History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 39

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 39

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).

Mooret . jobbat uns were sprinkled largely W, and Lato, but they were always 1

to Tel Tystones cf buco learning and Here le of . Scott- Family

pages, is believed to have been the first stereotyped issne of any large work in America. Their issues of the works of Professor Robinson and Andrews & Stod- dard have largely contributed to the progress of sound learning.

Mr. Crocker himself has said,-" It is not for me to speak of the character of our publications. We believe they have done some good in the world, and it is pleasant to an old printer, when thinking of the mauy millions of pages issued from his press, to know there is

"Not one immoral, one corrupting thought,

No line, which, dying, he could wish to blot."

On the 11th of February, 1829, he married Sarah Kidder, daughter of Elias Haskell, of Boston. After his marriage he occupied for a few months a house at the corner of Atkinson and High Streets, in Boston, and then bought the house numbered 26 Lynde Street, being the house adjoining the West Church, where he lived uotil 1847. 1le then moved to 23, afterward 29, Somerset Street, where he lived until, in 1885, when his house, with others, was taken by the city to make room for the court-house now in process of erection. Ile has, since 1885, lived in the house numbered 319 Commonwealth Avenue, spending

1887, having nearly completed his ninety-first year. His wife died in Boston, January 4, 1856, and his surviving family now consists of a daughter, who was devoted to the health and comfort of her father in his declining years, and two sons, Uriel Haskell Crocker and George Glover ('rocker, both of whom have made their mark at the Suffolk bar and as writers on law. Uriel was one of the three commissioners who re- vised the statutes of Massachusetts in 1882. George was president of the Massachusetts Senate, in 1883, and in the early part of the present year succeeded Thomas Russell as chairman of the Massachusetts Railroad Commissioners.

Aside from his legitimate business career Mr. ('rocker, though never holding public office, was con- nected with many public enterprises. The Massachu- setts Charitable Mechanics Association owes much of its prosperity to his valuable service in its behalf, and the final success of the Bunker Hill Monument As- sociation, of which he was a director since 1833 and several years vice-president, in raising funds for the monument, was in no small degree due to his inge- nious plans and personal effort. His efficiency in the management of the Ohl Colony Railroad Company, in which he was director, with the exception of a few years, from the date of its formation till his death, and his services in rescuing from threatened disaster the Northern Railroad Company of New Hampshire, of which for more than thirty-five years he was a direc- tor, bave been fully appreciated by the stockholders of the various companies. Ile was at various times director, vice-president, and president of the South Pacific Railroad, director and president of the United

Benjamin P. Ware

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MARBLEHEAD.

States Hotel Company for many years, president of the Revere House Association, and trustee in the Boston Dispensary and in other institutions too nu- merous too mention. As recently as 1884 a list of corporations showed him to be president of four, vice- president of two, treasurer of two, and director in several others.

In accepting these positions, which in early years were much more numerous, he declined a merely nominal official title. The institution or association to which he lent his name was sure of having a eare- ful oversight and a rigid inspection, and thus with his name went confidence and trust.

On the evening of November 1, 1868, the fiftieth anniversary of the co-partnership of Crocker & Brewster was celebrated at the house of Mr. Crocker, on Somerset Street by a gathering of a large number of their friends, on which occasion Rev. Dr. George W. Blagden made an appropriate address, which was responded to at length by Mr. Crocker. In the course of his remarks Mr. Crocker said : "Of Mr. Brewster and myself the fellowship in business and in friend- ship will, I trust, never be dissolved. During all the days of the seven years of our apprenticeship and of our fifty years of partnership, I have never received one unkind word from him, nor do I believe that he ever received one from me If he did, I certainly never in- tended it, as I know that he never deserved it."

The ninetieth birthday of Mr. Crocker occurred on the 13th of September, 1886, while at his summer res- idence in Cohasset. During the day he received the congratulations of his neighbors and friends, and in the evening he was serenaded by the band of the Co- hasset Musical Association. Again, on the 29th of November, 1886, the friends of the two aged partners celebrated the seventy-fifthi anniversary of their business connection at the house of Mr. Crocker in Commonwealth Avenue. The gathering was a most distinguished one, including Governor Robinson, Lieutenant-Governor Ames, ex-Governor Rice, A. W. Beard, treasurer of the Commonwealth, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Hon. Sidney Bartlett, Hon. Leop- old Morse, Hon. Samuel C. Cobb, Hon. R. R. Bi-hop, and other gentlemen well known in public service. Their fellow-citizens could not have shown more en- phatically their appreciation of the fidelity and con- scientiousness with which Mr. Crocker and Mr. Brewster had performed the work of life. The words of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, the president of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, in his address to the annual meeting in 1883, still further emphasize the respect and honor in which the subject of this imperfect sketeh was held.

" I cannot forget that first in the order of seniority on our roll of liv_ ing directors, and at the head of our vice-presidente, stands the name of a venerable printer, hookseller, and publisher of our city, the imprint of whose firm, 'Crocker and Brewster,' has been the guaranty of a good hook for more years than I can count; who has always been held and is still held io the highest regard and respect by onr whole commu- nity ; and who, having been elected a director in 1833, has this day in

the eighty-seventh year of his age completed a bulf century of faithful service. I call upon you all to rise and unite with me in offering our thanks and congratulations to our valued associate and excellent fellow- citizen and frieod, Uriel Crocker, and io expressing the earnest hope that he may long be spared in health and strength, not only to this as- sociation, but to the community in which he has been so conspicuous an example of that industry, integrity, public spirit, and patriotism, which have characterized and distinguished the mechanics of Boston from the daye of their illustrions leader, Paul Revere."

BENJAMIN POND WARE.

The subject of this sketch was born in Salem on the 9th day of April, 1822. He was of the seventh generation from Robert Ware, whose enterprise and recognized ability secured a land grant in Dedham on the 12th of July, 1642.

Robert Ware was undoubtedly a native of Wren- tham, Suffolk County, England ; from which place he emigrated to America.

The family of Ware, or Weare (as it is written in the early records), is easily traced to a great antiquity by the records of the connties of Devon and Somer- set, England.

The three oldest sons of Robert Ware were settled in that part of Dedham now known as Wrentham, in 1673. The youngest, Robert by name, was the father of Michael ; and the direct descent of the suh- ject of this sketch is Jabez, Amos and Erastus, from Michael.

In the long line of ancestry, the Wares were own- ers as well as tillers of the land ; and many of the de- scendants of Robert have been noted as leading teachers in ethies and practicing physicians.

Erastus Ware, the father of Benjamin P., moved from Paxton to Danvers in 1810, he, at that time, being a young man of twenty-two years of age; am- bitious and full of manly hope and enterprise, he commeneed work on a milk farm and soon made himself a recognized leader and authority in all that appertained to agricultural industry.

In 1831 he purchased the Hinkley Farm in Mar- blehead, and commenced work on the same in 1833, Benjamin P. at this time being eleven years of age. This farm had been greatly abused by tenants who had cultivated it for fifty years with a single eye to securing the best crop for the tenant, with the least outlay of either capital or labor, and with a total disregard of the good of the land or the interest of the owner. Erastus Ware saw the possibilities of good husbandmanship upon the worn-ont land; and ably seconded by his son, Benjamin P., and a brother, commenced work in good earnest to repair the waste places and bring back this neglected soil to a much better than its primitive condition. The best meth- ods of agriculture learned by reading and observation were adopted in this work, and the systematic and well-ordered labor soon made Erastus and his sons the observed of all observers. It is not too much to say that the production of vegetables for the market was a leading feature (as well as a novelty in the town) in the Ware system of farming.

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

With ingsegle to 1 mildings, poor fences, ne- of the Essex Agricultural Society thirteen years, and a leading member of the State Board of Agriculture.

tel or harls the ontlook was lutte better than boat of a new country. But energy, frugality and Peralsterft industry soon produced a transformation Von myrlig nee and shiftlessness to thrift and pros- erity.

much physical exertion was required of the sub- post of this sketch that three months in the winter was all that he could be spared for intellectual train- ing and supplementary to this public school educa- tion, two termos at Philips' Academy, concluded his opportunities for rudimentary education. At the age of twenty five, Benjamin P. married Hannah ('lifton, of som having the year previous built the beauti- tel Clifton House as a seashore summer resort, being a prover in the adaptation of the coast-lined land of Marblehead as resorts for recuperation of professional anh ofisine- nien from the cares and anxieties inci- dent to city lite. This digression from the routine lle of the farmer was the cause of many criticisms of doubt expressed by short-sighted and narrow-minded men. But the increased value of the land on the North Shore, and its now world-wide reputation as a Fare for ret and recuperation have convinced the Wust incredulous that the work has been that of a w !- balanced and far-secing mind, and the distin- galslo I guests from this and other countries who Vive sought rest and repose and the cooling breezes ou this rock-ribbed coast gives full endorsement to thi- stolenicht.

Vor has the enterprise of Mr. Ware been limited to the little spot which he has so beautifully adorned. The grand Atlantic Avenue connecting Swampscott .n l Mar dehead is one of his early conceptions ; and its completion was largely the work of his own enter-

Mr. Ware has made many other addresses on agri- Ir - This great ocean boulevard met with violent , culture and other subjects which have been reported to a greater or less extent in the daily and weekly papers.

11 miton in its construction from both Swampscott und Marbleheal and hnt for the energy of Mr. Ware midla t w uthers, the great increased valuation caused In its construction would have been long deferred.

The Swampscott Branch of the Eastern Railroad M construction and completion largely to his . nhvi lu d work

Mr Ware was also a valuable co-operator of John l' Pathie in what seemed, at the time, a most pre- choue, -the making free to the public of Turnpike. This act was unquestionably th In fal . one of ecuring freedom by legislation of of bed ran 1 roads of the State.

Lot. roof public education, he has long been of elect haben s sol asteen years on the school -ab cert Maar eread, and ten years a trustee of Arcoleural College He has also at theMarcheand Savings Bank par lote 1 th Now Fugl and Agricul velse per dent of Mar dehead Iwent' Club four you ; Master of (\ \ years; Master of the M . humett- two year- ; president

From the first of his public life he has recognized the necessity and importance of exact knowledge in every department of agricultural industry. With this end in view he was first and foremost by speech and resolution to urge the establishment of an Experi- ment Station by the commonwealth, and is a promi- nent member of its Board of Management. The ac- knowledged usefulness of the station, as now estab- fished, is a happy indication of his good judgment.

In his own farm industry he has never feared new methods; patiently watching and learning, he has often proved a leader where at first he appeared to be only a timid and distant follower. The adoption and introduction of the Silo and its successful result in the preparation of ensilage on his own farm, is a re- markable instance of his readiness and ability to adapt himself to new conditions in agriculture.

As a public speaker Mr. Ware has filled an impor - tant gap ju the wants of the agricultural population. With a rich, full voice, an easy flow of language, an ability to express in a concise and readily understood manner the results of both observation and experi- ence, he is an ever-welcome guest on all public occa- sions where words of counsel from practical stand - points are needed or desired. As one of the commit - tee of the Massachusetts Ploughman Association he has been prominent by suggestion and speech, in making these well-known publie gatherings pre-emi- nently useful and instructive. He has often presided and led at these gatherings, and his practical talks have had a wide reading as they have been reported phonographically in the Massachusetts Ploughman.

At the age of sixty-five, he is in the prime of life and in full harmony and sympathy with every devel- oping feature of science and art which has to do with the welfare of mankind and the prosperity and build- ing-up of men and communities.

JACOB M. CROPLEY.

Jacob M. Cropley was boru at Mt. Handly, An- napolis County, Nova Scotia, July 4, 1845. He re- mained there until he was twenty years of age. He then, in 1866, came to Massachusetts, and six years later, in 1872, commenced shoe manufacturing in Marblehead. This factory wa- burned in 1877 in the disastrous fire which swept the business portion of Marblehead. He commenced manufacturing again, and in 1882 formed a co-partnership with his younger brother, William W. Crophey, under the firm name of Jacob M. Cropley & Brother. A factory in which they were interested at Woliboro', N. H., was burned August 9, 1857. It was soon after rebuilt, and is now

1126

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

M Growley

" BELLAIR." RESIDENCE OF JACOB M. CROPLEY, MARBLEHEAD, MASS.

Quote r. Martin

Francis. Pouromen

1127

MARBLEHEAD.

the largest in the State. At the two factories in Wolfboro' and Marblehead, about seven hundred operatives are employed, and the business of the firm, which has steadily increased since first established by Mr. Jacob M. Cropley, is now one of the largest in its line in the country.

Although a young man, Mr. Cropley already occu- pies a prominent position among the leading shoe manufacturers of New England. He is a clear-headed, practical, thoroughgoing business man. He is alive to the demands of his business, energetic in a marked degree, and with an indomitable will that commands success. Mr. Cropley is open-hearted and benevolent, and all measures tending to advance the general wel- fare of his adopted town find in him an earnest advocate.

In May, 1872, Mr. Cropley united in marriage with Sarah D. Lyle, of Marblehead, and their family con- sists of five sons, viz .: Eugene 1., Jacob H., Walter L., Sydney M. and Ralph E.

KNOTT V. MARTIN.

Knott V. Martin was born in Marblehead July 11, 1820. His early education was received at the pub- lic schools of his native town. At the age of thirteen years he left school and learned the trade of shoe- making, at which he worked until his twenty-seventh year, when he was forced to abandon it on account of ill health. An out-of-door occupation of some kind being necessary for his recovery, he engaged in busi ness as a butcher. A taste of military lite led him while still a boy to join the Marblehead Light In- fantry, as a member of which he became so profi- cient that he was rapidly promoted from one position to another, until on the 6th of October, 1852, he was commissioned as its captain. Under his command the company soon reached a high standard of ex- cellence, and was recognized throughout the State as one of the best disciplined organizations in the Mas- sachusetts Volunteer Militia.

It was while he was in command of this company that the Civil War broke out. Fort Sumter had been fired upon, and President Lincoln issued his famous call for troops to march to the defense of the National Capital. Late in the afternoon of April 15, 1861, Lieutenant-Colonel Ilinks, of the Eighth Regiment, arrived in Marblehead, and notified the commanding officers of the three companies of that regiment locat- ed in that town to have their commands in readiness to takethe first train for Boston on the following morning.

He found Captain Martin in his slaughter-house, with the carcass.of a hog just killed and in readiness for the "scald." The captain was advised to have the bells of the town rung and to obtain as many re- cruits as possible. Taking his coat from a peg, he seemed for a moment to hesitate about leaving his work unfinished, and then, with the emphatic excla- mation, "D-n the hog!" put the garment on, with his arms yet stained with blood, and his shirt sleeves half-rolled down, left the premises to rally his com- pany. The patriotic impulse which inspired the words of the gallant captain was but a reflex of that which animated the men of the three Marblehead companies. The readiness with which they sprang to arms has been told again and again in the history of the opening days of the Rebellion. Leaving Marble-

head on the early morning train, they had the great distinction of being the first companies to reach Bos- ton in response to the orders of Governor Andrew, and Captain Martin, with his sword-bilt, was knock- ing at the door of Faneuil Hall before it was opened for their reception. At the close of the first three months' campaign Captain Martin returned with his company to Marblehead, having been mustered out of the service, and immediately recruited Company B, Twenty-Third Regiment, which left Massachusetts for the seat of war November 11, 1861. While in command of this company he participated in the bat- tles of Roanoke Island, Newbern, Kinston, White- hall and Goldsborough, in North Carolina. In May, 1863, he resigned his commission. On the 24th of February, 1864, he re-enlisted in Fifty-eighth Massa- chusetts Regiment, but was transferred to the Fifty- ninth Regiment, in which he went to the front as acting first sergeant of Company I. In June of the same year he was again transferred; this time to Company K of the same regiment, being warranted as first sergeant. While a member of this regiment he took part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- vania, North Anna River, Cold Harbor and Peters- burg, Va. In the battle before Petersburg, July 27, 1864, he was wounded by a spent ball, by which he became permanently disabled, losing eight inches from the main bone of the right leg.

Immediately after the close of the war Captain Martin was elected a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving the people of his district in that capacity during the years 1866 and 1867. He was then appointed messenger to the House of Representatives, a position which he held for two years.

In May, 1869, he was appointed postmaster of the Marblehead post-office, retaining his place by suc- cessive reappointments until May 16, 1885, when he resigned and engaged in the business of raising poultry for the market. On the 14th of November, 1858, Captain Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary I'. Thompson, of Marblehead. His last con- nection with the military, as a member of which he had spent so large a portion of his lifetime, was during a period from June, 1866 to January, 1868, when he had command of the Marblehead Sutton Light Infantry.

FRANCIS BOARDMAN.

Francis Boardman was born in Marblehead, April 28, 1826, and was educated in the public schools and by private tuition. He came of patriotic stock, his father, Thomas Boardman, and his grandfather, Abel Boardman, having served in the militia during the War of 1812, while his maternal grandfather, Samuel Giles, was one of the many heroic privateers- men for whom the town of Marblehead was noted in the second great contest between the United States and Great Britain. After receiving as much instruc- tion as was then thought necessary for a boy in his walk of life, he went to work with his father as a baker. Becoming a member of the Marblehead Light Infantry while yet a minor, he took an active interest in everything pertaining to the militia, and in 1852 was largely instrumental in recruiting and or- ganizing the company formerly known as the Glover

1123

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

L'zót Ghirds, of which he became second lieutenant. In 1st7 he was commissioned captain of this company, and was in command when the War of the Rebellion broke out, becoming distinguished as one of the two Mar hhead captain- whose companies were first to rea h Boston on the 19th of April, Isol, in response to President Lincoln's call for troops. On his return trom the first three months' campaign he rendered valuable service to the government in recruiting volunteers for the army, and was for several months the commanding officer in charge of the recruiting camp at Reedville, Mass. Offering himself for duty in one of the rez ments about to leave Massachusetts for the front, he was three times promised a com- mand, only to be deprived of it by partisan intrigne. Then, resigning his commission, he went to New York and Philadelphia, engaging in business in both vities for a time ; finally going to Baltimore, wherehe kept a hotel for several years. After an absence of twelve years he returned to Marblehead, and resum- . The former occupation as a baker. In the winter of Iss6 t'aptain Boardman received a very compli- mentary vote from the Democrats of the Massachu- setts Legislature for sergeant-at-arms of that body. At the annual State election of the same year he was elected by the people of Marblehead as their repre- sentative in the General Court, serving during the session of 1847 so acceptably that on his renomina- tion for the office he was re-elected by a largely in- crcred majority. He is now serving his second term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives.

On the 19th of December, 1847, Captain Boardman was united in marriage to Miss Susanna G. Harris, of Marblehead.

CHAPTER XCI. ROWLEY. RY GEO. D. BLODGETTE, M. A.

Tur town of Rowley, Mass., was founded in 1639, In the Reverend Exckiel Rogers and his company. The original gram was from Ipswich on the south to Newbury on the north, and from the ocean on the est to the Merrimack river on the west.

Mr Ezekiel Rogers was the son of the Rev. Rich- an\R ers, a distinguished Puritan, of Weathersfield, Iwa county, England, was bred at Cambridge, here, in 1601, he was of Corpus Christi, when he s gribiate 1 is a Bachelor of Arts, and of Christ's Were in 169% when graduated as Master of Arts. -

AFor besibe top University he became chaplain in to Twoily of sir Francis Barrington, of Essex, exer- . hefelt in mimseria detie- for about a dozen

Il then vas elfe Cto a public charge, at Rowley, E

tumn of 1638, and the new town founded in April, 1639-the act of incorporation reading as follows :

" The 4th Day of the 7th Month (September) 1639, Mr. Ezechi : Rogers'plantation shalbee called Rowley."

Mr. Rogers was a man of great note in England for his piety and ability ; while the members of the com- pany he brought with him to Rowley, were called, by Gov. Winthrop, "Godly men, and most of them of good estate."

In the tract set off to Rogers' Company several farms had been laid out ; these were purchased by the company for £800. The purchase money was con- tributed by such as were able to pay, and in the lay- ing out of house lots, all who paid nothing were given one acre and one half, while those who paid were given lots in proportion to the amount they con- tributed. The distinction became more apparent when the rule of the assignment of rights-called " gates "-in the commons is known.

One and one-half acre house-lot was entitled to one and one-half gates.

A two acre lot to four and one-half gates.

A three acre lot to thirteen and one-half gates.

A four acre lot to twenty-two and one-half gates. A six acre lot to forty-five gates.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 39

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1672

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1672