USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 14
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Mr. Lane was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Bonney on
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the 23d of October, 1873, a daughter of Hiram and Johanna (Grover) Bonney, who became early residents of Norfolk county, where the father engaged in business as a straw worker throughout his entire life. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have become the parents of three children : Harry A., who is chief engineer with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, with headquarters in the city of Balti- more, Maryland; Clifford W., who is superintendent of the wood treating plant for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad; and Mildred, the deceased wife of S. Sibthorpe, of London. She was the mother of four children, three daughters and a son.
In religious belief Mr. Lane is a Universalist and politically he is a republican. In 1908 and 1909 he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature and served throughout those ses- sions. He has also been a member of the Grange and of the Knights of Honor and he likewise has membership in the Norfolk Club. He is the president of the Cemetery Association and he is interested in all those forces which work for the upbuilding and development of the community in which he resides. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being past grand of his lodge, and he is a past master of the Masonic lodge and a past high priest of the chapter, loyally adhering to the teachings of the craft.
HENRY T. RICHARDSON.
Henry T. Richardson, attorney at law and the president of the Norfolk County Bar Association, makes his home in Brookline but practices at the Boston bar. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, De- cember 20, 1871, and is a son of Joseph H. Richardson, who was a native of Medway, Massachusetts, and descendant of one of the old families of this state, of English origin. The founder of the American branch of the family was John Richardson, a son of Joseph Lovell Richardson. The family was established in America in the early part of the seventeenth century and representatives of the name have since figured prominently in connection with many events which have left their impress upon the history of the state. Joseph H. Richardson, the father of Henry T. Richardson, was a Civil war veteran, having served for four years in the Union army as a member of the Sixteenth Massachusetts Infantry with the rank of corporal. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and was
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wounded on four occasions, one of these being in the battle of Gettys- burg. After the war he removed westward to Chicago, where he engaged in the restaurant business, but his establishment was de- stroyed during the great fire of October, 1871, after which he re- turned to the east and took up his abode in Medway, Massachusetts. Later he removed to Brookline, where he resided for a number of years, but passed away at Danvers, his death there occurring in De- cember, 1912, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. He married Annie Eliza Tucker, a native of St. Joseph, Missouri, and a daughter of the Rev. Joshua T. Tucker, a Congregational clergy- man, who was descended from an old Massachusetts family living at Holliston. Mrs. Richardson passed away in Medway, Massa- chusetts, in 1882, at the age of thirty-seven years. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children, but two of the number are now deceased.
Henry T. Richardson, the only surviving member of the family pursued his education in the public schools of Medway and after graduating from the high school he started out to provide for his own support when a youth of eighteen years. He turned his attention to newspaper work, becoming a reporter on the Milford Gazette and also representing in a repertorial capacity the Malden News and the Boston Globe. While thus engaged he devoted every leisure mo- ment to the study of law and in January, 1893, was admitted to the bar, after which he entered upon the active practice of his profession in Boston, where he has since remained, giving his time, thought and energy to the important duties which have devolved upon him in connection with the general practice of law. He has made a steady progress in his chosen calling and his high standing is indicated in the fact that he is now the president of the Norfolk County Bar Asso- ciation. He also belongs to the Massachusetts State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In addition to practicing in the state courts he practices also in the United States circuit and district courts. Aside from his professional interests he is a director and clerk of the Manhattan Market Company of Cambridge and a director and clerk of the Edward T. Russell Company, Inc., of Boston.
On the 7th of September, 1893, in Boston, Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Myra Dickinson, a native of that city and the adopted daughter of the Rev. Charles A. and Esther G. (Goodrich) Dickinson. They have become parents of five children : Esther A., who was born in Boston, October 20, 1894; Philip and Donald, twins, born in Brookline, April 20, 1900; Ruth, born in
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Brookline December 30, 1905; and Barbara, born in Brookline, July 4, 1912.
In his political views Mr. Richardson has always been a republi- can, giving stanch support to the party, yet has never been an aspirant for office. He is interested in many projects having to do with the public welfare and stands stanchly for those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He is a member of the Mercantile Library Association of Boston, of which at one time he served as president, and for many years was one of its trustees. He is also a member of the Boston Congregational Club, which has hon- ored him with its presidency, and of the Boston City Club. He has membership in the Harvard Congregational church of Brookline and in the Brookline Historical Society, in the work of which he takes a most active and helpful interest. He is equally efficient in his work in behalf of civic interests and he attacks with enthusiasm every public interest with which he becomes connected. His worth as a citizen is widely acknowledged and his ability has made for leadership in public thought and action. His endorsement of any measure is sure to secure for it a large following and his support of any public project is given as the result of careful consideration of the questions and a firm belief of the value of the cause.
HENRY W. WINSHIP.
Henry W. Winship, who is engaged in the drug business at Stoughton, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, October 27, 1882, a son of Charles V. and Alice E. (Ward) Winship. The father is a native of Sharon but the mother's birth occurred in Stoughton. Charles V. Winship devoted many years of his life to shoe manufac- turing and in early manhood became a resident of Stoughton, where he has since made his home but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in a well earned rest.
Henry W. Winship was but two years of age when the family home was established in Stoughton and when a lad of six years he became a pupil in the public schools, mastering the work of successive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1900. He soon afterward made his initial step in the business world and in fact had been employed in a drug store before his graduation. After his textbooks were put aside he continued in active connec- tion with the drug trade and for two years he was a student in a col-
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lege of pharmacy in Boston. In 1905 he took the required examina- tion whereby he became a registered pharmacist. For several years he was in the employ of Dr. Swan, of Stoughton, and for a time con- ducted the drug store owned by the Doctor. In 1906 he bought the business, which he has since conducted. He had had experience as a drug clerk in different stores while a college student in Boston, and his preliminary training had well qualified him for the duties which now devolve upon him. He carries an extensive stock of drugs and druggists' sundries and his store presents a neat and attrac- tive appearance by reason of its careful arrangement. A liberal patronage is enjoyed by Mr. Winship, who now ranks with the lead- ing and representative merchants of the city.
On the 27th of October, 1904, Mr. Winship was joined in wedlock to Miss Catherine R. Wales, and they have become the parents of two children: Henry W., who was born January 10, 1907; and Evelyn, born in July, 1915.
Mr. and Mrs. Winship are members of the Universalist church and he is identified with several fraternal organizations, including the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the New England Order of Protec- tion and the Owls. In the Masonic fraternity he has taken the degrees of lodge and chapter. He is also a member of the Chicatawbut Club. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship but does not care for public office, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his busi- ness affairs. He formerly conducted drug stores in Norwood and Mansfield, Massachusetts, before his father retired and still has an interest in those establishments but concentrates his efforts and atten- tion largely upon his store in Stoughton and in this connection is con- trolling a business enterprise of large and gratifying proportions.
FRANK A. SHINER.
Manufacturing interests of Norfolk county find a worthy repre- sentative in Frank A. Shiner, who is devoting his attention to the manufacture of box toes for shoes, in which connection he has built up a business of substantial proportions. He was born in Wrentham, Norfolk county, in December, 1857, a son of Alexander and Elmira (Burnor) Shiner, the former a native of Canada, while the latter was born in Vermont. The father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and in 1849 he became a resident of Norfolk county, Mas-
FRANK A. SHINER
PUBLIC LIBRARY
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sachusetts, where for a time he was employed as a farm hand; but. carefully saving his earnings, his industry and economical expendi- ture at length brought him the capital that enabled him to purchase land, after which he operated a farm of his own for a number of years. In 1861 he responded to the call of his adopted country for aid and joined the Union army as a member of Company I, Eight- eenth Massachusetts Infantry, with which he served until he sus- tained a wound in the second battle of Bull Run. He had previously taken part in a number of hotly contested engagements and in this one he fell before the enemy's bullets, his wound causing him the loss of one of his arms. He afterward returned to Wrentham, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1898, while his wife passed away in 1877.
Frank A. Shiner, spending his youthful days under the parenta' roof, obtained his education in the public schools of Wrentham and when his textbooks were put aside secured employment in a felt mill, where he remained for seven years. He afterward worked in a straw hat manufactory for twenty-two years, his long retention in the service of one company indicating most clearly his capability, his fidelity and his trustworthiness. He then began hat manufacturing on his own account, but three months after establishing his business, his factory was destroyed by fire. He then turned his attention to soap manufacturing and chemical business in Franklin and after operating along that line for one year sold his interest. He next engaged in his present line of business, organizing the Ray-Shiner Manufacturing Company for the manufacture of box toes. They have conducted the business continuously since July 1, 1908, and their patronage has steadily grown until their trade is now very substantial and gratifying.
In June, 1883, Mr. Shiner was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Briggs, a daughter of Richard A. and Annie (Joslin) Briggs, who were natives of Rhode Island and in early life became resi- dents of Norfolk county, Massachusetts. The father worked in the mills for many years and both he and his wife have passed away, Mrs. Briggs being called to her final rest in January, 1917. Mrs. Shiner departed this life in November, 1916, after a year's illness.
Fraternally Mr. Shiner is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Elks and in his life exemplifies the spirit upon which these organizations are founded. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Universalist church. His has been an active, useful, upright and honorable life and the steps in his orderly progression are easily
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discernible. Actuated by a laudable ambition, he has worked his way steadily upward and today is closely and prominently con- nected with manufacturing interests at Franklin.
ALFRED L. SOULE.
Alfred L. Soule is a prominent representative of commercial activity in Stoughton, where he is engaged in the wholesale paper trade. He is a native son of the city in which he makes his home and here he has spent his entire life. He was born in November, 1880, of the marriage of John and Manatta (Cobbett) Soule, the former a native of Mansfield, Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Easton, Massachusetts. Mr. Soule was for many years engaged in clerking and later turned his attention to the manufacture of paper boxes, in which business he continued for a number of years. He located in Stoughton at a very early period in its development and in fact was reared and educated in the town, where he still resides. His wife passed away in June, 1898.
After acquiring a public school education Alfred L. Soule started upon his business career as an employe in the factory of the J. G. Phinney Counter Company, with which he remained for three years. He afterward occupied the position of shipper with the Stoughton Rubber Company for one year and later engaged in clerking for ten years but throughout the entire period was actuated by the laud- able ambition of some day engaging in business on his own account. With that end in view he carefully saved his earnings and on the Ist of January, 1916, opened the wholesale paper house of which he is now the head. In the interim he has built up a business of gratifying proportions and is now enjoying a large and growing patronage, his trade coming from all the surrounding towns and also from various points in New Hampshire. Thoroughly reliable in his business methods and progressive in all that he does, he has gained a liberal patronage and his patrons are ever willing to speak a good word for him, recognizing in him a wide-awake, alert and enterprising business man and one of unquestionable reliability.
In October, 1902, Mr. Soule was united in marriage to Miss Grace M. Cutting, a daughter of Burton and Annie (Crofts) Cut- ting. The former was born in Berlin, Massachusetts, and the mother's birth occurred in Watertown, this state. Mr. Cutting was an expressman of Boston for twenty-five years and on the expiration
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of that period removed to Stoughton in 1898. Since that time he has been connected with the grain trade in Stoughton and he has now reached the age of seventy.
Mr. Soule and his wife are members of the Universalist church and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge, being the youngest past grand of the organization. He is also a member of Perseverance Lodge, No. 97, of the Order of Rebekah. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. He closely studies the vital questions and issues of the day and his posi- tion upon any important question is never an equivocal one. Mr. Soule deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way. Starting out in life without financial assistance from anyone, he has made for himself a creditable place in commercial circles through the strength of his character, through his determined purpose and is creditable ambition. His advancement proves what can be accomplished through individual effort and his record also indicates the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
LESLIE S. WIGGIN.
Leslie S. Wiggin, embalmer and undertaker and one of the repre- sentative citizens of Norfolk county, making his home in Franklin, was born in Medway, Norfolk county, August 28, 1883, and is a son of George A. and Alma M. (Farrington) Wiggin. The mother is also a native of Medway and is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Norfolk county. The father was born in Franklin. In early life the parents attended school in Norfolk county and, having arrived at years of maturity, were here married. They began their domestic life in the county, where they have since re- mained. In early manhood the father engaged in the manufacture of shoes and later he entered the straw working business, which he still follows. He and his wife now make their home in Medfield, and they have an extensive circle of warm friends in this locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Wiggin were born eight children, five of whom are vet living : George Farrington, a resident of Medway; Kenneth, of Medfield; Mrs. Grace Crown, also living in Medfield ; Esther, whose home is in Medfield; and Leslie S., who was the second in order of birth.
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In his youthful days Leslie S. Wiggin attended the public schools of Medway and afterward learned the shoe manufacturing business through practical experience, being employed along those lines for a time. Eventually he gave up work of that character to enter upon the furniture trade. He continued to work for others in the furniture and undertaking business from 1901 until 1912, when he bought out the undertaking business of his uncle, Alfred Farrington, at Franklin and has since carried on the business successfully. His patronage has steadily grown and he is today the leading undertaker of his part of Norfolk county. He has splendid equipment, including an up- to-date auto funeral car and several fine motor cars used in con- nection with the conduct of funerals.
Fraternally Mr. Wiggin is connected with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and also with the Masonic fraternity. While still a young man, he has made notable success and has won his ad- vancement through his persistency of purpose and straightforward dealings. He stands high in business circles and he has the social qualities which have made for personal popularity among those with whom he has been brought in contact.
M. J. ZINNER.
The rubber manufacturing interests of the country are largely concentrated in New England and active in this field of labor is M. J. Zinner, who is now the manager of the raincoat department of the Stoughton Rubber Company, which is a branch of the United States Rubber Company. He is thoroughly familiar with his line of trade and is thus well qualified for the important responsibilities that de- volve upon him in this connection. He was born in Dresden, Ger- many, August 24, 1869, and is a son of Joseph H. and Eleanor (Weiss) Zinner, who were also natives of Germany. The father was a practicing physician of that country and served as an army surgeon in 1866 and 1872. He also occupied the position of coroner there for sixteen years. His death occurred in 1899, while his wife passed away in 1904.
M. J. Zinner remained a resident of his native land through the greater part of his minority and pursued his education largely in the schools of Dresden. In 1885, when sixteen years of age, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and landed at New York, where he remained for a short time. He afterward went to Chicago, where
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he continued for a brief period and then resumed his westward journey with Omaha, Nebraska, as his destination. Later he re- turned eastward to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked at his trade of designing in connection with the tailoring business and also did the practical work of tailoring in these different cities. He was em- ployed in Cleveland for two years, after which he returned to New York and entered a designing academy. Later he again went to Cleveland, where he took a position as designer in a merchant tail- oring establishment, being there employed until 1891, when he be came connected with the Mechanical Rubber Company of Cleve- land, a branch of the United States Rubber Company. About 1900 he was transferred to Stoughton, Norfolk county, where he has since been located, and was made manager of the raincoat department at this place. His long experience in connection with the rubber trade has well qualified him for the duties that devolve upon him in this connection and he is a valued representative of the company by reason of his skill and efficiency.
On the 25th of January, 1898, Mr. Zinner was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Metzel and to them have been born three children : May Joyce, who is the wife of S. T. R. Wienrt, and they reside with her father; Gertrude, the wife of Ernest J. Hodges, living in Boston; and Joseph H., who is attending school.
Mr. Zinner is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Foresters. He likewise is a valued and prominent member of the Chicatawbut Club, of which he is the secretary, and in politics he is a stalwart republican. He is interested in all public and community affairs and has served on the food production and conservation committee of Stoughton and on the Red Cross committee. He cooperates heartily in all move- ments which are looking to the advancement of the interests of the government in connection with the prosecution of the war and his public-spirited devotion to American interests is a matter well known to all with whom he has come in contact.
GEORGE R. ELLIS.
George R. Ellis, attorney at law of Foxboro and prominent in the affairs of his community, doing much to shape public thought and action, was born in the city of Boston, July 29, 1876, a son of Judson and Elizabeth (Smith) Ellis, the former a native of Nova Scotia,
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while the latter was born on Prince Edward Island. In early life Judson Ellis took up his abode in Boston, where he worked at the cabinet maker's trade until 1884. He then removed to Foxboro, Norfolk county, and purchased a little farm which he continued to cultivate and improve and at the same time carried on carpenter- ing up to the time of his death, which occurred July 5, 1894. His wife survived him for about seventeen years, being called to her final rest on the 20th of June, 1911.
George R. Ellis spent his youthful days in his parents' home and enjoyed the educational training offered by the public schools of Boston and of Foxboro. He attended the Quaker Hill school and the high school of Foxboro and was thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. He afterward started upon his business career as an employe of the New Haven Railroad Company in 1893, accepting a position as clerk and telegraph operator. He continued with that road in various capacities for twenty-one years. He then left the employe of the railroad company on the 4th of February, 1914. In the meantime laudable ambition had prompted him to prepare for activity along other lines. He had pursued an evening course of study in the Young Men's Christian Association Law School, beginning in 1908 and completing the course by graduation in 1912. He was admitted to the bar on the 21st of February, 1913, and then opened an office in Foxboro. The following year he was elected to the positions of town treasurer and town clerk and has since served in the dual capacity, making a most creditable record by his prompt and faithful service in both connections. He has also acted as clerk and treasurer of the lighting district of Foxboro since March, 1910, and he filled the position of assessor in 1907. Over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, for he has been most diligent, systematic and efficient in the discharge of all the duties that have come to him. He remains active in the practice of law and he is also the president of the Foxboro Realty Company. He is clerk and a member of the board of trustees of the Foxboro Savings bank and also clerk of the Savings Bank Corporation.
On the 26th of October, 1898, Mr. Ellis was married to Ada S. Hayes, a daughter of Hiram and Harriett (Rose) Hayes, the former a native of Granby, Connecticut, while the latter was born in Water- bury, Connecticut. Her father devoted his life to the occupation of farming in his native state but is now living retired. The mother passed away in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have become parents of a son and a daughter : Arthur H., who was born April 25, 1906; and
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