USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Biographical review containing life sketches of leading citizens of Plymouth County, Massachusetts > Part 9
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John Kinsley and his sister Betsey are the only surviving members of his family. He was born and reared on the farm, receiving his education in the schools near by. He began to work as a carpenter when seventeen years of age, learning his trade in Middleboro, and was employed in the vicinity of his home until 1854. In that year the gold excitement, which began in 1849, still continuing, he went West, joining the multitude of Eastern men who were seeking their fortunes on the Pa- cific slope. He travelled by water, landing at San Francisco, and remained there for a while, finding the surest and safest way of making money was to work at his trade. In 1856 he returned East, and after living for a number of years in New Bedford returned to the home of his childhood, where he has been content to spend the years that have followed.
Mr. Kinsley has many interesting remini- scences of the California of the early fifties, the many types of men who congregated there, and the lawless life of the time; and, like many another New England man who sought that El Dorado, he agrees that, though wealth was easily got and lavishly spent, though there was little restraint from law or public opinion, there was no such genuine comfort to be found as there is in a New England farm home. Mr. Kinsley is highly esteemed in his native town. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
HOMAS DROHAN, Probation Officer of Brockton, Mass., is an ex-State Detective, and has held various other positions of public trust. He was born in
Tramore, Waterford County, Ireland, May I, 1844, son of James and Helen (Flynn) Drohan.
His grandfather, Edward Drohan, who was born in Hackettstown, near the estate of the Marquis of Waterford, was an extensive farmer, owning three hundred acres of land, whereon he raised horses, cattle, and dairy produce. He married and became the father of five children, two boys and three girls, of whom Ellen, a resident of Waterford, is the only survivor. James Drohan, born in 1813, son of Thomas, was head gardener on the Powers estate. He married Helen Flynn, and they had five children, two of whoni died in early life. Two boys, Thomas and his brother Edward, and one girl were left fatherless in 1852.
Thomas Drohan received a part of his edu- cation in Tramore, and came with his widowed mother to America in 1853, the year after his father's death. They settled in Quincy, Mass., but removed on July 3, 1855, to Brock- ton, where they went to housekeeping. For a time Thomas was in the employ of Sherman T. Moore and others in the shoe business, subsequently taking contract work, which he filled by the labor of his own hands. When the war broke out he wanted to enlist, but was refused on account of being too young. Later, on August 11, 1862, at the call of President Lincoln for three hundred thousand more, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-third Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry, and went to Washington, waiting at Alexandria for General McClellan. The company arrived at Bull Run the second day of the retreat, going back thereafter to defend Alexandria, being near Fairfax Cemetery. After taking part in the battle of Fredericksburg, they forced their way across the Rappahannock, not having their clothes off for nine days. Subsequently, sent
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back to Fredericksburg, they remained there until spring.
They were then sent to Chancellorsville to drive the rebels out, young Thomas being on picket duty. From Beverly Ford they went to Gettysburg, where he was wounded, his regiment occupying Cemetery Hill the first day, and Peach Orchard the second day; and at Frankstown they drove the confederates to the river. Going thence to Chattanooga, Tenn., he was promoted to Corporal for his bravery, being one of the first to cross the breastworks at Raccoon Hill, October 20, 1863. At Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge his regiment was on the extreme right under General Hooker. Then followed the battles of Bayard's Roost, Tunnel Hill, and Resaca (the latter fought on Sunday, May 15, 1864), and Bent Hickory, May 25. After that they were skirmishing all the way till they arrived at Kenesaw Mountain. Here Mr. Drohan was wounded and sent to the rear, subsequently going to the hospital. As soon as he was able he went home, but returned to his regiment after a short furlough, and re- ceived his discharge in Washington at the end of the war. General Hooker complimented him for keeping his military equipments in order, quaintly remarking, "Your gun looks good enough to eat."
Coming back to Brockton Mr. Drohan re- sumed contract work, later entering the em- ploy of C. R. Ford; still later, for three years, he served in Gardner J. Kingman's shoe factory, and during one year he drove a candy team for F. B. Washburn. In his political affiliations Mr. Drohan is a Republican, who has been officially prominent. In 1878 he was elected Constable, and in 1879 and 1880 he was delegated to night duty on the police force. The following year he was Constable, being on day duty. In 1882 he was appointed
by Mayor Keith Assistant City Marshal. He and Mr. Littlefield enforced the liquor law very strictly, so strictly, in fact, it is said, that he was discharged by the Democratic Mayor, H. H. Packard. Mr. Drohan's per- sonal friends, who are many, thereupon pro- cured him a position on the State Detective force under Governor Butler. He was on duty one year, and in 1884 he officiated as Con- stable and Truant Officer, continuing in this position a number of years, being obliged to serve many writs. For twelve years he col- lected delinquent taxes. Since 1891 he has served as Probation Officer, being appointed by Mayor Keith, and in 1891 reappointed, according to the new law by Judge Reed.
In 1866 Mr. Drohan was united in marriage with Miss Moore, a daughter of Michael Moore, who was one of the first Irishmen to settle in this city. By this alliance there were eight children : Catherine ; James ; Annie, who died; Thomas Emmett; Edward Walter ; Ellen; William; and Mary. James Drohan spent three years at the Holy Cross College in Worcester ; was graduated from the Medical Department of Harvard College in 1895 ; and is now a medical practitioner in Rockland, Mass. Catherine married James Madden, and resides here. Thomas Emmett is an electri- cian for the West End Railway Company. Edward Walter is connected with the Brockton Times. Ellen attends the Brockton High School, and William and Mary are also living under the paternal roof and attending school.
Fraternally, Mr. Drohan is a member of Fletcher Webster Post, No. 13, Grand Army of the Republic, which he has served as Quartermaster, and of the Union Veterans Union. He has an excellent memory, his army experience alone furnishing him much food for pleasing as well as pathetic reflec- tions. His brother, Edward F., who enlisted
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at East Bridgewater in the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Regiment, after participating in many engagements, was wounded at the battle of Cedar Mountain, and was sent to Eighth Street Hospital, where he died. He was buried at Arlington. Mr. Drohan has one sister living in Brockton.
LBERT A. SHERMAN, an iron moulder, now retired from active business, is a resident of Plymouth, Mass., where for a number of years he was foreman of the Plymouth Iron Foundry. He was born in Carver, Mass., March 16, 1829, son of Micah and Mercy R. (Ransom) Sher- man.
Micah Sherman was born in Carver, Febru- ary 24, 1783. He followed agricultural pur- suits during the active period of his life, till- ing the soil with energy and success. He died in his native town in February, 1868, at the age of cighty-five years. His wife, Mercy R. Ransom, a native of New York, who was born November 24, 1786, died April 29, 1842. They had ten children, of whom Albert A., the subject of this sketch, is the only one liv- ing. The others were: Joseph Ransom, who was born March 10, 1805; Rufus, who was born October 22, 1806; Polly, who was born September 25, 1808; Lucy, who was born November 13, 1811; Micah, who was born May 19, 1814; William M., who was born August 29, 1816; Eliza, who was born No- veniber 22, 1819; Lydia R., who was born January 21, 1823; and Sarah S., who was born November 25, 1824. The parents at- tended the Congregational church.
Albert A. Sherman, the youngest born of the ten children, acquired his education in his native town, and at the age of fourteen he began to serve an apprenticeship at the iron
moulder's trade. After mastering his trade he worked as a journeyman for David Pratt six months, going from Carver to Middleboro, where he was for a short time employed at the foundry of Thompson & Tinkham. He was next employed by Cobb & Drew in Plymouth ; and, from this town he went to Fall River, where for five years he worked in the stove manufactory of William Cogswell. After subsequently working in Pratt & Co.'s shops at Watertown Mills for two years, and in Somerset, Mass., for three years, he returned to Plymouth, where he was employed at Hobb's Hole, now Wellingsley; and during the war he was engaged in the manufacture of shot and shell at Watertown. In 1868 he once more took up his residence in this town, becoming connected with the Plymouth Iron Foundry, where he continued until the suspen- sion of that concern a short time since, having ably filled the position of foreman for ten or twelve years.
Mr. Sherman married for his first wife Car- oline French, daughter of William French, of Fall River. She died March 1, 1852; and in June, 1868, he wedded Mrs. Mary H. Harlow, . born Fuller, whose first husband was Justus Harlow, a resident of Plymouth and a tailor by trade, who died at Fortress Monroe during the Civil War. She was born in Kingston, daughter of Captain Albert and Mary (Chase) Fuller, the former of whom was a native of Sandwich, Barnstable County, Mass. Captain Albert Fuller was a ship-master engaged in the West India trade. He died of yellow `fever in San Domingo in 1844, aged forty-two years. His wife, Mary Chase, who was a native of Barnstable, Mass., was the mother of six children, of whom Mrs. Sherman is the youngest. Three are now living, namely : Frederick C., a jeweller of Providence, R.I. ; Cynthia C., Mrs. Simmons; and Mary H.,
ALEXANDER VINING.
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Mrs. Sherman. The others were: Albert C., who died young : Edward Mortimer ; and Mary Helen. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have two children, as follows: Clarence, who is en- gaged in the oil stove business; and Leon Allen, an electrician, who is connected with the Plymouth Electric Railway.
Mr. Sherman is a Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. Fraternally, he is con- nected with Mayflower Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and he attends the Baptist church, of which Mrs. Sherman is an active member. Since the closing up of the foundry he has been passing his time quietly at his comfortable home, where he is enjoying a pleasant season of rest after an unusually long period of useful activity.
LEXANDER VINING, late a promi- nent leather merchant, and one of the best-known commercial men of Boston. who died at his home in Quincy, Mass., January 21, 1885, was born in South Scituate, May II, 1817, son of Alexander, Sr., and Polly (Jacobs) Vining. He was a descendant of two Colonial families of repute, the representatives of both being noted for their intellectual attainments, sturdy charac- ter, and stanch patriotism.
Alexander Vining, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of East Abington, Mass., now Rockland. Having acquired a liberal education, he became a school-teacher, and was for many years principal of the East Abington High School. As a member of the Whig party in politics, he took an active part in securing capable persons for the public service, although he never sought or held office himself. In his religious views he was a Universalist, and he served as Deacon of that
church. His useful life ended at a good old age, and the record of his career was an ex- ceedingly bright and honorable one. His wife, Polly Jacobs, was a daughter of Captain Joshua Jacobs.
Her father was a son of Joshua Jacobs, of Scituate, Mass., and a lineal descendant of Nicholas Jacob, who settled in Hingham, Mass., in 1633. John Jacob, son of Nicho- las, born in England in 1630, was the father of David, who was born in Hingham, Mass., in 1664, and about 1688 settled in Scituate, Mass., evidently being the first of his surname in that town. He married Sarah Cushing, and, as we learn from Deane's "History of Scituate," was the father of eleven children, including a son Joshua, born in 1702. Mrs. Vining's father, Joshua, son of Joshua, joined the Continental army as a Captain in the Twenty-third Regiment of Infantry in 1776, and, after serving with honor all through the Revolutionary War, he remained in the Fed- eral service during the rest of his active life. He died at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Polly Jacobs Vining was a lady 'of un- usual intelligence and advanced education, a graduate of the old Watson School in Charlestown, Mass. She died at the age of seventy-five years. Alexander, the subject of this sketch, was her only child.
Alexander Vining was educated in the com- mon schools of South Scituate, and he resided in his native town until he was forty years old. In 1857 he removed to Hull, Mass., where he engaged in the hotel business as pro- prietor of the Nantasket House; and three years later he removed to the Mansion House at Wind Mill Point, of which he was pro- prietor until it was destroyed by fire on Feb- ruary 12, 1872. About the year 1860 he en- gaged in the wholesale leather business in Boston, where he became one of the most
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prominent and enterprising merchants in that line of trade, and his connection with it con- tinued until within two years of his death, which took place as above stated, at the age of nearly sixty-eight years. As a business man he was energetic and progressive, and always made a success of whatever he undertook.
It is generally conceded that he kept the best summer hotel along the beach, and in commercial circles he reached an enviable standing as a high-minded and upright busi- ness man, who fully merited the respect and esteem which was accorded him by his mer- cantile associates. While a resident of Hull he took an active part in public affairs and the general improvement of the town, serving as a member of the Board of Selectmen for several years. He was the original projector of the first county road from Hull village to the Rockland House, and was mainly instru- mental in securing its completion. For sev- eral years previous to his death he resided in Quincy, Mass., but he always preserved a sin- cere affection for his native town of South Scituate (now Norwell) ; and his remains were interred there. Politically, he was a Repub- lican, and in his religious views he was liberal.
In 1857 Alexander Vining was united in marriage with Fanny Margaret Raymond, daughter of Captain Lewis Raymond, a well- known ship-master of South Scituate. By this union there were two children, only one of whom, namely, Floretta, now survives. Mrs. Vining died May 24, 1865.
Miss Floretta Vining inherited a large fort- une from her father, and her ample means have been, and are still, used liberally in doing good. In the month of May, 1885, she took up her residence at Seaside Cottage, the former summer home of her father, and she occupied it until March 12, 1890, when it was
destroyed by fire. She was upon a visit to Washington, D.C., at the time. On May 20 of the same year she began the erection of her present summer dwelling, which is known as Vining Villa. During the summer she was in Europe, and upon her return in the fall, the villa was ready for occupancy. Here she resides through the summer months, but dur- ing the winter season she occupies apartments at the Parker House, Boston. She is a prom- inent member of literary and social circles of that city, belonging to many noted clubs and other organizations, in which she is very pop- ular, taking an active interest in their devel- opment and usefulness.
She is the first Regent of John Adams Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion; was the second New England lady ad - mitted to membership of Sorosis, the leading women's club of New York City; is the first Vice-President of the Abbott Academy Club, of Andover, Mass. ; has been Auditor of the New England Women's Press Association since its organization; is a Director of the Women's Club-house Corporation, which has in contemplation the erection of a club-house for women in Boston; and is a member of the Playgoers' Club. During the past five years, through her influence several wealthy people have been led to build cottages at Hull, and her own pleasant summer home here has been the scene of many distinguished gatherings. She is a believer in and an earnest advocate of the Greater Boston, recognizing that Hull will, as a district of Boston, receive the needed police patrol, so that it will become more and more the summer residence of Boston's best people, as a place where they may be entirely free from those evils that characterize many of the near-by summer resorts. She displays the same interest in increasing the conveniences of Hull that characterized her father. She
MISS FLORETTA VINING.
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was the means of securing a daily mail, and, by a strenuous effort on her part, at last had it increased to two deliveries per day, although she was obliged to visit Washington and make a personal appeal to the Post-office Depart- ment. She was the main instigator in the laying out of Spring Street, the project of which was opposed by the town officers, but she at last succeeded in causing the County Commissioners to order its construction. She was the means of establishing at Stony Beach, Hull, a United States Life-Saving Station, which has done such good service in saving men from shipwreck.
Originally, the only conveyance to Hull was by barge to North Cohassett. Miss Vining was instrumental in raising a public subscrip- tion, with the object of inducing the Old Colony Railroad to establish railroad com- munication with the place. The project was entirely successful, the sum of one thousand dollars being raised, which proved sufficient for the purpose. Hull now has seven regular trains per day, with additional accommoda- tions in the summer. Miss Vining also in- duced the town to appropriate one thousand dollars per year to pay for carrying to Hing- ham the children who attend the high school there. With the ready consent of the male residents, Miss Vining takes part in town meetings, and all practical measures for the public good find in her an carnest and effi- cient advocate. Her voice is heard in their public discussion, and she is usually the main factor in their execution.
Miss Vining is a lady of much physical vitality, as well as of superior mental force, and her interest once assured in connection with any worthy object, her aid and influence in its behalf is sure to follow. She seems to live solely for the purpose of doing good in a practical way; and that she is accomplishing
her object can be attested by the large number who have profited by her generosity. She has a penchant for helping needy and worthy young men, insisting always that they also strive to help themselves. Many who to-day are occupying good positions owe all they are to the fact that Miss Vining tided them over the hard spot in life. In a quiet unostenta- tious way Miss Vining has done this noble work, and many deeds of charity has she per- formed that the world knows not of. The highest reward, and the only one the lady asks, is the joy of doing service with good will.
ENRY O. LITTLE, President of the Bridgewater Box Company, one of the prosperous manufacturing enter - prises of this busy section of the State, was born in Columbia, Conn., May 22, 1848. His parents, David and Elizabeth (Scoville) Little, were also natives of Columbia. His grandfather, Norman Little, served in the War of 1812. David Little taught in the common schools of Connecticut for forty years, at the same time managing a farm. He was highly respected by his fellow-citizens, who elected him to the office of Deputy Sheriff of Tolland County. His wife, also an intelli- gent lady, taught school for some time.
Henry O. Little remained in his native State until he was about fifteen years of age, obtaining his education in the common schools. He then went to Vineland, N. J., and for a number of years was engaged in raising fruit for the wholesale trade, owning a large farm, which he devoted to that industry. In 1872 he removed to Bridgewater, Mass., and here for some time followed the same occupation, raising fruit and seeds and disposing of them at wholesale. In 1890 the Bridgewater Box Company was organized, and Mr. Little, being
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one of the incorporators, was elected President at that time. The company have a well- equipped plant with improved machinery, and employ on an average forty hands the year round. They deal in all kinds of lumber, and manufacture shooks and wooden packing boxes of various kinds, making a specialty of lock- corner and printed boxes. The factory is fitted with every convenience including tele- phone. In a business sense Mr. Little is a self-made man, having achieved prosperity through his own unaided efforts.
He has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Elsie M. Perry, of Springfield, Vt., was a descendant of Commodore Perry, who won immortal fame by his brilliant victory on Lake Erie in 1813. She left one son - Wal- ter S., the present Treasurer of the Bridge- water Box Company. The present Mrs. Little, who is of English birth, was Miss Louise B. Hudson.
Mr. Little, who is a Republican, served for several years on the Board of Selectmen of Bridgewater. As a Mason he is a member of Fellowship Lodge; and he was a charter niem- ber and the first officer of Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Bridgewater; and for two years he has served as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Massachusetts. He is also a member of Old Colony Commandery, Knights Templars, at Abington. Mr. Little has a wide circle of acquaintance, and stands high in the esteem of his fellows.
UGUSTUS HUNT WRIGHT is one of the leading men of Abington, Mass., taking part in all matters of local importance. A son of Edmund and Sarah A. (Hunt) Wright, he was born in Boston, December 23, 1846. Edmund Wright
was born in Boston, October 16, 1794. He was for some years publisher of the Boston Daily Patriot, and eventually disposed of the business to the Boston Daily Advertiser. He died in Boston in 1873. His wife died in 1867, aged fifty-eight years. They had six children, one dying in infancy. The five liv- ing are as follows : Edmund W., Theodore F., Augustus H., Horace W., and Mary A.
Augustus H. Wright, the third son, ob- tained his early education in the public schools of Dorchester, and took a special course at the Agricultural College at Amherst, Mass. He was a lad in his teens when the war broke out, but he had a man's courage, and enlisted when only sixteen years old in the Second Massachusetts Cavalry. He served two years, and was commissioned at the age of eighteen First Lieutenant of the Twenty- fourth United States Colored Infantry. After receiving his discharge from the army he was an Inspector in the Internal Revenue Service and stationed in Boston three years ; for about three years he was superintendent of the lum- ber yard of George Curtis in Boston ; and then he followed farming at West Roxbury, Mass., until 1879, when he became a resident of Abington. He was ten years Trustee of the Abington Savings Bank; for fifteen years he has been connected with the town fire depart- ment as chief engineer. He was ten years Chairman of the Road Commissioners, and for the same length of time Superintendent of the water-works. An esteemed member of the Grand Army, he was for six years Commander of McPherson Post, No. 73.
Mr. Wright has been twice married. He was united to his first wife, Julia P. Billings, October 21, 1868; and to his second wife, Jennie Billings, October 1, 1874. He has one child - Edmund, who was born August 1, 1877. In politics Mr. Wright is a stanch Republican.
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EORGE B. GODDARD, machinist, of Brockton, is a veteran of the late war, with a record for bravery worthy of his race, which was represented in the army of Napoleon. He was born in Bolton, Prov- ince of Quebec, March 14, 1842, a son of Ed- ward P. and Josephine (Garneau) Goddard, both natives of the Canadian Province.
His paternal grandfather, a native-born Frenchman, fought under Napoleon, and also in Canada, in the battles of St. Charles and Quebec. He died in the Province of Quebec at the advanced age of ninety-eight. A grant of land given him in Canada was never claimed by him or his posterity. He reared a family of fifteen children, all of whom attained ad- vanced age.
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