the wages being far in advance of anything he had ever known, he decided that the surest road to fortune was by way of his trade. The second year he, in connection with two others, con- ducted a business of his own, building a num- ber of vessels. In the fall of 1853 he returned to Mattapoisett, and, opening a lumber yard, engaged in the manufacture of spars. At the breaking out of the war he was appointed to a position in the Charlestown Navy Yard, which he retained until the summer of 1863, when he was elected a member of the Massachusetts Senate. He was in the Senate two terms, finishing his service in 1865; and, on return- ing to Mattapoisett, he established the box and board mills which are yet under his supervision. In all that he has undertaken he has commanded success, and his course in life has been such as to win respect and con- fidence.
Mr. Barstow was married in 1842 to Miss Mary Southworth, who died April 6, 1892. She was the mother of two children - Henry and Sarah, who have both passed away.
Mr. Barstow has long been identified with the Republican party. As stated above, he served in the State Senate in 1864 and 1865 ; and he was also in the legislature in 1884.
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