USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 6
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Mr. and. Mrs. Corson attend the Universalist church and in politics Mr. Corson is a stanch republican, having always given his allegiance to the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. In 1870 Mr. Corson became a Mason in Excelsior Lodge at Franklin and is now one of the honor- ary members. He was likewise a charter member of the lodge of Red Men at Franklin but is not connected with the organization at the present time. He still holds .membership, however, in the Grand Army of the Republic and has passed all of the chairs in the local post, being now surgeon of Post No. 60 and chairman of its relief committee. Through his membership in its organization he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades and while the ranks of the "Boys in blue" are fast becoming decimated, the ties
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which bind them grow all the stronger as the years pass and the number is decreased. His life, honorable in its purpose, measures up to high standards of manhood and of citizenship and his worth has given him a hold upon the affections of his fellow townsmen that naught can sever.
GEORGE HARDING SMITH.
George Harding Smith, vice president of the Berwick & Smith Company, book printers of Norwood, Massachusetts, was born in Milford, Massachusetts, in 1859. His father was Jason Harding Smith, who was born in 1832 in Medfield, Massachusetts, and was actively engaged in business as a merchant at Milford at the time of his death in 1870, when he was commander of Milford Com- mandery of Knights Templar and prominent among Masons in his section of the county. George Harding Smith traces his ancestors back to Henry Smith, who came over from England in 16- and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Dedham, Massachusetts.
George Harding Smith after the death of his father removed to Medfield, Massachusetts, where he received the greater part of his education in the public schools, and later removed to Boston. In 1884 he formed with James Berwick the firm of Berwick & Smith, which later on was incorporated under the name of the Berwick & Smith Company. In 1894 the firm removed from Boston to Nor- wood, Massachusetts, and became part of the Norwood Press, which embraces the firms of J. S. Cushing Company and E. Fleming & Com- pany, together making a complete book making plant. The work produced at this establishment is unsurpassed in this county, and over twelve million books are printed annually by the presses of the Berwick & Smith Company, a large part of which are school and college textbooks.
On the 2d of December, 1886, in Medfield, Massachusetts, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Laura Huntington Brown, and they have become parents of two sons and two daughters: Dorothy Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. Ernest H. Gruening, at present managing editor of the New York Tribune; Henry Sanders; George Harding; and Laura Huntington.
Mr. Smith has taken an active interest in town affairs of Norwood and served as a member of the Norwood school committee for fifteen years, the last five years acting as chairman. He was also
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president of the Norwood Board of Trade for three years, and in the latter part of his term, helped with others to organize the Nor- folk County Associated Boards of Trade, which he served as its first president for two terms. He is also a member of the Boston Typo- thetae, Franklin Typographical Society and Boston City Club.
CHARLES I. DEAN.
Charles I. Dean, sealer of weights and measures at Franklin, was born August 19, 1835, in the city where he still makes his home. He is a son of Ichabod and Hannah (Fisher) Dean, who were natives of Franklin and of Wrentham, Massachusetts, respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and spent the greatest part of his life in Franklin. In the early days, before the railroads were built, he engaged in freighting between Boston and Providence. He passed away in Franklin in 1863 and his wife died at the very advanced age of eighty-seven years. Mr. Dean was married twice and had a family of thirteen children.
Charles I. Dean, spending his youthful days in Franklin, pursued his education in the public schools and also in the Dean Academy, which received its name from Dr. Dean, the founder, who was a relative of Charles I. Dean of this review. Charles I. Dean learned the carpenter's trade in early life and followed it for two years. He then went into a machine shop and mastered the machinist's trade, after which he worked along that line for a decade. He afterward, in partnership with George Wadsworth, engaged in business on his own account, their association being maintained for five years, at the end of which time Mr. Wadsworth sold his interest to Mr. Dean, who was in partnership with Joseph W. Clark for five years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Dean sold his interest in the business and accepted a position in a rubber factory, which, however, was finally removed to Watertown. He went with the factory and re- mained in Watertown for ten years as a pattern maker, after which he returned to Franklin, where he has since resided, covering a period of about a quarter of a century. For the past seven years he has served as sealer of weights and measures and still occupies that position although he is now in the eighty-third year of his age. His has been an active and useful life in which indolence and idleness have had no part, and he therefore cannot content himself to have
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no occupation at the present time, although he has passed far beyond the point when most men retire from business.
In February, 1859, Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Adams, a daughter of Gardner and Eunice (Darling) Adams. The father was a native of Franklin and the mother of Wrentham. They were married in Franklin and afterward estab- lished their home in Boston, while subsequently they removed to the west. After five years, however, they returned to Franklin, where their remaining days were passed. To Mr. and Mrs. Dean were born five children : George O., now deceased; Arthur A., a resident of Franklin; Charles G., who has also departed this life; Bertha A., living in Boston; and Ralph, also a resident of Boston. The wife and mother passed away and on the 30th of April, 1898, Mr. Dean was married to Miss Abbie Peary. They became the parents of one child, Beatrice D., who is attending school in Boston. Mrs. Dean was a daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Heath) Peary, who were natives of Denmark and of Phillips, Maine, respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and also a minister of the Freewill Baptist church. He came to America when twelve years of age and settled at Phillips, Maine. Entering upon the active work of the ministry, he continued his preaching until his health failed, when he took up the occupation of farming in the Pine Tree state and devoted his remaining days to agricultural life, the outdoor ex- periences proving beneficial to his health. He passed away January 12. 1870, at the age of seventy years, while his wife died June 12, 1896, at the age of seventy-eight years.
Politically Mr. Dean has followed an independent course. His religious faith is that of the Universalist church. Well known in Franklin, where much of his life has been passed, he enjoys the high regard, goodwill and confidence of all with whom he has been associated and he is today one of the valued citizens and honored residents of his section of the state.
MURRAY WINTER.
Murray Winter, a well known manufacturer of Wrentham, es- tablished business there in January, 1900, as a member of the firm of Winter Brothers Company, their output being taps and dies. With thorough understanding of the trade in every department, Mr.
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Winter has been active in the unbuilding of a business of extensive proportions, in which he operates a splendidly equipped plant.
A native of Massachusetts, he was born in Mansfield in June, 1875, a son of Patrick Murray and Isabella Ednie Winter. He at- tended the public schools of Mansfield and throughout his entire business career has been identified with industrial activity. At length he became active in the organization of the Winter Brothers Company for the manufacture of taps and dies and the Wrentham factory was opened in January, 1900. They sell their products throughout the entire United States and also have a large foreign trade. Their business has reached extensive proportions. They have a well equipped, modern factory, supplied with the latest improved machinery for work along that line, and their business has now reached gratifying proportions, something of its extent being indi- cated in the fact that they have more than two hundred people in their employ.
On the 2d of October, 1915, Mr. Winter was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Black Kirkton, and to them has been born a son, Wilfrid Murray. Mr. Winter gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is serving as a member of the republican town committee. He is also filling the position of secretary of the Water Commissioners. His fraternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Congregational church, of which he is serving as the treasurer. His aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement, of reform and advancement, and thus he has contributed to many other interests of public worth aside from his business.
HON. HENRY O. FAIRBANKS.
Hon. Henry O. Fairbanks, at one time actively engaged in busi- ness as a flour merchant of Boston and formerly mayor of Quincy, Massachusetts, where he makes his home, was born in Boston on the 2Ist of June, 1852, a son of Moses Fairbanks, a representative of one of the oldest families of Norfolk county, being a lineal descend- ant of Jonathan Fairbanks, who emigrated from Sowerby, Yorkshire, England, arriving in Boston in 1633, while in 1636 he removed to Dedham, Massachusetts. From timbers he brought with him across the Atlantic it is said that he built the main part of the old Fair-
HON. HENRY O. FAIRBANKS
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTIY, LIVING TILLEN FOUNDALLIE
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
banks home, which still stands a celebrated landmark of that period and which has always been owned by some member of the family. Jonathan Fairbanks became a prominent man of his day and in 1642 signed the covenant and was admitted as a townsman. His death occurred in 1688. 1665 see faibanks Jeunes
His son, Captain George Fairbanks, remained in Dedham until 1657, when he removed to Millis, Massachusetts, and he became one of the founders of Sherborn, where he served for four years as select- man. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and was accidentally drowned in 1682. It was in 1646 that he wedded Mary Adams, who passed away in 1711.
Their son, Eleazer Fairbanks, Sr., was born June 8, 1655, and in 1679 took up a home lot on Main street in Sherborn. His son, Cap- tain Eleazer Fairbanks, was born October 29, 1690, and died Septem- ber 19, 1741, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Bullard, a daughter of Captain Samuel Bullard, survived him and later remarried.
Ebenezer Fairbanks, son of Captain Eleazer Fairbanks, was born in Sherborn, Massachusetts, June 1, 1734, was lieutenant of a com- pany of minute men who responded to the alarm given on the 19th of April, 1775, and later served for a time as a private in the Revolu- tionary war. He was a farmer by occupation and in 1783 removed to Brimfield, Massachusetts. He served for many years as deacon of the church and he married Elizabeth Dearth, who was born in September, 1743, and died June 15, 1818.
Asa Fairbanks, son of Deacon Ebenezer Fairbanks, was born March 4, 1762, and when only fourteen years of age enlisted in the army when the struggle for American independence commenced, and helped guard the military stores in Sherborn. Later he was a ferryman between Tiverton and Greenwich, Rhode Island, trans- porting men, horses, munitions and provisions. In 1780 he reenlisted and was stationed at West Point when Arnold attempted to betray the fort into the hands of the British. On the 8th of December, 1761, he married Hepzibah Adams, a daughter of Captain Moses Adams, and after their marriage they removed to Dublin, New Hampshire, where they started life in a rude log cabin.
Their son, Asa Fairbanks, Jr., born March 17, 1787, assisted the father in clearing the land but later removed to Peterboro, New Hampshire, and met an early death, being frozen while out hunting. He first married Polly Whitcomb, the mother of Moses Fairbanks, and after her death wedded Sarah Heniston.
Moses Fairbanks, born June 19, 1816, was reared on the home
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farm and educated in the district school. At the age of eighteen years he went to Concord, New Hampshire, where he was employed in a hotel for two years. He next served as a clerk for the firm of Boyd & Allen of Boston while they were building the Howard Athenaeum. Later he engaged in business for himself as a member of the firm of Fairbanks & Beard and subsequently under the firm style of Moses Fairbanks & Company. He was married April 27, 1840, to Frances Maria Moulton, a daughter of Jonathan and Deb- orah (Nash) Moulton. His death occurred February 4, 1896. The children of that marriage were: Mary Frances, who was born December 1, 1841, and was married April 2, 1863, to Daniel B. Spear, of Boston; Helen Maria, who was born October 16, 1845, and died April 4, 1846; Helen Louise, who was born April 3, 1847, and died November 2, 1848; Ella Abra, born March 7, 1850; Henry O .; William Moses, born December 15, 1855; Carrie Deborah, who was born April 9, 1858, and died March 1, 1890; and Maria Moul- ton, who was born October 18, 1863, and died August 28, 1865.
Henry O. Fairbanks was educated in the public schools of Bos- ton and was graduated from the English high school with the class of 1869. He then entered the employ of Nazro & Company, com- mission merchants, and advancing from time to time in his business career, became manager of a large flour mill in Columbus, Ohio, in 1881, there remaining for a year. In 1882 he returned to Boston and afterward engaged in business on his own account as a flour merchant. Following his removal to Quincy he became active and prominent in public affairs of the city and when the city charter was granted he represented Ward 5 in the common council and later was made its president. In 1891 and for three terms thereafter he was mayor of Quincy and was instrumental in securing the present water system and also in securing the building of the first high school. He was likewise a factor in bringing about the erection of the fine Central Fire Engine house and many other public-spirited interests. In 1906 he was elected city auditor and has since occupied that position. He also for a time gave some attention to auditing as a private business venture after retiring from the commission business in Boston. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party.
On the 14th of January, 1875, Mr. Fairbanks was married to Miss Carrie A. Brown, a daughter of Henry H. and Julia F. (Sev- erance) Brown, of Boston. Their children are: Mabel F., now Mrs. Arthur R. Wood, of Portland, Maine; Harry M., who married Stella Cook, now of Worcester; and Mollie E .. the wife of K. R.
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Lewis, also of Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Fairbanks is well known as a representative of fraternal organizations. He is a past master of Rural Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Quincy; belongs to St. Stephens Chapter, R. A. M .; and South Shore Commandery, K. T. He likewise has membership in John Hancock Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Wollaston Lodge of the Knights of Honor; and Woodbine Lodge of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. He has been an influencing factor in shaping public thought and action in Quincy and has con- tributed much to general progress and improvement there.
HENRY DEVEREUX HUMPHREY.
On the roster of county officials in Norfolk county appears the name of Henry Devereux Humphrey, who is filling the position of county treasurer. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of Massachusetts, John Humphrey, the governor of Massa- chusetts Bay Colony, being his immigrant ancestor and eight or nine generations of the family having been represented at Marblehead, where his father, George H. Humphrey, was born June 17, 1822. He was married in Roxbury, now a part of Boston, to Miss Clarinda T. Noyes, a daughter of Daniel Noyes, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. The death of George Henry Humphrey oc- curred in Needham in 1898, to which place he had removed.
Henry D. Humphrey was born June 20, 1861, at Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and was a lad of but seven years when the family home was established in Dedham, and his education was largely acquired in the public schools. He started upon his business career in connection with his father's bookbinding establishment in Boston. He there remained until 1893, when he disposed of his business interests in Boston and engaged in the insurance and real estate business in Dedham. He is now one of the trustees of the Dedham Institution for Savings and a member of its board of in- vestment. He is regarded as a man of keen business judgment and sagacity, his success resulting from intelligently directed effort.
On the 14th of May, 1884, in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Mr. Humphrey was united in marriage to Miss Lena R. Witham, who died in 1890. On the 6th of October, 1892, in Dedham, Mr. Hum- phrey was again married, his second union being with Miss Margaret Jane Davidson, a daughter of Robert Davidson. There were two children of this marriage, Edith D. and Margaret.
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Mr. Humphrey holds membership in the Congregational church and is a member of its board of assessors. He was president of the Dedham Board of Trade for three years. He is identified frater- nally with the Masons, having taken the degree of lodge and chapter. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is a member of the Norfolk County Republican Club, of which for a number of years he has been the treasurer. He is ap- preciative of the social amenities of life and enjoys his connections with the Fisher Ames Club and the Norfolk Golf Club, both of Dedham. His military record covers service in the First Regiment of the Massachusetts Coast Artillery, with which he was identified for three years. He is perhaps best known outside of business circles by reason of his political activity. In 1893 he was elected to repre- sent the first Norfolk district in the legislature of Massachusetts, this district comprising the towns of Dedham and Norwood. He served in the legislature for three years-1894, 1895 and 1896-and was a member of the committee on finance and expenditures, now known as the committee on ways and means, and taxation. Of the committee on finance he served as clerk through the entire three years of his legis- lative service. In 1898 Mr. Humphrey was elected to the board of assessors of Dedham and served for three years. He was elected to the board of selectmen of Dedham and filled that position from 1902 until 1906 inclusive and was chairman during the last four years of the period. In November, 1906, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the office of county treasurer, occasioned by the death of Treasurer Charles H. Smith, and has held the office since January 2, 1907. His record is indeed most commendable and has won for him the un- qualified trust and respect of his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM G. SPARGO.
William G. Spargo, printer, publisher and owner of the Quincy Evening Telegram, was born in England, August 5, 1878, a son of William and Annie H. Spargo, who, crossing the Atlantic in 1881, became residents of Quincy, where the father engaged in the business of granite cutting, a trade that he had previously learned in his native land.
William G. Spargo is indebted to the public schools and high school of Quincy for his educational training. He afterward learned the electrotype business in Boston and in 1905 established a printing
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business of his own at No. 57 Roberts street. He has since enlarged his plant to meet the growing demands of his trade until he now employs a force of ten people and has a splendid equipment in his establishment, including two monotypes, Goss newspaper press, two jobbers and one pony cylinder press. He does a general line of book, job and newspaper printing and for the past nine years has published the Quincy Evening Telegram, an enterprising daily paper. The excellent equipment of his office, the high standards of his work, his reasonable prices and his earnest efforts to please his customers have secured to him a most liberal and gratifying patronage and his business is now one of substantial proportions.
In 1905 Mr. Spargo was united in marriage to Miss Mabel L. Clark, of Stoughton, Massachusetts, and they have become parents of five children, Esther, Edgar, Richard, Frances and Ruth.
CHARLES S. UPHAM.
Commercial enterprise finds in Charles S. Upham, of Stoughton, a worthy representative. He is now the treasurer and manager of the Upham Brothers Company, long one of the old established shoe manufacturing concerns of the city. Throughout his business career he has displayed a progressiveness and initiative that enabled him to keep his establishment in touch with the most improved processes of manufacture and the output has therefore found a ready sale on the market. Stoughton numbers Mr. Upham among its native sons. He was born in January, 1864, and is a son of Alfred and Mary (Churchill) Upham, who were also natives of Massachusetts. The father became a shoe manufacturer and devoted his entire life to that line of business activity. He originally worked in shoe factories in the employ of others and eventually, in company with his brother Charles, organized the Upham Brothers Shoe Company, now known as the Upham Brothers Company. He devoted his time and at- tention to the development and control of the business throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1907. His wife passed away in 1904.
Charles S. Upham was a school boy of Stoughton and when his textbooks were put aside entered the factory with his father and acquainted himself with the various phases of the business. After a brief period he was made a member of the firm, being admitted to a partnership on attaining his majority, and throughout all the
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intervening years he has been active in the management and control of the business and is now officially the treasurer and manager of the Upham Brothers Company, which is a close corporation, its entire stock being owned by only four members. The company is now engaged in the manufacture of high priced ladies' shoes and produces about one thousand pairs per day. They also make men's shoes to some extent. The attractiveness and excellence of their product has insured a ready sale on the market and their business has enjoyed a substantial growth.
In January, 1889, Mr. Upham was united in marriage to Miss Myra Tenney, a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Lunt) Tenney, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Maine. They be- came early residents of Stoughton, where the father engaged in busi- ness as a shoe manufacturer. He passed away in 1900 but the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Upham have become the parents of a daughter. Dorothy, who was born in December, 1890.
Politically Mr. Upham maintains an independent course, con- sidering the capability of a candidate rather than his party ties. He has served as school commissioner and his aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement in relation to the material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of the com- munity. He has membership in the Chicatawbut Club and his social qualities make for personal popularity among his wide ac- quaintance.
HARRY ALBERTUS WHITING.
Through the course of an active business career Harry Albertus Whiting has been identified with manufacturing, with farming and dairying and is now active in the field of insurance, real estate and banking. Each hour in his life has seemed to mark off a full-faithed attempt to know more and to grow more and his activities have con- stantly broadened in scope, volume and importance. Mr. Whiting is one of the native sons of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in Pondville, Norfolk, on the 4th of April, 1872. His parents were Albertus James and Mary Smith (Pond) Whiting, the former a son of James Cole and Nancy J. (Rhodes) Whiting, while the latter was a daughter of Smith and Jerusha (Gerould) Pond.
In the district school at Pondville, Harry A. Whiting began his education, which he continued in the Wrentham and Norfolk high
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