USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Plymouth County, Massachusetts > Part 6
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On July 4, 1873, he was united in marriage with a daughter of John Eames, of Warrco, N. H. They had two children, both of whom are dead. In politics he is a member of the Republican party; and he affiliates with Fletcher Webster Post, No. 13, Grand Army of the Republic. Both Mr. Clark and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Clark is a member.
HARLES A. TOWNSEND has been identified with the town of Rockland,
Plymouth County, Mass., since 1862, and is now a member of the Board of Selectmen. He was born in North Abington, Mass., June 11, 1837, a son of Ezekiel and Lucinda (Adkins) Townsend.
Ezekiel Townsend, who was born in North Abington, was engaged for some time in the leading industry of this locality, shoemaking, and for years also he followed the pursuit of agriculture. He died at the age of eighty- four. His wife, a native of the State of Maine, was called to rest in her seventy-third year. This couple reared three children : Ed- ward E., now in Minnesota; Charles A. ; and Rachel A. (deceased).
Charles A. Townsend was reared on a farm, and received hut a limited common-school education, as he went to work at the age of fourteen, heing first employed in a shoe shop in his native town. In 1857 he went West, and for five years he was employed in a general store in Lockport, Ill. It has been said that our early environment makes us what we are ; and, though this does not always hold good, it is true in a great many cases. Mr. Town- send's early environment seems to have shaped his life, for after five years' experience in trade he entered a shoe shop again. He was employed in a factory in Milford, Mass., for a
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year, and then removed to Rockland, where he has since been engaged as machine operator in a shoe factory.
In 186; he was united in marriage with Miss H. Ellen Shaw, of Rockland. Mr. Townsend is prominent among the Republi- cans of the town, and has filled a number of offices. He has been on the Board of Water Commissioners for the past six years, and is also superintendent of fire alarm. Elected Selectman first in 1880, he served one year, and was re-elected in 1890; and from that time to the present he has been retained in office. He takes a lively interest in town affairs, and is always willing to give time and attention to projects for the improvement of the place. As a member of society, he is prominent and popular. He belongs to Stan- dish Lodge, No. 77, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Pilgrim Encampment, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows; Hatherly Lodge, No. 699, Knights of Honor; John Cutler Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Pilgrim Chapter and Old Colony Commandery, Knights Templars, and Abington Council; also of the Masonic fraternity. While not a professing church member, he attends worship at the Unitarian church.
AMUEL C. WHITE, one of the Board of Selectmen of East Bridge- water, Mass., and a prominent citi- zen of the town, was born here January 31, 1841, a son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Brown) White. His father is still living, and a resi- dent of East Bridgewater. He was born in Abington, Mass., over eighty years ago, son of Thomas, a descendant of an Abington pio- neer of that name. The family is supposed to be of Scotch and English origin.
Thomas White and Lewis Brown, the grand- fathers of Samuel C. White were both soldiers
in the War of 1812. In his earlier years Ben- jamin White was a shoemaker; but he subse- quently engaged in farming, and is now re- tired from active pursuits. Four of the chil- dren born of his union with Rebecca Brown are living, namely : Samuel C. ; Harriet J., the wife of Horace Worcester, of East Bridge- water ; Mary, wife of Alden Wilbur, of Bridgewater; and Frederick W., living in East Bridgewater. Formerly a Whig, since the formation of the Republican party Benja- min White has been one of its most loyal adherents.
Samuel C. White obtained his early educa- tion in the common schools of East Bridge- water. When about ten years of age, he began working at shoemaking, and continued to en- gage in that branch of industry up to April, 1894, when, owing to illness, he gave up the employment, and has not since resumed it. He married Mrs. Mary E. Bonney White, daughter of Lucius Bonney, of East Bridge- water.
In 1886 Mr. White was elected to the office of Selectman; and he was subsequently re- elected three successive terms, making four years' that he served at that time. In 1895, and again in 1896, he was re-elected. In pol- itics he is a stanch Republican. Both as a citizen and as an official Mr. White has the good will and confidence of the community.
ENRY H. RYDER, a prominent real estate dealer of Brockton, was born in this city, March 10, 1853, son of William and Lucretia (Ames) Ryder. He is a descendant of an old West Bridgewater fam- ily. His grandfather, who served in the War of 1812, had six children, of whom William was the third. William Ryder was a mer- chant tailor in Brockton for a number of years.
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An intelligent, well-read, and progressive man of sterling personal character, he was widely respected. He lived to be seventy-two years old. His wife, Lucretia, was a daugh- ter of Louis Ames, of West Bridgewater. She had three sons: William, Jr. ; Walter B. ; and Henry H.
Henry H. Ryder was educated in the public schools and at Bridgewater Academy. He then left home to enter the employ of Burridge Brothers & Co., with whom he remained three years and a half. At the end of that time he returned to his native city, and went into the real estate business, which has since engaged his attention. Possessing in a large degree the qualities of foresight, good judgment, and prompt decision, he has been very successful, and has done his share in helping to develop the resources of his native city. In politics hc is a Republican, and he attends the Porter Congregational church. He is well worthy of being classed as a representative citizen of Plymouth County.
LTON B. HASTINGS, one of the successful men of Brockton, was born in Thomaston, Knox County, Me., March 21, 1857, son of Thaddeus and Abbie O. (Trull) Hastings. His grandfather, also named Thaddeus, and a native of Union Com- mon, Me., who owncd a large farm in the vi- cinity of Thomaston, and was one of the prominent citizens of the town, had children, of whom Thaddeus, Jr., was the third-born. Thaddeus Hastings, Jr., received a common- school education, and learned the carpenter's trade. An industrious and intelligent man, he managed a successful business as carpenter and builder in Thomaston for eighteen years. He was about forty years old at the time of his death. His wife was a daughter of John B.
Trull, who for a quarter of a century managed the St. George, the principal hotel of Thomas- ton. They had three children, of whom Alton B. and Carrie T. are living. Carrie T. mar- ried C. F. Hathaway, of Cambridge, Mass.
Alton B. Hastings obtained his cducation in Bath, Me., where he subsequently shipped as a sailor before the mast for two years. Pleased with his first venture, he followed the sea for some time, visiting many foreign ports, and working his way up to the rank of second mate. He afterward worked for a ycar in George Moulton's repair shop in Bath, had charge of a stationary engine for some time for G. P. Richardson, and then was engaged as driver for Hobart & Hathaway, of Bath, bakers. About a year after Mr. Hastings be- came connected with the last-named house, Mr. Hathaway retired from the firm, and Mr. Hobart placed Mr. Hastings in charge of the business. A year later he bought a bakery in Bath, managed it for some months, and then sold it to his former employer. He sub- sequently removed to Marblehead, Mass., and opened a bakery there for Mr. Hathaway. He had conducted this place for three years, when it was destroyed by fire. In 1889 he opened a bakery in Brockton, at his present location. Two years ago, 1894, he erected a new build- ing on Market Street, adjoining his old shop. He is now completing another bakery on Per- kins Avenue; and on July 13, 1896, he started a bakcry on Main Street, opposite Belmont Street. He has a large wholesale as well as a retail business employing ten bakers constantly, and a number of delivery teams. He is also interested in real cstate, and has made some successful deals.
Mr. Hastings was married March 21, 1881, to Laura A. Cushman, daughter of Job Cush- man, of Bath, Me., and now has four children - Arthur C., Alice M., Carolyn B., and Edna
ALTON B. HASTINGS.
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T. Politically, he favors the Republican party. He is a member of St. George Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Campello. In religious believe he is a Congregationalist.
HARLES W. HOWLAND, of Rock- land, Mass., civil engineer, is a well-known and popular citizen. He has been a Deacon of the Congregational church for eight years, and is connected with some of the leading social organizations of the day. A son of the Rev. Freeman P. and Deborah (Cushing) Howland, he was born in Hanson, Plymouth County, Mass., December 5, 1838.
Freeman P. Howland was born in Sandwich, on the Cape, but passed his boyhood in Fal- mouth, Mass. He was a descendant in the seventh generation from John Howland, one of the Pilgrims who came to this country in the "Mayflower" in 1620. The Rev. Mr. Howland was first settled as pastor of the New Bedford Congregational church, was subse- quently located at Hanson, and later at Hali- fax, a neighboring town. On account of ill- health he gave up his pastorate at Halifax, but continued preaching more or less regu- larly, being often called to supply vacant pulpits. In Halifax he lived two or three years, in Campello two years, in Hanson again one year, and from 1849 until the time of his death his home was in Abington. His life was a busy one, for much was expected of a minister in his time. He was counsellor, doctor, lawyer, and general adviser in all things; and when land was to be measured, deeds made, conveyances written, or clerical work of any kind done, his services were called into requisition.
The Rev. Freeman P. Howland died in Ab- ington at the age of eighty-five. His wife, [ time as hospital steward.
Deborah Cushing Howland, was born in 1800 in that part of Pembroke, Mass., which is now Hanson. The Cushings are a long-lived fam- iy, few of them dying under seventy; and Mrs. Howland lived to be nearly ninety-six years old. She was the mother of six sons and three daughters. Of these Freeman died in 1890; John died in infancy; Edward C. is a farmer, living in Abington; Charles W. is the subject of this sketch; Isaac C. resides .in Abington, and Eliza B. lives with him, in the home where their father died; Deborah, widow of Dr. A. P. Chase, resides in Amboy, Ill. ; Caroline F., wife of George W. Wilder, lives in Montpelier, Vt. ; and Daniel Sawin, a son by a former husband, and a railroad con- tractor, died in Arkansas.
Charles W. Howland in his boyhood at- tended the common schools in towns where his parents resided, the grammar and high schools of Abington, and Cotting Academy at West Cambridge. He began his work as a civil engineer when he was sixteen years old. His father's services were desired for some survey- ing and platting; and, as he was away, the youth, who had often watched him performing such work, volunteered to do it. So well was the task accomplished that from that time forth his services were much in requisition, to the overworked minister's great relief. With the exception of a short period when he was with his brother, an apothecary in Boston, Mr. Howland has since been employed as a civil engineer, covering a wide field in his operations. He has been engaged in electric railway work and municipal engineering, and has established a reputation as an expert and reliable civil engineer. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Fourth Regiment, Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry, and saw some hard service in field and hospital, acting for some His term of enlist-
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ment expired August 28, 1863; and after a season of recuperation, made necessary by the broken state of his health, he resumed the work of his profession. Mr. Howland also conducts quite an insurance business, being the pioneer in that line in the town. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Abington Mutual Fire Insurance Company for twenty years, and he has been President of the Mount Vernon Cemetery Company eight years.
In December, 1862, he was united in mar- riage with Mariesta Dodge, who was born and reared in West Cambridge, Mass. She died at Mr. Howland's summer home at Brant Rock, July 26, 1889, lamented by all who knew her, as she was a most estimable lady. She was the mother of seven children, three of whom are living : Giles W., in the insurance business in Rockland, where he married, and now resides; Elizabeth C., wife of Dr. Charles S. Millet, of Brockton; and Marion Dodge, who is yet under the shelter of the paternal roof. On Christmas Day, 1891, Mr. Howland was married to Miss Amy Dick- ens, of Chicago, Ill., a niece of Charles Dick- ens, the novelist; and by this union he has three children - Helen Dickens, Deborah Cushing, and Amy Dickens.
Mr. Howland cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has been an active member of the Republican party for over thirty years. He was a member of the State legislature for two terms, 1879 and 1881. A Mason of long standing, having joined the brotherhood before the war, he belongs to Pil- grim Chapter; and he is a member of Old Col- ony Commandery, Knights Templars, and of the order of Knights of Honor. He is also a member of the Rockland Commercial Club, and of McPherson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Abington, of which he was Com-
mander in 1873. Deacon Howland was on the church committee on music for seven years, and he teaches a class in the Sunday-school. He is a genial, pleasant gentleman, and has a large circle of friends.
ATRICK GILMORE, a leading banker and grocer of Brockton, was born November 21, 1852, on Grove Street, this town, son of John and Ellen (Sax- ton) Gilmore. The Gilmore family is of Scotch-Irish origin. Michael Gilmore, the grandfather of Patrick, was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, and for some time was a farmer in that place. He left his home for America when his children were beginning to grow up about him, settled in Brockton, and for a number of years had charge of a passenger ferry in that place. He died here at the age of seventy-seven, having reared two sons and one daughter.
John Gilmore, also a native of Westmeath, was the second child of his parents. When he was nineteen years of age, he located in Randolph, Mass., and was there associated in business with his uncle for about a year and a half. He then settled in the locality now the site of 90 Grove Street, and in 1851 erected a house there. After learning the shoemaker's trade in David Packard's factory, he took con- tracts from L. Whitcomb, hiring a number of men to do the work. In 1858 he started in the grocery business on Grove Street, and in course of time he built up a prosperous trade. In all his business enterprises he evinced a stability of purpose and a shrewdness of judg- ment that inevitably won success. He was the first Irishman to succeed in business in Brockton. About ten years prior to his death he sold his store, and turned his attention to his real estate interests. A member of St.
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Patrick's Temperance Society for a number of years, he was President for some time. He was one of the founders of St. Patrick's Cath- olic church, which was built in 1859, and was superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years. He died March 5, 1890, aged sixty years. Of his nine children, three sons are living.
Patrick Gilmore, who was the oldest of his parents' children, graduated from the Brockton High School in 1871. Seven years later, on July 11, 1878, he opened a grocery store at his present location, with James P. Conley as partner. The firm of Gilmore & Conley, after carrying on a good business until September 5. 1881, was dissolved; and Mr. Gilmore has since been the sole proprietor. As a merchant, he is very successful; and he is skilled in matters of finance. He is also agent for the Cunard and White Star Lines of European steamers, and he does a good business in the drawing of drafts on Europe. He has been a Trustee of the Brockton Savings Bank since its organization.
Mr. Gilmore was married August 19, 1877, to Miss Kelleher, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and now has four children. In politics he favors the Democratic side, but votes the Republican ticket whenever he thinks the candidate better fitted to fill the office. He has served as Town Constable, and was on the School Board from 1879 to 1881. Now his business demands his whole atten- tion. A charter member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division I, which he joined at the time of its organization in 1873, he filled the President's chair for four years, was County Delegate for two years; and he has held other offices in the organization. He has been Chief Ranger and Deputy High Chief Ranger in the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters. He has been superintendent of
the Sunday-school of St. Patrick's church, was Chairman of the Cemetery Committee for about nine years, and is now President of St. Patrick's Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Mr. Gilmore was the first Roman Catholic to serve on a jury in Plym- outh County.
OLLIS M. BLACKSTONE, superin- tendent of the Massachusetts State Farm, located in Bridgewater, was born in Freedom, Waldo County, Me., July 31, 1848, son of Dr. Varney and Julia (Lam- son) Blackstone. The family is of English origin, and is thought to have descended from the Rev. William Blackstone, the first white settler of Shawmut, now Boston.
Varney Blackstone, M. D., father of Hollis M. Blackstone, was a practising physician of Freedom, Me. He died in that town at the age of forty-one years. His wife, Julia Lam- son, like himself a native of Maine, was a daughter of James Lamson, who was a pen- sioner of the War of 1812, and for many years a Deacon of the Baptist church.
Hollis M. Blackstone was left fatherless at the age of six years, and when twelve years old he was practically self-supporting. Through persistent efforts he acquired an academic education, and after completing his studies he taught school for some time. He lived in his native State until reaching the age of twenty years; and, subsequently taking up his residence in Boston, he in 1872 was ap- pointed to a clerkship at the city institution on Deer Island. He continued in that posi- tion until 1877, when he was chosen superin- tendent of the Marcella Street Home, con- ducted by the city of Boston, and located at the Highlands: In 1883 he was the choice of the Board of Trustees for the superintendency
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of the State Farm in Bridgewater, and that he has fully displayed the competency and fidel- ity expected of him is amply attested by his long tenure of office.
The institution has three separate depart- ments; namely, the workhouse, to which are senteneed habitual inebriates, tramps, va- grants, and idle and disorderly persons; the State Almshouse, which is a retreat for the siek and infirm poor of south-eastern Massa- chusetts; and the Asylum for Insane Crimi- nals. The State Farm occupies a beautiful and healthy location, and its present structure of brick and stone, which replaced the former wooden buildings destroyed by fire on July 2, 1883, are models as to thoroughness of eon- struetion and completeness in every detail. The eonflagration, which destroyed the old buildings, oeeurred the day after Mr. Black- stone took charge of the institution; and the architectural plans and specifications for the present buildings, which are said to be practi- cally fireproof, were, in the main, prepared by him. The State Farm under its present man- agement is aeeomplishing the work for which it is intended in a most satisfactory manner, and its present superintendent is exceedingly popular with all parties interested in its wel- fare.
Mr. Blackstone and Sarah F. Roberts, of Brooks, Me., were married on February 8, 1877; and three children are the fruit of their union, namely: Alfred V .; Helen M .; and Nellie, who is no longer living.
Politically, Mr. Blackstone is a Republican. For a number of years he has served upon the School Board of Bridgewater, being at the present time Chairman of that body; and he is also Postmaster at the State Farm. He is a member of Fellowship Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Bridgewater, and a member of the Unita- rian church. The excellent results obtained
at the Farm are due mainly to his executive ability and thorough knowledge of the work, and in all probability his continuanee in office is optional with himself.
RANCIS E. HOWARD, Treasurer and President of the Board of Trustees of 6 Howard Seminary, an institution of learning founded by his father, which stands among the foremost schools of Plymouth County, was born in West Bridgewater, May 14, 1825. His parents, Captain Benjamin B. and Olive (Howard) Howard, were both natives of West Bridgewater.
On the paternal side he traees his descent from John Howard, who was of English birth, a contemporary and neighbor of Miles Stan- dish in the Plymouth settlement. John How- ard located in that part of old Bridgewater that is now West Bridgewater some time previous to 1650. The town was organized June 3, 1656, and he was one of the fifty-six original proprietors. The homestead estab- lished by him has remained in the possession of the family ever since his time, being now oeeupied by Benjamin B. Howard, nephew of Mr. Franeis E. Howard. For over one hun- dred and fifty years a publie house was kept here, where the stage running between Boston and New Bedford stopped for refreshments and passengers. From John Howard the line of deseent was continued by John, Jr., Major Edward, and Colonel Edward, officers in the State militia, to Captain Benjamin B. How- ard, above mentioned. All these gentlemen were born in West Bridgewater.
Captain Benjamin B. Howard was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was afterward com- mander of a company of the State militia. In polities he was originally a Whig, later a Republiean. A wealthy and prominent man,
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FRANCIS E. HOWARD.
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he was actively interested in the welfare of his native place, and the educational institution which he founded is a lasting memorial to his enterprise and public spirit. He died April 3, 1867. Howard Seminary, in West Bridge- water, was opened as a home school for girls in 1883, and is now widely known. The building, beautiful in design and surround- ings, has a first-class equipment for its pur- poses as a seat of learning. Elective, aca- demic, and college preparatory courses are provided for the students, the curriculum in- cluding music and art : and a diploma or cer- tificate from Howard Seminary admits to col- lege without further examination. The school at present is under the competent manage- ment of Professor and Mrs. R. W. Gifford, and is in a flourishing condition.
Francis E. Howard was educated in the public schools of his native town. He is in- terested in agriculture, both scientific and practical ; owns a fine farm in West Bridge- water; and he is a member of West Bridge- water Grange, and President of the Farmer's Club of this place. In local educational mat- ters he has long taken a prominent part. He was a member of the School Committee eight years, and Chairman of the Board two years. This is his second year as President of the Board of Trustees of Howard Seminary, and his thirteenth year as Treasurer, he having been elected to the latter office in 1883. The original Board of Trustees consisted of eleven members, and "of this Board Mr. Howard is the only one serving at present. He is also Secretary and Treasurer of the Pine Hill Cemetery Association.
Like his father, he was originally a Whig in politics, and when, in 1855, the petition to establish the Republican party was circu- lated in West Bridgewater, he was the first voter to sign it. Since that time he has been
a stanch Republican. He gave his first Presi- dential vote to Zachary Taylor in 1848. Mr. Howard is a man of culture and ability as well as wealth and influence, and has been honored by his party with a number of public offices. He was chosen delegate to the first Republi- can convention at Worcester. He has served for six years as Selectman of West Bridge- water, and was two years Chairman of the Board. In 1870 he was Assistant Marshal in the census work in this town; and in 1882 he was in the State legislature, and served on the State House Committee. In every office to which he has been elected he has performed his duties with good judgment and entire competence, and wherever he is known he has the respect of his fellows.
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