USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 17
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attention to bookkeeping. Since February, 1912, he has been treas- urer of the Dedham Water Company and active in the management and successful control of the business. He has on various occasions been called to public office and his record is in harmony with that of his ancestors, who were always characterized by marked devotion to the general good. In 1900 Mr. Cobb became clerk of the board of sewer commissioners of Dedham and continued to fill that office until 1912. During the last three years of that period he was acting super- intendent. He was also collector of taxes for Dedham from 1903 until 1912 and he served as town clerk in the year 1912. In 1913 he was made a member of a committee of twenty-one, now called the warrant committee, and in March, 1914, he was elected moderator of the town of Dedham and at each annual election since that time has been again chosen for the office, the duties of which he has most efficiently and promptly performed. Aside from his business interests as treasurer of the Water Company he is auditor of the Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company and also of the Dedham Mutual Life Insurance Company.
On the 16th of November, 1907, in North Adams, Massachusetts, Mr. Cobb was married to Miss Gertrude E., daughter of Charles W. Billings, and they have become parents of a son, Jonathan Billings, born November 11, 1913. The religious faith of the family is that of the Unitarian church.
Fraternally Mr. Cobb is connected with Constellation Lodge, F. & A. M., and is a past district deputy grand master of the twenty- fifth district. He is also a past master of his lodge and is a most worthy exemplar of the craft, faithfully adhering to its tenets and its teachings. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, of which he has ever been a stalwart champion. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of genuine worth and one who is most devoted to the interests of his community.
WILLIAM FRANCIS KING.
William Francis King is an honored veteran of the Civil war and is actively identified with farming interests in Norfolk county, making his home at Acorn Place in Franklin. He was born in the township of Wrentham on the 5th of September, 1839, and is there- fore approaching the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey. His
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parents were David and Lucy (Maker) King. The father was a native of Paisley, Scotland, and was a son of John King, who was a weaver of that country, where he spent his entire life. David King remained a resident of the land of hills and heather until he reached the age of nineteen years. He came to the United States in 1819 and after a short time spent as a farm hand in New Hampshire removed to Massachusetts and a few years later took up his abode in the town of Wrentham, Norfolk county. He set up looms in eighteen mills in that section and was employed as superintendent of weav- ing in various mills until he reached the age of about forty-seven years, when he took up his abode upon his farm in Franklin and there resided until his death, which occurred September 30, 1865. The mother of William Francis King was born on Cape Cod. Her father was a sea captain and was of Scotch descent. Both of her parents lie buried at Brewster, where for many years they had made their home and where the family had lived through several genera- tions. Solomon Maker, the maternal grandfather of William Francis King, was a veteran of the War of 1812. He married Chloe Nick- erson, who was also of Scotch descent and who resided at Brewster, on Cape Cod. Their daughter Lucy became the wife of David King and her death occurred when their son, William Francis, was less than two years of age, her remains being interred in the family plot in City Mills cemetery. By her marriage she had become the mother of seven children: William, who died in infancy; Emeline S., now deceased, who was the wife of Charles Johnson and lived first at Natick, Rhode Island, while later their home was established in Hartford, Connecticut; Warren N., who was a mason by trade and lived at Franklin, at Medway and at Canton, Massachusetts ; John who had been overseer of a mill at Medway and at Stony Creek, Mas- sachusetts, and when he passed away was laid to rest at Medway; Margaret, who died in childhood; Chloe, who spent her entire life in Norfolk county; and William Francis, of this review.
When the last named was four years of age the father married again, his second union being with Lucy Fisher, a daughter of Daniel C. and Lurania Fisher, who were pioneer residents of Franklin. Her father was a cabinet maker and had been born upon the farm which is now owned by William F. King of this review. His father also bore the name of Daniel C. Fisher and had taken up his abode upon this farm, receiving the title from George III, king of England. When David King married Lucy Fisher the title to the farm property came to her and they resided upon the farm until they were called to the home beyond. To the father's second marriage
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there was born one child, Elizabeth, who died at the age of five years.
William Francis King pursued his education in the district schools of City Mills until he reached the age of fourteen years. after which he was employed upon the home farm by his father and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When eighteen years of age he assumed the management of his property, owing to his father's feeble health, and since the father's death he has come into possession of the place, which he now owns and which is cultivated under his direction.
In 1863 Mr. King responded to the country's call for troops, en- listing as a member of Company I of the Eighteenth Massachusetts Infantry, with which he saw active service at the front throughout the remainder of the war. He participated in the Battle of the Wilderness and in the engagements at Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Peebles Farm, Stone Creek, Hatcher's Run, Popple Springs and Appomattox, and when the war was brought to a successful termina- tion by the Union troops he was honorably discharged and returned to his home.
Mr. King had previously married. On the 2d of July, 1860, he wedded Laura Anna Lawrence, a daughter of Addison C. and Olive (Hill) Lawrence, who were natives of Wrentham. Mr. and Mrs. King became the parents of three children: Lucy Maribel, who was born April 8, 1863; David A., who is now proprietor of a meat market at West Medway; and William W., who is a piano finisher in Boston. The wife and mother passed away at City Mills, March 29, 1875, and her remains were interred in the cemetery there. On the 6th of July, 1879, Mr. King was again married, his second union being with Abby Elizabeth Morey, a daughter of William W. and Lydia (Converse) Morey, who were natives of New Hampshire. They resided later, however, in Massachusetts, establishing their home at Brockton. There was one child born of this marriage, Ruth Elizabeth, who is now the wife of Augustin D. Hancock, of Franklin.
Mr. and Mrs. King are consistent members of the Baptist church and guide their lives according to its teachings. His political alle- giance is given to the republican party, which he has supported since casting his first presidental vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has never been a politician in the usually accepted sense of office seeking but he served as state inspector of animals for sixteen years and did valuable service in that connection. His home farm was once the site of the Thomas Barrett grammar school, where Horace
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Mann was a pupil. The farm comprises one hundred and forty acres of valuable and productive land and is a pretty place, con- stituting one of the attractive features of the landscape. It is care- fully cultivated and systematically managed under the direction of Mr. King, who has spent his entire life in this section of the state and is one of the honored and valued residents of the town of Frank- lin, Norfolk county.
ALBERT D. WILLETT.
A most interesting record is that of Albert D. Willett, who has lived to celebrate his golden wedding and whose life has been one of activity and usefulness, gaining for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
He was born in Annapolis county, Nova Scotia, on the 6th of February, 1838, so that he has now reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. The Willett family has been represented in America since the early part of the seventeenth century, the immi- grant ancestor having come from England. He became the first mayor of New York city and Albert D. Willett is among his direct descendants. His grandparents were Andrew and Sybil (Harts- horn) Willett, the former a farmer of Walpole, where he was born and made his home for many years.
The parents of Albert D. Willett were George and Lucy ( Bent) Willett. The former was born at Walpole and pursued his educa- tion in its public schools. On attaining his majority he went to Nova Scotia, where he worked at carpentering throughout the remainder of his days save for a period of two years during the boyhood of Albert D. Willett, when he again lived in Walpole, but later he re- turned to Nova Scotia and was identified with building operations there until his demise. His wife was a native of Nova Scotia, and when they were called to their final rest their remains were interred in the cemetery at Tupperville in Annapolis county. In their family were eight children : Susan, the deceased wife of Samuel Gardner, of St. John, New Brunswick; Harriett, who became the wife of Captain Joseph Pritchard, of St. John, and has passed away; Joseph Avard, who made his home in Nova Scotia and has departed this life; William Fletcher, who was a resident of Tupperville and has passed away; Sybil Julia, the deceased wife of Edward Fisher, of St. John; Lucy Jane, the deceased wife of Stephen Edwin Bent, a
ALBERT D. WILLETT
THE NEW MOK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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resident farmer of Nova Scotia; Gilbert Ray, a twin brother of Al- bert D., who lived in Tupperville and at St. John but has departed this life; and Mr. Willett, of this review.
In the schools of Nova Scotia, Albert D. Willett pursued his education until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he and his brother returned to Walpole and he became a student in the schools of that city. He pursued his education for two years in Walpole and afterward accepted a position in a twine factory, where he was employed for thirteen years, gradually working his way upward in that connection. During the succeeding decade he was employed in a carding mill and afterward he took up carpentering and assisted in building the Stone school. He later became a janitor of the school and occupied that position for thirteen years. Since 1898 he has been engaged in the insurance business. His has been an active and useful life and his entire career has been characterized by fidelity to duty, by indefatigable energy and persistency of purpose.
On the 10th of December, 1867, Mr. Willett was united in mar- riage to Miss Lillian E. Brummit, a daughter of Frank E. and Lucy (Allen) Brummit, the fromer a native of Lester, Massachusetts, and the latter of Walpole. Both have long since passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Willett have become the parents of a son and a daughter: George F., who is now one of the principal directors of the American Felt Company of Norwood, having become a multimillionaire; and Jessie, who is the wife of S. E. Bentley, of Walpole.
In his political views Mr. Willett is a republican, having sup- ported the party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church, which has always guided him in every relation of life and made him a man whom to know is to respect and honor. He has many friends in Walpole, where so many years of his life have been passed, and his course has ever merited the confidence and respect which are uni- formly given him.
CLARENCE A. HIGHT.
Clarence A. Hight has carved his name high on the keystone of the legal arch of Massachusetts. As a member of the firm of Cool- idge & Hight he is engaged in the practice of law in Boston and is regarded as one of the foremost representatives of the profession
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practicing in that city. He makes his home in Brookline and is a native of Scarboro, Maine, where he was born June 26, 1868, his parents being Horatio and Clara E. (Milliken) Hight, who were also natives of the Pine Tree state, where they spent their entire lives and for many years the father was connected with the United States customs service. He was stationed in Portland, Maine, for a long period and there passed away in 1899. At the outbreak of the Civil war he had responded to the country's call for troops to preserve the Union and had become a second lieutenant in the Twelfth Maine Infantry, with which he served with honor and distinction, partici- pating in a number of memorable engagements which brought him the brevet of captain at the close of the war. His widow still survives and is yet a resident of Portland. In their family were four children : Le Roy, a resident of Augusta, Maine; Clarence A .; Francis, whose home is in Winchester, Massachusetts; and Louis F., who died when about nineteen years old.
In his youthful days Clarence A. Hight was a pupil in the public schools of Portland, Maine, and after mastering the branches of learning therein taught he became a student at Harvard and com- pleted his classical course in 1889, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He had determined to make law practice his life work and with that end in view he entered the law class and was graduated in 1892. The same year he opened an office in Portland, Maine, where he remained in active and suc- cessful practice until 1899, when he removed to Boston and has since been a representative of the bar of that city. He first became associ- ated with A. A. Strout, of Boston and Portland, in the legal depart- ment of the Grand Trunk Railway offices and there continued as assistant until 1898, when he was appointed New England solicitor of the Grand Trunk Railway System and so served until January. 1917, when he resigned on account of the pressure of other business In 1899 he formed a law partnership with William H. Coolidge and through the intervening period the firm of Coolidge & Hight has been regarded as one of the most prominent and representative law firms of Boston. Mr. Hight is devotedly attached to the pro- fession, is systematic and methodical in habits, sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research and conscientious in the discharge of every duty. His colleagues at the bar entertain the highest consideration for his integrity, his impartiality, his love of justice and strong common sense, which mark his career as a lawyer and as a man. Mr. Hight belongs to the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts State Bar Association and the American Bar Associa-
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tion. He has largely concentrated his efforts and attention upon corporation law and he is now attorney for various large corpora- tions having headquarters in Boston.
On the 9th of November, 1892, Mr. Hight was united in marriage to Miss Emily L. Coyle, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Coyle, of Portland, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Hight attend the Episcopal church, and his political support is given to the republican party. He is a member of the town meeting board of Brookline and, ap- preciative of the social amentites of life, he has membership in the Harvard and the Exchange Clubs of Boston, the Brookline Country Club, and the Cumberland Club of Portland. He has a very wide acquaintance and his marked professional ability and personal worth have given him firm hold upon the regard and confidence of his fellow citizens.
DANIEL B. REARDON, M. D.
Dr. Daniel B. Reardon, whose professional activity has included active service in France with the First Harvard Unit in the present war, was born in Quincy, where he still makes his home, his natal day being October 5, 1878. His parents were Bartholomew W. and Catherine Agnes (Donavan) Reardon, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The father was a stonecutter by trade, following that occupation through- out his entire life. His widow still survives and is yet a resident of Quincy.
Reared under the parental roof, Dr. Reardon spent his youth in the acquirement of a public school education in Quincy and later was graduated from the Adams Academy with the class of 1894. He made his initial step in the business world in connection with the New York & New England Railroad Company, occupying a posi- tion in the statistical department for four years. He afterward spent one year as a student in Harvard College and then matriculated in the medical school of Harvard University, being graduated there- from with the class of 1903. He later served as surgical house offi- cer in the Boston City Hospital for two years, gaining broad and valuable experience in that connection. On the ist of May, 1905, he opened an office in Quincy, where he has since practiced, devoting his attention both to medicine and surgery. In the latter field he has developed notable skill and is now surgeon of the Quincy City
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Hospital, of which he is also one of the trustees. In 1915 he went abroad, spending four months with the British army as a member of the First Harvard Unit in France, twenty miles behind the firing line, holding the rank of captain. He returned in October, 1915, to resume the private practice of medicine, in which he has since been engaged, and the patronage accorded him in very extensive. He is now a captain in the Medical Reserve Corps United States Army.
On the 2d of June, 1908, Dr. Reardon was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cashman, of Quincy, and they now have three children, Paul, Mary and George, aged respectively seven, five and one years.
The doctor and his wife are communicants of St. John's Catholic church and he is connected with the Knights of Columbus and also with the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is likewise a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he has membership in the Granite City Club and in the Neighborhood Club. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Norfolk South District Medical Association, of which he was the secretary and treasurer for two years, and with the Massachusetts Medical Associa- tion and the American Medical Association. His practice exempli- fies the latest discoveries and researches of the profession that have to do with the laws of health and with advanced surgical work and in all that he undertakes he is actuated by a laudable ambition to reach the highest degree of efficienty possible.
ROSWELL K. STEVENS.
Roswell K. Stevens has been active as a contractor of Franklin for the past thirty-two years and has built up the most extensive business of that character in the town. His birth occurred at North Blue Hill, Maine, on the 30th of October, 1856, his parents being Gideon H. and Celesta A. (Perkins) Stevens, who were also natives of that state. Their children were three in number, namely: Edson J., who is a resident of California; Roswell K., of this review; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of George Richards, of Franklin, Massachusetts, and has passed away. Gideon H. Stevens, the father of this family, was a ship carpenter by trade and died at Kittery, Maine, at the age of twenty-eight years, his remains being interred at Thorndike, Maine, where his parents also lie buried. His widow afterward became the wife of Rufus K. Ballard, a carpenter of Vas- salboro, Maine, and a little later they removed to Dorchester, Mas-
ROSWELL K. STEVENS
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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sachusetts, there residing until 1872. In that year they took up their abode in Franklin, where Mr. Ballard was engaged in carpenter work to the time of his demise. Both he and his wife were buried in the Franklin cemetery. Their only child died in infancy.
Roswell K. Stevens pursued a common school education in Dor- chester, Massachusetts, until twelve years of age and subsequently was employed by the Jordan Marsh Dry Goods Company and other concerns of Boston for a few years. He then began work as a carpenter in Franklin and was thus employed during the summer months, while in the winter seasons he worked in straw shops. His time was occupied in that way until he had reached the age of thirty years, when he embarked in business on his own account as a con- tractor and has since devoted his attention to the building of dwell- ing houses, his activities in that connection extending over a period of thirty-two years. He now enjoys the most extensive business of that character in Franklin and his success is the merited reward of industry, perseverance, sound judgment and well directed energy.
Mr. Stevens has been married twice. On the 24th of November, 1877, he wedded Miss Clara Rounds, a daughter of Sylvanus and Amanda (Cooper) Rounds, farming people of Attleboro, Mas- sachusetts, both of whom are deceased, their remains being interred at Franklin. The last years of their lives had been spent on a farm near that town. Roswell K. and Clara (Rounds) Stevens had one son, Shirley, who married Addie Curtis, by whom he had one child, Dorothy, who now makes her home in Franklin. William Curtis, the father of Addie (Curtis) Stevens, is still living in Franklin, but his wife has passed away. In 1908 Roswell K. Stevens was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, her death occurring on the 20th of December of that year and her remains being interred in the Franklin cemetery. On the 21st of December, 1910, Mr. Stevens was again married, his second union being with Miss Cora Wilson, a cousin of his first wife and a daughter of Edward A. and Anna M. (Cooper) Wilson. The father is still living and makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, but the mother is deceased and was buried at Attleboro, Massachusetts.
In his political views Mr. Stevens is a stanch republican, having supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise. He served as a selectman of Franklin for six years and for two years acted as chairman of the board, making a creditable record in that connection. Fraternally he is identified with the Ma- sons, belonging to lodge, chapter and commandery, and he is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved
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Order of Red Men, the Grange and the New England Order of Protection. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He owns a handsome residence in Franklin and enjoys an enviable reputation as an enterprising, progressive and esteemed citizen of his community.
WALTER AUSTIN.
Walter Austin, a capitalist of Dedham and one of the represen- tative citizens of eastern Massachusetts, was born in Honolulu in 1865 and is descended from English ancestry, the family, however, having been represented in Massachusetts through many generations. The first of the name in America came from England in 1638 and settled at Charlestown, Massachusetts. James Walker Austin, father of Walter Austin, was born in Charlestown in 1829 and in the year 1855 he married Amanda Elizabeth Sleeper, a daughter of the Hon. John S. Sleeper, of Roxbury. It was in the year 1849 that James Walker Austin was graduated from Harvard and in 1852 he went to California. Not long afterward he sailed for Honolulu, where he resided for twenty-two years, being actively engaged in the prac- tice of law during that period. He became a man of marked influence in Hawaiian affairs and was speaker of the house in Hono- lulu and was also judge of the Hawaiian supreme court under King Kamehameha. He passed away in Southhampton, England, in 1895 and his widow, surviving him for six years, departed this life in Marion, Massachusetts, in 1911.
Born in the Hawaiian islands, Walter Austin when seven years of age became a pupil of Chauncy Hall, a private school in Boston, and after the completion of his preparatory course entered Harvard, completing his classical work in 1887. He then became a law student at Harvard and was graduated from the law department with the class of 1890. He at once entered upon active practice, in which he continued for fifteen years, but practically retired from active connection with the profession in 1905 and has since given his attention to the direction of his invested interests.
In 1897, in Orange, New Jersey, Mr. Austin was united in mar- riage to Miss Mabel Lindsley Frazar, a daughter of Everett Frazar, deceased, who was a merchant in Japan for many years and was the official representative of Korea in the United States for an extended period. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have become parents of two sons and
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