History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 139

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 139

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They have a well-established and prosperous busi- ness, but, like all things of value, it has been of slow growth, and has required of both of them close and persevering labor for years, but their energy and in- dustry met with its appropriate reward, and they are doing well, with bright prospects for the future.

SAMUEL P. FISHER.

On the old records we find Joseph Fisher, in 1664, one of the commissioners appointed by Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies to run and establish a boundary line between the two. The noted angle line was the result of their labors, and the angle tree marked by them was long standing. It was, suc- ceeded in 1790 by a stone monument, which was erected to mark the boundary of Attleborough and Wrentham. Samuel Fisher was selectman of Wren- tham at this time, and the monument was built by Samuel Fisher & Son. Thus from early days the Fisher family has been a factor of civilization in this section.

Richard' and Samuel Fisher, probably sons of Jo-

seph, the commissioner, came to Wrentham from Salem about, or prior to, 1700. Richard died in 1748, leaving two children, Samuel2 and Abigail. Samnel2, born in 1732, was a stone-cutter by trade ; was a captain of militia in the Revolution, being called to the field while attending church with his company. He mar- ried Sibyl Farrington in 1764, and had five children, Samuel", Darius, Schuyler, Betsey, and James. He died in 1816, aged eighty-four years. Samuel3, born in 1768, became a stone-mason, and, like his father, was a diligent, hard-working man of honesty and thrift. He married, in 1789, Olive Ellis, daughter of Capt. Jabez Ellis, who was a brother soldier of Capt. Fisher in the Revolution. Both he and his wife died in December, 1815, of the terrible plague (spotted fever) which proved fatal to so many. They had nine children, Ellis, Susan (died young), Samuel P.4, Amanda (married Elijah Bacon), Sally (first wife of Hon. Elisha May), Olive (second wife of Hon. Elisha May), Schuyler, Lucy (married D. Hall), Caroline (married Albert Miller). Ellis, born 1791, married Hannah Williams, of Taunton, had four children ; Mary (married Edward Rhodes), Frances (married Joseph Sherman), George E., and Sarah M. (married (1) Egbert Richards, (2) Stephen Richard- son). His descendants are numerous in this vicinity. He was one of the pioneer jewelers and a valued citi- zen. Schuyler became a prominent manufacturer and citizen of Exeter, was a man of great ability, candidate for Lieutenant-Governor on the Democratic ticket, and filled numerous trustworthy positions. He is now living at Hopkinton, R. I., aged seventy- eight. Many of the facts of this sketch were given by him.

Samuel P.4 was born in Wrentham, Mass., Ang. 4, 1795. His education was derived from the limited advantages of the common school of those days, and learned the blacksmith's trade of Enoch Arnold, un- der the old system of apprenticeship; and in 1818 moved to Attleborough and commenced a long and busy life as a blacksmith in a shop near Hatch's tavern. He married Charlotte, daughter of Othniel and Chloe Blackinton, in 1820. They had two children, Harriet (deceased) and Ann (died young). Harriet married Milton W. Blackinton and had three children ; Juline F. married E. B. Waldron, of Rondout, N. Y. ; Laura F. married C. M. Thompson, has one child, Hattie; and Anna G. Mrs. Fisher died in 1832, and the next year Mr. Fisher married Susan G., daughter of George and Judith (Guild) Blackinton. They had five children,-Wm. W., Carrie A. (Mrs. H. S. Somes), Samuel E., Charles E., and Mary E. (Mrs. T. E. Sloan).

Mr. Fisher carried on blacksmithing until 1851, when he gave it up to attend to his farm and real estate business. His blacksmith-shop on Main Street, North Attleborough, was one of the old landmarks, and in stage-coach times was a common stopping- place, and the only place of the kind in this part of

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Attleborough. He was a man of strong convictions and fixed principles. It was hard to convince him that he was wrong, but when convinced he yielded at once. He was a pronounced and active temperance advocate, and consistent in his practice with his prin- ciples. He was a kind husband and father, and did for his children all that his means would allow. He inclined towards Universalism in religious belief, but never connected himself with any church. He was an old-line Whig, and a Republican from the first. He was an honest man, much respected by his ac- quaintances, and straightforward in everything. No one ever had difficulty in defining his position on any subject, or could accuse him of the least dissimu- lation or deceit. He died Jan. 6, 1863, aged sixty- seven.

William W.5, oldest son of S. P. and Susan (Guild) Fisher, was born in Attleborough, July 19, 1834, had a common school education, early learned the jeweler's trade, and has worked at it ever since, with the exception of two years passed in working in Springfield Armory. He married, Dec. 22, 1859, Nettie, daughter of William B. Pilcher, of Norfolk, Va. She died in December, 1863. In 1870 he married Lizzie E., daughter of George Miller, of East Hamp- ton, L. I. They have two children,-Mattie L. and Susie M. He is a member of Hampden Lodge, F. and A. M., Springfield, Mass., and of Massachusetts Charitable Association. He is a member of the firm of S. E. Fisher & Co.

Samuel E. Fisher5, second son of S. P. and Susan Fisher, was born at North Attleborough, Mass., Nov. 9, 1839, and educated at the common schools of his native town and Green Mountain Liberal Institute, South Woodstock, Vt. He was clerk in employ of T. A. Barden five years and until 1861. During the Rebel- lion he was employed by the United States govern- ment as clerk in quartermaster and commissary de- partments in Virginia and Texas. In 1869 went to New York City as clerk in the office of H. F. Barrows, and continued there until he commenced business on his own account in 1874. (This business, now S. E. Fisher & Co., manufacturing jewelers, was begun in July, 1874, with a capital of seven thousand five hun- dred dollars, as Demarest, Fisher & Co., which, in 1877, was succeeded by S. E. Fisher & Co., with S. E. Fisher, W. W. Fisher, and E. D. Sturdevant part- ners. The specialties made are fine ladies' sets, pins, drops, lockets, and bracelets. Their New York office is No. 2 Maiden Lane, and they employ from seventy- five to ninety hands. They are doing a successful and flourishing business.) S. E. Fisher married, in 1872, Georgie S., daughter of Henry Clark, of New Bedford. He is a member of Bristol Lodge, F. and A. M., North Attleborough, and King Hiram Chapter, of Attleborough.

Charles Everett Fisher, third and youngest son of Samuel P. and Susan G. Fisher, was born in North At- tleborough, Mass., Jan. 7, 1842. Received a common

school education at his birthplace and at the Provi- dence Conference Seminary at East Greenwich, R. I., for about one year. Was employed in dry-goods house for about two years, and on the outbreak of the Rebel- lion enlisted in Company I, Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, serving the full period of enlist- ment in the Army of the Potomac. On discharge (in July, 1864) was employed in the War Depart- ment in various capacities until April, 1868, when he was appointed an internal revenue officer in Virginia. Resigned September, 1870, and went to Arizona, em- ployed by the War Department in the quartermaster's department. Left Arizona in 1874, and went to Wash- ington, D. C. (in same capacity), and remained in service until August, 1882. Resigned and went to Wyoming Territory, and engaged in cattle business, which is now his present occupation.

Married, Nov. 7, 1876 (in Philadelphia), Mrs. Hattie F. Pierson, daughter of Dr. J. Q. A. and Catherine L. Tresize.

Carrie A. Fisher, born July 2, 1836, married H. S. Somes, and has three children,-Fred. C., Nettie F., and Frank P.

Mary E. Fisher, born Feb. 4, 1849, married T. E. Sloan, and has one child,-Estelle L.

JOSEPH W. CAPRON.

Joseph Willard Capron, son of Otis and Hannah Capron, was born at Attleborough, Mass., Sept. 24, 1802. He belongs to one of the oldest families of the town, Banfield Capron, his first American ancestor, coming, a youth of fourteen, from England about 1675, and settling, after his first marriage, in Bar- rington, Mass., whence, after a residence of twenty years, he moved, with a large family of children, "away back into the woods," to what is now Attle- borough, where he purchased a large quantity of land, becoming a large land-owner. Here he resided until his death, Aug. 20, 1752, at ninety-two years. He had eleven children,-Banfield, Joseph, Edward, Walter, John, Jonathan, Betsey, Mary, Hannah, Margaret, Sarah. These all married and reared fam- ilies. He was married (1) to a Miss Callender, (2) to Elizabeth Blakinton, (3) to Mrs. Sarah Daggett, widow of Deacon John Daggett. Both of the last wives were Attleborough women.

Capt. Joseph Capron was a farmer and a man of repute in Attleborough in his day. He was born Sept. 12, 1691; married (1) Judith Peck, (2) Bethiah Burt, (3) Mary French, who survived him. He died Oct. 14, 1776, in his eighty-sixth year. He had nine children,-Amey, Diedema, Judith, Joseph, Rhoda, Judith, Hezekiah, Ebenezer, Elijah.

Joseph Capron, Jr., son of Capt. Joseph and Ju- dith Peck, was born in Attleborough, November, 1722, and died Aug. 1, 1784. He was twice married, (1) to Sarah Robeson, by whom he had seven chil- dren,-Ezra, Samuel4, Samuel2, John, Judith, Sarah,

Joseph I Camion

Syman m. DEur

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ATTLEBOROUGH.

Joseph ; (2) to Sarah Foster, by whom he had eight children,-Asenath, Susannah, Otis, Tabitha, Sabra1, Sabra2, Esther, Milla (five of these died young).

Otis Capron was born in Attleborough, April 17, 1767, and died March 3, 1845. He was a farmer and an honored and useful citizen, and served his day and generation well. He was honest, industrious, and simple in his habits, and unostentatious in his life. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, serving at Newport. He married (1) Rachel Sweet, who died Dec. 15, 1799, leaving three children,-Sally (Mrs. T. French), Nancy (Mrs. Lucius Daggett), Otis (died young) ; (2) Mrs. Hannah Bliss, widow of Jon- athan Bliss, whose maiden name was Kent. Their children were Joseph Willard, Maria (deceased), Sa- bra A. (deceased), Hannah K., Rachel Cemantha.

Joseph W. Capron, of whom we more particularly write, had the educational advantages of the common schools of Attleborough, supplemented by attendance at the preparatory department of Brown University. He was an apt student, paying particular attention to surveying, and when but seventeen years old began to teach school at sixteen dollars per month. As a teacher he was successful, but he soon was employed, even while a student, as a surveyor, and from 1818 to the present has every year done more or less in that capacity, and early won a valuable reputation for thoroughness and accuracy. He has made it his principal business through life. In 1827 he surveyed all the roads in Attleborough, Pawtucket, Seckonk, and Rehoboth, and in this work he was engaged about a year. The same year he was elected and qualified as town surveyor. In 1828 he was employed by the State of Massachusetts as assistant surveyor on the route of what is now the Boston and Providence Rail- road. He has ever been a Democrat, and unswerv- ingly has followed the teachings of the great apostles of that faith, Jefferson and Jackson, and has ever be- lieved that the perpetuity of the republic depended on a strict adherence to the principles enunciated by them, and has voted for every Democratic candidate for President since his first vote, which was cast for Jackson in 1823. His fellow-citizens have honored him not infrequently with important trusts. He has been justice of the peace (appointed) for over fifty years, was elected county commissioner three terms, selectman, overseer of the poor, and assessor several terms. He has been a careful and shrewd financier, and enjoys a handsome competency to supply the needs of life's last years. He has been president of the Attleborough Mutual Fire Insurance Company for years, was president of Loan and Fund Association of Attleborough, and is now the president of its suc- cessor, " The Loan and Savings Association of Attle- borough," and is treasurer of the Norfolk and Bristol Horse-Thief Detective Society, and president of the Gas-Light Union Company of Attleborough since its organization. He married, in 1824, Adeline Bliss, granddaughter of the reputable Dr. James Bliss. She

died March 19, 1872. Their surviving children are Isabella A. (Mrs. Amos Ide) and Ellen Maria married (1) George E. Payson, (2) George W. Curren. He mar- ried, Oct. 14, 1872, Cynthia, daughter of Joseph and Betsey Blossom, of Fairhaven, Mass.

Mr. Capron has ever possessed vigorous health, which has largely been promoted by his active life. He has never employed a physician for himself, and never has known a sick day. He will now, at eighty years, with his favorite instruments, go out, and, without apparent fatigue, do days' works that would appall much younger men. A short time since he walked from Pawtucket to his home in Attleborough, nearly nine miles, after eight P.M., and he says " could have walked back easily without resting."

For over half a century Mr. Capron has been per- sonally identified with the public interests of his native town, and largely instrumental in its pros- perity, and, to-day with much of the vigor and elas- ticity of early manhood, is actively engaged in what- ever may tend to elevate or improve its business or its population. He enjoys the esteem of all the better elements of the community for his personal worth and business integrity and ability.

LYMAN W. DEAN.

In slightly tracing the biographies of most of the men of whom special notice has been taken in this department of our work, we have had occasion to note the fact that many eminent among them were much more indebted to their own unaided efforts than to adventitious circumstances, not of their own direction, for the high social and political distinction to which some of them have been called.

We have also explained what, in our opinion, has been the influencing cause, namely, that the genius of republicanism creates the will to do homage to the aristocracy of mind alone, while the advantages of family or wealth are held as nothing if not blended with an intelligent virtue in the possessor. Mind makes its own elevation, commands its own recogni- tion and admiration, be its source from among the depths of poverty or cradled among the down of wealth and luxuriance. It is the glory and strength of this great republic. Its power is ratified by the people, whenever its object is seen to be good and properly directed, and the case of the gentleman whose name heads this article stands as a prominent evidence of a popular appreciation of a self-gleaned intelligence, honorable alike to the possessor and those who have recognized it.

Ephraim Dean, grandfather to the subject of our sketch, removed from the town of Taunton in early life, and became one of the pioneer settlers of the district now known as Attleborough. The place where he pitched his tent in the then wilderness is now known by the name of Deanville, of which he I became proprietor, as also of a large surrounding

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

tract of land, on which several very valuable water privileges were to be had. This patriarch married a lady (Martha Balcomb) worthy to be a helpmeet to a man of enterprise such as he proved himself, and bore him children, Asa, Ephraim, Patty, and Sarah. The sons long conducted a manufacturing business upon the estate alluded to, under the name of Ephraim and Asa Dean, the latter of whom was the father of Lyman Washington Dean. Asa Dean was born at Deanville in 1759, and died Dec. 25, 1815. He was twice married, first to Phebe Wiharth, by whom he had six children, five of whom are living ; second, to Chloe Bourn, daughter of Andrew Bourn, and had seven children, four of whom were living at his death. Asa Dean was a leading business man in his day, and a Democrat in politics.

Lyman W. Dean was born on the 22d of February, 1805 (the birthday of the immortal Washington), con- sequently he was seventy-seven years of age last birth- day. When eleven years of age his father died, leav- ing him and three sisters, two younger than he, to the care of a surviving mother, who also had devolved on her the charge of a large and unproductive real estate.

Mr. Dean remained on the farm, spending his time in rural pursuits until he was about seventeen years of age, when his mother gave up the care of the estate and removed to a factory in the vicinity, where two members of the family found employment. The only pride Mr. Dean was taught to possess was that which arose from the exercise of an honest industry, and he found full scope for its indulgence during eighteen months when he worked in the mill at the trade of a mule-spinner, which was then a more lucrative busi- ness than it is now. During that period, although not then of age, he was permitted to act for himself and to dispose of the fruits of his own industry. Every subsequent step he thenceforth took in life ex- hibited to him the disadvantage of very much neg- lected education he had received, and which neglect he attributed solely to himself and his unwillingness to profit by the privileges he had at one time within his power.

Thus seeing his neglect, he set about regaining lost ground with a diligence characteristic of the future man. For one year he devoted himself to a varied course of study in the common school prima- rily, and latterly in the seminary at Wrentham. Such was his natural ability to study, aptitude to learn, and commendable diligence at his tasks, that on leaving the academy he had a recommendation from the prin- cipal to teach the English branches in the common schools. He taught school first in Rehoboth, where he conducted his duties much to the satisfaction of his constituents. In the spring of that year his mother returned to the farm, and he left his situation as in- structor to undertake its management. From that period up to 1835 he continued to labor at farming during the open seasons, and to teach in the winter months. In the intervals he taught school in Attle-

borough, Taunton, Canton, and Dedham, where he was peculiarly happy in giving satisfaction to the parties interested. A more important duty, also, mean- time devolved upon him. He married Maryette In- graham, daughter of Ezra and Eloisa Richardson, April 8, 1833. She was born May 31, 1807, in Attle- borough. They had four children,-Henry L., born April 17, 1834, died July 3, 1857 ; he left one daugh- ter, Mary W., who died at sixteen ; Frank, born Dec. 29, 1837 ; Sebra, born Dec. 9, 1839, died Dec. 11, 1842 ; and Sebra Ingraham, born Nov. 4, 1849, died Nov. 24, 1849.

The temperance cause found in Mr. Dean one of its most enthusiastic advocates, and in 1835 he was solicited by the proprietors of a temperance hotel in Attleborough to take charge of the establishment. This solicitation was founded on a thorough knowl- edge of the sterling character for integrity he pos- sessed, as well as on his reputation as an unwavering supporter of the temperance movement. He was in- duced to accept the offer made him, and entered upon his occupation in connection with the hotel, which he now owns and manages.

It is but justice to Mrs. Dean's reputation to state here that her peculiar qualifications to manage the domestic details of a large establishment of the sort furnished a liberal share of the inducement prompting the proprietors to offer the charge of the hotel to Mr. Dean.

Soon after entering on this business the post-office was placed under his charge in 1837, and this he con- tinued to hold for twenty-four years except a short interval. He was also appointed agent at the rail- road station, and held the same for thirteen years. A freak of fortune, as a friend of his designated it, ena- bled Mr. Dean to make a purchase of his hotel in 1837, which transaction involved a large sum of money, as the estate was then very valuable, and is much more so now. Up to 1850, Mr. Dean continued to fill his offices of host, station agent, and keeper of the post- office, from the latter of which he was removed, in opposition to the almost unanimous remonstrances of his fellow-townsmen, in the year mentioned. The situation was worth about three hundred dollars per annum. The station agency he resigned on account of the pressure of his other duties. The propriety of this step will be recognized when we state that, besides the above occupations, he kept a livery-stable in con- nection with his hotel establishment, ran the first line of stages eight miles from the railroad station (it takes a railroad to do the business to-day), and acted for fifteen years as a bank director. He received the appointment as a notary public, which appointment came unsolicited by him from the late Governor Briggs, and which he held for more than forty years. Receiving such an important privilege from a party opposed to Mr. Dean in political matters, must be considered highly complimentary to him as a citizen.

With such a variety of offices, and the responsibili-

Lyman M. Daggett

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ATTLEBOROUGH.

ties they included, it is not wonderful that Mr. Dean refused to accept various local public offices offered him. So soon, however, as his leisure seemed to tol- erate the hope of accepting his public trusts, his friends nominated him a candidate for the Senate in 1848. The divided state of political parties at that period hardly held out even a remote hope of success, and disappointment was consequently not great on account of failure. In 1849 he again received the senatorial nomination, but was compelled to decline the honor. He was a third time nominated for the same office in 1850, shortly after having been removed from the post-office, and when public interest was ex- cited in his favor to a more than usual degree on that account, and was elected, and accepted the honorable position assigned him by the citizens of his native county.

We have now to add a few words relative to his political character, as it is appreciated by all parties. One prevailing feature in the public conduct of Mr. Dean was strict, open-handed honesty of purpose. He was appreciated as a Democrat of the most liberal stamp, and was well known as not ashamed or afraid to utter his sentiments in behalf of his party tenets. His advocacy of the more important questions before the Senate while senator was on behalf of a Demo- cratie principle which he desired to ramify all his public acts. In expressing his views on any article of public policy he had peculiar facility in the choice of language, and a very happy mode of apply- ing it. His general knowledge of the details of public affairs enables him to speak often and always with acceptance. Some may argue more logically, and construct their theories on a more strictly mathe- matical basis, but few have the power of rendering their arguments more plain to the general compre- hension. He was sheriff of Bristol County under Governor Boutwell for the years 1851 and 1852; jus- tice of the peace more than thirty years; collector of internal revenue three or four years, and collector of pensions and bounties till the present time. He voted for Abraham Lincoln for President of the United States in the fall of 1860, and has since acted and voted with the Republican party, though he still maintains the same general principles he always ad- vocated. He is one of those who holds that the Democratic party has left him, and he not the party. In 1871 he settled in the house where he now resides. He has made his money principally in real estate and stocks, and is now considered one of the wealthy men of Attleborough.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean are members of the Congrega- tional Church, of which she has been a member for more than fifty years. The accompanying portrait represents him in the prime of life.

LYMAN WHITE DAGGETT.

The subject of this sketch, like most of the name in this town and in Connecticut, are descended from John Daggett, who came to Attleborough from Chil- mark about 1709 with a family of nine children, con- sisting of Mayhew, Ichabod, and others.

Deacon Mayhew was the father of Elihu, who be- came a very respectable elder in the Baptist Church. He also held a commission as captain in the provin- cial militia, and with two of his sons, Mayhew and Ichabod, was engaged in the fight in 1758 of Col. Bradstreet, which resulted in the capture of Fort Frontenac, together "with nine armed vessels, sixty cannon, sixteen mortars, and a vast quantity of am- munition." The circumstance of the elder's partici- pation in this battle is given, as frequently related by his son Elihu, then a lad of some thirteen years. The two sons had been absent some time in the war, and no news had been received from them. The father said, in his anxiety, " If I hear nothing in a week I will go and find them." Nothing was heard. He shouldered his musket, reached the seat of war, found a battle raging, entered the action, and after the victory discovered his sons as participants with himself in its glory.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 139

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