USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 11
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ALONZO F. BENNETT
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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capacity in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, but finally retired and made his home with his son Alonzo throughout his remaining days, passing away in 1897, while his wife survived until January, 1903. They had a family of six children, namely: Ellen F .; Bradford A .; Alonzo F., of this review; Charles H .; Daniel; and Alice.
Alonzo F. Bennett was reared and educated in Wrentham and in his youthful days became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he develops the fields. He was still quite young when he entered the employ of Sturdy & Shep- ardson, jewelry manufacturers, who at that time were conducting a factory at Wrentham Centre. After continuing with that firm for about two years Mr. Bennett went to North Attleboro, where he se- cured a position with the firm of E. Ira Richards & Company. He was employed in connection with the jewelry trade until after the out- break of the Civil war. In 1862 he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of the Forty-fifth Massachusetts Vol- unteer Infantry, in which he held the rank of sergeant. He partici- pated in several very hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Kingston and of Goldsboro, North Carolina. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his military sup- port he returned to his home and resumed work at his trade in North Attleboro, where he continued in the manufacture of jewelry for seventeen years. It was in 1872 that he engaged in the jewelry busi- ness on his own account in connection with Charles P. Young under the firm style of Young & Bennett, at which time they occupied the basement in the Whiting building on Broad street. There they con- ducted their interests together until 1888, when the partnership was discontinued and later Mr. Bennett engaged in no business enter- prises, save that for five years he was a silent partner in the firm of Riley, French & Heffron. After selling his interests at North Attle- boro and retiring from active connection with the jewelry business he again took up his abode on a farm at Wrentham, there spend- ing his remaining days.
On the 8th of October, 1888, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Mary Allston Morss, a daughter of William and Jane D. (Goss) Morss, who are natives of Marblehead, Massachusetts. The father was a contractor and builder and removed from Marblehead to Melrose, Massachusetts, where he has since resided. For some time he has now lived retired from active business. His wife is also living. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett became the parents of two children : Helen F., who is a graduate of Wellesley College and is at home; and Alice, who is also a graduate of Wellesley and is the wife of A. H. Ewing,
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who was formerly a minister of the Episcopal church but is now engaged in teaching in the Huntington school.
The husband and father passed away October 9, 1905, after a short illness, and his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. In politics he was always a stalwart republican, giving unfaltering support to the principles of the party, and his religious faith was that of the Episcopal church. He guided his life accord . ing to its teachings and his sterling worth commanded for him the respect and goodwill of all. Mr. Bennett always found his greatest happiness at his own fireside. His every thought was for the hap- piness and welfare of his family, who at his death lost a loving hus- band and devoted father. One of the local papers at his demise spoke of him as: "one of the most prominent residents of Wrentham," and said : "There was no more genial or more universally esteemed man in this section. Lighthearted and cheery himself, he com- municated cheerfulness to all whom he met. In his business life he was thorough and reliable and gave all his ability to the matter in hand, no matter how small or trivial it might be." Thoroughness was always one of his strong characteristics and thus it was that he accomplished what he undertook. His death has been the occasion of sincere sorrow and his memory is still cherished by all who knew him. Mrs. Bennett occupies a fine residence which was built by the French refugees two hundred years ago and her home is sur- rounded by a tract of land of sixty acres which is very valuable and productive.
HORACE W. LOWE.
Horace W. Lowe, a well known business man and representative citizen of Stoughton, is senior partner in the firm of Lowe & Powers, undertakers. He was born in Canton, Norfolk county, March 20, 1862, and is a son of Edmund A. and Susan E. (Withington) Lowe, the former a native of Canton, while the latter was born in Maine. The father became an engineer and was employed by various firms. He continued a resident of his native city until 1872, when he re- moved to Stoughton, where he spent his remaining days. His widow survives and has now reached the notable old age of ninety years.
In taking up the personal history of Horace W. Lowe we pre- sent to our readers the life record of one widely known in Norfolk
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county. He spent his youthful days largely in the acquirement of a public school education in Canton and in Stoughton and later made his preliminary step in the business world as an employe of his uncle, Phineas Withington, who was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. He bent his energies to a thorough mastery of the trade and displayed marked efficiency and capability in mastering the business. After a time he was admitted to a partner- ship by his uncle and their association continued for a number of years with mutual pleasure and profit. At length, however, Mr. Lowe purchased the interest of his uncle, who retired from business, and he then admitted Webster Smith to a partnership and later M. F. Powers. This association was maintained for a long period or until the death of Mr. Smith in October, 1916. The firm name is now Lowe & Powers and in January, 1917, Mr. Lowe and Mr. Powers admitted their sons to a partnership, so that Millard D. and Arthur W. Lowe and John J. Powers are now members of the firm. The three sons are also proprietors of the business conducted under the name of the Electric Knife Sharpening Company. The three young men own together a third interest in the undertaking business, each having a ninth share, in addition to their interest in the Electric Knife Sharpening Company. The firm of Lowe & Powers enjoys an extensive patronage, theirs being the only under- taking establishment in Stoughton.
On the 20th of June, 1883, Mr. Lowe was married to Miss Florence C. Drake, a daughter of Luther W. and Hannah (Swift) Drake, who were natives of Sandwich, Massachusetts, and removed to Stoughton, where they resided for twenty years or until Mr. Drake was called to the home beyond. The father was a glass cutter by trade and worked for many years for the Boston Sand- wich Glass Works, but on establishing his home in Stoughton gave up his trade. He died in the year 1913, while his widow survives and now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, who have a family of two children, the sons previously mentioned-Millard D. and Arthur W., both of whom are yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Lowe votes with the republican party and fraternally he is a prominent Mason and is also connected with the Odd Fellows. He has membership in the lodge, chapter and council and in Bay State Commandery, K. T., all of Brockton, while his connection with the Mystic Shrine is that of a representative of the Temple at Boston. He likewise has connection with both the Odd Fellows lodge and the Rebekah degree at Stoughton. He belongs to the Board of Trade and is interested in all that has to do with
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the progress and unbuilding of the community in which he makes his home. His religious faith is that of the Universalist church and his life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles, which have made him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. He has a wide acquaintance in Stoughton and throughout his sec- tion of Norfolk county and enjoys the warm regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact. His business today extends not only over Stoughton but also over Canton and Sharon and he has made for himself a creditable place as a representative of commercial interests in his part of the county.
HOMER V. SNOW.
Homer V. Snow has lived practically retired since 1892 but for many years was prominently identified with the manufacturing in- terests of Franklin, where he was a partner in a firm that conducted the leading hat manufactory of this section of Massachusetts. His business enterprise, his keen discernment and his indefatigable en- ergy were salient elements in the development of an extensive trade and as the years passed he acquired the success that now places him among the men of affluence in Norfolk county.
Mr. Snow was born in that section of Mendon which is now East Blackstone on the IIth of September, 1837, and is a son of Cyrus B. and Catherine M. (Moore) Snow, the former a native of Easton, Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Holden, Massachusetts. The father was a manufacturer of straw goods in Franklin, where he established his home about 1841. He continued in business for many years and then removed to California, where he lived retired, making his home in Santa Cruz throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1885. He had long survived his wife, who de- parted this life in 1848.
Homer V. Snow was reared and educated in Franklin and when fifteen years of age began work in connection with straw manufac- turing and throughout his entire business career was active in that field of labor. He early thoroughly acquainted himself with every branch of the business, advancing from one position to another as he gained knowledge and experience. In 1861 he went to New York city, where he was identified with a straw manufacturing enterprise until 1874. He then returned to Franklin and became one of the organizers of the firm of Hubbard, Snow & Bassett, which erected
HOMER V. SNOW
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a large factory that is now operated under the name of the Golding factory. It is the largest in this part of the country and Mr. Snow continued actively in business until 1892, when he retired. The com- pany engaged in the manufacture of ladies' and children's straw and felt hats and built up a business of extensive and gratifying propor- tions, their trade covering a wide area and increasing with the pass- ing years. Mr. Snow was familiar with every feature of the man- ufacturing end of the business and his initiative spirit enabled him to institute various new methods and processes which resulted benefi- cially in the development of the trade. After withdrawing from the factory at Franklin he was in business in Boston for one year but has lived practically retired since 1892, enjoying a rest which he has richly earned and well deserves.
In June, 1861, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Snow and Miss Hattie Pillsbury and to them were born two children: Walter H., a resident of Boston; and Mattie S., the wife of Walter T. John- son, living in Newark, New Jersey. The wife and mother passed away in March, 1880, after a long illness. On the 21st of December, 1881, Mr. Snow was again married, his second union being with Sara S. Thompson. They now have one child, Florence H., who is general secretary for the Smith College Alumni Association, at Northampton, Massachusetts, of which institution she is a grad- uate.
Mr. Snow served as assessor of Franklin for some time and has ever been interested in the matter of making Franklin an ideal municipality, cooperating heartily in many well defined plans and movements for the general good. His religious faith is that of the Christian Science church and his political belief that of the re- publican party. He owns twenty-seven acres of valuable land on Park road, in the midst of which he has erected an attractive resi- dence, and here he is spending the evening of his days, his being "the blest accompaniments of age-honor, riches, troops of friends."
WALTER L. SARGENT, M. D.
Dr. Walter L. Sargent, a member of the surgical staff of the city hospital at Quincy and actively engaged in the general practice of medicine in the city since January, 1905, was born in Concord, New Hampshire, August 27, 1877, and is a son of Walter C. and Charlotte (Calderwood) Sargent, the former a native of Quincy,
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Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Maine. The paternal grandfather, Ezekiel Sargent, was proprietor of a stone quarry in Quincy at an early day and his son, Walter C. Sargent, engaged in the granite business there. The latter afterward removed to Con- cord, New Hampshire, where he continued in the same line, and still later became a resident of Munson, Massachusetts, where he passed away in 1890. His widow yet survives and is now living in Quincy.
Walter L. Sargent, in the acquirement of his education, attended the public schools of Concord, New Hampshire, of Montpelier, Vermont, of Munson and of Quincy, Massachusetts, and later was graduated from Adams Academy with the class of 1895. He then entered Williams College, in which he completed his course as a member of the class of 1899, and in preparation for a professional career he matriculated in the medical school of Harvard Univer- sity and won his degree in 1903. He afterward spent two years in the Boston City Hospital, gaining that broad and valuable experi- ence which only hospital practice can give. In January, 1905, he opened his office in Quincy, where he has since remained, concen- trating his efforts and attention upon the general practice of medi- cine and surgery. His pronounced ability has brought him suc- cess in large measure and in addition to caring for an extensive private practice he is also serving on the surgical staff of the City Hospital. His professional standards are high and he puts forth every effort that will raise him to the level thereof. He belongs to the Norfolk South District Medical Association, to the Massachusetts Medical Association and to the American Medical Association and through the proceedings of those bodies, as well as by private study and reading, he keeps abreast with the advanced professional thought of the day.
In 1908 Dr. Sargent was united in marriage to Miss Clara Ade- laide Pease, of Lee, Massachusetts, a daughter of Moses H. and Adelaide M. Pease. They now have two children, Morgan and Eliot, aged respectively seven and six years.
Dr. Sargent is a well known representative of Masonry, holding membership in Rural Lodge, F. & A. M .; St. Stephen's Chapter, R. A. M .; and Boston Council, R. & S. M. Dr. Sargent belongs to the First Parish Club and in these associations are found the rules which govern his conduct and guide him in the various relations of life. Something of the nature of his recreation is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Wollaston Golf Club. His political alle- giance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is in-
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dicated by his membership in the Congregational church. A pro- gressive man, his spirit of enterprise has to do with public interests and duties as well as professional activity.
GEORGE W. ABELE.
George W. Abele, of Quincy, actively engaged in the practice of law as an associate in the firm of French, Abele & Allen, of Boston, his native city, was born on the 22d of February, 1875, a son of Francis I. and Anna Matilda (Gerber) Abele, the former a native of Boston, while the latter was born in Ohio. Francis I. Abele was a son of Francis I. Abele, Sr., who became a resident of Boston in early life. He soon took up the business of a machinist and is now residing in Quincy at the age of eighty years.
George W. Abele pursued his education in the public schools of Boston and attended the Roxbury Latin school, while later he pursued his classical course at Harvard, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1897. He then matriculated in the law department and was graduated in 1900 with the LL. B. degree. He has since practiced in Boston, where he was first associated with William W. Jenness, taking over his practice on the death of Mr. Jenness in 1905. He is now associated in his law work with Asa P. French and the firm occupies a prominent position in the ranks of pro- fessional circles in Boston. Mr. Abele also maintains an office in Quincy and his practice is very extensive and of a most important character.
In 1910 Mr. Abele was united in marriage to Miss Lora M. Hunt, of Quincy, and in the social circles of the city they occupy a position of leadership. Mr. Abele belongs to Rural Lodge, F. & A. M., and has also taken the degrees of the chapter and the Knight Templar Commandery. He is a member of the Boston City Club, of the Neighborhood Club of Quincy, and he attends the Unitarian church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he served for three years as a member of the city council of Quincy, while for two years he was a member of the city planning board. He is now a trustee of the Thomas Crane public library and acted as chairman of that board for two years. His endorsement of any measure ensures to it a strong following, for it is a recognized fact that his aid and influence are always given on the side of prog- ress and improvement. Along strictly professional lines he is iden-
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tified with the Quincy Bar Association, the Norfolk County, the Massachusetts State and the American Bar Associations and col- leagues and contemporaries attest the fact that he is an able and con- scientious minister in the temple of justice.
LEWIS E. GRAY.
Lewis E. Gray is one of the honored and venerable citizens of Foxboro, where he is occupying the position of president of the Foxboro Savings Bank but is not active in its management and con- trol. He has passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Easton, Massachusetts, on the 20th of Jan- uary, 1842, his parents being Lewis and Louisa (Packard) Gray. The father was a native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, while the mother was born in Easton. Lewis Gray, Sr., early learned and followed the harness maker's trade and after leaving Cambridge re- moved to Easton, where he resided until 1849, when he became a resident of Foxboro, Norfolk county, and there engaged in the har- ness making business throughout the remainder of his active life. He continued a resident of Foxboro until called to his final rest in May, 1877, and his widow also remained there until she, too, passed to the home beyond in April, 1890.
Lewis E. Gray was reared and educated in Foxboro and began work in a paper box factory, being connected with that line of busi- ness continuously for twenty-nine years. He then engaged in the conduct of a book store and news business, remaining active in that field of commerce for a similar period. He was associated in the undertaking with his son and at length retired but has continued to make his home in Foxboro. In the meantime he had become one of the investors in the Foxboro Savings Bank and is now its president, with his son Harry as the treasurer. Mr. Gray is not active in the management of the bank, for he prefers to live retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly merits.
In July, 1865, Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Curtis a daughter of Ephraim and Melinda (Wood) Curtis, the former a native of Stoughton, Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Middleboro. Mr. Curtis was a farmer by occupation and devoted the greater part of his life to general agricultural pursuits at Stoughton. He died about 1860 and was long survived by his widow, who passed away in September, 1887. To Mr. and Mrs.
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Gray have been born two children : Harrie F., who is now treasurer of the Foxboro Savings Bank; and Hattie C., the twin of Harrie and the wife of Franklin A. Pettie, who is tax collector of Foxboro.
The religious faith of Mr. Gray is that of the Congregational church and its teachings have been the guiding element in his life. His political endorsement has been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has always been a stalwart champion of its principles and has done everything in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He served for ten years in the office of town clerk, while for four years he was assessor. He has always loyally stood for those interests which he has believed to be for the benefit and upbuilding of his community and has been actuated in all that he has done by a public- spirited devotion to the general good. His life has been honorable in its purposes, worthy in its motives and, holding friendship invi- olable, he has retained the warm regard and high respect of all who have known him.
WALTER WATSON CHAMBERS.
Walter Watson Chambers, member of the bar and now filling the office of register of deeds at Dedham, was born in Boston in 1876 and comes of a family of English lineage, his paternal grandfather spending his entire life in England. His father, Henry James Chambers, was born in Kent, England, in 1842 and remained a resi- dent of that country until he reached the age of thirty years, when in 1872 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He then established his home in Boston, where he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hole. In the year 1880 they removed to Dedham, where Mr. Chambers passed away in 1907. His widow survives and is yet a resident of Dedham.
Walter W. Chambers was but four years of age at the time the family home was established in Dedham, so that his early educational privileges were those afforded by the public schools of the city in which he still resides. In early manhood, after carefully reviewing the broad field of business with its almost limitless avenues of oppor- tunity, he determined upon the practice of law as a life work and completed a course in North Eastern College with the class of 1905. The following year he was admitted to the bar in Boston and has since engaged in the practice of his profession in Dedham, winning
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a good clientage that has identified him with much important liti- gation heard in the courts of his district.
On the 15th of September, 1909, Mr. Chambers was united in marriage in Amherst, Massachusetts, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of the late William E. Smith, and they have become the parents of two sons, John Walter and William Henry.
Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are active and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a member of the Norfolk County Republican Club. For twenty-three years he has been connected with the office of register of deeds and was appointed assistant in November, 1916. In June, 1917, he was appointed to the position of register of deeds of Norfolk county and was elected to that position in November, 1917,. his preliminary service having proven his fitness for the position and his loyalty to the trust reposed in him. He is making a credit- able record in this position by his promptness and his systematic discharge of the duties that devolve upon him and he is firmly established in public regard as one of the representative and valued residents of Dedham and of the county.
JAMES O. CHILSON.
James O. Chilson is one of the valued and respected citizens of Franklin, now living retired in the city in which for many years he was an active business man. He was born in South Bellingham, March 28, 1837, and has therefore passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. The family name appears to be another spelling of the ancient English Chilton, the second syllable of which means town, and a number of towns and parishes in England still bear the name. The coat of arms of the Chilton family of Wye, in County Kent, and of Cadiz, Spain, is: Argent, a chevron gules with a bordure gobonated or and azure. Crest: A griffon passant sable bezantee. Walsingham Chilson, the immigrant ancestor of all of this sur- name in Norfolk county, came doubtless from Kent, England, and settled at Marblehead before 1647. The records show that he was witness in a case in court in 1647 and that he owned a swamp lot in 1649. He and his wife, Mary, sold land in Marblehead to Francis Johnson, July 13, 1655. John Chilson, their only known child,
MR. AND MRS. JAMES O. CHILSON On their fiftieth wedding anniversary.
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