History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 110

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The fourth son, Dr. James Perry4, was born in 1767 ; was five feet seven inches in height, black hair and eyes, with florid complexion. He had a long head for its width; was a man of keen intellect and quick perception. His wife was Adah Sheperson, of Mansfield. The children of this marriage were three sons and three daughters,-James Leonard Perry, D.D.S., Ada, Harriet, Eliza, Jonathan Pratt Perry, and William F. Perry.

Dr. James+ was a physician of some note, espe- cially in typhus fevers. During the prevalence of what was then called the "cold plague," which was

fatal to the majority of its victims, his services were in constant requisition. His exposure and over- exertion and loss of sleep broke down his constitu- tion so that he was an invalid the remaining part of his life. He died May 2, 1825, aged fifty-eight years.

William F. was then in his sixteenth year. Soon after his father's death he decided to study medicine, but as his resources were limited he depended mostly on himself, and worked on the farm and studied alter- nately with Dr. Swan, of- Easton.

He acquired the classical education requisite to enter college at Middleborough, Mass. In the spring of 1831 he commenced a course of medical lectures at Bowdoin College, attended one course at Harvard Medical School in the fall of 1832, and in 1833 another course at Bowdoin, making three courses in all. He graduated and took his diploma at Bowdoin. After graduation he became assistant to Dr. Peck, of Fox- borough. While there he lost, by the burning of Dr. Peck's house, his books, instruments, and clothes. He then returned to his mother's home in West Easton, where he lived till the summer of 1835. During those two years he attended very closely to the study of medicine and surgery, and practiced occasionally in the neighborhood and vicinity. In the summer of 1835 he was invited by some promi- nent citizens of Mansfield to settle among them. There were at that time two practicing physicians in Mansfield, one at West Mansfield, Dr. Skinner, who, from age and neuralgia, could not be depended on, except in pleasant weather, and Dr. Billings, at the Centre, who was nearly eighty years old, but still vig- orous and unwilling to give up practice, so that Dr. Perry often visited their patients in the night and in stormy weather gratis, they thinking the experience thus gained sufficient remuneration.

He has been heard by the writer of this to say that he could not have stayed in Mansfield had it not been for the prevalence of the measles and a storm at that time, which covered the ground everywhere with ice and prevented the older physicians from going out. This was his first introduction to practice, which was somewhat opposed by Thomsonianism, which was rife at that time in Mansfield and other adjoining towns for two years or more.

On Dec. 22, 1839, he married Miss Emeline B. Davis, of New Market, N. H., daughter of Capt. Samuel C. Davis, a man who was highly esteemed by his fellow-townsmen, and on whom they conferred many offices of trust. The children of this marriage were seven sons and one daughter :

William Hunter, born Oct. 25, 1840; died May 2, 1868, while a student in medicine at Harvard Uni- versity.

James Leonard, A.B., C.E., M.D., born Feb. 3,1842; graduate of Harvard College; graduate of the Law- rence Scientific School as civil engineer; graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College in medicine ; graduate of Bellevue Hospital as interne; graduate of

William To Levy

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MANSFIELD.

New York State Woman's Hospital for Diseases of Women as surgeon.

Frederic Davis, D.D.S. and M.D., born Dec. 20, 1843; graduate in dentistry, Philadelphia; graduate in medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Edward Everett, graduate of Harvard Medical School, born July 9, 1845.

Samuel Freeman, born Nov. 10, 1847 ; died in in- fancy.

Harriet Emeline, graduate of Salem Normal School in 1874, since which time she has been an efficient and acceptable teacher in lier native town.

Dana Duane, born July 10, 1859; graduate in medicine at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, March, 1882.

It will be noticed that the son who graduated as C.E., after two years in that profession, studied medi- cine; 'also the dentist, after practicing his profession a few years successfully ; so that all five of the sons studied medicine, and the father and grandfather were physicians.

It may not be out of place here to state that there was no high school or academy in Mansfield at the time when his children, three of them, could have been benefited by it, and the elementary instruction was very limited, so that when they were at the age of thirteen and a half and fourteen, the doctor was obliged to send them from home to obtain the prepar- atory education for their professional studies. This was a great draft on the doctor's uncertain income, and required strict economy and self-denial.

Edward E. practiced medicine in Boston six years, and died in 1875. The following notice of his death will serve to show something of the esteem in which he was held : " Dr. Edward E. Perry died at his home in Mansfield after a short illness on the morning of Sept. 14, 1875. He was a graduate in medicine at Harvard, and began practice in Cross Street, Boston, in 1868. From the first he was successful. Kind, courteous, and genial, he made friends of all with whom he came in contact. Generous and liberal to the poor, he always supplied their wants with a liberal hand. He soon had an extensive practice, which was not limited to the city, but extended in all directions for many miles. At the time of his death he was the most popular physician at the north end. Few phy- sicians have died as much lamented as young Dr. Perry. For several years he has had attacks of he- patic colic, eaused by biliary calculi ; his death oc- curred suddenly after a severe paroxysm. Hundreds called at his office during his illness to inquire for him, and on learning of his death burst into tears, and expressed the most devoted friendship and pro- found sorrow."

Of the living children J. L. practices in New York City ; F. D. succeeds to his father's practice in Mans- field.

The imperfect picture which must unfortunately accompany this sketch gives only a correct idea of

that part of the face above the nosc and his eyes, and would have been withheld if his biography could have been accepted without it. He never sat for a picture intentionally,-we regret it ; but he will be re- membered by his contemporaries as a handsome and distinguished-looking man, whose presence was calcu- lated to inspire confidence and hope. Dr. Perry had black curly hair, dark expressive eyes, fine teeth, and clear dark complexion ; was slight when young, was five feet ten inches in height, and weighed later in life one hundred and eighty-four pounds.

For thirty-eight years he had an extensive practice in Mansfield and the adjoining towns, more laborious than remunerative. During that time he was never laid aside by illness which prevented his visiting his patients but two days, and never absent from home on business or pleasure but twice in that time. He was absent on business once in 1858, when he took a ten days' Western trip, and in 1873 spent a few days in New York.

He was earnest and devoted to his patients; was absolutely pure and honest both in public and private life. He often used the expression, "I mean to be honest before God." He had strong convictions and pronounced opinions on matters religious and politi- cal, and being tempered with rare good judgment and foresight, his opinions were always worthy of respect.

He utterly detested immorality and vice, and was so outspoken in such matters that he was both by ex- ample and precept one of the best teachers of mo- rality. He had a large brain and strong memory, well stored with the history of men prominent in politics or eminent in science, and especially medical science.

He possessed an analytical mind ; was a close ob- server ; in fact, nothing seemed to escape his observa- tion.

In the reading of character he was quick and almost unequaled. A learned and skilled physician, with whom he was called in consultation, said of him, " Dr. Perry was one of the best country physicians I ever knew, combining rare powers of diagnosis with the most varied and thorough knowledge of drugs." He was by nature, by study, and by observation, a chemist and a therapeutist. He was ingenious and fertile in mechanical appliances, and, being ready in the use of instruments, was a careful surgeon and a good oper- ator. He was sincere, conscientious and faithful, and being modest shrank from notoriety or office-holding, except in the cause of education, which he labored zealously to promote.

Dr. Perry was liberal beyond his means, kind and considerate to the poor; was often called the "poor man's friend," and, dying as he lived, his last act was a charity, for he died suddenly Oct. 17, 1873, while visiting a poor family, of whom he said he must go or they would suffer. The following tribute by Mr. Ide justly expressed the feelings of the public :

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

" His sudden death was a great shock not only to his family, but to the community at large. He had for many years been most confidently relied on for medical aid, and his loss was widely and deeply de- plored. He had so distinguished himself by inva- riable promptness in responding to the call of the sick, taking no thought for himself while others were suffering, that when his strong system gave way under the continuous strain, the public generally became mourners.

" At his funeral the large gathering, the sad and tearful faces, the touching and honorary tribute paid to his memory, showed how deeply the sense of a great and irreparable loss had impressed itself upon Mansfield. No public utterances, however appreci- ative of his character and skill, could tell the grief which his death had caused. In the homes which even now sadly miss his comforting presence, there are frequently heard voices of sorrow at his de- parture, which are the truest and most valuable testimonials to his worth. His death was not an occasion for any mere material monument, for his noble and self-denying life had built up many and more precious ones in living and loving hearts."

The accompanying elegy was composed by one of his friends and neighbor, Miss Adelaide Pettee :

ELEGY AT THE GRAVE OF WILLIAM PERRY, M.D., MANS- FIELD, MASS.

"Tis winter dread, Yet earth, arrayed in robes of spotless white, Seems for a bridal dressed, while morning bright O'er hill and dale her banner wide unfurls, And forests sparkle with unnumbered pearls Save where I stand, her mantle 'neath my feet, Seems but one vast, unbroken winding sheet That wraps the dead.

Beneath this mound, Deep buried from the world's ignoble strife, Rests one whose only aim it was in life To find in ocean cave, on mount, or plain Some soothing remedy for mortal pain. O sacred, heaven-born purpose !- wondrous skill. That never faltered till the heart was still, Low in the ground !

Yet not in vain

Thy mission here ! many shall pause and shed The silent tear-drop on thy dreamless bed. The good begun by thee shall onward flow, And man shall still seek on himself to know. Time shall perpetuate the work begun, And thy dear image in each noble son 1 Shall live again.

Rest, spirit, rest !

We leave thee in the bosom of our God Till we the rugged paths of life have trod. We seek the unseen Father's guiding hand Till we shall join thee in the better land, And the great mysteries of life shall cease In that sweet home where all is light and peace, Home of the blest !

ADDIE.

1 He left three sons, who are physicians.

GEORGE EDSON BAILEY.

John Bailey1, the first American ancestor, resided in Scituate, Mass., as early as 1670. He married, in 1672, Sarah White, and upon her decease he married, in 1699, Ruth Clothier. He died in 1718. His son Samuel2 was born in 1690, married Elizabeth Caswell, and had, among other children, Abijah3, who, Nov. 20, 1765, married Sarah Grover. They had six chil- dren, of whom Abner4 was one. Abner married, Nov. 30, 1797, Deborah Lovell, by whom he had two chil- dren, Jacob5 and Caroline. He married as his second wife Sarah Brintnell, June 6, 1819, and upon her de- cease he married Jemima Skinner, June 12, 1828. There was no issue by either the two latter marriages. His daughter Caroline married Joseph Brintnell, and is now (1883) residing in Connecticut in her eighty- fourth year. Jacob was born April 5, 1801. He married, July 27, 1827, Sally S. Skinner, daughter of James and Sarah (Sumner) Skinner. She was born Jan. 29, 1807. To them were born two children,- George E. and Deborah Caroline. She was born July 23, 1830, married Charles A. Turner, June 14, 1851. She died May 22, 1878. She had four chil- dren, of whom one died in infancy, the others grew up to maturity.

George Edson Bailey, sixth in descent from the original John Bailey, of Scituate, was born in Mans- field, Mass., Jan. 1, 1829. In addition to the advan- tages afforded by the common schools of his town, he attended for a period of about two years a select or private academy. He was brought up a farmer's son, and early taught to labor, and laid the foundation for a rugged constitution by abundant out-door exercise. At about the age of nineteen he entered upon that branch of business which he has followed through life, and which, by reason of inventions connected therewith, and which will be noticed hereafter, has made his name known throughout the land. He es- tablished a small bakery, hired men to do the work, and by applying himself to the practical part of the business soon learned from his employés the modus operandi of the trade. This was in 1848. Mr. Bailey soon established himself in the confidence of the peo- ple, and the circle of his trade gradually widened. There were at the time of which we write a number of small bakeries in the adjacent towns, but one after another gave up the business, and in a few years Mr. Bailey controlled the trade. From his early boyhood Mr. Bailey was noted for an investigating and inven- tive turn of mind. It was no argument to his mind that a particular method of doing a thing was the best way simply because it was the usual way. Never content with conventional methods, he was always seeking for the most simple, rapid, and effective means of accomplishing whatever he had in hand, and to this trait or faculty may be attributed his success in life.

At the time when he first engaged in the baking business the ovens then in use were very crude and

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MANSFIELD.

imperfect. There was no such thing as obtaining and maintaining a regular temperature, both of which were essential to the best results. ITis inventive faculties were brought to bear on the solution of this problem, and " Bailey's patent oven" was the result. Years of patient thought, experiment, and labor were expended, however, before the desired results were obtained ; but as is usually the case where diligent application is coupled with intelligent direction, he at last suc- ceeded in perfecting an oven which combines every essential advantage,-economy of fuel, convenience of arrangement, and an equal distribution of tem- perature, the degree of which is completely under the control of the operator. Dec. 5, 1871, letters patent were issued to Mr. Bailey for his invention, and July 16, 1872, another patent was granted him for an improvement on the same. As soon as his oven was in satisfactory working order he began using it in his own shop, and was enabled by its use to offer to customers advantages, both in price and quality of production, that no one using the old-fashioned ovens could possibly offer. He appointed Charles B. Good- rich, of Charleston, Mass., agent for his invention in the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, and Jesse A. Locke, of New York, agent for the rest of the United States. Through them his invention became widely known and exten- sively used. It is now in use in many of the public institutions and bakeries throughout the United States, and in many parts of Canada. This oven is particularly adapted to baking bread, cake, and pas- try. He has also in use in his establishment many other accessories to his business, involving improve- ments upon old ideas, as well as the practical appli- cation of new ones, which he has never had patented, and does not care to make public. From the time of the invention of his " oven" he began enlarging the sphere of his operations and rapidly extending his business. He has now a regular delivery team of his own in Boston, Providence, Taunton, Fall River, and Lowell. In addition to this he has agents in many of the principal cities and towns of New England who handle his goods exclusively.

Mr. Bailey is a good illustration of what may be accomplished in this progressive age by an earnest, enterprising, intelligent man,-one who brings to bear in the every-day affairs of his business life all the energies and faculties with which he has been endowed, and who is ever on the alert to grasp any idea which may aid in the development of the par- ticular industry he has chosen as his life's work. He is one of those men who, seeing all around him evi- dences that "the world is moving on," believes in moving on with it. He is continually seeking for the development of new ideas and new methods, which shall improve upon and supersede the old, and that this is the true pathway to success his prosperity attests.

George E. Bailey married, Oct. 16, 1851, Ellen Au-

gusta Hall, daughter of Hermon and Fanny (Cope- land) Hall, of Mansfield. She was born June 25, 1832. To them were born five children,-Marion Au- gusta, born Oct. 3, 1852 (now Mrs. W. I. Dudley, of West Salem, Wis.); Carrie Edson, born March 29, 1854 (now Mrs. Alexander H. McRae, of Mansfield) ; Harriet Sumner, born Sept. 29, 1855 (now Mrs. C. Boylston, of Milton, Mass.); George Palmer, born Sept. 7, 1857 (married Mary O. Birkenhead, of Mans- field, and is in business with his father) ; Frank Her- mon, born June 9, 1859 (also in business with his father). Mrs. Bailey died April 8, 1861. Mr. Bailey married as his second wife Sarah Sprague, of Dux- bury, Mass., June 17, 1862. They had one child, Sarah Sprague, born Feb. 15, 1873. Mrs. Bailey died Feb. 17, 1873. Mr. Bailey's present wife was Mrs. Susan H. Stratton, née Shepard, daughter of Elijah H. Shepard, of Mansfield.

He is a Republican in politics, though not an active politician. He has chosen to concentrate his energies and apply his powers to the prosecution of his business, and the promotion of happiness around his fireside, rather than seek office or position. He is a genial, pleasant companion, of quick perception, active mind, and generous impulses, decisive in his judgments, and prompt in his actions.

He and his family are noted in their community for their musical talent. All perform on some one or more instruments, and are good vocalists. Mansfield has a reputation as quite a musical town, and its status in that particular is largely owing to Mr. Bailey's exertions in cultivating a love for that art.

SABIN COBBETT.

James and Josiah Cobbett, brothers, came to New England from London, England, in 1633, in the ship " Elizabeth and Ann," Roger Cooper, master. They are the original American ancestors of the Cobbett family in this country. From the best authorities on the subject we obtain reasonable data from which to infer that the names Cobbett and Corbett were orig- inally identical. The Cobbetts have been a family of considerable importance both in this country and Europe.

Philip Cobbett was born in Boston, Mass., Aug. 8, 1744. He married Marcy -, of Dedham, Mass. She was born Dec. 5, 1748. Their children were Isaac, born Oct. 3, 1774; Jacob, born June 4, 1777 ; Thomas, born Dec. 17, 1779; Margaret, born Feb. 14, 1783; Joseph, born Nov. 28, 1785; Abigail, born Oct. 10, 1788; Lewis, born Oct. 19, 1790.

Philip died Oct. 6, 1817, and Marcy, his wife, April 13, 1821.

Thomas, their son, was a brick-mason and plasterer. He married Peggy Cobb, of Dedham. She was born April 1, 1782. Their children were Nancy, born March 3, 1802; Willard, born Oct. 25, 1804; Lavinia, born Oct. 18, 1806; Thomas, born Oct. 17, 1808;

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Louisa, born Dec. 8, 1810; Abner Lewis, born Feb. 15, 1813; Dorinda, born July 6, 1815; Sabin, born Oct. 12, 1818 ; Obed, born Dec. 6, 1820; Amanda, born March 14, 1823. All of these lived to maturity. Nancy died September, 1881. Willard is now (1883) living in Stoughton, Mass. Lavinia died October, 1854. Thomas resides in Hyde Park, Mass. Louisa married Asher Parker, of Pepperell, had five children, and died 1863. Abner Lewis died January, 1859, leaving a widow and three children in Stoughton. Obed lives in Sharon, Mass. Amanda married Elisha F. Guild, of Duxbury. Upon his death she married Henry E. Stratton, of Mansfield.

Thomas, about 1803, removed to Wardsboro', Vt., resided there a short time, returned to Dedham, and after a time removed to Boston. About 1814 he once more made Wardsboro' his home. About 1822 he came to Walpole, Mass. Four or five years later he returned to Dedham, which place he made his home to within a few years of his death, when he came to Mansfield, Mass., where he died Feb. 10, 1866. He was a Democrat in politics prior to organization of the Republican party, after which time he affiliated with the latter party. In religion he was a Baptist. Mrs. Cobbett died April 2, 1851.

Sabin Cobbett had but limited educational advan- tages ; his parents were poor, and at an early age he was placed in a factory to work.

After his eighteenth year he turned his attention to farming, which occupation he has followed through life. He is a hard-working, honest, frugal man, and is entitled to much credit for having fought the battle of life with so much success, laboring as he did under serious difficulties and disadvantages.

Most of his life he has been burdened with a large family, and he remained unmarried in order to care and provide for his maiden sisters.

By earnest and diligent labor and proper economy he has managed to make himself one of the foremost farmers of his section, and while he has not amassed wealth, yet he has a competence for his old age. He has devoted himself exclusively to agriculture, never engaging in either manufacturing or speculation.

He is a Republican in politics, has been county surveyor, served on juries, etc., and is a respected citizen of his town.

ALBERT PERRY.

The Perry family came from England to America in the early days of the New England colonies. Ichabod1 Perry was among the first settlers of Attle- borough, Mass., to which place he came from Taunton. He located in the southeastern part of the town. He was born about 1700. He married Sarah Haskins, of Roxbury, and had three children,-Ichabod, Nathan, and Sarah. The two sons married and settled in Norton. Ichabod had two children, Ichabod2 and Lemuel. Nathan had five,-Nathan, Annie, Alvin,

Sophia, and one name unknown. Sarah Perry mar- ried Timothy Conant, of Rehoboth. Upon the de- cease of his first wife, Ichabod married for his second wife Ruth Fisher, of Norton, by whom he had six children,-Abiel, Ruth, Isaac3, Hannah, Lucy, and Ephraim. Ichabod's third wife was Experience Bra- man, of Norton. Abiel Perry settled in New Hamp- shire. Ruth married A. Lincoln and settled in Taun- ton. Isaac3 married, first, Philena Lincoln, of Taunton, by whom he had two children, Isaac and Polly. Mrs. Perry died in 1785. He married as his second wife, Elizabeth Perry, 1786. They had five children,- Polly2, Stephen, Betsey, Caleb, and Achsah. Of these children, Isaac, Jr., moved to Savoy, Mass., was a farmer and dairyman. Polly resided with him. Betsey married Calvin Drake, of Sharon, Mass., afterwards removed to Seneca Lake, N. Y., where she died 1865, leaving one child. Achsah married Wil- liam Conant, of Rehoboth, resided in Attleborough, had five children, and died in 1851. Caleb married Wealthy Macomber, of Norton, and had three chil- dren. Stephen4 was a farmer, and resided at the old homestead. He married Rowena W. Lincoln, daugh- ter of Sanford W. and Phebe Lincoln, of Taunton. Their children were Rowena W., Stephen C., Achsah A., Harriet, Albert, and Ezra. Of these, Stephen C. married Susan B. Monroe, and resides in Rehoboth. Rowena W. married Thomas Grover, of Mansfield, a Quaker minister. Achsah A. married Edmund Briggs, of Norton, and resides there. Harriet mar- ried Albert Shaw, of Mansfield. Both she and her husband are deceased. Ezra married, first, Mary M. Balcom, and upon her decease married Diana B. Cor- nell, and resides in Attleborough. He is by occupa- tion a farmer.

Albert Perry5 was brought up as a farmer on the old Perry homestead in Attleborough, and resided there until he was thirty-two years of age, having inherited, together with his brother, the ancestral acres. He, however, sold his interest in the home farm, removed to Norton, purchased another farm, and for the fol- lowing four years engaged in agriculture. He then accepted a position with the Taunton Copper Com- pany as weigher and caser of goods, in which posi- tion he continued eight years. In January, 1868, he purchased the store at West Mansfield, and since that time has been engaged in merchandising at that place. He is also postmaster. In former years he did considerable lumber business in connection with his farming operations. He married, July 4, 1850, Alice T., daughter of Joshua White, of Raynham. She is descended from Peregrine White. There were two children (twins), Albert E. and Alice E., born March 24, 1851. Mrs. Perry died Aug. 2, 1876. Mr. Perry married as his second wife Mary P., daughter of John and Amy (Hodges) Smith, of Mansfield. They were married Oct. 2, 1877. Mrs. Perry is de- scended from a New Hampshire family. There is no | issue by second marriage ; both children by first wife

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1818

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818