USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 77
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(a). Bertha Florence, born in Brockton, March 17, 1876; died February . 10, 1886.
2. Louisa Jane Battles, born March 8, 1851 ; married Zephaniah Hix Neal, No- vember 2, 1872. Children :
(a). George Franklin Neal, born in Brockton, August 26, 1876.
3 David Wallace Battles, born January 20, 1854; married Fannie Bixby How- ard, June 23, 1881. Children :
(a). Edith Howard Battles, born in Brockton, April 19, 1884.
(b). Mildred Broadhurst Battles, born in Brockton, November 16, 1886. The mother died December 12, 1886. Mr. Battles married (2) Lizzie Jane Clark, July 12, 1894.
4. Ellis Richmond Battles, born October 8, 1857 ; March 3, 1863.
5. Cora Francis Battles, born July 26, 1862 ; married Dr. George Clarence Gam- mon, September 20, 1882. Children :
(a). Fred Battles Gammon, born in Brockton, May 31, 1884.
(b). Hazel Richmond Gammon, born in Pautucket, R. I., August 5, 1886.
II. Lucius, May 3, 1829. Ann Maria Pool, of Easton, January 16, 1853.
III. Francis Waldo, May 13, 1837. Sarah Neiss, of Pottsville, Pa.
IV. Clara Fuller, July 27, 1843, married William Murray Hall, of North Bridgewater, born April 26, 1838, married August 4, 1864.
CHILDREN.
1. William Richmond Hall, born in Philadelphia, Pa., May 21, 1865. He is an accountant.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
2. Edward Elmer Hall, born in Braintree, Mass., November 23, 1871. A traveling salesman.
3. Lucius Franklin Hall, born in Neponset, Mass., July 27, 1874. Commercial clerk.
LUCIUS RICHMOND, son of Philo Washburn and Abigail Briggs (Washburn) Richmond, born in Middleboro, Mass., May 3, 1829, married Ann Maria, born September 15, 1833, daughter of Horace Minot and Abby Ann (Avery) Pool, of Easton, Mass, January 16, 1853.
CHILDREN.
I. Fred Pool, November 16, 1855. Annie Mayhew Howard, September 1, 1880
II. Mary Alice, March 12, 1858. Died August 29, 1859.
III. Horace, August, 18, 1860. Annie Newell Thompson, April 15, 1884.
IV. Jennie Hall, January 3, 1864.
V. Agnes, November 14, 1867.
VI. Charles Franklin, August 16, 1873, graduate of High School, Brockton, student at School of Technology, having in view the thorough study of electricity. Entered Amherst College, September term, 1894.
I. FRED POOL RICHMOND, son of Lucius and Ann Maria (Pool) Richmond, born Novem- ber 16, 1855. Married Annie Mayhew, daughter of Lysander Bradford and Matilda Perkins (Packard) Howard, born April 8, 1857, of Brockton, Mass., September 1, 1880.
CHILDREN.
1. Helen Pool Richmond, August 2, 1881.
II. HORACE RICHMOND, son of Lucius and Ann Maria (Pool) Richmond, born August 18, 1860, married Annie Newell, born April 12, 1861, died March 22, 1893, daughter of Henry and Ann Withington (Thayer) Thompson, of Brockton, Mass., April 15, 1884.
CHILDREN.
1. Alice Newell, September 16, 1885.
2. Edward Avery, June 10, 1887.
HON. JONATHAN WHITE.
JONATHAN WHITE, son of Jonathan and Abigail (Holbrook) White, was born in East Randolph, Norfolk county, Mass., August 22, 1819. He was fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, graduating as the valedictorian of his class, and entered Yale College in 1840, where he was graduated in 1844 as second in a class which num- bered more than one hundred. He studied law at the Harvard Law School, and with Richard H. Dana, Esq., and opened a law office in North Bridgewater in 1849. He was appointed a justice of the peace March 19, 1851, and a justice of the peace and quorum throughout the Commonwealth March 15, 1859.
iA
Done. White
15
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. White has always been a publie spirited eitizen and in everything pertaining to civil, social, educational and moral advancement of the town and eity of his adoption has taken a deep interest, and to these ends has freely given his time and abilities. In 1867 he was one of the town auditors; in 1868 he served as selectman. Previously to the incorporation of the city he had aeted for a long time as counsel for the town, and was the first city solicitor of Brockton, resigning the last named office in the spring of 1883. His thorough knowledge of law in general and of municipal law in particular made his service very valuable to the town and eity.
Mr. White's connection with the Public Library has been intimate and almost without a break sinee 1857, when he was appointed by the town one of a committee of nine " to proeure a library and establish rules and regulations for the use of the same." Although at a subsequent meeting the authority given this committee was revoked, the matter was not suffered to be forgotten, and after the excitement of the Civil war had passed, a new committee of nine was appointed at the annual town meeting of 1867, of which committee Mr. White was also a member.
The library has increased from a few hundred volumes in 1867 to nearly twenty thousand in 1893, and Mr. White's accurate knowledge of English literature, and his wise judgment in regard to the usefulness of the books selected for the library, have made him one of the most valuable members of the Board of Trustees.
Persistent efforts to establish a High School in the town began to be made in 1849, and was renewed from year to year, until in 1864, a committee, of which Mr. White was a member, was appointed to consider what measures the town should take in the matter. This committee reported May 30, 1864, in favor of establishing a publie High Sehool.
In 1866 arrangements were made for securing the building previously occupied by Mr. S. D. Hunt as a private academy, and a lease was taken for a term of years. Since that time no private school of academie gradejhas been able to compete with the pub- lie High School. Mr. White became a member of the school committee in 1869, and in that year the town voted to abolish school districts. The next important step in school matters, was the result of the report of the school committee of 1869, recommending the erection of large buildings, centrally located, and the separating of pupils into grades. This step was taken in 1870, when the Perkins School was built, followed the next year by the Whitman and Huntington buildings. In 1871 the High School was moved to the center school building on School street, and later to the Whitman building on Main street. Mr. White took an active part in bringing about both these changes, which the growth of the school in numbers required. Mr. White has always taken especial inter- est in the High Sebool, visiting it frequently, and keeping himself well informed in respect to the studies pursued and the methods adopted. He has secured for the school a valuable mieroscope, and has generously furnished specimens, and books explaining the use of the instrument. He is a eritieal observer of school work and has ever been a helpful friend to the teachers.
In 1892 the alumni of the High School procured a finely executed portrait of Mr. White for the adornment of the High School building, and hung it in a conspicuous position as an indication of their esteem for his character and services in behalf of the school.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
In 1864 and 1866 Mr. White represented the town in the Legislature, and in 1869, 1877, 1878, and 1879, he was chosen as the senator from his district. being for the last three years on the judiciary committee, and for the last year chairman of that committee. He took a prominent part in the discussion and decision of public questions before the House and Senate, and there established a well earned reputation as a wise legislator and a man of learning, ability and good judgment in public affairs. Mr. White has always been a Republican in politics, and those in authority in his party have repeatedly songht his advice and profited by his counsels.
As a close, accurate student of the law, and as a clear logical reasoner, Mr. White has few superiors. His brethren of the bar, and authorities from neighboring towns, frequently consult him on important questions and his legal opinions, among lawyers as well as among clients, are always considered as entitled to great weight. He has a large practice and has conducted many cases to a successful issne before the Superior and Supreme Courts. For many years he practiced law alone, but in later years he was connected in b siness with Charles W. Sumner, Esq., under the firm name of White & Sumner, and for the last four years he has been associated with Warren Goddard, Esq., as the senior member of the copartnership of White & Goddard.
Mr. White, though now seventy-five years old, is vigorous in body and mind, is actively engaged in the practice of his profession, and maintains an undiminished inter- est in all that concerns the public welfare. He has taken time for the study of litera- ture and science ontside of his profession. His microscope and walks into the country form his chief sources of recreation. He has a fine critical taste in the use of language and his arguments before the courts, aside from their legal aspect, as well as his literary productions, are models of terse, chaste and effective English. Above all, he is a man of unblemished character, and though, at times, his outspoken opinions have made enemies, these freely acknowledge his ability and spotless integrity. The community at large recognizes him as one of its first citizens, and the estimation in which he is held as a man and as a public servant deepens as the years roll on.
DR. GEORGE EDWARD FREEMAN,
Who has been for many years a popular and leading physician of Brockton, was born in Brewer, Me., Jure 22, 1841. He was the second son of Reuben and Nancy (Clark) Freeman in a family of six children, all of whom have filled positions of usefulness and honor. The doctor inherited from his parents two things that have helped him amaz- ingly in his life work-a strong and vigorous constitution and a high ideal of what should constitute a true and noble manhood. His ancestry is all in his favor. It is easily traced on his father's side to one of three brothers who came from England to this country many years ago. One settled in Ohio, and the other two canie to Eastern Massachusetts. A marked characteristic of their descendants has been a strong love for educational and professional life. The father of the doctor was a successful teacher for many years and was a zealous advocate of educational progress and religious inter-
17
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ests all his life. His services on the School Board and as justice of the peace where he resided for over twenty years, made his opinions valuable, to be often sought and adopted. His mother was the daughter of Nathan and Nancy Clarke, of Brewer, Me .. a highly esteemed and worthy family from whom she inherited superior qualities of character. Her ardent devotion to the welfare of her family led her to feel that no sacri- fice was too great to make for the intellectual and religions culture of her children. By her strong sympathies and faithful teachings she early impressed upon them the impor- tance of making the most of life.
Dr. Freeman from boyhood manifested a noticeable degree of energy and persever- ance. It was during those youthful days that he made choice of his profession in life, and his preparatory course of study was well fitted to aid him in the fulfillment of his duties. He took high rank, not only in the public schools of his native town, but through all his career as a student. No pains were spared that he might be thoroughly prepared to meet the responsibilities of the medical profession. At seventeen years of age he commenced teaching and niet with marked success. His preparatory course was completed at Hampden Academy, Maine, after which he commenced his profes- sional studies, in which he made rapid progress. He began the study of medicine with Dr. McRuer, an eminent surgeon of Bangor, Me. He soon entered the medical depart- ment of Bowdoin College, where he enjoyed excellent facilities for gaining the knowl- edge sought. He was a diligent and faithful student, with a natural inclination towards investigating the truth for himself. He was of a keen mathematical and argumentative turn of mind, and a promoter of enthusiasmn among his fellow-students.
In 1864 he took up the course at the Bellevue Hospital in New York, and there completed his professional studies, graduating with high honors in 1866. He com- menced practice soon after as an associate with a physician in Belmont, Me. There he remained two years, and on receiving encouragement to come to this city, located here in 1868.
Dr. Freeman has been a success in Brockton. He ranks as one of its most skillful physicians and stands easily among its foremost citizens. His praetice has been large and lucrative and he is not among those who have neglected to multiply their talents; consequently he is well to do, and is a large holder of real estate in the city. He is public spirited, and so has been largely useful in the community outside of his own circles. In his professional life he has been liberal in his treatment of the poor and un- fortunate, and has often freely given the benefit of his skill. If Dr. Freeman had not been a physician he would have made an admirable lawyer. He has an analytical turn of mind, and nothing more delights him than the unravelling of some intricate question of law or politics. Politics, by the way, is one of the doctor's most thoroughly enjoyed diversions. He is a Republican from start to finish-a red hot Republican-and he has always stood high in the councils of his party in this vicinity, as evidenced by his influence in frequently directing the local policy of his party in municipal affairs of the city in which he lives, and his active influence in the selection of Republican candidates who are to be intrusted with responsibility of the State and National politics. Henever accepts public office ; he is too busy for that, and gets too much pleasure out of politi- cal affairs in acting as director rather than as one directed. Dr. Freeman was elected
0
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
presidential elector from Massachusetts in 1868, voting for Harrison, represented the 12th Congressional district in the Republican National Convention held in Minneapolis in 1892. Next to politics Dr. Freeman enjoys whist, into the playing of which noble game he enters with characteristic zcal, earnestness, understanding and success. Per- sonally the doctor is a striking and graceful figure, a good talker, capable of making an interesting and clever speech, and altogether is one of the best known men in this vicinity. He lives with his charming wife in a handsome home on Main street, near the center of the city.
SAMUEL FRENCH.
THE ancestor of the family whom we commemorate in this sketch was John French of Dorchester, Mass., who was admitted Freeman in 1639. He was a native of Thorndic, Scotland, and came to this country at the age of twenty years. His early married life was spent in Dorchester. His wife was Grace -.
Children born in Dorchester :
I .- John, February 28, 1641.
II .- Thomas, July 10, 1643, died in Braintree August 28, 1656. He removed to Braintree where he spent the rest of his days, and where the following children were born :
III .- Dependence, born January 7, 1648, married 1st, Mary -, 2d, Rebecca -. IV .- Temperance, born January 30, 1651, married John Bowditch of Braintree.
V .- William, born January 31, 1653, married Rachel Twells, 1689.
VI .- Elizabeth, born July 29, 1655.
VII .- Thomas, January 10, 1657, married Elizabeth --
VIII .- Samuel, born December 22, 1659, married Anna -.
The mother died February 1, 1680. The father died August 6, 1692, aged eighty years.
DEPENDENCE FRENCH, son of John and Grace ( - ) French, married Mary Marsh, and had :
I .- Mary, born March 30, 1684, married Samuel Savil, April 25, 1707. The mother died -. He then married Rebecca -.
CHILDREN :
II .- John, born March 10, 1688-9, married Mary Vinton, February 19, 1711-12.
III .- Dependence, born April 15, 1691, married Anna Thayer, July 10, 1718.
IV .- Rebecca, born May 13, 1694, married John Thayer, May 26, 1715.
V .- David, born March 4, 1699.
VI .- Elizabeth, S born March 4, 1699, married Capt. Samuel Vinton.
JOHN FRENCH, son of Dependence and Rebecca (- ) French, married Mary, born January 2, 1692-3, daughter of John and Hannah (Green) Vinton, of Malden, Mass., February 19, 1711-12.
19
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHILDREN:
I .- Mary, born about 1713, married Josiah French, of -.
II .- John, born December 25, 1714, married Ist, Mary Fenno, of Stoughton, January 19, 1748.
III .- Dependence, born December 25, 1714, married Mary Linfield, May 23, 1738.
IV .- Hannah, born September 17, 1716.
V .- Elizabeth, born January 1, 1722, married Caleb Hobart, jr., Christian Holbrook, 1753.
VI .- Abigail, born December 6, 1725, married Micah Thayer, January 14, 1748. VII .-- Mehetabel, born October 14, 1727.
VIII .- Rebecca, born June 11, 1728.
IX .- Abiathar, born April 7, 1732. Removed to Northampton.
X .-- Joshua, born in 1734, married Esther Wales.
DEPENDENCE FRENCH, son of John and Mary (Vinton) French, married Mary, daughter of - Linfield, who settled in the south parish of Braintree, now Randolph, Mass., May 23, 1738.
CHILDREN :
I .- Dependence, born April 21, 1739, married Rebecca Hammond, February 7, 1765. II .- Levi, born April 27, 1740, married Amy Packard, November 29, 1764.
III .- Deliverance, born January 31, 1742.
IV .- Mary, born October 7, 1744, married Jeremiah Beal, June 20, 1768.
V .- Martha, born July 24, 1747, married Samuel Chessman.
VI .- John, born January 26, 1749, married Damaris Howard, January 20, 1779. VII .- William, born November 2, 1751.
VIII .- Elizabeth, born --- , married Seth Bryant, February 7, 1765.
IX .-- Silence, born November 14, 1756, married Ephraim Churchill.
X .-- Martha, born February 14, 1759.
XI .-- Olive, born April 5, 1761.
The father died -, 1803, aged eighty-nine years.
LEVI FRENCH, sou of Dependence and Mary (Linfield) French, married, November 29, 1764. Amy, daughter of William and Sarah (Richards) Packard, and resided in North Bridgewater.
CHILDREN :
I .- Levi, born September 6, 1765, married Betsy Merritt, May 5, 1799.
II .- Samuel, born October 21, 1766, removed to Amherst.
III .- Amy, born July 5, 1768, married Barnabas Pratt, August 23, 1787.
IV .- Dependence, born March 9, 1771, married Hannah Harris, September 4, 1794. V .- Rebecca, born March 9, 1771, married Theophilus Curtis, April 11, 1791. VI .- Lemuel, married Hannah Noyes, March 18, 1830.
VII .- Isaac, married Polly Reynolds, November 26, 1801.
VIII .- Sylvanus, married Silence Keith, February 9, 1805.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
IX .- Hannah, married Luther Swan, November 10, 1796.
The widow married George Monk, July 15, 1798.
DEA. SYLVANUS FRENCH Was the son of Levi and Amy (Packard), born -, married Silence, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Snell) Keith, February 9, 1805.
CHILDREN :
I .- Isaac Keith, born March 2, 1808, married Susanna Wade, April 19, 1830.
II .- Sylvanus, born January 30, 1810, married Olive Hayward Marshall.
III .-- Hiram, born May 25, 1812, married 1st, Lucy Ann Richards ; 2d, Mary Long, of Worcester.
IV .- Samuel, born January 20, 1816, married 1st, Ann Judson Alden; 2d, Abigail Amanda Alden.
V .- Susanna, born April 13, 1820, married Davis Kingman, April 22, 1838.
VI. - Thomas, born September 1822, died single, September 5, 1843, aged twenty-one years.
VII. - Lucius, born Angust 23, 1825, married Lucia Ware, born April 13, 1825, daughter of Deacon Daniel and Olive (Tucker) Alden, of Randolph, Mass., and removed to Chicago, Ill.
CHILDREN :
1 .- Eugene Lucius French, born -; died September 9, 1849, aged sixteen months. 2 .- L. Vernon French, born -; died September 30, 1851, aged one month.
3 .- Julian H. French, born October 3), 1858; died July 26, 1859.
The wife died October 2, 1833. He then married Jane, daughter of -- Keith, of Easton, 1836.
The father died March 12, 1856, aged seventy-five. The widow died August 14, 1861, aged sixty-eight.
SAMUEL FRENCH, son of Dea. Sylvanus and Silence (Keith) French, married Ann Judson, born February 25, 1822, daughter of Dea. Daniel and Olive (Tucker) Alden, of Randolph, Mass., December 11, 1844.
-
CHILDREN :
I .- Charles Henry, born February 17, 1846 ; died October 11, 1857. The mother died August 3, 1848. He then married Abigail Amanda, born September 2, 1829, daughter of Dea. Daniel and Abigail (Marsh) Alden, sister of the first wife, February 17, 1849.
CHILDREN :
II .- Ann Maria, born March 1, 1850; died October 2, 1851.
III .- Herbert Judson, born December 29, 1851, died May 22, 1857. IV .- Forrest Temple, born May 26, 1854.
V .- Anna Alden, born December 3, 1856 ; died July 28, 1872. VI .- Charles Herbert, born September 30, 1862.
21
BIOGRAPHICAL.
The children in this family may take pride in descending from one of the earliest settlers in the country, who was HON. JOHN ALDEN and Priscilla " Molines " or " Mullens," his wife. She is said to have been very beautiful in her youth, as her husband was comely in person, and when Capt. Miles Standish sent young Alden as his messenger to solicit her hand in marriage, it is not strange that she preferred the messenger to the message :
"As he warmed and glowed, in his simple and eloquentilanguage Quite forgetful of self, and full of the praise of his rival, Archly the maiden smiled, and, with eyes overrunning with laughter Said, in a tremulous voice, " Why don't you speak for yourself, John ?"
The following is the order of the different generations : Hon. John and Priscilla, - Joseph and Mary, -- Dea. Joseph and Hannah,-Samuel and Abiah, -- Samuel and Hannah,-Daniel and Sally .- Daniel and Abigail .- and ABIGAIL AMANDA FRENCH, the mother of this family of children, in Campello.
The subject of this biographical notice was born in that section of the city of Brockton known as Campello. Passing up Chestnut street to the west towards Easton, a short distance, one cannot fail to notice a large and attractive dwelling house occupied by Samuel French. It stands on one of the best sites of any in his native village, the land is elevated with a beautiful slope down to a small rivulet, from which the writer remem- bers well of having taken good sized fish in his boyhood days, and as it was quite near the " Old Brown School House," it became a favorite resort for the young lads.
It was in the early part of the present century that there stood upon the same spot as the present residence a two-story hip-roof house facing south, having an orchard, shoe shop, stable and three buildings surrounding the same. This was the birth place of six brothers and one sister, all of whom lived to adult age.
Samuel was the fourth son and has always resided on a section of the old place. His father was a farmer and shoemaker and was a much beloved deacon of the church for a number of years; there was but one in the village, and to those who knew the father it is not strange that the sons should have become respected citizens.
The early formative influences to which our young friend was subjected, were of the best and healthiest nature, for his early home, although quite humble, was one in which religion and morality were exemplified and faithfully taught. He was reared to habits of industry and sobriety and followed in the footsteps of his father by remaining on the old homestead, although for a few years he resided in a new house which he erected about the time he entered upon married life near by.
The father, we have said, was a shoemaker and occupied his leisure time in inclement weather and in the cold wintry season in making shoes for his neighbors as well as for himself. The original farm contained about sixty acres, which came into the son's possession upon the decease of his father, and as it was centrally locality for residential purposes, and as the town increased in population and in business, there was a demand for new streets and house lots, and while Mr. French availed himself of the opportunity to sell a few, he not only was a benefit to the town as well as to himself. When tlie farm came into the sons' possession his two sons had arrived to a time when they could assist in caring for the same, and thus father and sons have continued to the present time to improve the same and besides being ordinary farmers, they have been
22
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
dealers in several kinds of farm products, as grain, apples, and for many years, while the sons were ripening for business and getting their education, the father was a drover and attended the live stock market at Brighton weekly. At present the care of his estate with other kinds of business absorbs the most of his time. Being of a vigorous and active temperament he is never idle, and labors himself, believing that
"He who by the plow would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive."
Of the private character of Mr. French we never had it brought in question, and it must be in his favor ; of firm integrity, of thrifty habits, he is a respectable and useful citizen, plain and frank in his manner of speech. He is a regular attendant upon the South Congregational Church of Campello, of which both he and his wife have long been members.
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