History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 108

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 108

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Agricultural Products .- 1200 tons of hay, 7074 bushels of potatoes, 5997 bushels Indian corn, 127,- 905 gallons of milk, 300 pounds of butter, 32,514 dozen eggs valued at some over $60,000, besides garden vegetables, berries, and fruits, of which con- siderable quantities are sold.

Industries .- The New York and New England Machine- and Car-Shops, five in number, built in the most substantial manner, give employment to about three hundred men, and send forth some very fine and comfortable cars. The land-some seventeen acres-upon which they are built, was presented to the company by the citizens of the town.

stantly employed from the beginning to the end of the week, four iron mixers, capable of mixing fifteen hundred pounds each, numerous reservoirs and tanks, the largest of which is made of heavy boiler-iron and is twenty-five by thirty feet, and has a capacity of fifty thousand gallons, or fifteen hundred barrels, and one other of nearly the same size. At 220 Com- mercial Street, San Francisco, Cal., may be found a branch house, which supplies seven-eighths of all the ink used on the Pacific slope and in Mexico. They also export largely to South America, India, China, and Japan. Office, 34 Hawley Street, Boston. By the census of 1880, the value of the ink manufactured by this house was stated at eighty thousand dollars, but since that time it has been largely increased.

The manufacturing of raw hides into leather was one of the early industries of South Dedham, and was commenced as early as 1776 by a Mr. Guild, and the business was continued by his family for more than half a century. In 1791, Mr. John Smith, a poor boy of seven years of age, was hired out to Mr. Guild, and, by indomitable will and perseverance under great disadvantages, became successful in business and prominent in town affairs. Mr. George Winslow was born in Brewster in 1800, and at eighteen learned the tanner's and currier's trade with Samuel Guild, of Roxbury. He came to South Dedham in 1826, married the only daughter of John Smith, and founded the business which has been continued with increasing capacity ever since. In 1831 Lyman Smith, son of John, was admitted to the firm, and continued with George Winslow up to 1853, when they dissolved. George Winslow and sons (Elisha and George) at the old place, and Lyman Smith & Sons (John E. and Charles L.) removed to the pres- ent location of that firm, and builded anew. In 1860, George Winslow retired, and the firm-name became Winslow Brothers, who still manage the ex- tensive establishment upon the old site. Tanning law-book leather, roller skins, linings for the boot and shoe trade, and a variety of sheep-leather of different finish and colors adapted to an almost endless di- versity of uses. There has been a steady growth of the business, new buildings have been added, steam- power substituted for water-power, and labor-saving machinery invented and introduced, until a capacity of tanning more than a million skins annually has been attained, giving employment to about one hundred and fifty men, with a monthly pay-roll of from five to six thousand dollars.

George H. Morrill & Co., manufacturers of printers' ink. This business was founded by Sam- uel Morrill, a native of Salsbury, born April 4, 1804. He was a printer, and saw an opening ex- isting for a manufactory of this kind. His original establishment was very small, having nothing more than one kettle and a small wooden building for making lampblack. When he removed to South Dedham his two sons (George H. and Samuel S.) became partners. About 1869 this firm was dis- solved, and the business continued under the name of George II. Morrill & Co. There are fourteen buildings used in the business, some of them of con- siderable size, water-wheel, thirty-five horse-power, and is supplemented by a one hundred and twenty- five horse-power Harris-Corliss steam-engine, steam- pumps, which throw either water or oil, a rotary pump, capable of throwing sixteen hundred gallons Lyman Smith & Sons, manufacturers of all kinds of sheep and lamb leather. This firm is the out- per hour, fourteen large Bogardus eccentric- and six Rooler mills, used for grinding ink, and kept con- 1 growth of a partnership formed over fifty years ago

Smith

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between George Winslow and Lyman Smith; the firm then doing business at the present location of Winslow Brothers. Dissolved in 1853. Mr. Smith and his sons (John E. and Charles L.) occupied their present location and commenced business under the | firm-name of Lyman Smith & Sons. In 1856, Mr. Smith, Sr., retired from the firm, and his sons con- tinued the business under the same firm-name. In 1853 there was but one building erected, and the skins simply tanned and sold in the rough ; and the capacity of the establishment was but thirty thousand skins per year, and only four men employed. Their build- ings at the present time cover more than one acre of land, and range from one story to five, and give em- ployment to one hundred and forty-three men, with a capacity to finish some twenty thousand skins per week, or one million forty thousand per year.

The Norwood Iron Foundry was established in 1854 by Spencer Fuller and Isaac Colburn, under the firm- name of Fuller & Colburn. Mr. Colburn withdrew from the firm in 1858. On the death of Mr. Fuller the estate passed into the hands of E. D. Draper & Sons. They give employment to some thirty-five hands, and furnish some seven hundred and forty-two thousand three hundred and seventy-nine pounds of fine iron castings.

F. A. Fales, proprietor of the steam-mill for grind- ing grains, disposes of 18,000 bushels of corn and as many bushels of oats, 130 tons of bran, 200 tons of ground feed, 150 tons of corn-meal, besides finer grains and flour.

rebuilt in the most substantial manner, and now gives employment to some fifteen persons, and sends to mar- ket one hundred and eighty tons of paper annually.

Tyler Thayer, builder, has been engaged in business thirty-five years, and has erected two of the four churches, and more than one-half of all the dwelling- houses in the town, besides many in the adjoining towns, all of which his own hands have marked out and prepared for his workmen to frame. The past year he has used 555,500 feet of long lumber, 530,000 shingles, 230,000 laths, at a cost of some $14,600, giving constant employment to eighteen men with a pay-roll of some $8000, and this amount falls below the yearly average.

Milton H. Howard, builder, has been engaged in business some five years or more. Owns the steam- planing- and saw-mill, uses some three hundred thou- sand or more feet of long lumber, and a like pro- portion of laths and shingles, gives employment to eighteen or twenty hands, and has put up some of the finest dwellings in the town.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

LYMAN SMITH.

Lyman Smith was born Oct. 22, 1808, in that part of Dedham now Norwood. He was the son of John Smith and Anna Rhoades, and grandson of John Smith and Abigail Morse. On the maternal side

The carpet works, for printing floor and carriage oil-cloths, was established about thirty years ago by | his grandparents were Eliphlet Rhoades and Mercy E. Fisher Talbot. On the death of Mr. Talbot, in | Holland. 1882, these works passed into the hands of E. E. Pratt & Son. They employ twenty men, and produce one hundred and eighty thousand yards of carpeting | in connection with, and afterwards succeeding, Abner annually ; their pay-roll averaging eight hundred dol- lars per month.

John Smith, father of Lyman, established himself in a small way as a tanner in his native town, first, Guild. The shops were located where the larger es- tablishment of the Winslows now stands. Lyman Smith, like most boys of his day and circumstances, to give him other educational advantages than those afforded by the schools of the village. He was pos- sessed of a bright, active mind, however, and a're- tentive memory, with a decided talent for mathematics, and by attention to his studies during the early years of his boyhood, which constituted his only school- days, he familiarized himself with those fundamental elements of an education so necessary to the successful business man.

The manufacture of wrapping paper was commenced in 1832 by Isaac Ellis and Joseph Day, under the | was early taught to labor. His parents were unable firm-name of Ellis, Day & Co. In about two years Mr. Day withdrew from the firm, and in a few years the establishment passed into the hands of Paul Ellis, who continued the manufacture of paper and trunk boards some fifteen years, when his sons became part- ners. In 1864 the mill was burned and Mr. Ellis, Sr., retired from the business. The mill was rebuilt by Charles, John, and Isaac Ellis, and the business continued under the firm-name of Ellis Brothers until 1876, when the firm was dissolved, and Isaac con- At the age of fifteen he entered his father's tan- nery, to learn the business, and that year in partic- ular it is said that he used to cart, with ox-teams, tinued the business. In 1878 it was again burned ; the premises were now purchased by Isaac Ellis, and

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

bark from Boston to his father's tannery. He applied himself earnestly to his work, and thoroughly famil- iarized himself with all the minutiæ of the business, so that a few years later, when he succeeded to the business, he had that thorough knowledge of practical detail which, together with the acumen and business ability necessary, enabled him to make more than an ordinary success. When he began business for him- self, in 1831, he formed a copartnership with his brother-in-law, the late George Winslow, which co- partnership continued until 1853, when his sons be- coming of age, and the tanning business largely in- creasing, Mr. Smith disposed of his interest to Mr. Winslow and erected the large establishment in the village near the railroad station now occupied by his sons. Having seen his sons successfully started in a business career, Mr. Smith, after about three years, withdrew from active partnership in the firm, retaining only a silent interest in the business, which was con- ducted under the firm-name of Lyman Smith & Sons.

He married Malinda E. Guild. Their children were John E., born Aug. 7, 1830 ; Charles L., born May 15, 1833; Anna M. R. (now the wife of Lewis Day), born Aug. 17, 1836. Mrs. Smith died Oct. 5, 1845.

Mr. Smith married, as his second wife, Sept. 8, 1846, Ann M. Joy. By this marriage there was no issue.

He died May 23, 1883, in his seventy-fifth year. On the day of his funeral, which was very largely attended, all places of business in his native town were closed out of respect to his memory.

GEORGE EVERETT.

George Everett, son of Deacon Willard and Lucy (Dean) Everett, and grandson of Ebenezer and Sarah Everett, was born in that part of Dedham since set apart as Norwood, Feb. 5, 1826. He is descended Although he was thus freed from the cares of active business, yet he still retained to the close of his life an unabated interest in all that pertained to his old work, and it was his custom to daily visit the tan- neries, inspect the processes, and converse with the workmen, among whom he was universally respected. through eight generations from Richard Everett, who was one of the original founders of Dedham in 1636. There were two generations of Johns, and three of Ebenezers, Deacon Willard being the son of the last Ebenezer. Willard learned his trade as a cabi- net-maker, of the late Jabes Boyden, and succeeded Mr. Smith was a man of strong individuality. The sterling integrity and high moral standard of his char- acter is acknowledged by all who knew him. In man- ner he was genial, courteous, and kind ; possessed of a happy, hopeful turn of mind, he carried a cheerful him in that business about the year 1820. He began in a small way, but by dint of earnest application, coupled with a good business talent, he succeeded in building up a large manufactory, and accumulated quite a property for those days. In 1850 his two face, and was ever ready with a pleasant word. Suc- | eldest sons-Willard and George-were admitted to cessful himself in the business affairs of life, he was partnership with him, under the firm-name of Wil- lard Everett & Co. Nov. 27, 1851, Deacon Willard died. The business was conducted then by his sons, and the original style of firm-name was retained until the dissolution of the firm, in 1868, at which time it consisted of George, J. Edward, and Francis E. Ever- ett. The firm was an enterprising one, and did a large and profitable business. The first extension tables that came into general use were manufactured and placed on the market by this house. Deacon Willard, Jr., another son, was a member of the firm to the time of his death, Nov. 27, 1857. They had a large, well-appointed factory, located near Norwood Central Depot, and large warerooms in Boston. They made a specialty of tables of all kinds, hat-racks, etc. They made only good goods, and commanded the best prices. Upon the dissolution of the firm (1868), George retired from active business pursuits, but such was the native energy of his nature that he continued to be an active man, both mentally and physically, to I the day of his death, which occurred suddenly of never unmindful of the fact that many who were deserving were not equally successful, and his benev- olence, while unostentatious, was constantly exercised. He was a man of warm heart, calm judgment, strong in his convictions of right and wrong, and in his likes and dislikes. He was the friend of temperance, free- dom, justice, and truth, and the bitter, uncompromis- ing foe of whatever tended to debase or degrade man- kind. He took an active interest, both before and i after he retired from the duties of business, in all measures which would benefit his native town. He assisted largely in the erection of a new and more commodious school-building for the benefit of the youth of the town. He was chosen a director of the Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1862. and a director of Dedham National Bank in 1877. He gave his counsel and pecuniary assistance to the Universalist Society in the building of a new church edifice, and assisted in laying out the streets and extending the limits of the growing village.

George EverCH.

Francis Jinker.

1 ihn atoil doit 1?

David D. Fogg

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NORWOOD.

heart-disease, in Boston, Jan. 6, 1881, in his fifty- fifth year. He married, July 27, 1847, Julia D., daughter of Jesse and Julia (Dean) Ellis. Their children were Alice J., born Aug. 6, 1848, died in infancy ; Laura C., born Nov. 10, 1850, died in in- fancy ; Willard E., born June 13, 1853 ; George F., born Aug. 7, 1855, died Aug. 23, 1863; Herbert, born July 23, 1859; Richard B., born Jan. 6, 1864. Of these, Willard E. married Ida E. Woodbury, of Ashburnham, Mass., Oct. 2, 1878. They have one child,-Bernice J. They reside in Turner's Falls, Mass., where he is a paper manufacturer. Herbert is a mineralogist, and located in Denver, Col. Richard is with his elder brother, at Turner's Falls, learning paper making.

George Everett was benevolent and public-spirited, liberal in all his ideas, and kindly disposed. He al- ways manifested much interest in the welfare of those employed by him, or with whom he was brought in contact by business relations. He was a moral man, and was interested in all reform movements ; he was a liberal supporter of the church, though not a mem- ber. While he was always ready with material aid to help further any enterprise tending to the build- ing up or improvement of his town, yet he would never accept any office, preferring to leave the honors and cares of official life to those whose fancy or tastes led them in that direction, while he faithfully discharged the duties devolving upon him as a private citizen.

He was a man of large physique and commanding personal appearance. His untimely death was a grievous surprise to the community in which he lived, all of whom he could claim as his friends. He came of an honorable and worthy ancestry, and was a fair type of New England's sturdy manhood, which fal- tering at no obstacles, daunted at no discouragement, but earnest, active, and intelligent, marks out a course and object in life, and follows that course until the object be attained.

(For additional history of Everett family, see his- tory of Norwood in this volume, by Francis Tinker.) |

Tinker brought with him a wife and two children," and that he died a short time after his arrival. From this humble and short-lived pilgrim our family claim I to be descended. The writer of the sketch of the town of Norwood was born Jan. 3, 1816, at Worth- ington, Hampshire Co., Mass., of pious parents, and it will suffice for him to say that in every place in which he has been called to reside, he has received every favor from his fellow-citizens to which he was entitled.

DAVID SYLVESTER FOGG, M.D.

David Sylvester Fogg is descended from two of the pioneer families of New England. He was born in Mer- edith, N. H., March 30, 1821, and was the fourth son of Joseph and Judeth (Gilman) Fogg. The Fogg family in this country are descended from a younger son of a family of that name still existing in the south of Eng- land. The family estates in England are entailed, and are now held-or were lately-by Sir Charles Fogg. The name of Gilman is found in the early chronicles of Wales. Representatives of these two families came to America in the early part of the seventeenth century, and settled at Exeter, N. H., where were born both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of Dr. Fogg, Stephen Fogg and Bradbury Gilman. When the war of the Revolution came both these gentlemen offered their services to their country ; they were in the battle of Bunker Hill and served subse- quently in that war. Soon after the close of the war they each married, and together moved to Meredith, N. H., where they took up contiguous tracts of wild land on the shore of Lake Winnipiseogee, which they cultivated and developed into valuable farms, and which are now in the possession of their descendants. They were among the early settlers of that part of New Hampshire. Joseph Fogg, son of Stephen and father of Dr. David S., held a commission as captain of New Hampshire militia in the war of 1812-14.

David S. Fogg obtained his academical education at Holmes' Plymouth Academy and Dartmouth Col- lege. He studied medicine with Josiah Cosbey, M.D., of Manchester, N. H., and took the degree of doctor in medicine at Dartmouth Medical School in 1845. The subsequent year he spent in the medical schools and hospitals of Philadelphia,-then the centre of medical learning in this country. In 1846 he set- tled in the south parish of Dedham (now the town of Norwood), in Norfolk Co., Mass. He soon obtained an extensive practice in this and surrounding towns,

FRANCIS TINKER.

If the reader has ever been at Plymonth and vis- ited Pilgrim Hall, he may have noticed, on the paling which incloses a fragment of the rock on which the Pilgrim Fathers landed, the names of those who came passengers in the " Mayflower," and among those names he may have observed that of Thomas Tinker. From other records it appears " that the said Thomas | which he has sustained from that time to the present,

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

when at the age of sixty-three he is still in active | done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

practice, and is among the oldest and most successful practitioners of the county. During the course of his practice he has received repeated professional calls from almost every town in the county. He is a member of the Norfolk Medical Society, Massachusetts Med- ical Society, and the American Medical Associa- tion. In 1861 he was a volunteer surgeon in the Peninsular campaign. On the organization of the boards of enrollment, he was appointed by President Lincoln surgeon of the board for the Seventh Massa- chusetts Division, headquarters at Concord, Mass., and served in that office till the close of the war, | when he returned home and resumed his practice in Dedham and adjacent towns. Dr. Fogg enjoys in an eminent degree the confidence of those who know him, not only as a skillful medical practitioner, but as an honest, honorable, earnest man ; he is distinguished for his sobriety, integrity, and love of right, for his gentle demeanor and kindly feeling.

He married, 1847, Mary B., youngest daughter of Rev. Thomas W. Tucker, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who was at that time stationed at Dorchester, Lower Mills. Mr. Tucker, father of Thomas, was born in England; came when a young man to America, settled in Boston, and married Hannah Wait, of Medford. Thomas was the youngest of several children ; received his education at the public schools, joined the Bromfield Street Methodist Church, and at the age of nineteen was licensed to preach. At the age of twenty-one he became a regularly or- dained minister of that denomination, and continued in active service more than sixty years. On his ordi- nation he joined the New England Conference, was appointed one of its itinerant preachers, and assigned to the circuit of New Hampshire and Vermont. married Mary Orn, of Charleston, N. H., a woman of very superior qualities of mind and heart, and who | became a true helpmeet to him and a sharer of all his joys and sorrows, and was honored in the church and conference as a "mother in Israel." As a preacher, Mr. Tucker was eminently successful, and as a faithful worker in the cause of his Master he had few, if any, equals ; winning large numbers to a belief in and practice of the principles of religion, and greatly augmenting the membership of the church. Among his early and special converts was E. T. Taylor, the well-known and celebrated "sailor preacher" of Boston. Mr. Tucker died in Chelsea in 1871, aged eighty years. Thus passed from earth one whose whole life exemplified the highest Christian virtues. Following in the footsteps of his Master, he has doubtless received the welcome plaudit, " Well

Dr. Fogg's children-four sons and two daughters -were all born in Dedham (now Norwood). The eldest son, Irving S., M.D., is a graduate of Harvard, and is now practicing medicine with his father. Ralph M. is a dentist in Boston. The younger children are still pursuing their education. Mrs. Fogg is quite skillful as a landscape artist, as the many productions of her brush which adorn the walls of their pleasant home will attest.

OTIS MORSE.

Otis Morse, of Norwood, is ninth in descent from Samuel, the first of the American line, who was born in England in 1585, emigrated to New England in | 1635, settled at Dedham in 1637, died in Medfield, April 5, 1654. The line of descent is Samuel1, John2, Ezra3, David4, David5, Samuel6, Oliver7, Oliver8 (who married Azubah Gay), Otis9, born in Norwood (then South Dedham), March 12, 1809. When about twelve years of age, as was usual with boys in the early days of our country, being one of a family of nine children and with limited means, Otis left home and went to work on the farm of one of the most progressive farmers in the section, Benjamin Weth- erbee ; there he remained four years, fixing himself in those habits of industry and perseverance which have been his help to success. Mr. Witherbee, prizing his services, endeavored to retain him until he was twenty- one. But Otis was determined to be a blacksmith, and learned the trade at a shop about two miles east of his present residence ; stayed there until he was nearly He | twenty-two, then was employed by his cousin in a shop near the present Norwood Hotel. About six months after that he went in business for himself and erected a shop near his present house, purchasing the land and an uncompleted house, which he finished and made his home, and shortly starting for himself, bought the business of his cousin, thus having two establish- ments to occupy him. He ran these two shops for three years. His health at that time was much im- paired ; he had injured himself shoeing stage horses, and was obliged to cease work for a year before he built his shop. He came of a consumptive family, three of his brothers dying of that disease, but in Mr. Morse that tendency developed into stomach trouble, dyspepsia, and continued until he was fifty- two years old. After his health failed he formed a partnership with Nathaniel Noyes, of Dedham, to make carriages and do blacksmith's work, as Morse &

! 11' Otis Morse ----

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NEEDHAM.

Noyes, in 1833. He still holds an interest in the | of William Nehoiden, of whom it was purchased by business, which has been carried on under the name the inhabitants of Dedham on the 13th of April, 1680. The consideration being ten pounds in money, fifty acres of land, and a quantity of Indian corn to the value of forty shillings. of " Otis Morse" for nearly forty years. He manu- factured and built iron fence for twenty-five years, and for thirty years has conducted the undertaking business. He owns several tenements which he lets. As an evidence of his industry, during the year of his illness he ran a fish-cart for several months. Mr. Morse married, first, Frances L. Boyden, by whom he had one child who attained maturity, Edward B. ; he is a resident of Boston, and an active business man. Mrs. Frances Morse died Oct. 10, 1838, aged twenty- three years, and Nov. 20, 1839, Mr. Morse married, second, Hannah (Day) Polleys (daughter of John It is evident that quite a number had located here and Hannah (Day) Polleys; she was born July 25, , prior to 1709, for on the 9th of March, of that year, the inhabitants petitioned the town of Dedham for a grant of eight pounds to defray the expense of three months' preaching among themselves, which was granted. 1809. Otis Morse is a man of modest character, of high integrity, indefatigable and close in his ap-1 plication to his work, honest and prudent. From nothing he has won success and a competency for his old age in the community where his goings out and comings in have been known to all men. Faithful in | all his relations, none speak of him but in praise of the worthiness of his character as a man, and of the skill he displayed as a workman in anything he un- dertook.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 108

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534