History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 83

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 83

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A few years before his decease Mr. Wild built a commodious factory on the corner of Centre and Bay streets. During the last year of his business he employed in both factories 325 hands. His business career had been withont much incident, his success moderate and solid rather than sudden and showy.

And at the age of forty-nine years, having just occupied his new factory, being in the

BIOGRAPHICAL.

enjoyment of unlimited eredit, with a sufficient capital and every business facility, his health gave way. It was a severe trial to relinquish all his plans, but he yielded none too soon.

Mr. Wild was not brought up in an especially religious way. His parents were church going and Sabbath keeping people who set him an example of diligence, integrity and strict veracity. He acquired some knowlege of the religions system of Emanuel Swedenborg, and gave a warm adhesion, especially to his doctrine of use. "The king- dom of heaven is a kingdom of uses," and he had no more noticeable trait than his love of business. He was not absorbed in it in the sense of thinking about it incessantly, nor did he pursne it from a love of money, or to acquire the means of making a display. Those propensities were extremely moderate in him. He loved business for its own sake, and could think of nothing more desirable than to be in the enjoyment of good health and to be engaged in useful activity ; of nothing less desirable than a life of idle- ness and self-indulgence, or of foolish and vain display.

He was a decidedly intellectual man, not in the sense of being "bookish." He was intellectual in the habit of studying over and thinking out practical problems. Thus in his youth he became, if not a local champion, an acknowledged expert in "checkers.' After entering upon business he made careful study of all related problems, and his business success was not the result of chance or happy mistake, but of habitual re- flection and calculation. His prominent moral traits were a strict integrity and veracity, generosity and reverence. Growing out of these qualities, and noticeable even by strangers, were a remarkable modesty and reticence. These moral qualities were never on exhibition, but could not be concealed, and commanded for him practically unlimited credit, even before his financial standing became known.

He did not form many warm attachments, but to a chosen few of congenial mould he was capable of unreserved personal devotion.

He was a member of Paul Revere Lodge, of Satucket Royal Arch Chapter, of the Bay State Commandery of Knights Templars, and of the Brockton Commercial Club.

Mr. Wild was married February 22, 1886, to Mrs. Susannah A. Smith of Stoughton, a daughter of the late Mr. Gilbert Bell of that town, by whom he had one child, Caroline Martin Wild.

He died January 18, 1889, aged fifty years, eleven months and sixteen days.

JOSIAH WASHBURN KINGMAN.

JOSIAH WASHBURN KINGMAN was the sixth son of Seth and Judith (Washburu) King- man, of Brockton, Mass. He was born February 6, 1802, on Summer street, in that part of the city known as the " Kingman neighborhood." ITis early life, like most boys of that day, was rather uneventful, consisting of plenty of work and no play sort of a boyhood. There were several able-bodied boys in his father's family, and they each had to contribute to the common interests of agriculture ,by exercising upon the farm during the summer season, while in the winter they indulged in the luxury of hammer- ing nails, which in those early days were all that were made (the quick moving ma-

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

chines for making ent-nails had not then been invented). It will be borne in mind that at the time of his boyhood there was no Massachusetts Board of Education, no High Schools, and only now and then an academy in the Commonwealth, therefore but a very limited portion of the year was spent in school in acquiring an education. When Mr. Kingman had arrived at the age of ten the militia company, under command of Capt. Nehemiah Lincoln, was called to the defense of Plymouth Harbor in the war of 1812. The glittering swords and bright uniforms of the company were too much for the young lad, and having a brother in the rank and file he was also fired with military ardor, and volunteered to the country's service by carting supplies for the company.

At the age of seventeen years he became an apprentice to his brother, Abiel King- man, with whom he remained for four years, learning the cabinet-maker's trade. Upon arriving at the age of twenty-one Mr. Kingman commenced manufacturing furniture, succeeding his brother Abiel, in a building afterwards finished into a dwelling house, and for a long time occupied by the late Peleg Holmes, near to the old homestead, and thus commenced a business which he conducted for upwards of thirty years with signal success.

In 1825, the business having outgrown its original limits, he began to look about for more extensive accommodations, and, in a short time after, at the solicitation of per- sonal friends, he purchased a lot of land of Bela Keith, Esq., which is now the corner of Main and South streets, on what was then known as " The Plain," otherwise called "Salisbury Plain," now the thriving village of Campello, where he pitched his tent, and became one of the then few inhabitants occupying that section of the town.

In the meantime he was married, and resided for a time in the house of Bela Keith, Esq., at the corner of Main and Depot streets, now Perkins avenue, till he erected a house of his own. After becoming fully established in housekeeping, he entered upon the cares of business, by building a manufacturing shop, and soon entered upon the wholesale trade, at first finding a market in Boston, and from thence extending his business to other cities of New England. The business soon became an established suc- cess, and the facilities for conducting the same were increased, building after building were added, till at length a large warehouse and store-rooms were erected, in which a large stock of furniture of every description, bedding, and other housekeeping goods were kept for the retail trade.

When Mr Kingman commenced business he employed at first such water privileges as the immediate vicinity afforded, including the old mill, where Elmer C. Packard is now located on Crescent street, and known as the Zenas Packard mill, the "honest miller," and afterward erected a mill conducted by horse power nearer home, which served his purpose for a time, till his trade, which had extended to the rapidly-growing Western and Southern States, required additional facilities for the prosecution of his business, and in 1851 he erected a large building for steam power, on the westerly borders of his grounds, which had then become nearly covered by the various buildings used in manufacturing. In this mill the most modern and most approved machinery was introduced, so that at that time no establishment in Southeastern Massachusetts had better, if as good, facilities for conducting the rapidly-growing business.

After a lapse of two years and the erection of this new mill, with a prospect of a

BIOGRAPHICAL.

large expansion in business the entire establishment was destroyed by fire on the twenty-third day of May, 1853, entailing a loss of nearly fifty thousand dollars. At the time of this fire, besides the manufacturing buildings, the dwelling house and home of Mr. Kingman were destroyed, and by this calamity a large number of persons were thrown out of employment, and the growth of the village of Campello was for a time retarded. It has, however, recovered from this stroke of adversity, and is now in a thrifty condition.

Previous to 1836 the people of Campello for church worship were dependent upon the First Church in the Centre village. The population of the southerly portion of the town at that date was small, and among those who felt the necessity for church ac- commodations nearer home was Mr. Kingman. He was a pioneer in a movement in that direction, and was active in the procuring of land and the erection of a meeting house, and was ever active in promoting the interests of both church and society. In the carly history of the church he was always on committees connected with and inter- ested in this church, and when they were fairly organized a Sabbath school was formed, aud Mr. Kingman was elected their first superintendent, which office he held for many years. He was an early, active, prominent and consistent member of the church, and enjoyed the confidence of his friends and fellow citizens to an eminent de- gree.

After a life of activity, varied as most lives are, he lived a calm, serene life to the ripe old age of eighty-three, a point beyond the time allotted to the average of man ; and his qualities of mind and experience of life made him a most entertaining and in- structive companion. He was youthful in spirit, social and affable in his manners, and took a lively interest in the events of every day life. In 1838 he was chosen one of the Board of Selectmen of the town, an office to which he was nine years re-elected. In 1847 and 1848 he represented the town of North Bridgewater, now Brockton, in the Legislature of Massachusetts. He was often on the Board of Overseers of the Poor, assessor of the town, and one of the first engineers of the fire department. During the Rebellion of 1861 he was appointed by the provost-marshal as recruiting officer for North Bridgewater and vicinity. In 1875 he was one of the road commissioners for the town. He was also on the committee for introducing the first public water works into the town. He was appointed justice of the peace by Gov. John A. Andrew, Janu- ary 14, 1864.

In all and every position to which he was called, his public spirit, his wise yet liberal judgment, his earnest devotion to the interests of the town, and his large comprehen- sion of its needs were marked and rendered him a valuable public officer.

His comparative freedom from active business pursuits, and the excellent qualifica- tions he exhited in town and other public affairs, pointed him out to his fellow citzens for their frequent and repeated choice to positions of responsibility and honor, in all of which he showed himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him.

FAMILY RECORD.

JOSIAH WASHBURN KINGMAN, son of Seth and Judith (Washburn) Kingman, married Polly, daughter of Cyrus and Keziah (Kingman) Packard, November 19, 1822.

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

CHILDREN :

I -- Abigail Copeland, born February 19, 1824; married Anson Morse, of Walpole, Mass., January 1, 1844.

CHILDREN :

1-Adelaide Melissa Morse, born May 25, 1845; died October 3, 1845. 2-Margaret Kingman Morse, born May 1, 1848; died August 24, 1848. 3-Nancy Jane Morse, born June 2, 1849; died November 15, 1851.

The mother died at Beaufort, S. C., whither she had gone for her health, March 17, 1870. The father died at Norwood, Mass., August 17, 1881.

II -- Jane Packard, born November 19, 1825; died July 2, 1827.

III -- Judith, born June 29, 1827 ; died July 13, 1827.

IV-Jane Packard, born August 29, 1828; married Isaac Perkins, May 24, 1849.

CHILDREN :

1-Herman Wesley Perkins, born April 6, 1851; died October 26, 1884.

2-Abby Morse Perkins, born April 23, 1853; died August 17, 1853.

3-George Kingman Perkins, born June 16, 1856; died January 20, 1861.

4-Anson Morse Perkins, born June 23, 1858; married Jennie Louise, born December 30, 1861, daughter of James and Margaret (Brown) Weeks, of South Weymouth, Mass., February 5, 1879.

CHILDREN :

I -- George Kingman Perkins, born in Boston, November 14, 1879; died in Taunton, September 24, 1880.

II-Louise Kingman Perkins, born in Brockton, October 21, 1880. III-Susan Bradford Perkins, born in Brockton, March 19, 1883.

IV-Bessie Kingman Perkins, born in Brockton, July 6, 1886; died July 18, 1886.

The mother married second, Augustus Reed, of Canton, Me., October 14, 1875. V-Bradford, born January 5, 1831; married Susan Bradford, daughter of Capt. Thomas and Susanna Bradford Ellis, of Plympton, Mass., January 1, 1852.

CHILDREN : 1-Carrie Parker Kingman, born July 15, 1858; died September 18, 1859. VI-Charlotte, born October 14, 1832; died July 29, 1833.

VII-Seth, born July 21, 1834; died September 4, 1834.

Polly, the mother died August 4, 1834. He then married Margaret, daughter of John and Mary Dunlap, of Pelham, Mass., February 26, 1835.

CHILDREN :

VIII-Harriet Nason, born June 29, 1836, married Francis H. Luddington, merchant, of St. Louis, Mo., November 29, 1877.

IX-Gardner Josiah, born August 23, 1838; married Fanny Theresa, daughter of Capt Joseph H. and Rebecca C. Nickerson, of Nantucket, May 5, 1861.

CHILDREN :

1-Charles Webster Kingman, born October 3, 1862; married Fannie, daughter of Thomas and Deborah Torrey (Shaw) Leonard, of Brock- ton, December 15, 1887.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

X-Almaria, born April 1, 1842; married Franklin Fobes, of Bridgewater, April 10, 1861.

CHILDREN : 1-Josie Fobes, born January 20, 1866; died June 14, 1866.

The father died Deceniber 15, 1873. The widow married Francis II. Lud- dington, of St. Louis, Mo., November 3, 1874.

CHILDREN : 1-Eliot Kingman Lnddington, born in St. Louis, Mo., June 1, 1876, The mother died October 18, 1876.

NI-Eldora Lonisa, born April 29, 1846; married Preston Bond Keith, of Campello, Mass., December 3, 1869.

CHILDREN :

1-Allic Louise Keith, born April 2, 1877; now in preparatory school at Wellesley, Mass., (1894).

XII-George Webster, born November 21, 1852; died May 8, 1856.

JAMES FREDERICK GODDARD.

JAMES FREDERICK GODDARD is the fourth son of Rev. Warren and Mary Crowell (Tobey) Goddard, born in Brockton, Mass .. January 28, 1842.

It seems to have been the ambition of Mr. Goddard's father to educate his sons and have them enter the ministry. After the usual course of rudimentary education such as the common schools near his home afforded he attended the North Bridgewater Academy, then under the management of Messrs. S. D. Hunt and Winchester, and re- ceived a private course of instruction in the languages from his father, who had fully intended for the young man to take an advanced course of study preparatory for college. Such privileges as he enjoyed he fully improved and looked upon school in- struction as only the beginning of knowledge, and has continued to build on the founda- tion laid in his early life and educated himself in the wider fields of activity than in the ordinary professional life. Iu the prosecution of his studies while at school he dis- tinguished himself by lis diligence, his love of order, his correct and moral deport- ment, which he had imbibed from his parents and instructors, and was a born gentle- man. He was a good mathematician, quick and accurate at figures, correct and judi- cious. In the initial work of his life he acquired skill and developed a native ability, which was soon discovered by those with whom he came in contact, and he has never lost his keen perception and his sound judgment, but still possesses to a remarkable de- gree a positiveness of character, so highly desirable in a business man. His opinions are deliberately formed, well matured, and expressed with conciseness and precision.

His conduct is marked with a strict adherence to the principles of integrity. In his manners and appearance he seems sedate and thoughtful, but those most intimate with him say he sustains his position by his unaffected punctuality, his urbanity, and cour- teous address. In conversation he is pleasant, interesting and instructing.

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

In the domestic circle, of which he is very fond, he is ever happy and cheerful, and finds his greatest delight in his home life.

Instead of a professional life, for which his father was desirous for his son to follow, Mr. Goddard decided to enter the training of mercantile life, and entered the service of Hawley, Folsom & Martin, an extensive wholesale dry goods house in Boston, in 1857, continuing in their employ till the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion in 1861, when, like many others of the flower of the land, he enlisted in and served with the 45th Massachusetts Infantry ; afterwards served as civil clerk in Quartermaster's De- partment at Newbern, N. C., Fortress Monroe, Richmond, Va., and from January 1, 1866, to March, 1867, at Fort Sedgwick, Colorado ; left the service at that place in March, 1867 ; remained in Colorado mining till winter of 1868; entered railroad service in April, 1868, as clerk in general freight office of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Chicago, where he remained ten years, as general freight agent, traffic man- ager, and general manager, successively. He was elected third vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in May, 1888, in full charge of all the traffic of that system, which contained about 9,000 miles of road ; resigned that position June, 1890, to accept the position of commissioner of the Western Passenger Association at Chicago from June, 1890, to October, 1890; resigned to accept his present position of Commissioner of the Trunk Line Association at New York, consisting of the following corporations :

GRAND TRUNK RY., N. Y. L. E. & W. R. R., PHILA. & READ. R. P.,

N. Y. C. & II. R. R. R., DEL. LACK & W. R. R., PENNSYLVANIA R. R.,

WEST SHORE R. R., LEHIGH VALLEY R. R.,

BALT. & OHIO R. R.

N. Y. O. & W. RY., CENT. R. R. OF N. J.,

In politics Mr. Goddard is a firm Republican. In his religious belief he is a con- sistent believer in the doctrines of the New Jerusalem church, of which he is an active, prominent and official member, and is connected with and a regular attendant upon the church services at the corner of Clark street and Monroe place, in Brooklyn, N. Y. He is also a member of the General Council of the New Jerusalem Church of America.

Mr. Goddard married at Chicago, Ill., January 28, 1869, Virginia, daughter of Dyer N. Burnham, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Chicago.

I .- Virginia Sylvia Goddard, born in Chicago September 26, 1870.

II .- Edith Langdon Goddard, born in Topcka, Kan., October 8, 1878.

III .-- Frederic Warren Dyer Goddard, born in Chicago March 18, 1889.

This family are residents of Brooklyn, N. Y.

DR. SAMUEL J. GRUVER.

SAMUEL J. GRUVER is the son of John and Sarah (Carrell) Gruver, born in Lower Mount Bethel township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1846.

After the usual attendance in the common schools of his native town, he fitted for college at the Centerville Academy, Stone Church, Pennsylvania, under the Rev. J. I.

Warren A. Read.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Burrell, of Bethel, Pa., working his way during preparatory studies in labors on the farm and in teaching school, At the age of sixteen years he entered La Fayette Col- lege of Easton, Pa., where he remained four years during which time he received the degrees of A.B. and A.M. In 1866 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, a Medical College, where he remained three years, graduating in 1869.

He commenced the practice of medicine in Portland, Pa., immediately, and from the first was singularly successful. During his residence in Portland, Pa., he was elected Chief Burgess several times. In April, 1881, he became a resident of Brock- ton, Mass., where he soon secured an extensive practice. Not only is he a prominent physician, but he is well known as an active, progressive citizen, always interested in the growth, prosperity and success of his adopted city. Soon after he came to Brockton he was placed on the Parish Committee of which he has been chairman ever since; he is also chairman of the Building Committee for crecting a new church, he is also a trustee of the Marcus Packard Fund in connection with the church. In his religious views he is in affiliation with the Trinitarian Congregationalists and an active member of the First Congregational Church and Society. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1887 and 1888. He is often asked to accept positions of trust and respon- sibility by his fellow citizens, for which he has a natural inclination, but his devotion to his professional duties will not permit. He is a member of Joseph Webb Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Boston, and of Satucket Royal Arch Chapter, Bay State Commandery K. T., and Council of Royal and Select Masters of Brockton. A mem- ber of the Y. M. C. A. of Brockton. He has also interests in somc outside matters, being largely interested in slate mining in Bangor, Pa., also in the clothing and furnishing goods business with the firm of T. S. Bailey & Co., Brockton. He is one of the charter members of the Commercial Club.

In 1881 he purchased the elegant residence of the late Chandler Sprague, containing about three acres of land, where he has a beautiful home.

He is a good debater and reasoner and is one of the leaders in all public i nprove- ments. He has convictions and the courage of his convictions, and when satisfied he is right, knows no fear in the discharge of duty. In polities he is a Republican, and is well and favorably known in the social circles of the city.

Dr. Gruver married Elizabeth Strowbridge, daughter of the late Hon. Franklin and Martha Kingman (Thompson) Ames, of Brockton, November 28, 1872.

CHILDREN :

1 -- Joel Bradford, born in 1873, living only seven weeks.

2 -- Charlotte Bradford, born 1874, lived seven weeks.

3 -- Charlotte Ames, born October 4, 1877 died November 17, 1884.

WARREN AUGUSTUS REED.

JUDGE WARREN AUGUSTUS REED, is the son of Augustus arul Laura Ann (Leach) Reed, born in Boston July 1, 1851. He was educated in the public schools of his native city,

HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

and fitted for college in the English High School and with a private tutor, graduated from Harvard College in the class of 1875, and is now the secretary of his class. Mr. Reed then spent a year and a half traveling in Europe, engaged in study and travel, mastering the French and German languages. Upon his return to this country he en- tered the Harvard Law School in 1877. Upon graduating from that school he studied law in the office of Messrs. Harris & Tucker, on Devonshire street, Boston, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1878 and practiced law in that city till 1881, when he removed to Brockton.

The merc recital of the events of one's life, the positions of honor and trust to which he has been called, the distinguished reputation he has gained in his profession, the respect and csteem in which he is held by his cotemporaries, all make up a more eloquent eulogy than the pen of a biographer could frame. Mr. Reed had not resided in Brockton long before he was called upon to become city solicitor from 1886 to 1889, and being deeply interested in the matter of public education rendered him eminently fitted for a position on the school committee, to which he was elected in 1885 where he has served six years. He was appointed justice of the peace December 16, 1885, notary public March 12, 1888; he was appointed judge of the police court of Brockton September 26, 1889; he is also a trustee of the Public Library and Brockton Hospital Co., also trustee of the Howard Seminary, West Bridgewater, and vice-president of the same ; he is a trustee and vice president of the Commercial Club, also a president of the Brockton Industrial Corporation, formed to build factories to bring business to Brockton; he is a director of the Brockton National Bank and trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association. In politics Mr. Reed is a Republican. In his religions views he is a con- gregationalist.

Judge Reed's extensive experience in trust property and settlement of estates, renders him the right kind of a person to entrust valuable property with as a safe guardian of funds.

Mr. Reed married Nellie N. Crocker, daughter of Bradford Lincoln and Mary (Per- kins) Crocker of Boston December 3. 1878.

CHILDREN.

I-Nellie, born in Boston March 30, 1880. Died April 5, 1880.

II-Lawrence Bradford, born in Boston February 22, 1881.

III -- Robert, and IV-Malcolm, born in Brockton March 2,1886, and died March: 4, 1886. V-Warren Augustus, born August 20, 1887. Died April 21, 1890.

VI -- Clarence Crocker, born in Brockton August 30, 1889.

VII -- Mildred, born September 2, 1890. Died October 1, 1890.

The grandfather of Judge Reed was Briggs Rogers Reed, who was a son of Ezekiel Reed, one of the earliest clock makers in the United States, who died in Brockton April 12, 1830, and a descendant of William Reed of Weymouth, Mass., who came to this country in I635. The line of descent is as follows: William1 and Ivts -- William2 and Esther (Thompson) -- John3 and Mary -- Ezekiel4 and Hannah (Beal) -Ezekiel® and Mary (Rogers) -- Briggs Rogers6 and Betsy (Hutchinson)-Augustus7 and Laura Ann (Leach) -- Warren Augustus® and Nellie N. (Crocker).

BIOGRAPHICAL.

PRESTON BOND KEITH.

EVER since the early settlement of the first minister, Rev. James Keith, in the old town of Bridgewater the name of Keith has been a prominent and honorable one, whose descendants are numerous and widely scattered throughout the country. He was educated at Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to America when about eighteen years of age, in 1662, and was ordained in February, 1664. One of his sons, Timothy, be- came an carly resident in what was formerly known as the North Parish, in the southerly portion of Campello, on the land afterward and since occupied by the Packard family.

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History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 83

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1170