History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2, Part 12

Author: Cook, Louis A. (Louis Atwood), 1847-1918, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York; Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 340


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 12


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.


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was born probably in England or possibly in Marblehead or at Lynn, Massachusetts. He married Sarah, daughter of Joseph Jenks, and resided at Lynn. Their children were as follows: John, who married Elizabeth Jenks; Walsingham; Joseph; Sarah, who married February 2, 1693-4; and William, who wedded Jane Rhodes.


.Of this family Walsingham Chilson (II) was born in 1681 and died at Bellingham, Massachusetts, January 15, 1760. About 1738 he settled at South Bellingham and lived in the vicinity of Scott or Chilson Hill. He was a housewright and a farmer and his home- stead is now owned by a lineal descendant, James A. Chilson. Be- fore his death he deeded to his son Joseph all his property, including about four hundred acres of land near Hoag Lake. He was a tythingman in 1742 and in 1744 was on the school committee. The same year he was employed by the town to repair the meeting house and in 1738 he with others appeared in court to protest against the interference by the town in church affairs. He was married October 20, 1709, to Susanne Edmunds, at Lynn. Their children were: Joseph; Dorcas, who died November 18, 1743; John, who died Octo- ber 7, 1741 ; Mary, who died July 14, 1736; Sarah, who died July 19, 1747; and Susanne, who was married May 9, 1744, to Jonathan Bos- worth.


Joseph Chilson, son of Walsingham Chilson (II), was born at Lynn and died at Bellingham, February 8, 1778. He removed with his parents to South Bellingham and conducted a blacksmith shop on the road from Bellingham to Woonsocket. It was customary for the town to post the town warrants on the front of his shop, as it was a much frequented place. He was employed by the town to enlarge the pound. He served as town clerk from 1745 to 1764. His name, as well as his father's, often appears on the records of the town. He was married November 23, 1744, to Mercy Shuttleworth, who was born at Wrentham, February 8, 1716, and died August 8, 1747. On the 15th of November, 1747, he married Lydia Pratt, who died March 29, 1789. He had one child of his first marriage, Martha, born April 13, 1746. The children of his second marriage were: Joseph. born July 17, 1751; John, born February 3, 1754; Joshua, born July 8, 1756; Jedediah, born April 18, 1758; and Mary, born June 23, 1761.


John Chilson (II), son of Joseph Chilson, was born at South Bellingham, February 3, 1754, and died there December 5, 1830. He was brought up on his father's farm and attended the common schools. He was a prosperous farmer, keeping forty head of cattle. At one time he engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods in the old Vol. II-8


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stone mill near his house. In the early part of 1800 this mill was burned and later a sawmill was erected near Hoag Lake but was destroyed in 1816 and replaced by a new mill, which was only re- cently demolished. He served in the Revolution in Captain Jesse Holbrook's company, which marched on the Lexington alarm April 19, 1775; also in Captain Amos Ellis' company, Major Seth Bul- lard's regiment (Fourth Suffolk) in 1780 and marched to Tiverton, Rhode Island, on the alarm in 1780. He was also in Captain Hol- brook's company, Colonel Wheelock's regiment, in 1776, in Warwick, Rhode Island. His death was caused by a fall backward over a pair of bars, breaking his neck, and he was laid to rest in the old cemetery at South Bellingham. He was very kind-hearted and generous, giving largely to all worthy public enterprises and private needs. He was one of ten who contributed the necessary funds to complete the town house March 15, 1800. On the 3d of January, 1782, he married Mrs. Abigail Draper, who was born in 1756 and died June 29, 1834. Anna Chilson, the eldest of their children, was born Oc- tober 3, 1783, and was married February 12, 1804, to Colonel Joseph Rockwood and they had nine children, namely: Lucena Rockwood, born October 18, 1806; Preston, born August 2, 1808; Artman, born December 23, 1810; Susan, May 15, 1813; Maria, October 13, 1815; Joseph Munroe, July 1, 1818; John, January 25, 1821 ; Emily, June 2, 1823 ; and Abbie, born May 30, 1826. Ichabod Chilson, the second child of John Chilson, was born August 29, 1785, and was married in 1808, to Deborah Holbrook. They had four children: Sullivan; Jonathan, born January 30, 1810; Draper, March 29, 1811, and died October 29, 1815; and Caleb Adams, who was born January 2, 1813, and died November 9, 1816. John Chilson, the third mem- ber of the family of John Chilson (II), was born January 2, 1788, and died February 12, 1789. John, the fourth member of the fam- ily, was born October 25, 1790, and died March 14, 1841. He was married November 29, 1823, to Elmira Cook and they had two chil- dren : John Draper, born October 29, 1824; and Lucius Addison, born May 31, 1830. Nabby, the fifth member of the family of John Chilson (II), was born June 27, 1793, and was married December 8. 1816, to Captain Amos Hill. Martin, born April 25, 1797, was married January 3 1819, to Lavina Scott. Orrin was the youngest member of the family.


Orrin Chilson was born in South Bellingham, July 26, 1799, and there passed away September 6, 1863. He attended the district school and worked with his father on the farm. At the latter's death in 1830 he assumed the management of the farm and became


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a progressive and successful agriculturist. He also slaughtered beef for the local market. In politics he was a whig and in religious faith a Baptist. His ideals were high and his conduct above reproach. By reading and observation he kept well informed and was a liberal minded man. His home was noted for its hospitality. At Franklin, in 1825, he married Diadema Cook, who was born May 5, 1808, a daughter of Reuben and Nancy (Whipple) Cook, who were of English descent, and the former was a son of Silas Cook. The fam- ily lived originally at Pelham, Massachusetts. The parents of Mrs. Orrin Chilson made their home at Bellingham, where Mr. Cook followed the occupation of farming, and later Reuben Cook lived for many years upon a farm near the village of Franklin. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Chilson were ten children. Martha Whipple, who was born March 20, 1826, and died in 1854, was married on the 11th of November, 1846, to William E. Hubbard, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and had one son, Edward Living- stone Hubbard, who was born February 22, 1849. Reuben, the sec- ond member of the family, was born October 13, 1828, and was married February 3, 1853, to Hannah J. Cook, of South Bellingham. He served as postmaster and was also a merchant of Bellingham and later became a farmer of East Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where he passed away. He had a son, Irving Elwood, who was born Jan- uary 29, 1854, and who married Carmilla Carroll and had one child, Homer Lyon, while the other children of his family were: Carrian Thurber, who was born June 14, 1856, and died January 29, 1890; Worthy Cook, who was born July 28, 1858, and died April 30, 1875; Ann May, who was born April 2, 1861, and died February 20, 1863; Bernard Burnside, who was born June 6, 1864, and married Alida Blanchard, their daughter, Mildred Beatrice, being born December 21, 1896; Etta Frances, who was born in 1866, and was married June 12, 1888, to Robert Lee Hawkins, their children being Ida Louise Hawkins, who was born April 11, 1889, and died August 27, 1905, and Florence Ida Hawkins, born June 27, 1906; Wilmar Grant, who was born January 3. 1869, and died September, 1872; Bertha Avis, who was born June 8, 1872, and died July 15, 1872; Luther George, who was born September 24, 1873, and died in 1874; Mattie Jane, who was born February 20, 1875, and died on the 30th of April of that year.


Orrin Chilson, the third member of the family of Orrin Chilson, Sr., was born October 6, 1830, and engaged in the butchering busi- ness at South Bellingham until his death, which occurred September 18, 1901. On the 27th of September, 1858, he had married Almira


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Belinda Cook and their children were: Austin Burnside, who was born October 13, 1861, and was married October 1, 1890, to Carrie Louise Grant, by whom he had two children-Stanley Grant, born July 30, 1891, and Grace Louise, born December 27, 1897; and Minnie Bell, born August 24, 1865.


Diadama Cook, the fourth member of the family of Orrin Chil- son, Sr., was born October 28, 1832, and died in March, 1880. She was the wife of Frederick A. Sherburne, a farmer and straw worker of Bellingham.


Libbeus, the fifth member of the family, was born March I, 1835, and died in December, 1906. He was a boot maker of South Bellingham and he married Eliza J. Warring, of Hopkinton, by whom he had one child, Loring, and after the death of his first wife he married Louise Weldon and they had a daughter, Pearl, who be- came the wife of George Taylor and had a daughter, Lillian.


James Olney, whose name introduces this review, was the sixth member of the family.


Lewis M., born in 1842, died December 14, 1901. He was mar- ried December 6, 1865, to Frances M. Sherman, of South Belling- ham and their children were: Ida Lewis, born October 10, 1874, and married February 19, 1902, to Fred Orrell; Nettie Frances, born September 4, 1877; and Lester Sherman, born March 28, 1891.


Mary E., the eighth of the family, died in infancy in 1846.


Eliza Ellen, the ninth member of the family, was born May 29, IS48, and became the wife of Edwin Cook, of South Franklin, and now resides in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Their children are : Lloyd Milton Cook, born August 22, 1872, and married November 12, 1901, to Cora May Adams; Ethel Cook, born September 14, 1874; Maud Eliza, born July 9, 1880, and married October 28, 1904, to Rufus Daniels Billings, by whom she has one child, Almira Cook Billings, born March 5, 1906; and Cheney Edwin Cook, born December 14, 1882.


Mariana Chilson, the youngest member of the family of Orrin Chilson, Sr., was born February 7, 1850, and now resides in Woon- socket, Rhode Island.


James Olney Chilson, the immediate subject of this review, was born at South Bellingham, March 28, 1837, and attended the pub- lic schools in the home district until he reached the age of eighteen years, after which he continued to work for his father upon the farm until he attained the age of twenty. At that time he went to work for his brother Orrin, who was a butcher and cattle trader, and in that employ drove a provision cart in connection with the other work


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of the trade. After the death of his father, he and his brother Lewis conducted the home farm until 1866 and in that year he went to Franklin, where in company with Joseph W. Heaton, his brother-in- law, he bought out the meat market of the firm of Curtis & Marsh. This they conducted for four years, under the style of Heaton & Chilson, and in 1870 Mr. Chilson purchased his partner's interest and soon erected a building for the accommodation of his large and increasing trade. He also dressed cattle for the wholesale trade and was very successful. In 1891 he sold his business to Richardson & Emerson and retired from active business life save for the super- vision which he gives to his investments in real estate. He resides on Dean avenue in Franklin. He has built and sold several cot- tages and houses in Franklin and in fact has erected over twenty buildings in the vicinity, including four of the finest homes in Frank- lin, but has sold most of them.


On the 10th of May, 1864, Mr. Chilson was married to Miss Melansa Grant Metcalf Heaton, who was born at Franklin, Sep- tember 4, 1843, a daughter of Samuel and Tirzah (Carleton) Heaton, who were farming people of South Franklin until their death, when they were laid to rest in the cemetery at West Wrentham. Mrs. Chilson was the youngest of thirteen children, all of whom have passed away, George, Albert, Joseph W., Henry, Charles, Nellie and Melansa all having been laid to rest in the Franklin cemetery, while the others were buried at West Wrentham. The Heaton family is of English descent although the father of Mrs. Chilson was born in Massachusetts and the mother in Vermont. To Mr. and Mrs. Chilson were born the following named. Eva Mabel, born July 1, 1865, was married June 22, 1887, to Edward Bertham Sher- man, postmaster of Franklin, and their children are: Florence Sher- man, born August 4, 1889; Ralph Chester, July 26, 1891; Howard Allen, who was born April 12, 1893, and died July 29, 1905; Dean Carlton, who was born September 9, 1895; and Eva Maud Sherman, born December 12, 1896. Annie D'Ette, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Chilson, was born March 14, 1869, and died June 19, 1874. Florence Chester, born January 2, 1873, died on the 17th of June, 1874. James Carlton, the fourth member of the family, was born May 13, 1877, and was married June 21, 1904, to Emma Helen Gertrude Dalton and their children are: Carlton Leroy, born March 27, 1905; James Walter, born May 2, 1906; and Robert Olney, Jan- uary 2, 1908. Dean Leroy, the next member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. James O. Chilson, was born February 18, 1880, and was married July 27, 1904, to Edna Estelle Hursh. Their children are:


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Frances Hursh, born July 26, 1905, and died December 8, 1906; and Margaret Elizabeth, born August 23, 1908. Walter Olney, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. James O. Chilson, was born Sep- tember 9, 1888, and died October 20, 1888. The death of the wife and mother, Mrs. Melansa Chilson, occurred September 30, 1917, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for she had endeared herself to many friends in the community and in the church through her lovable disposition, her neighborly thought- fulness and her charming domesticity. She was a consistent mem- ber of the Universalist church and a helpful member of the Ladies' Social Circle. On the 24th of May, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Chilson had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, an occasion that was greatly enjoyed by the many friends who were in attendance. Mr. Chilson also belongs to the Universalist church, and his life has been guided by its teachings. For many years he gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and now maintains an independ- ent attitude in politics. He is a charter member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Franklin and for forty-nine years has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, at all times exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit upon which the organization is founded. He served on the board of assessors for ten years and has always stood for progress and improvement in public affairs.


His life has been crowned with substantial and honorable suc- cess. He built up a profitable business through indefatigable en- ergy and honorable dealing and is now enabled to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has remarkable activ- ity and command of his faculties for one of his years and this is un- doubtedly due in considerable measure to the fact that he has never used tobacco in any form. He is one of the most respected men of the community, an upright life having gained for him the con- fidence and goodwill of all who know him, and there is no one more worthy of mention among the representative residents of Norfolk county than James O. Chilson.


THOMAS STRETTON.


Honored and respected by all, Thomas Stretton occupies an envi- able position in the business and manufacturing circles of Stoughton, not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever fol-


THOMAS STRETTON


PUBLIC LIBRARY


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lowed. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in developing and enlarging this he has shown initiative and en- terprise and is today president and treasurer of the Charles Stretton & Son Company, controlling one of the most important manufac- turing interests of Stoughton.


Mr. Stretton was born in England, November 12, 1852, and is a son of Charles and Priscilla (Warren) Stretton, who were also natives of that country, where they resided until 1853, when they brought their family to the new world, establishing their home in Philadelphia, where they remained until 1866. They then removed to Canton, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, where the father was employed in the woolen mills until 1869. In that year he estab- lished a knit goods business on his own account and admitted his two sons, Thomas and John, to a partnership in the business, which was located at Canton. There they remained until 1891, when they removed the factory to Stoughton. At Canton they had made hand- knit goods but on locating in Stoughton they began the manufacture of underwear exclusively. It was at this time that the father retired from active connection with the business, which was then taken over by the two sons. The father continued to reside in Canton through- out his remaining days and there passed away in January, 1908, hav- ing for many years survived his wife, who had died in 1856.


Thomas Stretton was less than a year old when brought by his parents to the new world. He pursued his education in the schools of Philadelphia and of Canton and when but nine years of age began work in a factory. He has been identified with factory inter- ests for fifty-six years and for a long period was associated with his father and brother in the conduct of the business of which he is now the head. His brother passed away in 1907, leaving Thomas Stretton as the sole proprietor of the business, which, however, is conducted under the name of the Charles Stretton & Son Company. In January, 1909, the factory was destroyed by fire and in the same year he erected his present factory, which is a large and very modern building three stories in height. It is light, well ventilated and has every safeguard. With the building of the new factory the busi- ness was incorporated, at which time C. W. Jones became associ- ated with Mr. Stretton as assistant treasurer and manager of the new company. Their output includes one hundred and twenty-five dozen garments per day, mostly union suits. The company is represented upon the road by five traveling salesmen, who cover the entire country, selling to the large retail and department stores. Their business is constantly growing, a large force of workmen being con-


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tinually employed in the factory, and they also have a considerable number of hands in other towns who are making fancy hand-knit goods.


On the 2d of November, 1880, Mr. Stretton was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah F. Gay, a daughter of Ellis and Laura (Sinclair) Gay, who were natives of Canton, Massachusetts, and of Vermont respectively. The father was a fisherman and engaged in that busi- ness during the greater part of his life. His labors, however, were ended in death, January 21, 1903, and his wife passed away in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Stretton became the parents of three children : Charles E. and Dorothy, both of whom died in infancy; and Marion S., the wife of Paul A. Esten, a chemist in the employ of Mr. Stret- ton in Stoughton.


Mr. Stretton, aside from his manufacturing interests, is a direc- tor of the Stoughton Trust Company. He belongs to the Universalist church and he gives his political endorsement to the republican party but does not seek office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon other interests. He belongs to the Chicatawbut Club and fraternally is a prominent Ma- son, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He is widely known in this as well as in business con- nections and he ranks with the representative and honored residents of his city. Step by step he has advanced, never fearing to venture where favoring opportunity pointed out the way. In other words he has never manifested that hesitancy which so often blocks progress but has been alert to the chances of the hour and his activities have largely been of a character that have not only contributed to his individual success but have also promoted the prosperity of the community.


RALPH P. ROWE.


Ralph P. Rowe is an expert machinist, occupying the responsible 1 position of manager at the factory of the George E. Belcher Com- pany. He accomplishes with thoroughness everything that he under- takes and his diligence and determined spirit have been salient features in his business advancement. He was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, June 28, 1882, and his parents, Samuel and Henri- etta (Brackett) Rowe, were also natives of that city. The father


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was a carpenter by trade and was connected with building operations during much of his active life. He removed eventually to Sharon, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, where he is now living retired at the age of fifty-seven years, the activity of his former years supply- ing him with a competence that is sufficient to meet all of his needs. His wife passed away in 1912.


Ralph P. Rowe largely acquired his education in the Green- wood school at Hyde Park and also spent five years in study at Ports- mouth, New Hampshire. He afterward learned the machinist's trade, for which he had a natural predilection, and in the develop- ment of his native powers he has attained a skill that places him in the foremost ranks among the expert machinists of this section of the state. He served his apprenticeship with the American Tool & Machine Company of Hyde Park and his training was most thorough. On the 7th of May, 1906, he came to Stoughton and entered the employ of George E. Belcher in the machine shop. From that time on the business grew steadily and under the management of Mr. Rowe has become one of the largest enterprises of this kind in the country. They now concentrate largely upon the manufacture of gigs, gauges, fixtures and tools and the high standard of their output has insured for them a constantly increasing trade. They have ever regarded satisfied patrons as their best recommendation and there are none who have used their goods who are not willing to speak a favorable word for them. Mr. Rowe is thoroughly famil- iar with every phase of the business by reason of practical experience and he is a man of determined purpose in whose vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He accomplishes what he undertakes and does it by direct methods that neither seek nor require disguise. He thoroughly understands the scientific principles which underlie his work as well as the practical phases of the business and his knowledge and skill have constituted two of the moving forces in the success of the George E. Belcher Machine Company.


On the 6th of December, 1903, Mr. Rowe was married to Miss Grace S. Crocker, a daughter of William B. and Sarah (Sinclair) Crocker, the former a native of Kentville, Nova Scotia, while the latter was born in Scotland. It was about 1887 that they became resi- dents of Norfolk county, Massachusetts, establishing their home in Sharon. The father is a box maker by trade and for the past ten years has held the position of foreman of a box factory. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowe has been born one child, Natalie Osgood, whose birth occurred April 10, 19.1 1.


Prior to his removal to Stoughton, Mr. Rowe resided in Sharon,


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where he was employed by the government in the repairing of lighthouse appliances in connection with signal service work. At one time he was manager of the old Sharon ball team, which at that period enjoyed an enviable reputation. He has voted with the re- publican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is ever ready to extend a helping hand where aid is needed and he is a loyal exemplar of several fraternities. He has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand of his lodge. He likewise belongs to Rising Star Lodge, F. & A. M .; to Cyprus Commandery, No. 39, K. T., of Hyde Park; and to Apollo Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Boston. His friends, and they are legion, find him a congenial companion, for he is a man of kindly disposition. with a saving sense of humor, and yet possessing the ability which enables him to meet every responsibility that devolves upon him.


REV. JOHN B. HOLLAND.


Rev. John B. Holland, pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic church on Washington street in Weymouth, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, November 8, 1855, a son of John and Isabella (Murphy) Holland. His parents were natives of Ireland and when young people came to the new world. The father located for a time in Montreal, Canada, and when eighteen years of age crossed the border into the United States, making Boston his destination. He was a gas fitter by trade and he resided in Boston throughout his remaining days, passing away in July, 1907. His wife's death occurred in 1905.




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