USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 10
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Southworth has been chosen manager of this plant is indicative of his marked ability, resourcefulness and executive power.
In April, 1898, Mr. Southworth was appointed registrar of the town of Stoughton and still occupies that position. He belongs to the Chicatawbut Club, of which he was treasurer from 1911 until 1916. He is well known as a Mason, having taken the three degrees in Rising Star Lodge, F. & A. M., in May, 1901. He has passed through all of the chairs of the lodge and was worshipful master in 1907, occupying the position for two years. Following the death of his father, who had been treasurer of the lodge for twenty-five years, Mr. Southworth of this review was elected to the position and is still acting in that capacity. In 1904 he became a member of Mount Zion Chapter, R. A. M., and the following year was elected to office in that organization and became high priest in 1913. In 1915 he was elected treasurer, again succeeding his father in the office in the chapter. He belongs to Brockton Council, R. & S. M., and to Bay State Commandery, No. 38, K. T. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Aside from his other business con- nections he is the treasurer of the Pequa Press of Stoughton. His activities are wide and varied, bringing him into connection not only with important business interests but with those agencies which have to do with the development of high standards among men in all relations of life. The integrity of his purpose and the result of his activities have placed him with those men of Norfolk county who represent the highest type of American manhood and chiv- alry.
JUDGE CORNELIUS E. HALE.
Judge Cornelius E. Hale, who on the 26th of December, 1916, was appointed special justice of the district court of western Nor- folk and who since 1906 had figured as a representative member of the Norfolk county bar, his developing powers bringing him to a prominent position in the ranks of the legal profession, was born in Walpole, Massachusetts, August 15, 1874, a son of Timothy and Joanna Hale. He acquired a public school education in Walpole and afterward studied under tutorship. He also took up the study of law under private instruction and while thus engaged provided for his expenses by service as a telegraph operator.
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In June, 1906, having thoroughly qualified for the profession, Judge Hale passed the required examination and was admitted to the bar. He at once entered upon practice, and while advancement in the law is proverbially slow, no dreary novitiate awaited him. His practice steadily grew as he demonstrated his ability to suc- cessfully solve intricate legal problems. He prepared his cases with great thoroughness and the public recognized his painstaking effort and his loyalty to the interests of his clients. But while his devotion to his clients' interests has become proverbial, he has always recognized the fact that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. He continued in active practice until December 26, 1916, when he took his place upon the bench as special justice of the district court of western Norfolk and is now making an ex- cellent record in that connection.
On the 24th of September, 1907, Mr. Hale was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. Delaney, a daughter of Daniel Delaney, and their children are Timothy J., Cornelius E., Jr., Joanna and Mary M.
Judge Hale is well known by reason of his active and important service in behalf of the town of Walpole, where his entire life has been passed. He served as selectman of the town from 1905 until 1910 and was chairman of the board of selectmen in 1911. He was also overseer of the poor of the town of Walpole from 1905 until 1910. He has ever been keenly interested in all those things which have to do with the welfare and progress of the community in which he resides and his efforts have been of a practical character, far- reaching and resultant.
GEORGE NELSON GASKILL.
George Nelson Gaskill, who for many years was actively identi- fied with business interests in Franklin but is now living retired, en- joying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves, was born in Bellingham, Norfolk county, on the 29th of April, 1847, his parents being William and Abigail (Hubbard) Gaskill, the former a native of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and the latter of Franklin, Massachusetts. The paternal grandfather, who also bore the name of William Gaskill, was but two years of age when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Gaskill, removed to Pelham, Massachusetts, and there he resided until his death, devoting his life to the occupation of farming. His wife bore the maiden name of Phoebe Cook and
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was a native of Cumberland, Rhode Island. When William Gaskill, father of George Nelson Gaskill, was a young man he established his home in Bellingham, Massachusetts, and purchased a tract of land, concentrating his energies upon its cultivation and development until his death, which occurred on the 14th of January, 1855. His widow survived him for almost two decades and died on the 9th of February, 1874. They were laid to rest in Franklin cemetery. In their family were three children: William Henry, who died in in- fancy ; Sarah A., who resided in Billerica, Massachusetts, and passed away February 13, 1913; and George Nelson of this review.
In the district schools George N. Gaskill began his education, thus pursuing his studies until he reached the age of twelve years. The father had died when the son was but eight years of age and the mother removed with her family to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, when he was a little lad of twelve years. It was subsequent to that time that he attended the high school of Woonsocket for two years, after which he started out to provide for his own support and has since depended entirely upon his own resources. Whatever suc- cess he has achieved or enjoyed is the direct result of his persistent and earnest labors and his honorable dealing. He remained in the employ of others until he had attained his majority, working at dif- ferent times at the trades of carpentering and butchering and also as a farm hand. When he reached adult age he went to Boston and pursued a course in the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, from which he was graduated the following year. He then took up his abode in Franklin and secured employment in a box factory being for many years foreman for E. L. & O. F. Metcalf. In that year, in connection with his brother-in-law, Alfred Clark, Jr., he estab- lished an ice and lumber business which they conducted success- fully until 1903, building up a trade of substantial and gratifying proportions. In the year indicated Mr. Gaskill sold his business and retired from active life, since which time he has enjoyed a rest which he truly merits. He owns a nice home at 125 East Central street and is most comfortably situated in life.
On the Ist of January, 1871, Mr. Gaskill was united in mar- riage to Miss Ann Eliza Clark, a daughter of Alfred and Polly (Wright) Clark, both of whom were natives of Franklin. Her father was a son of Nathan and Nancy (Payson) Clark, and was a butcher and farmer of Franklin, there carrying on business until his death, when his remains were interred in the Franklin cemetery. The father of Mrs. Gaskill devoted his attention for many years to the ice trade in Franklin and was one of the representative business
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men of the city. The mother of Mrs. Gaskill traced her ancestry back to an American Revolutionary soldier, Seth Wright, who was buried in the Franklin cemetery. Her grandfather was Solomon Wright, a farmer of Bellingham. To Mr. and Mrs. Gaskill has been born a daughter, Edith Clark, who is now the wife of William B. Sommers, a banker living in New Haven, Connecticut, by whom she has one child, Rudolph Terrill, who is chief yeoman on the German interned boat, Amerika. He married Gladys M. Harding, a daughter of Russ and Nellie Harding, of Franklin.
Mr. and Mrs. Gaskill attend the Universalist church. They are people of the highest respectability and enjoy in unusual degree the warm regard and friendship of those who know them. In politics Mr. Gaskill is a republican, giving stanch support to the party, and for seven years he filled the office of overseer of the poor. He is a self-made man and his life should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through determined ef- fort when guided by sound business judgment. His has been a most active and useful career and the most envious cannot grudge him his success, so honorably has it been won and so worthily used.
ALBERT F. NORRIS.
Such business enterprises as that of the Norris Noiseless Pedal Action Company, of which Albert F. Norris was the president, lend a substantial quality to commercial and industrial activity that has made Stoughton a fast growing center of trade. Never fearing to venture where favoring opportunity led the way, Albert F. Norris made steady progress in his business career and yet passed over the pitfalls into which unrestricted progressiveness is so fre- quently led. His activities were ever guided by a sound judgment that proved a balance wheel to his initiative and enabled him to focus his energies where fruition was certain. His life record began in August, 1841. He was born in New Hampshire of the marriage of Sabin C. and Sarah (Fletcher) Norris, the former a native of Vermont, while the latter was born in Brookline, New Hampshire. Albert F. Norris was a descendant in the seventh generation of an- cestors who had lived on this side of the Atlantic and was thus con- nected with some of the oldest families of New England. His father was a farmer and manufacturer, conducting a wood-working factory, and throughout the greater part of his life he resided in New Hamp-
TUS NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
ALBERT F. NORRIS
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MRS ALBERT F NORRIS
The NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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shire, to which state he removed in his boyhood days. He died in 1868, while his wife long survived, being called to the home beyond in 1903.
Reared under the parental roof, there was no unusual circum- stance or event to vary the routine of life for Albert F. Norris in his boyhood days, his attention being largely given to the acquirement of a common school and academic education. When his textbooks were put aside he took up machine work, becoming a machinist and following that pursuit for ten years. At the time of the Civil war he did not go to the front but was on active duty with the Home Guards in Philadelphia. In 1865 he became a resident of Massachusetts, taking up his abode in Boston, where for seven years he was in the employ of the Grover & Baker Sewing Machine Company. He then turned his attention to the manufacture of pianos and was engaged in that business for twenty-five years as a member of the firm of Norris & Fletcher. They were builders of the Norris & Fletcher piano and placed upon the market an instrument that became very popular. Mr. Fletcher at length retired from the business and was succeeded in the firm by Charles A. Hyde, after which pianos were manu- factured under the name of Norris & Hyde. Mr. Norris was con- tinually striving to improve the output of the factory and his study of the different parts of the piano at length led to his invention of the Norris noiseless pedal action, which he began to manufacture in Boston in 1900. The invention met a long-felt want of the piano trade and after a brief period Mr. Norris admitted his son, Clifton H., to a partnership in the business. In 1910 the plant was removed to Stoughton, at which time they purchased the French & Ward factory buildings, and through the intervening period they have developed important interests in Stoughton. The company has ex- tended its output to include various lines of pianoforte hardware, in- cluding the patented detachment and toe-cap pedals, dowel guides, player action pedals and trap work and various other patented and important supplies for pianoforte manufacture. The Norris com- pany was the first concern in the trade to manufacture pedal actions exclusively and they sell direct to piano manufacturers, their patrons being among the best known piano builders of the country. They are used on the Chickering, Miller, Emerson and McPhail pianos and many others of reputable make and excellence. Theirs is a large factory, splendidly equipped with the latest improved ma- chinery for doing work of the character required, and their business is now being carried on at Stoughton under the most favorable con- Vol. II-7
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ditions, so that the output is steadily increasing. They also maintain offices in Boston.
In July, 1867, Mr. Norris was united in marriage to Miss Georg- iana Bisbee and to them was born a son, Clifton H., whose birth occurred in November, 1875, and who is now a most progres- sive and enterprising business man-the president and owner of the Norris Noiseless Pedal Action Company. The wife and mother passed away in June, 1911, at the age of sixty-seven, after an illness that covered fifteen years. Mr. Norris was again married in Sep- tember, 1912, his second union being with Julia Quincy Adams, a daughter of John Quincy Adams, a book publisher of Boston, who was widely known all over the United States and whose sons are now carrying on the business on Boylston street in Boston, being publishers of standard medical works.
Mr. Norris was a member of the Methodist church and his po- litical support was given to the republican party. He also belonged to the Board of Trade of Stoughton and he was identified with the National Association of Piano Merchants of America, an organiza- tion which covers the entire country and holds its annual meetings at various points in the United States. Mr. Norris attended the last two meetings, one held in Chicago and one in San Francisco. These meetings are for the purpose of advancing the interests of the piano trade and are of great benefit to this line of business. In a summary of the life of Albert F. Norris it might well be said of him that his was a progressive spirit ruled by more than ordinary intelligence and good judgment, combined with a deep earnestness, impelled and fostered by indomitable perseverance, while his native justice ex- pressed itself in correct principle and practice.
CHARLES STANTON HILL.
Charles Stanton Hill, an attorney at law, who attacks any knotty legal problem with an energy and enthusiasm that promises success in the attainment of his purpose, has practiced at the Boston bar since 1897. At the beginning of his legal career he was a young man of twenty-seven years. His birth occurred in Auburn, Maine, December 10, 1870, his father being Charles Wesley Hill, who was a native of Milo, Maine, and a representative of old families of Maine and New Hampshire, founded in America by an English ancestor who came to the new world at an early period in the col-
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onization of this country. Members of the family participated in the French and Indian war and in the Revolutionary war. One of the ancestors of Mr. Hill of this review was in command of Fort Constitution at Portsmouth, and many were prominent and active throughout colonial days, while others have left the impress of their individuality upon the history of New England since the es- tablishment of American independence. Charles Wesley Hill was in the wholesale dry goods business in Lewiston and at Portland, Maine, and was very successful in the conduct of his business affairs. During the period of the Civil war he volunteered for active serv- ice but through physical inability was unable to go to the front. However, he had three brothers who fought for the cause of the Union, all rendering distinguished service to their country. One of these was Brigadier General Jonathan Hill, another was Major Benjamin J. Hill and the third was Colonel Hollis B. Hill, all three of whom served throughout the entire period of hostilities. Gen- eral Hill lost his right arm in the second battle of Bull Run. Charles Wesley Hill was a stanch republican in his political views and was a very active supporter of the principles in which he believed. He did everything possible to promote the success of his party and to advance those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He served on the city finance board, was a member of the school committee for a number of years and after a life of intense activity and usefulness, covering a period of fifty-six years, passed to the home beyond in July, 1893. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Greenhalgh and was a representative of an old English fam- ily that for generations lived near Manchester, England. Her father was the Rev. Thomas Greenhalgh, who had the reputation of being in his day one of the most eloquent preachers in New Eng- land. He came to America in 1820. In his youth he learned the calico printing business and with two companions who came to America with him he established the first calico printing manufac- tory in the United States, opening the plant at Springfield, Maine. His daughter, Mrs. Hill, is still living and is a resident of Brook- line, Massachusetts, making her home with her son, Charles Stanton of this review, who is an only child. Mrs. Hill is a direct descendant on the maternal side of General Charles O'Hara, who was her great- grandfather. It was General O'Hara, to whom General Cornwallis delivered his sword to be surrendered to Washington, thus bringing the Revolutionary war to a successful termination.
Charles S. Hill was educated in the public schools of Auburn, in the Edward Little high school and in the Wesleyan University of
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Middletown, Connecticut, being graduated from the last named in 1892 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He next entered Harvard College, where he pursued a two years' course in 1895 and 1896, and in 1897, having thus qualified for admission to the bar, was licensed to practice and opened his office in Boston, where he has since been actively and continuously engaged in professional work, specializing in late years in equity and corporation law. Prior to entering Har- vard he was sub-master in the Edward Little high school of Auburn, Maine, filling the position for two years, from 1893 until 1895, and from his earnings he paid his tuition in the university. During the second year of his practice he was appointed attorney for the estate of John W. Keely, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the well known inventor and scientist, who startled the world by inventing a motor and a series of mechanical devices that it was believed would rev- olutionize the motive power of the world. These inventions re- ceived patents from all nations and experts of London and Paris and other world capitals recognized their worth and practicability. A company was organized and over three million dollars worth of stock was sold. On taking charge of the estate Mr. Hill made per- sonal investigation and study of the wonderful invention and after thorough and lengthy research discovered the fraudulence of the inventions and immediately set forth to abolish the business and to prevent the further sale of stock. This brought forth a storm of protest from the officers of the company and stockholders, who firmly believed in the genuiness and the merit of the invention, with the result that the matter was brought into the courts and after many weeks of battle, in which he was opposed by the leading attor- neys of the country, including John B. Johnson, Mr. Hill won his case, proving conclusively the fraud. During this period he was also offered a large sum to drop the case, but he declined to make his honor a marketable thing. In following this course he saved millions of dollars to the then eager investors and the case brought him international fame, for its progress was recorded daily in all of the leading journals not only of America but of Europe as well. During his residence in Boston since his admission to practice he has built up a steadily increasing clientage that has connected him with much litigation of a most important character.
On the 22d of October, 1908, Mr. Hill was married in Boston by Father Richards in the Church of the Immaculate Conception to Miss Effie Palmer, a niece of Governor John Palmer, of Illinois, who was at one time a candidate for president, and a daughter of the Rev. Elihu and Mary (McCue) Palmer, the former a Baptist
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minister and a representative of an old Kentucky family. At the time of their marriage Mrs. Effie Hill was a resident of Denver. She is widely known in musical circles, having been educated for grand opera by leading masters of Paris, London and other European cities. She has taken a very active part in promoting musical inter- ests of Boston and has often appeared in connection with the lead- ing musical events not only of this city but in other cities as well.
In his political views Mr. Hill is a stalwart republican and has never been an aspirant for public office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his professional interests, which have been of a character that has made continuous demands upon his time and energies, while his developing powers have placed him in the front rank among the distinguished lawyers of Boston. He has ever been careful to conform his practice to the highest standards of professional ethics. He gives to his clients a service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning, but he never forgets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and, above all, to justice and a righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success per- mit him to disregard.
JOHN M. CROWLEY, M. D.
Dr. John M. Crowley, actively engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Franklin, was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, February II, 1877, a son of Michael and Ellen (Kelley) Crowley, who were natives of the Emerald isle, the father having been born in Dunman- way, Ireland, and the mother in the city of Cork. They came to America as young people, the father being sixteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic, and they were married in New Hampshire. Later in life the father engaged in gardening, making his home for many years at Hanover, New Hampshire, where he passed away in 1897, at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow still survives and is now living in Franklin, Masachusetts. They had a family of four children : Jeremiah B., who is the secretary and treasurer of the Western Bell Telephone Company at St. Louis, Missouri; John M., of this review; and Nora and Cornelius B., who are residents of Franklin.
In his boyhood days Dr. Crowley attended the high school of Han- over, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated and later he
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completed a course in Dartmouth College of Hanover when nine- teen years of age, being graduated in 1896. He spent three years in hospital work at the Children's Hospital, St. Elizabeth's Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital of Boston, Massachusetts, thus gaining broad knowledge and experience. In March, 1899, he located for private practice at Franklin, where he has since remained and his business has become of a most important character, his patronage being very extensive.
In November, 1900, Dr. Crowley was united in marriage to Miss Catherine G. Casey, of Boston, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Casey of that city. To them have been born four children but one son has passed away. Walter, born in 1905, in Franklin, is attend- ing high school. Ellen C., born in 1907, and Joseph B., born in 1910, are also students in the schools of Franklin. The deceased son of the family was John, who was born in 1902 and died in 1910.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Dr. Crowley is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic Order of Foresters. His political support is given the republican party and he has served as a member of the board of health since 1905 and has been chairman of the board since 1910. He is a director of the Red Cross chapter at Franklin.
ALONZO F. BENNETT.
Alonzo F. Bennett, deceased, was an honored veteran of the Civil war and for many years was actively engaged in business as a jewelry manufacturer. At length he retired and established his home at Wrentham, his native city, there spending his remaining days. He was born February 13, 1841, and was a son of Isaac F. and Lydia (Hayden) Bennett. The father was also a native of Wrentham and was a descendant of one of the pioneer families of New Hampshire. It was in that state that Isaac Bennett, grandfather of Alonzo F. Bennett, was born and while living among its granite hills he learned the cabinet maker's trade, after which he removed to Wrentham, Massachusetts, where he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Randall, reared their family of thirteen children. Their son, Isaac F. Bennett, was born in Wrentham, September 10, 1810, and pursued his education in the public schools. He after- ward learned the blacksmith's trade and also that of toolmaker in connection with the jewelry business. He was employed in that
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