USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 76
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In 1851 Mr. Baalis Sanford, a young boy of sixteen years from the adjoining town of East Bridgewater, came into the store taking the place of Melville Hayward, who had left to engage in the study of law and afterward became distinguished in his profession in New York city. Young Sanford, now senior partner of the present firm, was at once given charge of the books, a responsibility which he has had from the first till now.
In 1858 a new partnership was formed, Gorham B. Howard, Elbridge W. Morse and Baalis Sanford, jr., being admitted associates with Mr. Robinson. In 1869 Messrs. Howard and Morse retired from the firni, both afterward setting up business on their
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
own account. At this time Joseph W. Robinson, son of H. W. Robinson, was admitted to partnership, the firm name remaining the same.
These relations remained unchanged till 1875, when H. W. Robinson and Baalis Sanford, jr., were the only remaining partners.
Thus we have seen that from the small beginnings of 1844 the business has grown to be among the largest in Eastern Massachusetts with hardly an exception; its annual sales amounting to upwards of three hundred thousand dollars. We have not attempted to give all the various changes by enlargement of their business facilities for conducting their exensive trade, as they have been constantly adding to their establishment large rooms, till they are larger than the average stores of the principal cities of Massa- chusetts.
Of the private life of Mr. Robinson we may say that he brought to the town a good character, intelligence, habits of industry, self control, not afraid to work, and applied himself to his vocation as he had done in his youthful days. Endowed with remarkable energy and business tact, with a good constitution and vigorous health, he devoted him- felf to as many hours of service as he required of his employces, and prosperity crowned his efforts. He was of a generous, noble nature, commending himself not only to his business associates and others whom he met in a business way, by his practical wisdom, financial ability, trustworthy judgment and downright honesty of purpose, but also to the general public by those more general qualities of character which go to make a complete manhood, and which are well calculated to secure. the confidence and regard of all classes of people.
As a consequence and in proof of this he was often called to fill numerous positions of responsibility and trust, the duties of which he discharged with such fidelity and care, with such cheerfulness and courtesy as to constantly gain to himself new friends, or to rivet more closely friendships previously formed.
There are hosts of persons who can bear witness to his kindliness of manner, and how true in word and deeds of help he is, as severe words are seldom spoken by him. Pleasant words come easily from his lips and carry comfort to many hearts.
He was president of the North Bridgewater Savings Bank, one of the incorporators of, and a director in the Home National Bank of Brockton, He was the president of the first Young Men's Christian Association ever organized in Brockton; also a charter member of the "Commercial Club of Brockton," and charter member of the old "North Bridgewater Gas Light Company," of which Mr. Robinson was, treasurer until 1887. He was one of the original sixty charter members who organized the "Brockton Agricultural Society," of which he has been president since its organization, and which has been the most successful of its kind in the Commonwealth.
Although not an active politician he was early associated with the Whig party, cast- ing his first vote for Gen. William. H. Harrison for president, and is now a firm Repub- lican, loyal to its principles and devoted to its interest, never aspiring to leadership in its councils or to any office at its disposal, although he has represented his Senatorial District in the Massachusetts Senate in 1875 and 1876, with honor to himself and to his constituents. During the Rebellion of 1861 he rendered valuable aid to a successful prosecution of the same and was a financial strength to his town.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. Robinson's business life tells the story of the growth of North Bridgewater, now Brockton, and in every way he has been interested in the prosperity of his adopted town and city. Soon after he came to town he early saw the necd of better communication with Boston, and immediately became an earnest advocate for railroad facilities, which was secured.
He was prominently identified with the laying out of Centre street, after the county had refused to do the same, and with Col. E. Southworth, Lyman Clark, and William Perry paid for building the street for its acceptance by the county.
In all his business cares and public life his relations with his partners and his em- ployees have been of the most cordial and pleasing character, the greatest harmony prevailing throughout his business career.
In his religious views he is associated with the Trinitarian Congregationalists and be- longs to the liberal type of that order, and was one of the original members of the Porter Evangelical Church and Society, of which he has ever been a generous patron. He was superintendent of their Sabbath School for several years and an active, interested member of the Parish Committee of that society.
On the 1st day of March, 1890, Mr. Robinson retired from the active business in which he had been engaged for nearly a half century, since which time he has entered a somewhat less onerous activity and has been the eastern agent of the large dry goods business of the J. W. Robinson Co., which his son had successfully established in Los Angeles, Cal., and left at his death, which took place in February, 1891.
Although Mr. Robinson has withdrawn from the business firm in Brockton he still maintains his residence there and his citizenship as well. During the summer months he has a beatiful quiet retreat in,his home at Auburndale, Mass., but a few miles from Boston, where one can see many objects of refined ornamentation such as the accumu- lations of wealth and taste afford.
In his family life he has found great comfort in cultivating his literary tastes by a well selected library of valuable books, although he has not had'the time he would have liked to devote to study. His habits and inclinations are largely domestic and he has taken much delight in making his home cheerful, pleasant and happy, and in it he has found his enjoyment.
Mr. Robinson has been married twice. He was first united in marriage with Elizabeth Hapgood, of Stow, April 6, 1843, an estimable lady of culture and refinement, of great kindness of heart, and particularly did she become deeply interested in the soldier's welfare in the days of the Rebellion, She was in early life a teacher, and she had also superior ability and force of character, which gave to his home helpful in- spiration and incentives to good work, and was beloved by those who knew her the best, and her memory is cherished with affection.
The fruits of this marriage were :
1. Maria Louise Robinson, born February 6, 1844, married Nathaniel B. Blackstone of Brockton, and who are now residents of Los Angeles, Cal.
2. Joseph Winchester Robinson, born September 17, 1846, married Julia Ann, daughter of Chandler and Rhoda (Shaw) (Packard) Sprague of Brockton.
Mr. Robinson was united the second time in marriage with Miss Helen Frances,
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
daughter of Thomas W. and Sarah Cushing Perry Bcamis, of Boston, December 18, 1873, a person of domestic as well as of literary tastes, of true womanly fidelity in all the varied experiences of life.
Mr. Robinson is still in the full vigor of his powers and may reasonably look forward to many more years of active usefulness. Though the hand of time has dealt gently with him he has also been good to himself, as the phrase runs, having practiced life- long habits of temperance and right living. He is carrying his years lightly as a glance at his portrait testifies, and with his advancing years he is cheered by a devoted wife and a large circle of warm friends.
He may well feel that " his lines have indeed fallen in pleasant places."
' ABEL WILLARD KINGMAN.
BROCKTON is signally fortunate in having among her citizens, many, born within her limits, who have by their ability, enterprise and integrity, added greatly to her prosperity and renown, and by a careful perusal of these biographical sketches, the reader will find she has furnished many, who have gone out into the world to help build other and larger communities, and have contributed their full share in upholding the fair name which that city enjoys. Among these we find a notable representative in the person of Abel Willard Kingman, whose name is at the head of this sketch, and whose portrait accompanies this article. He was born in what was North Bridgewater, now Brockton, July 8, 1838. He is the eldest surviving son of Dr. Abel Washburn and Clarisssa (Alden) Kingman.
The father, a man who at Amherst College, the Harvard Medical School and Colum- bian College, Washington, D. C., had received unusual educational advantages for his time, was the leading physician of his town, honored and loved by all who knew him, while the mother, a direct descendant of John Alden and of others of the most famous of New England's settlers, combined their noble traits in a rare type of cultured, Christian womanhood. These two formed the center of a home, the influences of which were well calculated to impress upon a son brought up amid such surroundings, those sterling qualities that are essential to successful manhood.
The early education of the subject of this sketch was of the practical kind gained from the district schools of the town, supplemented by a course of higher instruction under the competent tuition of the Messrs. Loomis, who were then at the head of the Adelphian Academy of North Bridgewater. From his boyhood Mr. Kingman's tastes had turned towards a mercantile career, and to the accomplishment of this he applied, while still quite young, that energy of purpose, and promptness in action, for which he. has since been so well known. Soon realizing the necessity of a broader field of train- ing than any afforded in his native town, at the age of sixteen he went to Boston and entered the employ of Messrs. Jordan, Marsh & Co., one of the leading dry goods houses of the city, then doing business at 129 Milk street. Here he remained for sev- eral years, his ability securing him rapid promotion, the firm relying upon his taste and
Hokingman
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
judgment to such a degree that, after having been with them for ten years, at the age of twenty-six, he was sent by them to Europe as purchasing agent, and remained with them in that capacity until he, with his two brothers, who had been associated with him in the employ of Jordan, Marsh & Co., commenced business for themselves, under the style of Kingman Brothers & Co., at 91 Summer street, Boston. Mr. Kingman had no sooner organized his new firm than he received an invitation to give up his project, and to join the house of A. T. Stewart & Co., of New York city. The offers made to him were so flattering that he finally consented to close his Boston business, on condi- tion that Messrs. Stewart & Co. would include his brothers, and any of his employees whom he might wish to bring with him, to which they assented. He then left Boston, entering the house of A. T. Stewart & Co. January 1, 1870. He remained in New York three months only, at the end of which time he sailed for Europe, intending to remain abroad for a short time, but the Franco-Prussian war occurring during his visit necessitated his prolonged stay, and developed the opportunity for him to show most efficient service in securing desirable merchandise, and shipping it to New York during a period of commotion and interrupted transportation facilities and the general derange- ment of commerce growing out of the siege of Paris, and consequent cessation of all regular communication with that city. Mr. Kingman was among the first to re-enter Paris under military escort upon the raising of the siege. In recognition of his valuable service, Mr. Stewart placed him in the entire charge of his continental business, giving him power of attorney and the signature of his firm, an honor and confidence which he rarely bestowed.
Mr. Kingman occupied this position in Paris for just ten years, during which time he was active in securing for Mr. Stewart some of the finest works of art in his famous col- lection, notably the world renowned picture of Meissonnier, entitled "1807," now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York city, and in this connection he was in close relation with artists like Meissonnier, Gerome, Bougereau and other French paint- ers of celebrity.
In 1880 Mr. Kingman returned to New York and formed the commission house of Brown. Wood & Kingman, his two brothers joining him ; the firm represented several of the largest textile manufacturers of New England. This partnership having expired by limitation, Mr. Kingman still retains his connection with a large part of that busi- ness.
As a merchant, Mr. Kingman stands in the first rank, commanding the confidence and respect of the entire community of great merchants, for which New York is justly famous, and is well known throughout the commercial centers of this country as well as those of Europe.
He is conspicuously endowed with a kindly disposition, of genial and social tempera - ment combined with much strength of character ; is active in benevolent and charitable work ; a liberal patron of the arts, a man of marked ability, who, while devoted to business, has found time to cultivate the gentler side of life. Mr. Kingman is a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the City Club, the Colonial Club, the Merchants Club, the Republican Club of the city of New York, the Union League Club,
B
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
is treasurer of the Dry Goods Auxiliary of the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Associa- tion, and is one of the Board of Directors of the New England Society in New York.
As to the ancestry of the subject of this article, we find him descended from highly respected, good old English stock, on the paternal as well as the maternal side.
His ancestors on the paternal side were Henry Kingman and his wife Joanna, who left Weymouth, England, and came to America in 1635 and settled in Weymouth, Mass., the line being as follows: Henry, 1 ; John. 2; Henry, 3; Henry, 4; Matthew, 5; Hon. Abel, 6; Dr. Abel Washburn, 7; Abel Willard, 8.
On the maternal side his ancestor was the sturdy Hon. Jolin Alden, of Pilgrim mem- ory, so well known in the history of the Plymouth Colony as one of the signers of the original compact in the cabin of the Mayflower, the seventh in order on that memorable list, and tradition says, he was the first to plant his foot on Plymouth Rock.
The line of descent in the Alden family is Hon. John, 1; Joseph, 2; Joseph, 3; Samuel, 4; Samuel, 5; Willliams, 6; Clarissa Alden (Kingman) mother of Abel Willard Kingman, 7; Abel Willard Kingman, 8.
Mr. Kingman married Martha Wyman, daughter of Abel and Elizabeth (Lord) Wyman of Boston, March 1, 1866.
CHILDREN :
Arthur Clifford Kingman, born September 1, 1867, died September 9, 1868. Alden Wyman Kingman, born October 12, 1868.
Lucy Ely Kingman, born July 3, 1870.
Willard Lord Kingman, born November 17, 1872, died March 7, 1882.
LUCIUS RICHMOND.
THE name of Richmond has been intimately connected with the growth and prosperity of a large section of country included in Bristol and Plymouth counties. We find the name of John Richmond at Taunton as early as 1637, where he was among the list of purchasers. He is said to have come from " Ashton-Keynes," a parish of Wiltshire, England, about four and one-half miles west of Cricklade, where he was baptized in 1597. He died at Taunton, March 20, 1664, aged seventy years.
The subject of this notice was one of the descendants, and was born in Middleboro, Mass., in 1829, from which place his father removed in 1830, when Mr. Richmond was very young, to East Bridgewater, Mass., where he resided for ten years conducting the house painting and papering and cabinet business. During the spring of 1840 the family removed to the then village of North Bridgewater and resided at the corner of Crescent and Main streets. Mr. Richmond's place of business was located in the " Old Green Shop," on the land now occupied by the Hotel Belmont, and he became the leader in his branch of business. Here the father and son remained till upon arriving at the age of eighteen the son bought his time of his father and began business for himself. In 1847 he embarked in the same line of trade on High street, remaining a short time, when he leased a shop of Waldo Bradford at the junction of Lincoln and School streets, where
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
the present firm of L. Richmond & Co. are located, opposite the new City Hall. At one time Joseph Whittle was associated with Mr. Richmond as partner for two years under the nanie of Richmond & Whittle, at the expiration of the partnership the junior partner removed to California. In 1860 Mr. Richard Holland learned the trade of Mr. Richmond, and excepting the time spent in the Civil War he has been in his service to the present time. Specimens of Mr. Holland's work may be seen in the decorations of the new City Hall.
Mr. Richmond continued in business with constantly increasing patronage. until the call of President Lincoln for aid to suppress the Rebellion in 1861, whon he left his business and prepared for service to his country. He was at that time Captain of a Company of Dragoons. He immediately enlisted as many of his company as he could and offered them to the government, which were accepted1. He left town for camp duty September 11, 1869, and was mustered out December 17, 1864, after a term of three years and three months faithful service. The following document we enclose for the purpose of showing the appreciation of Captain Richmond's soldierly qualities, which tells its own story :
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, CAMP " FINEGAN," February 25, 1864.
General } No. I. Order
The commanding officer cannot fail to express to the "Independent Battalion Massachusetts Cavalry " and his command his high admiration of their coolness and bravery dur- ing the Battle of " Olustee." You had already distinguished yourselves by your constancy and endurance, but at "Olustee " you evinced the highest qualities of a soldier. You formed the rally- ing point for troops, encouraged the infantry by your coolness, and prevented the enemies' cavalry from charging the retreat you assisted to cover, remaining miles in the rear of the Infantry. Your position was most trying, being exposed to heavy fire without the least chance for any excitement to divert your minds from your danger. The only Battery that came out as it went in was the one you assisted to support ; to you belongs the heroic satisfaction of having saved an Army.
GUY V. HENRY. Col. 40th Mass. Infantry, Commandiug Light Brigade.
Upon returning home and taking rest for one year and a much needed recuperation Captain Richmond resumed his former calling, since which he has been at the old stand on School street. In 1877 his eldest son, Fred Pool Richmond, was admitted to partner- ship in the business, and later on, in 1885, a younger son, Horace Richmond, also beeame a partner, since which time the father and two sons have continued in the same line of business, to which several additions have been made, and at present they are wholesalers of Paper Hangings, Decorations, Lead, Oils, Paints, Varnishes and Artists' Materials, a specialty being Drugs and Chemicals, the firm name being L. Richmond & Co., 56 and 62 School street, Brockton, Mass. To summarize the various stages of Mr. Richmond's business career, we find a young country bred boy engaged in assisting his father, spending his leisure time in attending such schools as the town afforded during the winter season, an l diligently at work the rest of the year Established in business for himself at the age of eighteen he has led a life of activity for upward of a half century in the town and city of his adoption, and has been identified
1 For particulars see narrative of Captain Richmond's services during the war. Pages 1og to 141
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
with the growth and prosperity of the same during that time, till to-day at the allotted age of nearly three score and ten years, he lives in the undisputed possession of a good name, which stands for integrity, modest worth, an npright life, wherever he is known.
His success and modest competence has been fairly earned by the steady and in- telligent application to business, having courage and enterprise in his methods, simple in his tastes and habits, and a keen knowledge of the value of a sound reputation for honesty and fair dealing.
His military title by which Mr. Richmond is known, is no hollow mockery, but one honorably earned by faithful service in camp and field during the Rebellion of 1861- 1865.
In politics he is a Republican, active but not aggressive, preserving in all the relations of life the same manly and genial traits which have won for him the respect and regard of his comrades in the army and a host of warn friends in business and social circles. He has ever avoided making himself conspicuons, preferring rather the quiet duties and enjoyments of home life when not engrossed with business cares. He has no ambition for public office, but when he has been sought after or the same has been thrust upon him, he has ever been faithful to the trust and confidence reposed in him, and shrinks from no responsibility. In the early history of the town of North Bridgewater he held a few offices, and when the city machinery of Brockton was fairly in working order he was called to a seat in her Councils.
He was a principal mover in the organization of the "Church of the Unity,"1 and was on the Building Committee to procure plans and construct the church edifice. He has been one of the Church Committee to the present time.
The desire for notoriety or for political office are foreign to his nature, and his business cares have prevented his cultivating that most disquieting guest of a mind serene. Not- withstanding his early life was one of activity, a portion of which was spent in the exciting and tumultuous times of the Rebellion, the remainder of his time has been spent thus far more retired and quiet than formerly.
As a member of the community, of which he forms a part, he enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, gentlemanly in his manners, of energy and decision, and has always been conscientiously temperate in food and drink, genial and kind hearted in his disposition, and in all the relations of life he is a type of the self-made man. In the domestic circle he is of cheerful temperament and is never happier than when he is at his home, surrounded by his loving family, consisting of three sons and two daughters.
Captain Richmond has lived to see a sleepy country village of about two thousand inhabitants transformed by rapid growth to a bustling city of thirty-two thousand population. At about the time of the advent of Mr. Richmond to the old town it was said that much was to be expected from those who were born in the town, and always had their residence there, that success might be looked for from those to the manor born. To some extent that might be true, but while much was done by the earlier families of Packards, Keiths, Howards, Kingmans, Carys, Jones, Dunbars, Gurney, and others, indications are not wanting that much of the growth and success of the city of
1 Unitarian.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Brockton is due to a new generation of young blood, which has been active in bringing about its present thrift, many of whom cane within its precincts at a later period, prom- inent among whom may be mentioned the family whose name is at the head of this notice, whose sons have done much to add to the business facilities of the city, to the real estate interests, which will prove a valuable aquisition to the same.
FAMILY RECORD.
PILO WASHBURN RICHMOND, son of Apollas and Silence (Richmond) Richmond, born in Middleboro, Mass., May -, 1807, married Abigail Briggs, born June 23, 1805, died July, 2, 1855, aged ninety- three, daughter of Abiel and Abigail (Briggs) Washburn, born January, 28, 1805. of Middleboro, Mass.
The father died October 30, 1853, aged forty-nine years. The mother died in Hyde Park, Mass., December 19, 1890, aged eighty years.
CHILDREN.
I. Mary Elizabeth, September -- , 1831. Benjamin F. Battles, November 23, 1848, (son of David and Jerusha Eaton (Adams) Battles). Children :
1. George Franklin Battles, born July 7, 1849; married Lucretia Stratton, of Manchester, N. H, 1875. Children :
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