Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1901, Part 59

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Boston, Graves & Steinbarger
Number of Pages: 924

USA > Massachusetts > Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1901 > Part 59

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Edith J., born March 25, 1885; William H., Jr., born in February, 1887; and Albert J., born May 30, 1889.

ON. FREDERICK ROBINSON was born in Exeter, N. H., August 7, 1799, and died at Marblehead, Jan- uary 22, 1882. He was of early Colonial ancestry, and said to have descended from a Puritan minister who emigrated to New England on one of the vessels which followed the "Mayflower." His father was Caleb Robinson, a resident of Exeter, N. H. ; and his grandfather was Lieutenant Colonel Caleb Robinson, a Revolutionary soldier, who served in the Continental army through all of its suc- eesses and vicissitudes, from the battle of Bun- ker Hill to the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. Colonel Robinson was one of the most stanch and sincere among the New Eng- land patriots. He not only sacrificed his health to the nation's cause, but also suffered heavy financial loss through the purchase of Continental bonds; and his death, which oc- curred shortly after the elose of the struggle, was caused by the severe privations and ex- posure endured at Valley Forge.

Frederick Robinson obtained a good educa- tion chiefly through his own personal efforts, and early in life became actively interested in all questions of public importance, political, religious, educational, and philanthropieal, treating all with a liberality of conception which effectually demonstrated his intellectual capacity and decided progressive tendencies. He was originally a Democrat of the Jackso- nian type, but subsequently espoused the cause of abolition, in which he became associated with Wendell Phillips, Charles Sumner, Will- iam Lloyd Garrison, Theodore Parker, and other anti-slavery agitators; and he later joined the Republican party. He was for some years engaged in educational pursuits, coming to Marblehead in 1824 as principal of the high school, a position which he occupied for three years, at the expiration of which time he stud- ied law, and was admitted to the bar. Ile was elected to the House of Representatives from Marblehead for several successive years. Be-

456

AMERICAN SERIES OF POPULAR BIOGRAPHIES

coming interested in local public affairs, he served as a member of the Board of Selectmen and of the School Committee; but his eligi- bility to a higher sphere in the public service eventually caused his election to the State Senate, and he was chosen president of that body. In IS45 he was appointed warden of the Massachusetts State Prison. While serv- ing in that capacity, he introduced many re- forms in the government of prisoners, tending to elevate the character of the prisoner without relaxing the necessary discipline. In 1852 he was appointed High Sheriff for Essex County. In the legal profession he acquired a prominent place, numbering among his personal friends many eminent lawyers; and he was widely known throughout the State for his superior mental endowments. In religious matters, as in all other grave problems of human interest, he investigated persistently ; and his researches resulted in his preferring the Unitarian faith. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary A. Hidden, was born in Marblehead. They had nine children, of whom four are living - Jo- seph H., Mary C., Clara, and Charles.

NDREW JACKSON VOSE, a well- to-do resident of Dorchester, son of Robert and Abigail (Pope) Vose, was born July 6, 1833, in the house in which he now lives. He is a descendant of Robert Vose, first, a native of Lancashire, England, born 1599, who came to New Eng- land and settled in the town of Milton, then a part of Dorchester, and who died there in 1683. The maiden name of the wife of the early ancestor was Abigail Swift. Mr. Vose's line of descent is as follows : -

Thomas,2 son of Robert,' born in 1641, died August 8, 1708. He married Waitstill Wyatt, who died in August, 170S, aged eighty-four years. Henry 3 Vose, son of Thomas and Waitstill, born April 9, 1663, married Elizabeth Babcock, and died March 26, 1752. Robert, 4 son of Henry, born Octo- ber 25, 1693, married Abigail Sumner, Sep- tember 14, 1721. Robert, 5 son of Robert and Abigail, born October 15, 1723, married Merriam Vose, 1746. He died at Stoughton,

1773. Reuben Vose, son of Robert and Merriam, born in Milton, Mass., June 22, 1765, married Polly Willis, of Easton. He died at Westford, Mass., in IS22.

Robert Vose, son of Reuben and Merriam Vose, and father of the subject of this sketch. was born in Easton, March 28, 1798. He was brought up in Milton ; and, when a young man, he engaged in teaching school in that town and in Braintree, Dorchester, and Charlestown. In 1820 he settled in Dorches- ter, and taught there in the academy and also in district school No. 4. Subsequently, he took charge of Mr. Roswell Gleason's tin shop and grocery store, which he managed for many years. He was also postmaster of Dorchester. He frequently performed the duties of an auc- tioneer; and he settled more estates than any other man in Norfolk County, his services being largely in demand in this capacity. He held the office of Assessor for twenty-six years. and was three years a Selectman. He was trustee of the old Dorchester Bank. He was very regular in his habits, and it was his prac- tice to rise at four o'clock in the morning. He was a man highly esteemed by a large ac- quaintance; and his death, which occurred December 17, ISSO, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, brought sadness to many hearts.

He was married on February 5, 1826, to Abigail Pope, a daughter of Colonel John l'ope, of Squantum, Mass., and grand-daughter of Ebenezer Pope. She was born July 19. 1799; and she preceded her husband to the grave by a few weeks, dying October 22, 18Sc. at the age of eighty-one. They were the par- ents of five children - Robert, John, Sarah Pope, Andrew Jackson, and Reuben. Robert. born in Dorchester, January 26, 1827, was, like his father, a teacher, and taught in Brain- tree, Quincy, and Dorchester. Subsequently, he became a dealer in real estate and an auctioneer. He died June 11, 1891, at the age of sixty-five years; and his wife, Abbie A. Harding, died March 11, 1890. They had one daughter, Mary Wilder, born July 27, 1854, who died September 27, 1896. John Pope, born June 15, 1829, was a resident of the home farm, where his death took place

ANDREW J. VOSE.

459

AMERICAN SERIES OF POPULAR BIOGRAPHIES

March 24, 1872. He was unmarried. Sarah Pope, born September 3, 1831, died June 2, 1836. Reuben was born July 7, 1837, and died November 30, 1843.

Andrew J. Vose was brought up and edu- cated in his native town of Dorchester. In 1849 he became associated with R. Gleason & Sons as clerk in the silver-plating business, and he continued to act in that capacity for twenty-five years. Since then he has given his attention to looking after his estate. He was married December 29, 1870, to Miss Abbie T. Buzzell, of West Newfield, Me., daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Rogers) Buz- zell, and a representative of an old Maine fam- ily. His only child, Sadie Lizzie, born March 26, 1873, died May 2, 1896, at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Vose are still living at the old homestead, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent and busy life. They at- tend the Unitarian church. _

REEMAN DAVID OSGOOD, a well- known and highly esteemed resident of Roxbury, now retired from active busi- ness life, was born in Holderness, N. H., De- cember 7, 1830, a son of David and Lydia (Perkins) Osgood. David Osgood, who was born in Gilmanton, N. H., was in the earlier years of his business activity a brick manufact- urer; and, while thus engaged, he made brick for the first factory built at Laconia, N. H. His wife was a native of Gilmanton. They were the parents of ten children, the subject of this sketch being the eighth in order of birth. David Osgood's later years were spent in farming.

Freeman D. Osgood was brought up on his father's farm, and received his education in the district schools. At the age of sixteen he went to Great Falls, where for three years he worked for his brother, John P. Osgood, who was a house painter. Coming to Boston in 1849, he was occupied for the next nine years in house painting here. Subsequently, for a period of twenty years, he was a real estate auctioneer, doing an extensive business. He now owns much valuable property in and around Boston, including the Hotel Loring at

Winthrop, one of the most popular hotels in that popular seaside resort. He also owns a farm at Brownfield, Me. Mr. Osgood also es- tablished the furniture business in Boston, associating with him his son, C. E. Osgood. Mr. Osgood conducted it himself for about twelve years. It is now carried on by the C. E. Osgood Furniture Company, which is doing a very large business. Mr. Osgood had three large stores in different parts of the city, one where the Ames Building now stands, one on the ground floor of the Masonic Temple. and the third in the building now occupied by the Salvation Army. He owns the house which was built for Governor Shirley.

Mr. Osgood was for one year a member of the city government of Roxbury. Politically, he is a Republican. His success in life has been due in chief measure to his own natural ability, keen business foresight, and unremit- ting industry. These qualities, united with a strong sense of personal honor, have carried him safely through all the dangers that beset him who essays to guide his adventurous bark over the relentless sea of business competition to the fair haven of prosperity, in which he now lies snugly at anchor. He is one more among the many sturdy sons of New Hamp- shire resident in Boston to reflect eredit upon their native State.

Mr. Osgood was married in 1854 to Miss Annah Faxon Perry, daughter of Colonel El- bridge G. and Abagail H. (Whitney) Perry, of Boston. He has three children living : Charles Edward, manager and proprietor of the C. E. Osgood Furniture Company, as above narrated ; Minnie J., wife of Arthur H. Whitney, of Watertown; and Lillian Francis, wife of George A. Carter, of Roxbury. Another child, Flora, died at the age of nineteen years. Mrs. Osgood is prominently identified with the Woman's Charity Club, which maintains the Free Surgical Hospital for Women, located on Parker Hill Avenue, Roxbury, an institu- tion that is doing a great deal of good; and she is also one of the most active members of the Ladies' Charitable Organization, taking an interest in all work for the uplifting of humanity and the amelioration of the lot of the poor and unfortunate.

460

AMERICAN SERIES OF POPULAR BIOGRAPHIES

AVID B. MONROE, for a number of years the largest retailer of boots and shoes in the city of Chelsea, was born in Hanover, Mass., Octo- ber 14, 1839, and died in Chelsea, April 3, 1900. He was son of Benjamin, Jr., and Mary (Curtis) Monroe. The family of which he is a representative is of Scotch origin. Among the early. immigrants of this name were Alexander Monroe, thought to have been a merchant, who was in New England before May, 1651. In 1666 a William Monroe was living with his family in that part of Cam- bridge which is now Lexington. The line of descent, however, is difficult to trace, the early settlers of that name having been "less given to letters than to arms." (See Savage's Gene- alogical Dictionary and Hudson's History of Lexington.)

Mr. David Monroe's grandfather, Benjamin S. Monroe, and Miss Catherine Webb, both of Dorchester, were married April 7, 1802, and settled at Scituate, where he engaged-in the manufacture of brick.

Benjamin Monroe, Jr., the father of David B., was married in Hanover, Mass., November II, 1830, to Mary H. Curtis, daughter of Ebenezer and Zinthia (Stetson) Curtis. As appears from the genealogical records in the History of Hanover, her ancestral line has been traced back to William Curtis, first, who was in Scituate in 1643, and whose son Will- iam, second, born in January, 1668-9, was the father of William, third, who married in 1718 Margaret Pratt. Their son William, fourth, born in 1724, married in 1747 Martha Mann. William, fifth, born in 1748, son of William and Martha, married in 1775 Deborah Curtis, and was the father of Ebenezer, above named, Mr. Monroe's grandfather Curtis. His wife, Zinthia Stetson, to whom he was married April 15, 1804, was a grand-daughter of Captain Stetson, a soldier in the French and Indian War, who was at the storming of Louisburg. Ebenezer Curtis served in the Continental army, enlisting from the town of Hanover in a company of minute-men attached to Colonel John Bailey's regiment that marched to the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775.

David B. Monroe was educated in the public

schools of Hanover and Scituate. When a young man he learned the trade of mason, at which he worked for some time. In 1868 he engaged in his present business, opening a re- tail boot and shoe store in Chelsea; and three years later he took up his permanent residence in that town. By strict attention to business and the exercise of a sound judgment he has achieved a well-earned success, and is remem- bered as among the substantial citizens of Chelsea.

He was married in 1864 to Henrietta Smith. a native of East Boston and a daughter of George Smith, a ship-smith. Mr. Monroe had three children - David Alfred, Minnie Ger- trude, and George William. David Alfred Monroe married Lizzie C. Ott. Minnie is the wife of H. S. Cardy, and resides in Chelsea. George William married Mattie Colby, of East Boston, and has four children - Bertha, Helen, Ralph, and Edith -all of whom are attending public school in Malden.

ARAH GODFREY BROOKS was . born in Harwich, January 27, 1827. Her parents were Obed and Sal !: (Weeks) Brooks. Her father was of the fourth generation in descent from Beriah Broadbrooks, an early resident of Harwich. The line was: Beriah,' Ebenezer,2 Ebenezer, Jr., 3 Obed. + By act of the State Legislature, March 14, 1806, Obed Broadbrooks, of Har- wich, in the County of Barnstable, was allowed to take the name of Obed Brooks. His de- scendants, therefore, have borne this surname. Ebenezer, Sr., born in 1717, son of Beriah and Abigail (Severance) Broadbrooks, married Lydia Small; and their son Ebenezer, Jr .. born December 19, 1750, married in February, 1775, Tamesin Hall. He was a lifelong resi- dent of Harwich, and for many years he kept a store for the sale of general merchandise.

Obed Brooks entered his father's store at an early age, and became a prosperous merchant. He was one of the most prominent citizens ci Harwich in his day, serving for a long period as Postmaster and twenty-six years as Town Clerk and Treasurer. He took an active in- terest in the general welfare of the community,

461

AMERICAN SERIES OF POPULAR BIOGRAPHIES

and was highly esteemed for his many worthy qualities. He died at the age of seventy-five years. His wife, Sally Weeks, who was a daughter of Ebenezer Weeks, died at the age of fifty-two. She was the mother of seven children; namely, Obed, Roxana, Sidney, Tamesin, Harriet, Henry C., and Sarah G. Oled Brooks, the younger, acquired his first business training in Boston; and after his re- turn to Harwich he engaged in business with his father. Like the latter, he took an active part in public affairs, and was both an honor- able and useful citizen. His death occurred at the same age as that of his father. He married Clementine Guigon, and reared two of his six children - Mary Frances and Harriet Clementine. Roxana, who died at the age of seventy-three, married Stephen G. Davis, of Boston, and reared five children; namely, Ellen Maria, Frederick Sidney, Francis Gor- ham, Henry Brooks, and Mary Louisa. Sid- ney, who married Susan Whittaker, taught schools in Harwich and Chatham for thirty -- five years. He died at the age of seventy- four. Tamesin died in Harwich at the age of sixty-nine. Harriet was a lifelong resident of Harwich, and was fifty years old when she died. Henry C. Brooks was formerly in the steamship business in Boston, and was super- intendent of Commercial Wharf at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of sixty- nine.

Sarah Godfrey Brooks was educated in the schools of Harwich and Dennis. She has re- sided in her native town from the time of her birth ; and much of her life has been devoted to religious, charitable, and educational work. Miss Brooks is a trustee of the Broadbrook Free Library, which was founded by her brother, Henry C. Brooks. She is a member of the Congregational Church, the various mis- sionary societies, and the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

APTAIN DANIEL COLE, keeper of the Cahoon Hollow Life-saving Sta- tion, Cape Cod, was born in Well- fleet, Barnstable County, March 24, 1844, son of Nehemiah and Sabra D. (Pierce)

Cole. His grandfather, Daniel Cole, for whom he was named, was a master mariner, engaged in the coasting trade and the fishing industry. Grandfather Cole died at the age of about eighty-five years. He had a family of four children - Joseph, Samuel, Nehemiah, and Mary.

Nehemiah Cole, Captain Cole's father, grew to manhood as a fisherman, and was engaged in that occupation until his death, which oc- curred when he was forty-six years old. He married Sabra D. Pierce, daughter of Solomon Pierce and a descendant of Captain Michael Pierce, an early settler of Scituate, who was killed in an Indian fight in 1676. Of this union were born ten children ; namely, Rachel, Elizabeth, Solomon, Eliza, John, Hattie, Dan- iel, Sabra, Emily, and Nehemiah. The mother lived to be over sixty years of age. Rachel Cole married Warren Eastman, of Maine, and is now residing in Exeter, N. H. Their chil- dren are : Charles, Emily, James, Hattie, Ida, John, Annie, Lettie, and Mabel. Elizabeth died in infancy. Solomon, who served in the Civil War and is now residing in Chelsea, Mass., is married and has five children - William, Clarissa, Sarah, Mary, and Chester. Eliza is the wife of Solomon Harding, of Exe- ter, N. H. John enlisted in the United States navy during the Rebellion, and died at New Orleans. Hattie married John G. Higgins, of Exeter, N. H. ; and her children are: Fred- erick, Frank, and George. Sabra died at the age of twenty-seven years, Emily died at the age of twelve, and Nehemiah died at the age of nine years.

Daniel Cole, the special subject of this sketch, acquired his education in the public schools of Wellfleet. His first fishing voyage was made when he was nine years old, and he followed that calling until some time during the early sixties, when he went West. En- listing as a private in Company K, Twelfth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, he was present at the battle of Kinston, N. C., participated in the grand military review at Washington after the close of the war, and was mustered out July 1, 1865. Returning to the Cape, he re- sumed his former occupation by taking charge of a fishing-vessel. In 1873 he joined the

462

AMERICAN SERIES OF POPULAR BIOGRAPHIES

life-saving service, and in 1879 was promoted to his present position of keeper of the Cahoon Hollow Life-saving Station. During a wild winter night, with the wind blowing sixty miles an hour, he and his sturdy crew rescued by the aid of a breeches buoy fifteen men from the fishing-schooner "Smuggler," which went to pieces within ten minutes after the last man had reached shore. On another occasion at midnight, in a furious north-east gale, the coal-laden four-masted schooner, "Daniel B. Fearing," came ashore, and, manning the surf- boat, the life-savers, in spite of the fury of the waves, succeeded in taking off her entire crew.

On September 18, 1869, Captain Cole mar- ried Harriet E. Blodgett, daughter of William and Anna (Elliott) Blodgett, of Middleton, Mass., the former of whom served as a soldier in the Civil War. Captain and Mrs. Cole have reared two children: Nehemiah, born November 16, 1870; and Daniel W., born February 14, 1873. Nehemiah, who is con- nected with the Boston division of the United Fruit Company, and resides in Malden, Mass., married Maud L. Farnham, and has one daugh- ter, Mildred. Daniel W., who is a graduate of the Wellfleet High School, is now a clerk for the Hillsboro Woollen Company, of Hills- boro Bridge, N. H.

The Captain belongs to Adams Lodge, F. & A. M., and Wellfleet Council, Royal Arcanum; is a comrade of J. C. Freeman Post, No. 55, G. A. R., and a life member of the Marine Benevolent Society. Politically, he is a Republican. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

RANK SEARS PARSONS, M.D., a well-known physician and surgeon of Dorchester, was born December 21, 1862, in Northampton, Mass., a son of Enos Parsons and a descendant of Joseph Parsons, one of the earliest settlers of Springfield, Mass., the line being thus traced : Joseph, ' Jonathan, 2 Nathaniel, 3 Elisha, + Elisha, Jr., 5 Enos,6 and Frank S .?

Joseph Parsons emigrated from England to America, and, in company with William Pyn- chon and his colony, located in Springfield in

1636. For a number of years (1655-79 be lived in Northampton. Returning to Spring- field, he resided there until his death, at the age of sixty-three years, October 9, 1683. In 1646 he married Mary, daughter of Thomas Bliss, of Hartford, Conn. She was accused .: witchcraft in 1674, but acquitted. Jonathan Parsons married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Clark, and died in the fall of 1694. Nathan- iel Parsons, born March 25, 1686, married ::: his second wife Abigail Bruce, who outlire: him fifty-one years, passing away November 3. 1788. Elisha Parsons, the third child ci === family of Nathaniel and Abigail Brace. was born November 16, 1731, and died May 22. 1805. He married Lucy, daughter of Joseph Alvord; and their son Elisha was the grani- father of Dr. Parsons. Elisha Parsons was born in Northampton, Mass., March 22, 17" :. and died October 17, 1845. His wife, whise maiden name was Phebe Hubert, borei nine children, of whom Enos was the ei_t in succession of birth.

Enos Parsons was born at Northamptr. Mass., December 21, 1815, and died Februar: 8, 1892. When a young man he served his time as an apprentice; but, after working 2: his trade a short time, he gave it up and e =- barked in mercantile pursuits. He subse- quently entered upon a professional career. becoming attorney first for the Massachusetts Central Railroad and later for the Boston & Maine Railroad Company, serving in the latter capacity eighteen years. He also served a few terms as Judge of the District Court. He ::: married Mary Ann Crafts, of Deerfield, Mass .. who bore him six children, of whom one su .. vives, Julia Electa, widow of Joseph M. Cole. His first wife died in 1858; and on June 25. 1861, he married Miss Harriet E., daug? : c: of Nathaniel Sears, of Williamsburg, and a descendant of Joshua Thayer, a soldier of the Revolution. But one child was born of this union ; namely, Frank Sears, the special stb- ject of this biography.

Frank S. Parsons attended the public schlis of Northampton, the Harvard Medical Scho i. and the University of New York, being g- ated from the latter institution as a member . : the class of 1886. Commencing at once :s

463

AMERICAN SERIES OF POPULAR BIOGRAPHIES

practice of his profession in Dorchester, he met with such success that he has continued here until the present time, winning a fair. share of patronage, and gaining in a marked degree the confidence of the community in which he resides. He is well versed in the science of his profession, and is widely known in medical circles as editor of the Medical Times and Register of Philadelphia. Dr. . Par- sons is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, of the American Medical Association, and of various minor medical associations.

On September 8, 1892, Dr. Parsons was married to Miss Bertha I. Saxman, daughter of Matthias Saxman, of Latrobe, Pa., and a descendant of Abraham Clark, of New Jersey, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. The Doctor and Mrs. Parsons have two children - Frank Enos and Katherine Saxman.

AMUEL HENRY HADLEY, of Somerville, Mass., is widely and favorably known throughout this section of Middlesex County as an accomplished musician and a successful in- structor of music. A son of Samuel D. Had- ley, he was born November 22, 1844, in Boston, coming from patriotie stock on both sides of the house. Thomas Hadley, his great - grandfather, a Revolutionary soldier, took an active part in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was a brickmaker by trade, living in Medford, Mass., for many years; and, when needing bricks for use in Boston, he used to take them down the Mystic River on a lighter.

Mr. Hadley's paternal grandfather, Samuel Dexter Hadley, was born in Medford, Mass. He was a mason by trade, a workman of supe- rior skill, and assisted in the construction of several of the more important buildings of his time, including the Quincy Market, Boston. He served on guard duty in the War of 1812. Ilis wife was Betsey R. Bellows, of Bellows Falls, Vt. They had a large family of chil- dren, only four attaining a majority. One of these is now living, Richard W. Hadley, of Providence, R. I.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Biographical sketches of representative citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1901, Part 59

Author: Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Boston, Graves & Steinbarger Number of Pages: 924

Author:
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Boston, Graves & Steinbarger
Number of Pages: 924