History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 39

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278

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

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Governor Claflin early took advanced ground on the temperance question, and also was widely known as an anti-slavery man all through that period of agi- tation when loyal adhesion to, and earnest work for, the emancipation of the black man was likely to make him unpopular; nevertheless he was always true to his convictions, and saw the fruition of his hopes in the enactment of the Emancipation Act by Congress. In 1876 Governor Claflin was elected Representative to Congress, and re-elected in 1878, at the close of which public service he retired to pri- vate life, universally respected, and is now giving his attention to his extensive hasiness interests, as well as meeting the many social demands naturally inci- dent upon such prominence.

Governor Claflin has for many years been connect- ed with various financial institutions. He has been a director of the National Hide and Leather Bank since its organization, and for several years its presi- dent. Ile has been a director of the New England Trust Company; also director in the International Trust Company, the Boston Five L'ent Savings Bank and other financial institutions.

Governor Claflin is an influential and consistent member of the Methodist Church, a genial gentle- man, easily approached by any one, and ever ready to extend a helping hand to his fellow-man.

HON. THOMAS RICE.

We may contemplate with great advantage the personal history of those men who, by their talents, their high standard of honor and their unwearied industry, have contributed to the material pros- perity of our country in their own time and have demonstrated to those who came after them that the true path to success lies in an undeviating adherence to the purest and noblest principles of action. Among the many distinguished sons of New England whose record is that of a self-educated and self-made man, who rose to distinction by the practice of those virtues which in all time must secure the respect and confidence of all good citizens, was the subject of this biographical notice.

He was the third son of Thomas and Lydia (Smith) Rice, and was born in that part of Needham which is now known as Wellesley Hills, December 20, 1810. When two months old his father (who was a paper- maker) moved his family to Newton Lower Falls and established them in what has since come to be known as the " Rice Homestead." IFere Thomas, Jr., passed his childhood days, and in due time attended the district school, where, for the most part, his school education was acquired. At the age of twelve years he left the public schools and attended, for some time, a private school in West Newton, kept by " Master Joseph Jackson."

After leaving this school he went to work in his father's paper-mill, where he mastered the art of

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George Hyde,

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NEWTON.

paper-making, and where, from 1834 up to the time of his death, he was engaged in the paper business and became widely and favorably known as an eminent paper manufacturer, having large dealings with numerous customers, executing large contracts, ex- tending over long periods, in a business-like and satis- factory manner for more than forty years. The Boston Daily Transcript was printed on paper made in the establishment of Mr. Rice, and for nearly the whole of this period he was the directing and controlling head. While organizing and carrying on this great business enterprise he found time to answer to the call of the citizens of the town for him to take part in public affairs, and he brought to this work rare skill and good judgment. For eighteen years he was a member of the Board of Selectmen, having been first elected in 1830. Here he labored diligently and faithfully for the best interests of the town and was for ten years chairman of the board. In 1857 he was elected a member of the General Court, serving in the House for three years and in the Senate for two years (1863 and 1864). In 1865-66 he was chosen a member of the Governor's Council.

During the Civil War he was especially active in filling the quotas of the town, often working day and night to accomplish this important work. He was found almost everywhere in the discharge of these duties,-now at home arranging to fill up the de- pleted ranks of the soldiers, now repeatedly at the front, looking after the necessities of the soldiers, ministering to their needs, comforting them in hardship and defeat, looking after the dead and tenderly conveying their remains to their friends at home, giving the sorrowing families tender sym- pathy and material aid. He was indeed a true patriot and a lover of his country. His younger brother was Hon. Alexander H. Rice, who was Governor of the Commonwealth in 1876-78. Thomas was thrice mar- ried,-first, to Violet Hibbard in 1833 ; second, to Jerusha (a sister of his first wife), in 1842; the third, to Rebecca R., a niece of Hon. Joseph Breck, of Brighton, September 24, 1845. She still survives him, and her children are Edward Thomas, born October 9, 1847, and Frederick William, born January 30, 1850, who died February 17, 1885. The children by the first wife were Jane Isabella and Edward Everett, by the second, Mary L. W. Mr. Rice died January 11, 1873, amd was buried in the village cemetery at Newton Lower Falls. Various associations and public bodies attended his funeral and passed resolu- tions testifying to his worth and their sorrow. In one of the newspapers of Newton there appeared shortly after his death the following notice, which attests his worth in the public estimation :

" There were some traits of character in Mr. Rice which were suffi- ciently remarkable to justify calling special attention to them.

" No other man of his years, perhaps, has ever been honored by the town, by important offices during so many years.

" He had been Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for many con- secutive years; and so well did he fill his office that it is doubtful

whether, even in Newton, where there are so many ahle men, his place can be made good.

"It has sometimes been said that he was fond of office ; but it was evident it was not altogether for the sake of office. He hed great pride in having the business of the town done in the best possible manner, and was always ready to give time and strength to secure this. Nothing was neglected in any department with which he had to do. Whether it was an office of greater or lesser honor, all its drudgery, even, was done with a fidelity worthy of the noblest cause.

" His familiarity with the business of the town was such, that when- ever any man sat down to converse with him, he would feel at once that he was talking with one who knew his business thoroughly. This was often apparent when some one would come before the Selectmen who felt that he had been wronged. The patient, clear and unimpassioned way in which he would present the case, would almost invariably con- vince the aggrieved that he not only had not been wronged, but in many instances, that he had got even more than he deserved.

" Let the young men who may follow him remember that this is the road to success and honor that is fadeless .- EDITOR."

GEORGE HYDE.

George Hyde is one of the solid men of Newton. His ancestor, Samuel Hyde, who came from England in 1639, was the second settler of Newton. This Sam- uel Hyde bought 250 acres of land in Newton in 1652 for £50, and the subject of our sketch, in the seventh generation, still occupies a portion of the an- cestral estate.

His father, Samuel Hyde, married Lucy Hall, she, as well as her husband, being born in Newton. They had six children-Samuel, Fanny, Parthenia J'., Ed- ward, Mary K. and George, who was born April, 1810, and has consequently passed his eightieth year. He married Rebecca D. Child, in 1839. She was born in Newton, January 18, 1812, and is still living. They have three children-Fannie A., Charlotte W. and Samuel. Mr. Samuel Hyde, the father of George, was a farmer and nurseryman, being among the first to engage in the latter business. When advancing age suggested relaxation from the more active duties of business, the two sons, Samuel and George, took the farm and nursery, and carried on a successful business for many years. The survivor, George Hyde, continued it several years after the death of his elder brother Samuel.

Land in that part of the town had been increasing in value year by year, so that at his decease Samuel, father of George, left a valuable property to be divided among his children, and George moved into the house formerly occupied by his father, beside which stands one of the largest elms to be found in Middlesex County .. He enjoyed the successful business iu which he was engaged, and, during the many years that he followed it, contributed much to make his native town, as well as many other places, more beautiful by the trees, shrubs and plants that were sent out from his reliable establishment.

He never sought office, but his townsmen, knowing his character for uprightness and honesty, sought him, and he served for several years as selectman and assessor, and that too at a time when it was more of an honor to occupy such official positions than it seems to be at the present day. He was one of the

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

original projectors of what is now the Newton National Bank, first organized as a State Bank, and has been a director in the same almost from the start to the pres- ent time, and his services have contributed very much to its success. In 1858 he was elected president of Newton Savings Bank, of which he had been a trus- tee for several years previously.

Under his administration, assisted by faithful asso- ciates, this bank has prospered far beyond the expec- tations of its original corporators, and has on deposit at the present time nearly $2,000,000.

Though advanced in years, he gives daily attention to this institution, which has become his pet and pride. Always careful and conservative, and yet not narrow- minded, the public have come to have great confidence in him, and he is universally respected by all who know him. He has not been a great traveler, but has preferred the quiet of a happy home and the constant and faithful care of his own business, as well as all matters entrusted to him. He is one of the old school of gentlemen, of which so few remain. Nearing the end, he may with pardonable pride look back upon a well-rounded life, feeling that he has served his gen- eration faithfully and well. He will be greatly missed and sincerely mourned when the time of his departure shall come.

HON. JAMES F. C. HYDE.1

James F. C. Hyde was born in Newton July 26, 1825. His ancestor was Jonathan Hyde, who came from England and settled in what is now Newton in 1647, being the fourth settler, while his brother Samuel was the second. They purchased 240 acres of land, which they owned in common tilt 1661. Jona- than, by subsequent additional purchases, became the owner of several hundred acres. He lived on what is now, Homer Street, about sixty rods north of the old First Church. He had two wives and "twenty- three children, all of whom, with one exception, bore Scripture names."

He gave a large part of the present Common at Newton Centre for a training-field. He died at the age of eighty-five years. His son John married and had six children, and died aged eighty-two.

Timothy, the son of John, married and had several children, among whom was Elisha. Elisha's oldest child was Thaddeus, who married Elizabeth Grimes. Thaddens died aged seventy, and Elizabeth lived to be ninety-eight. They had four children, the oldest being James, the father of James F. C. Hyde, who, therefore, is of the seventh generation from the fourth settler of Newton.

James Hyde, the father, married Clarice Clarke, daughter of Norman Clarke (1818), and they had nine children. She died at the age of sixty-seven, and he lived to be eighty-nine years old.

John Clarke, the ancestor of Clarice Clarke, was In Newton as early as 1681, removing from Watertown.

Norman Clarke, the father of Clarice, and grand- father of James F. C., was selectman for three years, and held other offices, and was a large land-owner, leaving to his heirs about 400 acres that had been in the family from before 1700. The subject of this sketch lives on a part of this land, and only across the street from where he was born. He may well be classed as a native of Newton. He descended from good stock on both sides, his ancestors being promi- neut men in their day.

In 1854 Mr. Hyde married Sophia Stone, daughter of Jonathan Stone, who descended from one of the early settlers of Newton. She died in 1860, leaving two children,- Clarice S. Hyde, who married James M. Estes, and died leaving one child (Frederick J. Estes), and Elliott J. Hyde, who lives near his father and is in business with him.

In 1861 Mr. Hyde married Emily Ward, who was a descendant, in the seventh generation, of John Ward, who settled in Newton (then New Cambridge) in the year 1650. She was a graduate of the Normal School in West Newton, and was a teacher for several years in Manchester, N. H., and Boston. Four chil- dren have been born to them, two of whom survive, Mary E. and Frank C., who are now living at home.

Mr. Hyde's father was a farmer and a nurseryman, being among the first in the State to engage in the lat- ter business. He brought up his children on the farm, and when his son, James F. C., was seventeen years of age, took him in as a partner in the business. This son did not intend to be a farmer or nurseryman, but to study law, if he could see his way clear to get an education, for up to this time he had attended only the district school, with the exception of one year at the academy of the late Marshall S. Rice; but one day, as he was about to leave home, his father said to him : "Francis, your mother and I think it is your duty to stay at home and take care of ns." Without a minute's hesitation he decided to do so, saying : " All I am I owe to you, and I cannot do too much for you." It was a great satisfaction to him to he able to care for them as long as they lived, though it changed all the plans of his life. Starting in business for himself at an early age, with limited means, and perhaps still more limited education, he worked days and studied nights, often working fourteen hours out of the twenty-four, and studying three or four, giving himself but few hours for sleep. This he followed for many years, and was able to acquire a large amount of general information.

When asked by a friend how he had been able to obtain such an amount of general knowledge, he re- plied, " By keeping my eyes and ears open to see and hear, and often opening my mouth to ask questions."

He has in later years been often introduced to aud- iences as the "walking encyclopædia."

At the early age of fifteen, in 1840, he took a very

1 Contributed.

James J& Hyde

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NEWTON.

active interest in politics, and from that time on at- tended caucuses and political meetings, and was gen- erally at the polls distributing ballots, even before he was a voter.

His father was a Whig and he quite naturally fol- lowed his example. Subsequently, when the old party was dissolved, he became a member of the great Re- publican party.

Smith, in his " History of Newton," says, in speaking of Mr. Hyde : " His energy of character and adminis- trative talent brought him early to the notice of the public." At the age of twenty-nine he was elected moderator of the town-meeting, and for nineteen suc- cessive years he was elected to the same position with only four exceptions, and those when he could not serve.

He was elected selectman also at the age of twenty- nine-one of the youngest ever called to that office -- and remained on the board for sixteen consecutive years. During the War of the Rebellion he was very active in recruiting to fill the large quota of Newton, and all the State aid for many years was disbursed by him. He knew the larger part of the men who went from Newton, and their families. He visited them at the front to look after their comfort. At thirty-one years of age he was elected representative to the Mas- sachusetts General Court and subsequently re-elected. He was for some years a member of the School Com- mittee, had charge of a large portion of the highways and constructed new roads for the town while select- man.

He has been balloted for by the town and city of Newton for various positions more than fifty times, and never was defeated when a candidate.

He served two terms, of three years each, on the State Board of Agriculture, being appointed by the Governor as one of the "delegates-at-large," the other general delegates being Prof. Agassiz and Col. M. P. Wilder.

For four years he was president of the Massachu- setts Horticultural Society, and for several years, at two different times, president of the Newton Horti- cultural Society, which held its first meeting at his house, and which he was active in organizing.

He has been a director in two national banks and is now a director in the John Hancock Life Insur- ance Company and one of the Building Committee appointed to erect their large building ou Devonshire Street, Boston.

For many years he has been a director in the Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company, trustee and one of the Investment Committee of Newton Savings Bank, whose deposits have increased since he became associated with it, from twenty-seven thousand to nearly two million dollars.

He was chiefly instrumental in organizing a Con- gregational Church at Newton Highlands in 1872, which began with twenty-nine members and has now nearly two hundred.

In six weeks he procured pledges-including his own subscription-of over thirteen thousand dollars with which to erect a church, and was chairman of the committee to build the same. Since the start he has been deacon in the church and for many years was on the Parish Committee looking after the finances.

He has a large class of men in the Sabbath-school, and has scarcely ever been absent from his place.

For many years he has been agricultural editor of The Congregationalist, and has written a great deal for other papers.

He is the oldest member of the Board of Trustees of the Newton Cemetery Corporation, a position he has ably filled for many years. He has also been on the Finance Committee for several years.

He was the foremost in making Newton a city, and received all but thirteen of the votes cast for the first mayor and was re-elected by almost as unanimous a vote. He declined to serve longer, though strongly pressed to do so.

Smith, in his "History of Newtou " says: " As the first mayor of the city of Newton, he (Mr. Hyde) ad- ministered the important trust with wisdom and pru- dence, counseling economy, integrity and faithful- ness, and illustrating these qualities in his official conduct."

When twenty-six years of age he was appointed auctioneer by the selectmen unsolicited, and accepted the appointment, and has continued that business until the present time. About the same time he was appointed justice of the peace, and later served as trial justice for six years. He also received, unso- licited, several appointments as insurance agent, and is now actively engaged as such for sixteen differ- ent companies.

Frequently he was called upon to settle estates, appraise property, act as commissioner to divide real estate, to testify as expert and in many similar matters, until it became necessary to decide whether he wonld continue his farming and nursery business, or practi- cally give it up, and devote himself to other affairs. He chose the latter, and since, for many years, has carried on a large business in real estate at private sale and at auction, as well as placing insurance and mortgages, conveyancing and attending to all matters connected with the sale and management of real estate.

In all these years he has kept up an active interest in agriculture, horticulture and floriculture. It is said that on the old homestead where he was born he cultivates abont a thousand named plants and trees.

He has devoted special attention to native plants, and spends much of his vacation time in tramping over the country with trowel and basket in hand. He probably has a larger collection of wild flowers than can be found outside of a botanical garden. It is said that everything grows for him, His excellent

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

taste for arranging flowers has been shown in the beautiful bouquets which he has generously furnished for many years for the church which he attends. He was president of the Congregational Club of Boston one year,-as long as the constitution allows any person to fill that office.

He suggested, through the press, the formation of a similar club for the seven Congregational Churches of Newton, and took steps to organize the same, and was its first president.

When the town commemorated the centennial of an important event in its history, Mr. Ilyde was selected to prepare and deliver the address, and again, at the two hundredth anniversary of the incor- poration of the town, he was appointed to render a similar service. Probably no one is more conversant with the history of Newton, or has a more ardent love for his native town than Mr. Hyde.

In his inaugural address the second year that he was mayor, he advised making the Newton Library, which had been established and supported by private subscription np to that time, a free city library, which recommendation was adopted, and the following year carried into effect.

He saw the necessity of increased railroad accom- modations-though there were already two railroads running through the city, one on the north side and one on the sonth-and realized the importance of connecting the two, thus securing a circuit road unit- ing the many villages of Newton by iron bands. Al- most alone, he labored for five years with no expec- tation of compensation, to accomplish this desirable object, and though no one but himself believed he would succeed, and he was often ridiculed for his folly in attempting such a thing, he accomplished his object, and the Circuit Railroad was opened for travel in 1886, thus giving Newton three new stations, mak- ing twelve in all.

It was remarked by one of Newton's distinguished men, that " no three things that could be done for Newton would be of so great benefit as the Circuit Rail- road."

Thongh a very busy man, as this sketch implies, he has found time to give many public addresses in dif- ferent parts of the State on a variety of subjects, but especially on those relating to the cultivation of the soil and kindred matters.

He has been diligent in business since his earliest manhood ; but it has never been his chief aim in life to " get rich," in the modern acceptation of that term, but he has been content with acquiring a moderate competence. He takes delight in hard work and plenty of business, his chief recreation being found in his garden, where he seeks to spend a little time daily during the open season.

No man seems to enjoy nature more than he, and he does what he can to lead others to follow his excel- lent example.

He has had remarkable health, not having been

confined to his bed one day by sickness since he can remember, and he has a remarkable memory.

It often surprises his friends, as well as strangers, to hear him give the scientific name of almost every plant that grows in this part of the country. Thongh sixty-five years old, he is as diligent as ever before in his life, carrying on his mind a great amount of the details of business.

Mr. Hyde is a very decided man, always having an opinion of his own, and generally earnest to have others see things as he sees them.

He frequently says, with some degree of pride, that he never uses tobacco in any form or spirituous or in- toxicating liquors, never goes to the theatre or drives fast horses or indulges in any other of the modern vices or follies. He has no time for such things.

It might be well for young men to keep such an example in view. He is prompt and exact in keep- ing his word, and is always very much disturbed if others do not.

Mr. Hyde enjoys the respect of his fellow-towns- men to a remarkable degree. Ile is a self-made man, if there ever was one. Starting without money, edu- cation or influential friends, by hard work and force of character he has placed himself among the most influential citizens of his native city. Such an ex- ample is surely worthy of imitation. The world is certainly better for such a tife, and may it be con- tinued as long as it can be useful.

NATHANIEL TOPLIFF ALLEN.

Nathaniel Topliff Allen, son of Ellis and Lucy (Lane) Allen, was born in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, September 29, 1823. 1Fis native homestead farm, purchased from the Indians, has been owned and tilled by seven generations of Allens, noted for longevity, sterling common sense and rug- ged worth ; and there, during his minority, the sub- ject of this sketch, followed the pursuits of his ances- tors, and laid the foundation of a remarkably vigorous constitution. Portions of three years of his minority were spent in a Waltham cotton-mill, where was acquired a knowledge of textile manufacture; he received a good common-school education in the public schools, in a family school of Rev. Joseph Allen, at Northboro', and at Northfield Academy. After three successful seasons in charge of schools, and having chosen to become a teacher, he continued his pro- fessional studies in the Bridgewater Normal School, under Nicholas Tillinghast, and in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, N. Y. After teach- ing in the common district and singing-schools at Mansfield, Northboro', Northfield and Shrewsbury, Mass., until the spring of 1848, he was appointed by Horace Mann, of the State Board of Education, to the charge of the model department of the Normal School at West Newton. This position he filled with marked ability for nearly six years, when, in connec-

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. III, Part 39

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1278

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1278