Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume IV, Part 102

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Adams, William Frederick, 1848-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 886

USA > Massachusetts > Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 102

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Daniel Fallon was born in the FALLON parish of Athlone, county Ros- common, Ireland, about 1800. He came of an ancient and highly respectable family of ancient Irish descent in that county. He was one of seven children, and a farmer from early youth. He was among the early mi- gration from his county to America, coming to Boston in 1835 on a sailing vessel when the voyage lasted several weeks and was filled with hardship and danger. He found employ- ment with an uncle, Martin Leonard, who had charge of the Bussey estate of Forest Hills. Here he became familiar with American

methods and took rank as a skillful and suc- sessful gardener. He was afterward em- ployed upon the estate of Captain Bacon at Forest Hills and on other large estates in that section. He was a worthy, industrious, con- scientious citizen. He died in 1887 at the age of eighty-seven. In politics he was a Demo- crat and in religion a Catholic. He married in Boston Katherine Boyle, born in county Antrim, Ireland, about 1810, of strong, sturdy Irish stock. Her ancestors lived in that county for many generations. She came to this country when a girl of eighteen and lived to the age of eighty. She was a devoted Cath- olic. Children: I. William F., mentioned below. 2. Thomas, for many years a letter carrier in Roxbury, where he now lives. 3. Daniel Jr., died in infancy. 4. John D., a prominent undertaker of Jamaica Plain, Bos- ton. 5. Ambrose S., for many years a letter carrier ; resides in West Roxbury. 6. Joseph M., died in middle life; was a plumber by trade at Jamaica Plain about fifteen years. 7. James, was fatally injured in an accident, be- ing run over by a wagon ; was unmarried. 8. Mathias, died in childhood. 9. George, died in infancy. 10. Richard, a general contractor, resides on his father's homestead at Forest Hills. 11. Stephen E., was engaged in the ex- press business many years ; died November, 1908.

( II) William F., son of Daniel Fallon, was born in what is now Franklin Park, Roxbury, January 26, 1843. He was educated in the public schools at Jamaica Plain, and at the age of sixteen engaged in the fish business there. His business flourished and when he was twenty years old he had a large trade. In this business he has continued with uniform success, investing his surplus from time to time with excellent judgment in real estate in the vicinity of his home. For many years he has ranked among the leading merchants in the Jamaica Plain district of Boston. His indus- try, foresight and prudence during his forty years of active business life have placed him in a position of influence and wealth in the community. He is enterprising and public- spirited, identified with many movements for the improvement of the locality in which he lives and does business. In politics he is a Republican. For a number of years he was a member of the board of fire wardens and he has also been one of the district engineers of the fire department, a position he has filled with much ability and credit. He has de- clined various other political honors on ac -

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count of the demands of his private business affairs. He is a prominent member and gen- erous contributor to St. Thomas Catholic Church of Jamaica Plain.

He married, in 1867, in Boston, Rosanna Mclaughlin, born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1844. She came to this country when a young woman and in large measure the success of her husband's business has been attributable to her co-operation, sagacity and counsel. Children : 1. Joseph William, died when eighteen months old. 2. Mary Josephine, born. July 4, 1870: graduate of the Boston high school; married Dr. Thomas McDonald, a prominent veterin- ary surgeon of Boston. 3. Rosanna Frances, January 6, 1872 ; graduate of the Boston high school ; married Charles P. Dolan, a pianist ; proprietor of the Boston Tuning School, in which he employs several assistant instructors ; children : Orila Dolan, died in childhood ; Will- iam C. Dolan; Kenneth Dolan.

BAGGS Henry, son of Benjamin Baggs, was born in Ludlow, Massachu- setts ; married a Miss Peace and had five children as follows: I. Benjamin, see forward. 2. William. 3. Theodore. 4. John. 5. Polly. The mother of these children died soon after the birth of Polly and the father married a second time and by this marriage had one daughter.

(II) Benjamin, eldest child of Henry and ( Peace) Baggs, was born in Spring- field, Hampden county, Massachusetts. He married ( first), 1862, - -, of Springfield, and she died in 1863, soon after giving birth to their son Amison Milton, see forward. Ben- jamin Baggs married (second) Maria Clark and by her he had a second son, Theodore. He carried on a farm in Ludlow, Massachu- setts, where he died in 1870.

(III) Amison Milton, only child of Benja- min Baggs by his first wife, was born in Lud- low, Hampden county, Massachusetts, July 3. 1863. His mother died when he was three weeks old and he was adopted by his uncle, who was a farmer in Belehertown. He worked on his uncle's farm, and attended the district school until his knowledge of farming and stock raising and especially of the con- dition and market value of live stock enabled him to buy and sell on his own account, long before he had reached his majority. This business proved attractive and profitable, and soon after becoming of age he purchased a farm in Ludlow, in 1887, and gradually stocked and used it as his chief market place.

This farm also became the home of a fine herd of milch cows, the breeding of which he made his specialty after his son took charge of the general business of buying and selling live stock. They shipped on an average of three or four carloads of cattle every week. He affiliated with the Patrons of Husbandry and was a leading member of the Hampshire Grange, and president of the Live Stock Asso- ciation of Boston. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Congrega- tional church. He married, in April, 1883. Evangeline Camille, eldest daughter of Sam- uel and Rosetta (Davis) Fitzgerald, born June 15. 1864, in Lawrenceville, Province of Que- bec, Canada. Their children were born in Ludlow (except the first whose birthplace was Belehertown) : I. Milton C., June 24, 1885; married Ruth Hopkins and became his fath- er's chief dependence in carrying on the farm in Ludlow. 2. Samuel, April 5, 1888, died during the same month. 3. Austin, January 29, 1893, died in Ludlow, October 6, 1895. 4. Benjamin, March II, 1898, died August II, 1898. 5. Roy, May 30, 1891. 6. Raymond, July 7, 1896.

(The Fitzgerald Line).

Samuel, eldest son of John Fitzgerald, was born in London, England, in December, 1836, and in 1847 came to America with a relative, both of his parents having died. He lived for a number of years in Brane, Province of Que- bec, Canada, where he learned the business of quarryman. In April, 1879, he removed to Windsor, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, where he carried on the quarry business up to the time of his death in April, 1896. He mar- ried, in 1863. Rosetta Davis, born in Bolton, Province of Quebec, in February, 1836, and their children were: Evangeline Camille, a fore- mentioned : Willie, born 1867, died 1869; Ed- win, 1869, died 1870: Emma E., March, 1873. married E. F. Ryan, of Hadley, Massachusetts ; Maud, 1877, married P. S. Walker, of Ludlow, Massachusetts ; Albert, 1880, died 1890. The mother of these children was living in 1908 with her daughter, Evangeline Camille (Fitz- gerald) Baggs, in Belehertown, Massachu- setts.

The origin of the name of SEIBERLICH Seiberlich is most interest- ing. About two centuries ago there was born in Arabia a boy who grew to manhood and became a successful physician. While he was still a young man a plague broke

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out which threatened to devastate the coun- try. The skill of the older practitioners was baffled, but the methods of the young doctor, who was just gaining prominence in the medi- cal world, mastered the disease. A part of his treatment consisted of insisting upon abso- lute cleanliness in every particular. In appre- ciation of his services during this trying period, the ruler of the land bestowed upon him the name of "Seiberlich," which trans- lated, means "clean." In addition he was granted a large tract of land in Baden, Ger- many, a few miles from the river Rhine, on which the city of Carlsruhe later was located. The great renown of the doctor spread throughout Europe, and the title "Seiberlich" became the surname of the family. He erected a substantial residence upon his estate, which is standing at the present time, and as it was called Carlsruhe, which means "Charles' Rest," it is but fair to presume that his name was Karl or Charles. Several fountains have been erected in Carlsruhe in honor of the founder of the city, and his remains lie buried under a pyramid in the city. Members of this family are now scattered in all parts of the world, and have always been noted for their attainments in science, literature and the fine arts.

(I) John Martin Sieberlich, a lineal de- scendant of the Sieberlich mentioned above, was the eldest of eleven sons, and it was dur- ing his lifetime that the estate was divided into eleven equal portions. His brothers trav- eled to different parts of the world, one going to Africa, several to America, and one fought in the French wars under Napoleon, the Great. John Martin lived and died on his own estate, and was city and county treasurer for a period of thirty years. Like all the members of this family down to the present generations, he was of unusual size, strong physique and robust health. He married a German lady.

(II) John Martin, son of John Martin Sei- berlich, bore so strong a resemblance to his Arabian ancestor that he was known as the "Arabian German." He lived to a ripe old age. He married Theresa Ochs, who died aged one hundred and two years. Children : 1. John Martin Jr., see forward. 2. Joseph, see forward. 3. Anthony, who came to America after attaining manhood, and became a successful confectioner. 4. Albion, also came to America, upon attaining maturity, and settled in Albany, New York, where he died. 5. Christian, came to America and established

himself in Philadelphia, where he became very wealthy. During the civil war he gave four sons for the defence of the Union, and they were all killed in the battle of Fredericks- burg. 6. Ferdinand, is still living in Boston, where he became a contractor and builder, erecting the first Catholic church in that city. 7. Louis, who was the treasurer of a college in Germany, died in that country, where his entire life was spent.

(III) John Martin Jr., son of John Martin and Theresa (Ochs) Seiberlich, inherited one- seventh of his father's large estate. He was famed for his work as a sculptor, to which work he was devoted during the active years of his life. He was one of the most highly respected citizens of his town, and died at the age of sixty-eight years. He and all his brothers with the exception of Louis served three years as soldiers. He married, in his native city, Theresa Vogel, a member of one of the first families, who died at the age of thirty-eight years, shortly after the birth of her youngest child. Children: 1. Frank B., see forward. 2. Margaret, came to the United States when a young woman, and married Amos Hunnewell, a farmer in Bedford, and member of a prominent Massachusetts family. 3. Caroline, died in Germany, shortly after her marriage to Ochs. 4. Lena, came to the United States, and resides in Boston, where she married a Frenchman. 5. Jacob, was a non-commissioned officer in the cavalry. during the Franco-Prussian war, 1870-71 ; was swimming instructor for the corps, and held a medal for swimming across the Rhine with all his accoutrements. He was killed while his regiment was taking a fort near Paris, France. 6. Joseph, died in Boston.

(IV) Frank B .. son of John Martin, Jr .. and Theresa (Vogel) Seiberlich, was born March 22, 1832. He attended the schools of his native city until he was eighteen years of age. and in 1849 sailed for the United States, being on the water forty days, landed in New York City, and from thence came to Boston. where he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed successfully for forty years. At the same time he purchased and improved property at Jamaica Plain, where he has resided for twenty-five years. His present residence is the old Curtis house, locally known as the Parker house, which is more than two hundred years old and is one of the landmarks of the section. After his settlement in Boston, Mr. Seiberlich did not find business as good as he had been led to expect, and he joined a party

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of "Forty-Niners" and sailed for California in the ship "American Eagle," doubling Cape Horn and landing in safety on the Pacific coast. Here he made a fortune in seven years, saying "the yellow metal seemed to come up with the grass roots," but he was stricken with illness and the greater part of his wealth van- ished. Later he lost a part of the remainder in unfortunate speculations. He had, however, become a member of a company organized to promote fruit growing on a large scale, and they placed under cultivation a tract of one thousand acres near Los Angeles, and thus became the pioneers in the line of industry for which California is now justly famous. This enterprise paid liberal returns for a number of years, but Mr. Seiberlich had grown tired of the west and returned to Boston. In 1863 he enlisted in the Union army during the civil war, and served four years. When his skill as a machinist became known, he was assigned to duty at the locomotive works in Baltimore, Maryland, which the government had assumed, but later was assigned to special service and saw some hard fighting. Mr. Seiberlich cast his first vote for Franklin Pierce, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been identified with the views of that body. He and his wife attend the Episcopal church, and he has been a member for forty years of Raboni Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Fortune Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married (first), in Charles- town, Mary Keizer, born in Roxbury, in 1841 ; died in Jamaica Plain, January, 1908. They had four children, all of whom died in infancy. He married (second), August 31, 1908, Fannie, born July 25, 1855, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Seiberlich) Schwab, both natives of Carlsruhe, Germany, the mother being a member of the same family as Mr. Seiberlich. They both came to this country when young and were married here. Mr. Schwab was a baker, and after a few years established a plant of his own. He died young, his wife died at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Seiberlich has an adopted daughter Carrie, the widow of John Moch, and she has children- Marie and Helen.

(III) Joseph, son of John Martin and Theresa (Ochs) Seiberlich, was born in Baden, Germany, March 24. 1843. He was sixteen years of age when he sailed for the United States, and after a tedious voyage landed in New York City, from whence after a time he went to Boston. He was of a mechanical turn of mind and rapidly became a machinist of

ability. Later he joined forces with Mr. Haf- fenrafner, a brewer of Boston, and his thor- ough training had given him an efficient prepa- ration for the responsibilities of the position he was called upon to fill. He was one of the representative Germans in Boston, and active in effecting the advancement of the interests of that nationality in the city. He affiliated with the Republican party, and died at his home at Jamaica Plain, May 20, 1908. He was asso- "ciated with the following organizations: Bos- ton Turn Verein, Baden Society, of Boston; Germains ; Knights of Pythias; Order of Red Men ; Veteran Firemen's Association ; Star of Jamaica Plain, Veteran Firemens' Associa- tion; Deutscher Hilf Verein. He married in Boston, Theresa Youd, born in Baden, Germany, March 17, 1846; died in Bos- ton, July 16, 1906. She emigrated to the United States in her girlhood days, had always lived in Boston, and, like her husband, was of the Lutheran denomination in religion. Chil- dren : I. Frances, educated in public and pri- vate schools : married Frank Jager, a resident of Jamaica Plain, and engaged in the hotel business at Forest Hills with his brother-in- law. Hon. Frank Seiberlich. 2. Bertha, married Augustus Soderstrom, a Swede, and a success- ful mason contractor. 3. Josephine M., unmar- ried, resides in Jamaica Plain. 4. Frank, see forward. And Frank, Catherine, Emma and Charles, who died young.

(IV) Hon. Frank, son of Joseph and Theresa ( Youd) Seiberlich, was born in Jamacia Plain, October 29, 1874. His education, which was excellent, was commenced in the public and completed in private schools. Early in life he became associated with the Bell Telephone Company, representing it as a traveling agent for some time. He has now been proprietor of the Forest Hills Hotel for a number of years. His practical training as an orator was obtained in a local debating society of which he was a member, and whose membership con- sisted of all the local celebrities. Here he soon displayed his strong debating power and show- ed his ability as a logical and forceful speaker. He was made secretary of his ward committee in 1899, and was a member of the same com- mittee in 1902. He was chosen to represent his district in the general court of Massachu- setts in 1903, by the Republicans, nominated. and re-elected the following year and again in 1905. Hle was elected to the state senate in 1906, and was made chairman of Ward 22 Re- publican committee in 1907-10. While in the legislature he served as member and chairman

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of a number of the most important committees, notably those on taxation, printing and election. During all the years of his public service Mr.

enced in the smallest detail by any corporation or combination of private individuals, but has always striven to further the interests of his constituents. Socially and fraternally he is a member of: Eliot Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Jamaica Plain ; Mt. Vernon Chapter, R. A. M .; Jacob Warren Commandery, K. T .; Aleppo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Mt. Bellevue Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Quimobequin Lodge, No. 70, and William Parkman Rebekah Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Hyde Park Lodge, No. 1446, Benevolent Order of Eagles ; Thomas W. Flood Conclave, Order of Heptasophs; Boston Turn Verein; Boston Schule Verein; Boston Society; Boston City Club ; Boston Economic Club; Jamaica Plain Club ; Lincoln Club, of which he is ex-presi- dent ; Jamaica Plain Firemens' Association ; Star of Jamaica Veteran Firemens' Associa- tion ; Ward 22, Jamaica Plain, Mount Hope and Roslindale Citizens' Associations; Haw- thorne Debating Society ; Ellis Mendal Brother- hood ; Dorchester Republican Club.

Seiberlich has never allowed himself to be influ -. in England; came to America with his father, and died February 3, 1684. He resided at Hingham, where he was made freeman May 14, 1656. He resided on the paternal home- stead. His will was made January 21, 1684, and proved March 27, 1684. He married, about 1654, Elizabeth Hobart, who was born about 1632, died March 26, 1692. Her father was Rev. Peter Hobart, of Hingham, who graduated B. A. from Magdalen College, Eng- land, in 1625, and was pastor of the First Church of Hingham in 1635. Elizabeth Ho- bart came with her parents and three brothers in 1635. John and Elizabeth Ripley were the parents of six sons and one daughter : John, Joshua, Jeremiah, Josiah, Peter, Rebecca and Hezekiah.

He married, June 2, 1909, in Boston, Doro- thea, daughter of Judge John G. Wright, of Atlanta, Georgia. His home is in Robinwood avenue, Jamaica Plain, one of the most beauti- ful residence districts of greater Boston.

RIPLEY This name falls within the class known as local surnames, and is derived from one of three places in England called Ripley, situated re- spectively in the counties of Surrey, Derby and Yorkshire.

(I) William Ripley, who is thought to have come from Windham, a few miles from Hing- ham, England, came to Hingham, Massachu- setts, in 1638. He was accompanied by his wife, two sons and two daughters. He re- ceived a grant of four acres of land at Hing- ham Centre, a large part of which is still owned by his descendants. His house was on Main street near the training field. The date of birth of William Ripley is not known. He died July 20, 1656. The date of his first wife's death is not known, but he married (second) in 1654, Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Thaxter, who after his death married, January, 1658, John Dwight, of Dedham. William Ripley's will, made June 30, 1656, proved January 24, 1657, mentioned only widow and sons John and Abraham. No mention is made of daugh-

ters, only one of whom, Sarah, is known to us by name.

(II) John, son of William Ripley, was born

(III) Joshua, son of John and Elizabeth (Hobart) Ripley, was born in Hingham, No- vember 9, 1658, died May 18, 1738. In 1688 three Ripley brothers, Joshua, Jeremiah and Hezekiah, came to Connecticut, where Heze- kiah was drowned while fording Shetucket river. Just at the time of their going to Nor- wich plans were being made to form a new settlement to the north of Norwich. After the death of Joshua, third son of Uncas, it was found that he had left a will bequeathing a large tract of Connecticut territory to sixteen gentlemen of Norwich and vicinity. Joshua's title to some of this land was disputed, but the Norwich legatees succeeded in securing pos- session of an extensive tract which was sur- veyed by Simon Huntington, Thomas Leffing- well Jr. and Richard Bushnell under the di- rection of Uncas. In 1685 this was laid out in forty-eight allotments of one thousand acres each, by a number of Norwich men. The tract included a large part of the present territory of Windham, Mansfield, Chaplin, Hampton and Scotland. On May 1, 1686, the legatees assembled to receive their allotments, and "after prayer for direction and blessing" they drew lots, some receiving one, others sev- eral shares, according to the decision of Uncas. On May 26, 1688, Richard Bushnell sold lot II, with thousand acre rights for ten pounds, ten shillings to Jeremiah Ripley, of Hingham, and Daniel Wetherell sold an allot- ment to Joshua Ripley. In the autumn of 1688 John Cates built the first house in the new plantation in 1689. In 1691 Joshua and Jeremiah Ripley, John Crane and others built houses in the "Hitherplace," now the west side

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of old Windham street. The first public meet- ing was recorded May 18, 1691. John Ripley, Jonathan Crane, and William and John Backus were then directed "to run the town lines from Appaquagne eight miles south and thence southwest to Willimantic river." This work was finished by May 28, when, at another meeting, Crane, Ripley and Ginnings were ap- pointed "to make division of our meadows," four shillings a day being allowed for both services. "May 12, 1692, the new settlement was made a new township and named Wind- ham. Eleven names were signed to the pe- tition asking the creation of the new town, and the name of Joshua Ripley headed the list. The first public town meeting was held June 12, 1692. Joshua Ripley was chosen town clerk." It was voted to petition the gen- eral court for liberty to portion town charges, and that Joshua Ripley should manage it. In 1693 Jonathan Ginnings and Joshua and Jere- miah Ripley were allowed to set up a saw mill with the privileges of a dam at No Man's Acre Brook. Joshua Ripley was appointed with Captain James Fitch and John Fitch to settle the lines at Willimantic. On February 14. 1694, he was again chosen with Major Fitch and two others to form the town lines. He was also appointed with four others "to choose two lots at the crotch of the river, one for the minister and one for the ministry." Joshua Ripley was elected in 1698 town clerk, and was also the first justice of the peace ap- pointed in Windham county. He was the first deputy sent by the town of Windham to the general court. This was in May, 1699, and he held this office until 1721. He was one of the members of Rev. Mr. Whitney's church, formed December 10, 1700. Joshua Ripley, John Backus and three others were a com- mittee to direct the building of the first church. 1702. Mr. Ripley was repeatedly chosen to arrange town boundary lines. In 1704 there was trouble with the Indians and a train band was organized and a watch maintained. Messrs. Whiting, Joshua Ripley and Crane were appointed a committee for the proprietors of town lands with power "to order any meet- ings, put to vote any matters to be acted upon, and sign the acts." New lands were added to the town and Joshua Ripley was one of those employed to divide them and lay out a highway. In 1713 a new meeting house was built and Joshua Ripley with three others again arranged the seating, and two of them, Joshua Ripley and John Fitch, received "the chief seat in front." In 1721 he was ap-

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Genealogical and personal memoirs relating to the families of the state of Massachusetts, Volume IV, Part 102

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Adams, William Frederick, 1848- Publication date: 1910 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 886

Author: Cutter, William Richard, 1847-1918, ed; Adams, William Frederick, 1848-
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 886