History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 208

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 208

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).

ous endeavors he acquired a large and lucrative prac- tice. The people had great confidence in him, and his presence in a sick room was a curative agent in itself. He despised all ostentation, and cared little for personal appearance. He was of positive and de- termined nature, and fixed in his ways. He possessed such sound judgment that he was generally right, and was very popular. He was active in all society mat- ters; was an ardent Freemason, and held in high honor by the craft. He was secretary of King David Lodge, F. and A. M., of Taunton for over thirty years, and during the dark days of the Morgan ex- citement was the guardian of the charter of the lodge. The brethren at Weir named their lodge " Alfred Baylies Lodge," in honor of his masonic virtues.

He was very fond of pets, and never without some one of the lower animals on which to lavish attention. He was noted for his knowledge of horticulture, in the pursuit of which he built many green houses. He grew many and rare varieties of grapes, and manufactured a large amount of wine. He was a great reader, keeping himself fully abreast of the times. His reading was solid and substantial, largely professional, historical, and scientific. Of sterling honesty, he never made an appointment or a promise of any kind that was not rigidly and promptly kept. His word was as good as his bond, and neither was ever protested. He was an affectionate husband and a loving father, and he particularly enjoyed the hap- piness of the home circle, although he never mur- mured when called from it to face wintry storms for the relief of suffering. He gave his children advantages of good cducation, and was in favor of everything tending to improve, elevate, or instruct humanity. He was for years a trustee of Bristol Academy, and none did more hearty or valuable labor than he in the cause of higher education. He was Unitarian in religious belief, and Whig and Re- publican in politics. Although prized as a citizen and a social companion, his memory will be longer cherished as the "beloved physician," who for over half a century filled a place in Taunton and sur- rounding towns none other can ever fill. He was a man who, in all the walks of life, was of inflexible integrity. This was his pre-eminent characteristic. His object in all the varied demands of life was to ascertain his duty, and then to do it at whatever cost. No higher encomium on any man's memory could be written. Thus he honored his domestic relations, his professional position, his social and civic obligations, and exemplified the teachings and requirements of the church of his choice.

HON. CHARLES RICE VICKERY.

Hon. Charles Rice Vickery was born in Weir vil- lage, Taunton, Mass., Nov. 24, 1800, and died at his residence in this city, Jan. 16, 1883. He was a son of Capt. David and Priscilla (Barnum) Vickery.

864

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

His mother was the daughter of Caleb Barnum, the seventh minister of Taunton, who died in 1776, while on his way to join a regiment of Continentals as chap- lain, soon after the outbreak of the Revolution.

Mr. Vickery was best known to the present gener- ation by his years of service as cashier and president of the Machinists' Bank, but prior to those duties he was an energetic merchant, and one of the best auc- tioneers that ever wielded a hammer in Bristol County. Mr. Vickery was also an old-fashioned Democrat, and for many years an active politician and leader of that party in this county. His service in State duties was as senator from this district in 1852. He was postmaster of Taunton for more than twenty years, and held many offices of trust. His geniality and pleasant manners made him a wide cir- cle of friends during his long life.

He was twice married, first to Rebecca Church, and had four sons,-Charles O., John M., Benjamin C., and James E.,-all of whom were born in Taun- ton, grew to maturity, and all died before their father. Mr. Vickery married for his second wife Ann S., daughter of Dr. Alfred Baylies, of Taunton, Nov. 30, 1858. She survives him.

Mr. Vickery was for many years a prominent mem- ber of the First Congregational Society, and a mem- ber of the building committee of the present church.

Mr. Vickery was a man of unblemished character, spotless integrity, sound and discriminating judg- ment, keen foresight, and conservative in all his views. He lived respected and died regretted.

THEODORE DEAN.

Theodore Dean is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation from John Deane, who came from Chard, England, in 1637, and settled in Taunton, then called Cohannet. The line of descent from John Deane (for- merly spelled with an "e" final) to Theodore Dean is as follows : John1 and Alice Deane had several chil- dren, the second son of whom was Thomas2, born 1642, died 1690. He married Katharine Stephens, who died in 1726. Their second son was Thomas3, born 1673, died Sept. 10, 1747. He married Mary Kingsley, of Milton. She died Feb. 1, 1749, aged seventy-four years. Their second son was Josiah+, born 1699, died March 23, 1778. He married, in 1737, Jane, daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Washburn, of Braintree. She was born in 1715, and died in 1790. They had children, the fourth son of whom was Hon. Josiah5, born March 6, 1748. He was member of Congress from 1807-9; died Oct. 14, 1818. He mar- ried Sarah Byram, who was born in 1750, and died Jan. 13, 1849, at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. They had eight children, the seventh of whom, Eliab Byram, born 1788, died Nov. 2, 1871. He mar- ried Charlotte Williams, of Taunton, and had twelve children, one of whom is Theodore. For a more com- i

plete history of John Deane, the ancestor, see " Pio- neer History of Taunton."

Eliab Byram Dean7 was a native of Raynham, was a manufacturer of iron in early life, but toward the close was a farmer. He was a Whig and Republican, but never an aspirant for political honors. For more than fifty years he was a deacon of the Congregational Church in Raynham, and his faithful wife was a mem- ber until her death.

Theodore Dean was born in Raynham, Dec. 31, 1809. He received a common school and academic education at Bristol Academy, Taunton, Mass. At eighteen he commenced teaching, and taught four winters with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was reared a farmer and manufac- turer of iron, and continued with his father until 1848, when he purchased his father's interest in the "old iron forge" at Raynham, and continued to conduct a successful business until 1873. This forge was the first in the Old Colony, and one of the first in America, those at Lynn and Braintree having been established at an earlier date. This forge or bloomery was established by Messrs. Henry and James Leonard and Ralph Russell as early as 1656. "The forge at Raynham was the great joint-stock company of that vicinity and period." These works were undoubtedly very profitable, and the records say that " my share" or " shares in the iron-works" were transmitted from father to son, or other heirs, for several generations. This old forge is now (1883) owned by Theodore Dean. It has been several times remodeled, and was in suc- cessful operation for more than two hundred years. Mr. Dean is also a descendant from the Leonards on his father's side and through his grandmother, Sarah Byram, daughter of the Rev. Eliab Byram.

Mr. Dean removed to Taunton, Aug. 15, 1866, and has continued to reside here since. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and represented Raynham and Easton in the State Legislature in 1866. serving on the Committee of Banks and Banking. In 1851 he was chosen a director of Bristol County Bank, and, September, 1853, was chosen its president, and has served in that capacity till the present time. In 1865 the name of this bank was changed to " Bristol County National Bank." He is a director in various manufacturing interests both at home and abroad, and in all of his varied interests has been successful. Mr. Dean is one of Taunton's most respected and wealthy citizens. He is a man of energy and deci- sion of character, with strong convictions, which he does not lack the courage openly to avow, and in all matters of business and finance his rare judgment and sagacity are unquestioned. He married Lydia A. Lord in November, 1854. They have had three children : (1) Florence, born Nov. 13, 1856, married, Oct. 25, 1876, Charles D. Stickney, of Fall River, and has two children,-Harold D. and Adelaide L .; (2) Charles Theodore, born March 1, 1860, and died Aug. 27, 1865; and (3) Bertha, born Sept. 15, 1866.

Dear can

865

TAUNTON.

WILLIAM MASON.

William Mason, the founder of the Mason Machine- Works at Taunton, Mass., belongs to that class of in- telligent and vigorous mechanics who, in spite of early disadvantages and by the force of native genius, leave their impress upon the age in which they live. New England has been especially fruitful in such men, and they in turn have rewarded her by making her the pride and glory of America. The following sketch of the life of Mr. Mason is taken mainly from "The History of American Manufactures," by J. Leander Bishop, A.M., M.D., and " Representatives of New England," by J. D. Van Slyck, published respectively in 1864 and 1879.

William Mason was born at Mystic, Conn., in 1808, and was the son of a blacksmith and small farmer. His boyhood was passed in his father's shop and on the farm two-thirds of each year, and the remainder in the country school. When he was three years old the family removed to a small island at the mouth of the Mystic River. Here they remained for three years, and then removed to Stonington, where the father cultivated a small farm and worked at his trade as a blacksmith. William's mechanical aptitude early manifested itself. He fashioned his toys himself, using his father's jack-knife, and when eight years of age made jew's-harps, afterwards some skates and sleds. He also succeeded in making musical instru- ments of various kinds.

At thirteen years of age he left home, and going to Canterbury, Windham Co., Conn., he entered the spinning-room of a small cotton-factory as an opera- tive. William worked at cotton-spinning for about four years, spending one year at Lisbon in a cotton- thread factory. While at Lisbon, one of the more complicated machines needed repairs, and it was found that young Mason alone could make them. This fact becoming known at East Haddam, where a mill for the manufacture of thread was about to be established, he was sent for to start the machines, though only fifteen years of age. While employed at cotton-spinning at Canterbury he amused himself by making a "hurdy-gurdy." This instrument is still retained by Mr. Mason as a memento of his early me- chanical recreations.

At seventeen he entered the machine-shop attached to the cotton-mill at Canterbury to learn the details of machine-work, and devoted himself to it three years, when he closed his apprenticeship and went to New Hartford, near Utica, N. Y. Here he obtained work in a machine-shop, but within a month the company failed and the shop was closed. The busi- ness, however, was soon started again, though on a more limited scale, and young Mason was re-engaged. After having been there about six months he returned to his old employer at Canterbury, and soon had finished and set up the first power loom used in this country for the manufacture of diaper linen. He also constructed an ingenious loom for weaving damask

table-cloths, the figures of the middle and borders being interwoven ; but this machine, unfortunately, had a short career, as his employer soon failed. Mr. Mason, who had always possessed a taste for art, es- pecially for the art of painting, established himself for a short time as a portrait-painter. This, however, was not to be his life-work.

In 1832 he received an order from John Hyde, of Mystic, for some diaper-looms. He had neither shop nor means to warrant his taking the contract, but ob- taining an advance on the job, he contracted for the necessary frames at a shop in Willimantic, with the privilege for himself and assistant of working there. Thus he realized a profit of about ten dollars a day. This was the turning-point of his career, and he . thenceforward devoted himself to the manufacture of machinery.

The reputation gained by the fulfillment of this contract with Mr. Hyde was the means of securing for Mr. Mason an engagement with Asel Lanphear, who had a machine-shop in Killingly, Conn., and was at work on a new device for spinning, which has become well known as the ring and traveler, or ring- frame. It was the invention of John Thorp, of Prov- idence, R. I., by whom it was patented Dec. 31, 1828. This invention had been attempted several times before, but without success. Mr. Lanphear soon failed, and Mr. Mason took charge of the establish- ment on account of the creditors, receiving a per- centage on the business. In the ring-traveler, un- developed and unskillfully made as it was, he saw the germ of a most important improvement, and he at once constructed a machine for making it more per- fectly and of an improved form. He remodeled and perfected the "ring," and designed a new and taste- ful iron frame in place of the clumsy affair previously made. There was at first a limited demand, owing to the prejudice created by the failure of the old machine. The new device, however, soon acquired a reputation which it has retained to the present time.

Having remained at Killingly two years, Mr. Mason entered the employ of Crocker & Richmond, then doing a large business in the manufacture of cotton machinery at Taunton, Mass. For the next twelve months he worked steadily on his ring-frames. In the financial crisis of 1837 Crocker & Richmond failed, and were largely indebted to Mr. Mason. Not discouraged, however, by this disaster, he at once devised a "speeder" or "roving-machine." Shortly afterwards the old machine-shop of Crocker & Rich- mond was started up again by Leach & Keith, and Mr. Mason was employed as foreman, with his pat- ented speeder as a specialty. The building of this machine soon gave way to the manufacture of the great invention of his life, the "self-acting mule." On this he experimented about two years, and re- ceived his patent Oct. 8, 1840. About the same time the machine known as the "Scotch mule" was intro- duced into this country, and a more formidable rival

866

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

appeared in 1841 in the "Sharp & Roberts mule," imported by Maj. Bradford Durfee, and patented in this country Oct. 11, 1841. The latter machine was in some respects superior to that of Mr. Mason, and he set himself to make an entirely new mule. In this he succeeded, receiving a patent, Oct. 3, 1846, for what is known among cotton manufacturers as Mason's self-acting mule. Just before completing this machine, in the winter of 1842, he was taken ill, , proved truck-wheels. and, to add to his trouble, Leach & Keith failed, owing him a large amount,

On his recovery he determined to engage in busi- ness on his own account, and through the friendly assistance of James K. Mills & Co., of Boston, he be- came the principal owner and manager of the works. The prosperous times which succeeded the tariff of 1842, and the confidence of cotton and other manufac- turers in his mechanical abilities at once established a business which in a very few years enabled him to erect, after his own design, the noble buildings known as the Mason Machine-Works, the largest, it has been said, ever erected at one time for the manufacture of ma- chinery. The main shop was three hundred and fifteen feet long and three stories high, but addition after ad- dition has been made to accommodate a constantly in- creasing business until now the buildings cover an area of ten acres. His business for many years comprised the manufacture of cotton and woolen machinery, ma- chinists' tools, blowers, cupola furnaces, gearing and shafting, but the branch in which he was especially successful was the manufacture of cotton machinery. In this department he labored indefatigably to devise and introduce those various improvements which have contributed to increase the production, extend the consumption, and diminish the price of cotton fabrics.

In 1852, having placed his business as a manufac- turer of cotton and woolen machinery and of the iron-work just named on a solid basis, he resolved on a new and additional enterprise. The first locomotive was brought into this country from England early in 1830 by Horatio Allen, of New York; and the first American mechanic to engage successfully in their manufacture was Matthias W. Baldwin, of Philadel- phia, who built the first engine in 1832, and was fol- lowed by Thomas Rogers, of Paterson, N. J., in 1837. Both of these mechanics made important improve- ments in the details of their locomotives. These, however, were still built on the general plan and model of the English locomotives. Mr. Mason de- termined to contrive a new model, and in 1853 he brought out his first locomotive, which at once at- tracted attention for its beauty and taste, as well as for its workmanship. The general form, as well as numerous improvements in details presented by him, has since been adopted by locomotive-builders throughout the country. He had erected in 1852 ad- ditional buildings, and he now entered vigorously into this new field.

One of the improvements introduced by Mr. Mason was the casting of truck-wheels for locomotives and tenders with hollow or tubular spokes and rims, in- stead of the plate or solid wheels then in use. This secured greater strength to the truck-wheels, and made them uniform with the driving-wheels of the locomotives. The first locomotives brought out by Mr. Mason in 1853 were furnished with these im-

In 1857 the Boston firm with which Mr. Mason was connected in business failed, and for a short time he was obliged to suspend payments. He, however, soon started again on his own account, and conducted the business alone until 1873, when an incorporated company was formed for the purpose of perpetuating the business in the hands of his heirs and successors. It has since been known as the Mason Machine- Works.

In 1879 there was added to the other works the manufacture of the Campbell printing-press, for the accommodation of which the capacity of the shops has been greatly enlarged, and new machinery put in adapted to that branch. The works produce an average of one press a day, and employ in all depart- ments about a thousand hands. The officers of the company are William Mason, president; William H. Bent, treasurer ; Frederick Mason, agent.

(Since the above was written Mr. Mason has passed away. He died May 21, 1883.)

HENRY G. REED.

The family of Reed, spelled variously Reade, Rede, Reid, Read, and Reed, traces its lineage back to the Norman conquest. Among the names contained on the muster-roll of William the Conqueror in 1050 was John Rede, or John of Rede. (See biography of Henry C. Read, of Attleborough.)

William Reade, supposed to be the son of William Reade and Lucy Henage, was born in 1605, and sailed from Gravesend, in the County of Kent, in the " As- surance de Lo" (Isaac Broomwell and George Persey, masters), in 1635. He settled in Weymouth, Mass., and was made freeman Sept. 2, 1635. He bought a house and land of Zachary Bicknell, for seven pounds, thirteen shillings, and four pence, in 1636.

Mr. Reade was among the early settlers of Wey- mouth, it having been made a plantation May 8, 1635, and Rev. Mr. Hull and twenty-one families set- tled there. He was representative from Weymouth in 1636 and 1638.

The Christian name of his wife, it is supposed, was Avise. Their children were William, Esther, Thomas, John, Mary, and Margaret.

John2, son of William1, of Weymouth, was born in 1649, married Bethiah Frye. Their children were John, William, Thomas, George, Mary, Ruth, and Hannah.

Mr. Reade was a house-carpenter, and appears to

No. of Piece

Jeorge

867

TAUNTON.

have been a man of considerable property and an extensive dealer in land. The records describe about a dozen pieces of land bought by him in Taunton, and several parcels sold by him. He was quite a business man in Taunton, but removed from there to Dighton, where he died Jan. 13, 1720-21. His wife died Oct. 20, 1730. They were buried in Dighton, on Burying Hill, between Upper and Lower Four Corners. He was the ancestor of the Taunton Reeds.

William3 (John2, William1), of Taunton, married Mary Richmond, June 8, 1721. Their children were John, William, Mary, and Abigail. He was a pious man. He died in 1734. The homestead is owned and occupied by one of his descendants at the present time (1883).

His widow married Stephen Andrews, Nov. 6, 1738, a man of learning and piety, known by his neighbors as "St. Stephen," who lived to the age of nearly one hundred years.

John+ (William3, John2, William1) was born in 1722. He was a blacksmith by trade, and a man of considerable business; was one of the Committee of Inspection and Correspondence in the Revolution, and was also a religious man. He was above the middle stature, and rather stern in his manners. He married, Dec. 30, 1746, Dorothy Pinneo. Their children were Ruth, Lois, John, Mary, Dorothy, Hannah, Zilpah, Enos, and Lydia.

He married for his second wife, Jan. 9, 1771, Mrs. Hannah Austin. Their children were Nathan, Phebe, David and Jonathan, twins. Mr. Reed's first wife, Dorothy, was the daughter of James Pinneo, a French Huguenot, who had escaped from France during the persecutions of that pious and devoted band, and after having been secreted in dens and caves in France, he finally made his way to America and set- tled in Lebanon, Conn. The Rev. Bazaliel Pinneo, of. Milford, Conn., is his great-grandson. Mr. Reed died December, 1788.

JOHN5 (John4, William3, John2, William1) was born March 29, 1752. He was above the middle stature, athletic, and uncommonly regular in his habits ; was known in public life, having been select- man and representative several years. He was often chosen as arbitrator between parties, and was known as Esquire Reed. He was likewise distinguished for piety, and filled an important place in the society to which he belonged. He married Mary Godfrey, Nov. 21, 1775. Their children were John, born Aug. 11, 1776; William, born Oct. 6, 1778; Polly, born Aug. 31, 1782; Dolly, born May 31, 1785; Marshall, born Jan. 17, 1788; Hodges, born June 3, 1790; Sophia, born Sept. 2, 1792; Zilpah, born Dec. 22, 1796. Mr. Reed died Feb. 24, 1841, and his wife died Oct. 12, 1843. She was a woman of superior sense and prac- tical piety.

John6 (John5, John4, William3, John2, William1) was born Aug. 11, 1776. He was a merchant in Taunton more than fifty years. He married Rebecca

Gooding, of Dighton, May 31, 1804. She was born Sept. 28, 1782. Their children were Mary Ann, born May 20, 1805; John, born June 17, 1808; Henry G., born July 23, 1810; Rebecca, born April 12, 1813; William A. (deceased), born Sept. 2, 1816; Sophia, born Nov. 9, 1818; Elizabeth G., born Sept. 4, 1822. Mr. Reed died Nov. 9, 1864; his wife died Jan. 31, 1872.

Henry G.7 (John6, John5, John4, William3, John2, William1) was born July 23, 1810. He attended the public schools, and afterward the academy in Taun- ton. During school vacations he helped his father in his store. In his early life he made a collection of wood-working tools, and spent much of his leisure working with them, making useful articles for the family and neighbors, and miniature vessels and other toys for his mates. When eighteen years of age he entered the shop of Babbitt & Crossman as an ap- prentice, and continued with that firm and its succes- sors until he attained his majority in 1831.

During his apprenticeship he had become the master of his trade, so that, continuing in the employ of the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company as a journeyman, working at first at the lathe and after- wards in various departments, he was in time intrusted with the oversight of the work of others, and was ap- pointed time-keeper and superintendent. These rela- tions he sustained when, in 1835, the firm was com- pelled to suspend operations, and the managing agent contracted with him and Mr. Barton to continue the business. He began the manufacture of britannia- ware, in connection with Charles E. Barton and Gus- tavus Leonard, in 1837, employing twelve hands. The business now is chiefly the manufacture of electro- plated silver-ware, and in times of ordinary prosperity eight hundred people are employed in the mills. There is no plate-ware which has a better reputation. The company is at present composed of Henry G. Reed, Henry H. Fish (deceased), and George Brabrook.

Mr. Reed has been a director in the Taunton Bank twenty years, trustee in the Taunton Savings-Bank nine years, a director in the City Mission ten years, and president of the Reed Association five years. He is a very conscientious man, of generous sympathies, and a valuable citizen.

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.

History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 208

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