USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 2
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ALBERT W. BURTON
TEB NE'D YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
L
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
He was born at Hopkins Mills, North Foster, Rhode Island, De- cember 19, 1831, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 24th of July, 1909, when he passed away at Buttonwood, Rhode Island. His parents were Elliott Lee and Bernice (Williams) Bur- ton and he was a descendant in the seventh generation of Roger Williams. His father was born at Hopkinton City, Hopkinton, Rhode Island, October 20, 1803, and died at East Killingly, Con- necticut, July 7, 1887.
After acquiring a common school education he had assisted his father in the work of the home farm and in early manhood he began peddling laces and notions from house to house. He was thus engaged for a few years, after which he took up his abode at Foster, Rhode Island, where he established and conducted a general store. He afterward removed to Killingly, Connecticut, where he was em- ployed in cotton factories, and at a subsequent date he engaged in farming there for a short time. He then entered into the manufac- ture and finishing of boots and shoes for various firms, but after ten years devoted to that business he once more resumed agricultural pursuits. With public affairs he was deeply and actively concerned. He served as road surveyor while living at Foster and was also a member of the Foster Militia. He and his wife became members of the Freewill Baptist church at Foster, November 6, 1852, and throughout his remaining days he put forth every possible effort to advance the moral progress of the communities in which he lived. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and he became a stanch opponent of the system of slavery. When the repub- lican party was formed to prevent its further extension he joined the ranks of the new political organization and became a stalwart sup- porter of Abraham Lincoln. His wife, who was born November 8, 1806, and died October 14, 1889, was a daughter of Sheldon and Naomi (Randall) Williams and a direct descendant of Roger Wil- liams.
Albert W. Burton pursued his education by attending the district school for three months in the winter and again for three months in the summer until he reached the age of twelve years, after which he had opportunity to attend only through the winter seasons, and when he was sixteen years of age his textbooks were permanently put aside in order that he might provide for his own support. It was at that time that his parents removed to East Killingly and for six months thereafter he was employed in the cotton mills. He then secured a position on the farm of William Cook in Gloucester, Connecticut, and at eighteen years of age he shipped on board the whaler Ocean,
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
bound for the Arctic seas, under the command of Captain Swift. Mr. Burton spent thirteen years at sea and many interesting expe- riences came to him during his whaling voyage.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Burton responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting at Wrentham on the 20th of Febru- ary, 1864, as a member of the Fourteenth Massachusetts Battery, with which he saw much arduous service, participating in many engagements, including the battles of the Wilderness, May 5th to 7th; Mey River, May 10th; Spottsylvania, May 12th to 21st; North Anna River, May 23d to 27th; Bethesda Church, June 2d; Cold Harbor, June 4th to 12th; Petersburg, June 16th to 25th; Deep Bot- tom, July 9th to 17th; Crater, July 30th; Petersburg trenches, August 5th to 21st; Fort Steadman, March 25th to 29, 1865; and the fall of Petersburg in 1865.
When hostilities had ceased and the war was brought to a success- ful termination Mr. Burton was honorably discharged on the 15th of June, 1865, and was mustered out at Readville, Massachusetts. During a part of his military experience he was mate on the ship Mary J. Mifflin, which was engaged in taking supplies to McClel- lan's army.
With his return home Mr. Burton turned his attention to the jewelry manufacturing business as an employe of H. F. Barrows at North Attleboro, Massachusetts. He later removed to Plainville, Massachusetts, where he was employed by J. D. Lincoln of the firm of Tiffany & Bacon for two years. In the spring of 1872 the Plain- ville Stock Company was organized for the manufacture of jewelry specialties, the members of the company being various prominent business men, including Albert W. Burton. From time to time changes occurred in the personnel of the house as the older members retired and their places were taken by young men. From the begin- ning the enterprise proved a profitable one and Mr. Burton con- tributed in marked measure to the growing success of the under- taking to the time of his retirement on the 26th of March, 1909, when he put aside business cares to enjoy the fruits of his former labor and spent his remaining days in well earned rest.
Mr. Burton was married in Wrentham, Massachusetts, June 22, 1857, to Mary Ellis, who was born October 5, 1836, a daughter of Edward R. and Susanna (Dale) Ellis, who were also natives of the Bay state. Mr. and Mrs. Burton became the parents of six chil- dren : Edward R., who was born January 31, 1858, and died on the 6th of February of the same year; Alice Williams, who was born August 24, 1859, and departed this life April 6, 1885; Albert E.,
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
whose birth occurred April 6, 1861 ; Maria Lincoln, born May 13, 1866; Bernice Elliott, born October 7, 1878; and Wesley Hopkins, who is now in France.
Mr. Burton attended the Methodist church and was a most gen- erous contributor to its support. He did everything in his power to advance the work of the church and promote its growth and to the church at Plainville he donated the organ. He ever maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his member- ship in George H. Maintien Post, No. 133, G. A. R., of which he served as both senior and junior vice commander and as quarter- master for many years. In days of peace he was as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battlefields of the south and at all times he stood for those interests which he deemed of greatest worth to the community. A business man of marked enterprise and prominence, a citizen of worth and loyalty, the many sterling traits of character which he displayed commanded for him the goodwill and confidence of all. Mrs. Bur- ton still resides in Plainville in an attractive home at No. 22 School street and is well and hearty at the age of eighty-one years.
CLARENCE P. WHITTLE, D. D. S.
Dr. Clarence P. Whittle, engaged in the practice of dentistry at Weymouth, with a well appointed office that is the visible ex- pression of his utilization of progressive scientific methods, was born in Deering, New Hampshire, on the Ist of January, 1867, and is a son of Thomas and Elmira (Kempfield) Whittle, who were also natives of the Old Granite state. The father was a farmer of New Hampshire and followed agricultural pursuits near Deering through- out his entire life. He died in 1884, having for about two years sur- vived his wife, who passed away in 1882.
Dr. Whittle was reared in Deering and in the acquirement of his education completed a high school course at Hillsboro Bridge. He then entered Tufts Dental College of Boston in preparation for a dental career and was graduated with the class of 1892. He next came to Weymouth, Massachusetts, where he opened an office and has since continued in practice. He is the only dentist at Weymouth and his business has steadily increased until it has now assumed extensive proportions. He is in close touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries bearing upon his profession and in his
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work displays that marked mechanical skill and ingenuity which must always constitute a factor in success in dental practice.
Dr. Whittle was united in marriage to Miss Anne B. Hunt in June, 1895. She is a daughter of E. A. and Louisa (Follett) Hunt, the former a native of Weymouth, and the latter of Quincy, Massa- chusetts. The father was a pioneer in Norfolk county and engaged in shoe manufacturing and was also prominent in other connections. He served as representative and as senator in the state legislature and was selectman at Weymouth for a number of years. He died in 1891, while his wife has also passed away. To Dr. and Mrs. Whittle have been born six children: Clarence P., who was born August 14, 1896, attended the Massachusetts Agricultural College and has enlisted in the service of his country; Wallace L., who was born September 24, 1899, and is attending the Massachusetts Agri- cultural College; Martha H., born in 1905; Donald F., born in 1907; Francis A., born in 1911; and Elizabeth, born in 1914.
In addition to his other interests Dr. Whittle is a director of the Weymouth Savings Bank. He has served on the school board for six years, acting as its chairman, and has been a member of the library board for fifteen years, acting as its chairman for twelve years. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and his political allegiance is given the republican party. His activities are broad and varied, touching the general interests of society, and his efforts have been of the utmost worth in advancing public progress along many lines.
SAMUEL HOWARD CAPEN.
Among the public officials of Norfolk county who have received endorsement of efficient service in reelection to office is numbered Samuel Howard Capen, who is serving as sheriff. He makes his home in Dedham and he was born in Canton, Norfolk county, on the 12th of March, 1848. His father, George Capen, was also a native of Canton, born in the same house as his son, his natal year being 1817. There he was reared to manhood and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Clarissa Boyden. The death of George Capen occurred on the 17th of February, 1863, and his wife has also passed away. In tracing back the ancestry of the family it is learned that the first of the name in the new world was Bernard Capen, who was born in England and crossed the Atlantic to America in the
SAMUEL H. CAPEN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENCK AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
seventeenth century, arriving on the shores of the new world about the 26th of February, 1632. In 1636 he was made a freeman. The family home was originally established in Dorchester, which is now a part of Boston. Through all the intervening period representa- tives of the name have remained residents of Massachusetts and the family has always stood for progress in public affairs and for loy- alty in all that has to do with the welfare and upbuilding of com- munity and commonwealth.
Samuel Howard Capen spent his youthful days in his native city and attended school until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he started out in the business world, securing employment in a small general store there. Gradually he worked his way upward in that connection and carefully saved his earnings until his industry furnished him the means to enable him to engage in business on his own account. It was in 1871, when he was twenty-three years of age, that he purchased a general store in Canton, where he conducted business for nineteen years, or until 1890, enjoying a liberal patronage throughout that period. He then disposed of his store and turned his attention to the fire insurance business, in which he was quite success- ful. Mr. Capen removed to Dedham in 1899 and since then he has made his home in the county seat. He is still, however, a di- rector of the Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company and is a trustee of the Dedham Institution for Savings, so that he is yet ac- tively and prominently connected with business interests of impor- tance. At the present time, however, he is concentrating the greater part of his attention upon official duties. In 1878 he was appointed deputy sheriff under Rufus C. Wood, who was then filling the posi- tion of sheriff. Mr. Capen continued to act as deputy for twenty-one years, making a most excellent record, and in November, 1898, he was elected to the office of sheriff of Norfolk county and has served for four successive terms of three years each and is now serving for his second term of five years, which will continue him as the incum- bent in the position until 1920. At each election he has been nomi- nated by both democrats and republicans. He is a supporter of the republican party but political belief has never been allowed to inter- fere with the faithful performance of his duty. No higher testi- monial of his capable service could be given than the fact that he has received the endorsement of both parties.
On the 24th of October, 1871, in Canton, Massachusetts, Mr. Capen was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide A. Tucker, a daugh- ter of Aaron E. Tucker, now deceased. Their children are : Samuel H .. Jr., who was born January 7, 1876, and is now located at Prov- Vol. II-2
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
idence, Rhode Island; and Harold Tucker, who was born April 17, 1885, and is a resident of Dedham.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Capen is that of the Uni- tarian church. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a past master of Blue Hill Lodge, F. & A. M,. at Canton and a past com- mander of Cyprus Commandery, No. 39, K. T., at Hyde Park. He is also a member of the Fisher Ames Club of Dedham and he is widely and favorably known by reason of his ac- tivity in business circles, by reason of his valuable official service and his connection with fraternal interests. In every relation in which he has been found he has been faithful to duty, meeting every obli- gation with a sense of conscientious service and doing with his might whatever his hands have found to do. Over his official record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion or evil. Since 1878 he has been almost continuously connected with the office of sheriff- a most notable record, in which he has been found faultless in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation.
JOHN E. BARBER.
John E. Barber is the efficient cashier of the Franklin National Bank and in his business career progressiveness has been tempered by a safe conservatism that contributes in substantial measure to the stability of the bank of which he is an official. He was born in Rock- ville, Massachusetts, in September, 1869, and is a son of John and Cynthia (Hayford) Barber, both of whom were natives of Massa- chusetts. The father was a mechanic and farmer, devoting the greater part of his life to general agricultural pursuits in Massa- chusetts, where the family has been represented through various generations. The original American ancestor came to the new world in 1670 and his descendants have since been found in this state. The father of John E. Barber passed away in 1886, but the mother is still living at the notable old age of ninety-two years.
Spending his youthful days in Norfolk, Massachusetts, John E. Barber there pursued his education and after his textbooks were put aside he took up the study of telegraphy, having already acquainted himself to a considerable extent with that business. He became the youngest telegraph operator on the road, being employed in that way when but fifteen years of age, and advancing step by step, he ultimately became train dispatcher and was also the young-
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
est incumbent in a position of that character. About 1897 he removed to Franklin, where he entered the employ of the Ray Woolen Com- pany as time clerk and paymaster. He spent several years with the company, after which he worked for the American Woolen Com- pany as chief clerk, and later he was with the Charles River Woolen Company as bookkeeper. He afterward became superintendent and agent and on leaving that company became an employe of the Ray Fabric Mills, occupying the responsible position of superintendent. He left that position to operate a small mill in partnership with his brother-in-law, David W. Mann, but soon afterward their plant was destroyed by fire and after paying their bills they had nothing left. He then entered the Franklin National Bank as an assistant and soon afterward was elected to the position of cashier, in which capacity he has since continued. He is a popular and obliging offi- cial, extending the courtesies of the bank to its patrons in as far as possible but never to a point of jeopardizing the interests of the depositors. The bank was established about 1865 at Blackstone and was known as the Worcester County Bank. In 1871, Joseph G. and James P. Ray purchased a controlling interest in the business and by special act of congress removed the bank to Franklin, with per- mission to change the name to the Franklin National Bank. James P. Ray acted as president of the institution until his death, when he was succeeded by his brother, Joseph G. Ray, who continued as president until his demise, when E. H. Rathbun was elected to the office. Edgar K. Ray, son of James P. Ray, was also president until his life's labors were ended in death. Mr. Rathbun resides in Woon- socket, Rhode Island. The vice presidents of the bank are A. D. Thayer and B. M. Rockwood, with Mr. Barber as cashier. The bank is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and has a surplus and undivided profits of one hundred and thirty-eight thou- sand dollars, while the deposits now amount to five hundred thousand dollars.
On the Ist of October, 1890, Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth A. Mann, a daughter of Alexander and Helen (Davidson) Mann, who were natives of Scotland. They came to Massachusetts at an early day, arriving about 1867. The father was a stone mason by trade and he and his wife spent the residue of their lives in the Bay state. His death occurred in 1892, while his wife, surviving for many years, passed away in 1915. To Mr. and Mrs. Barber have been born three children. George W., born in 1891, is a graduate of the Massachusetts Agricultural College of the class of 1913 and is employed by the United States government as a
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
scientific entomologist and is in charge of the station at Hagerstown, Maryland. John C., born in 1896, is engaged in the grocery business. Mildred, born in 1901, is a student in Dean Academy.
Mr. Barber is a member of Excelsior Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and he is also a past district deputy grand master. He belongs to Miller Chapter, R. A. M., of which he is a past high priest, and is a member of Milford Commandery, K. T., and of Aleppo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Boston. His re- ligious faith is that of the Congregational church. His political support is given to the republican party and he has been called to office in many public connections. He has served as auditor of Franklin and as register of voters. He is treasurer of the Franklin Committee on Public Safety, is treasurer of the First Congregational church, is president of the Franklin Business Men's Association and is a member of the executive council of the Frank- lin Chapter of the American Red Cross. He is likewise the treasurer of the Franklin Playgrounds Association and thus has been active in connection with many interests which are looking to civic bet- terment, to the uplift and benefit of the individual and to the ad- vancement of standards of citizenship.
PORTER. S. BOYDEN.
For many years Porter S. Boyden ranked with the prominent and representative business men of Walpole, Norfolk county, being ac- tively identified with the work of contracting. At the present writ- ing he is living retired and is possessed of a substantial competence which has come to him as the direct result and reward of his per- sistent, earnest and intelligently directed efforts. Mr. Boyden is also a representative of one of the oldest families of New England, the ancestral line being traced down through Thomas Boyden, who crossed the Atlantic from Ipswich, Suffolk county, England, in April, 1634, the family having long been established in the mother country. During the year following his arrival in the new world Thomas Boyden was in the employ of William Gilson, a large land- owner of Scituate, Massachusetts, which was a part of the Plymouth colony. The admission of Thomas Boyden to the church at Scituate is proven by the church records. It is not definitely known how long he remained there, but at a later period he resided in Watertown and in 1650 was a resident of Boston, in which city the death of his
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
wife, Frances, occurred on the 17th of March, 1658. He after- ward married Hannah (Phillips) Morse, of Boston. Later he is mentioned in early records as a resident of Medfield, Norfolk county. His second wife, Mrs. Hannah Boyden, passed away in Medfield, October 3, 1676, but there is no record found concerning the death of Mr. Boyden.
Jonathan Boyden, the third child of the first marriage of Thomas Boyden, was born February 20, 1652, in Boston and his life record covered the intervening years to May 30, 1732. He was married on the 26th of September, 1673, to Mary Clark, the eldest daughter of Joseph and Alice Clark, who were among the earliest settlers of Dedham, Massachusetts, her father having been one of the thir- teen men who undertook the settlement of Medfield. The family of Jonathan Boyden included a son, who was named in honor of his father. Jonathan Boyden, Jr., was born in Medfield, July 30, 1674, and died on the 3d of March, 1719. He was married on the 17th of November, 1698, to Rachel Fisher, whose parents were John and Hannah (Adams) Fisher. The line of descent is traced on down through Jonathan Boyden III, who was born in Medfield, March 13, 1700, and who on the 31st of May, 1726, wedded Mehitabel Lovell, a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Dyer) Lovell, of Medfield. They removed to Walpole soon after their marriage and their remaining days were passed in that city. Their second child was Benjamin Boyden, whose birth occurred at Walpole, Novem- ber 6, 1733. There he spent his entire life and on the 5th of Feb- ruary, 1806, was called to his final rest. On the 12th of May, 1757, he had married Huldah Armsby, a daughter of Joshua and Esther (Cheney) Armsby, of Medfield, and a granddaughter of Joshua and Mehitabel (Boyden) Armsby. The death of Mrs. Huldah Boyden occurred February 4, 1784, when she was forty-nine years of age, and Benjamin Boyden afterward married again on the 25th of April, 1785, his second union being with Mrs. Hannah Max- field, of Walpole. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, es- pousing the cause of the colonists and aiding in the task of winning American independence. His children were all born of his first marriage.
Phineas Boyden, the second of the family, was born November 2, 1760, in Walpole, and was in the sixty-eighth year of his age when called to his final rest April 29, 1828. On the 16th of January, 1783, he married Lydia Boyden, a daughter of Jonathan and Freelove Boyden. He, too, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, bear- ing his part in the defense of colonial interests which led to the
-
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
establishment of the American republic. Harvey Boyden, son of Phineas Boyden and the second child of the family, was born April 26, 1787, in Walpole, Massachusetts, where his death occurred on the 7th of February, 1870, so that he had reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was married January 23, 1811, to Betsey Blake, a daughter of Aaron Blake, of Walpole, and her death occurred in Walpole, July 6, 1865.
Maynard Boyden, the eldest of the children of Harvey and Betsey (Blake) Boyden, was born June 12, 1811, in Walpole, where his entire life was passed, his death there occurring August 28, 1886. On the 8th of June, 1836, he wedded Miss Mary Bell, of Canton, who died October 23, 1895, when eighty-six years of age.
Porter Storer Boyden, who was the second of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Boyden, was born September 21, 1838, in Walpole, and in his early life the father removed with his family to Southbridge. He was a spinner and weaver and was foreman of Clark's Mill. Later he spent a few years at Southbridge but afterward returned to Walpole, where he took one-half of his father's farm and devoted his attention to the cultivation of the fields. He was also a millwright and carpenter and his was an active and busy life which commanded for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. His religious faith was that of the Unitarian church and in politics he was a stanch republican.
Porter S. Boyden is largely indebted to the common schools of Walpole for the educational privileges he enjoyed. After putting aside his textbooks he took up carpenter work in connection with his father and was thus employed for several years. He then began building operations on his own account and largely concentrated his efforts upon the erection of dwelling houses. He has built several of the finest homes in Walpole and did much contract work, which made heavy demands upon his time and energy and which gained for him in the course of years a very substantial competence.
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