History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 129

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

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faculty of winning to him and to his views those with whom he came in contact. He was one who stood in the front rank in that noble army of New England's gallant sons, who, starting in life with only brave hearts, clear heads, and willing hands, carve for themselves a career of honor, and write their names in enduring characters on the scroll of their country's history.

Dr. Howe was twice married, first to Harriet, daughter of Hon. Eliphalet Loud Weymouth. By this marriage there was no issue. His second wife, who survives him, was Eliza, daughter of Joseph Loud, of Weymouth. There were two children, a son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, still living. Dr. Howe died at his home in Weymouth, Oct. 10, 1870.

JAMES TIRRELL.

Tirrell, was born in Weymouth, May, 1797, where he resided until his death, Nov. 5, 1865. He was the second son in a family of seven,-Kingman, James, Betsey (Mrs. Richards), Minot, Wilson, Al- bert, and Mary (Mrs. Vining). The family is traced back to Gideon Tirrell, who settled in Weymouth about 1658, and died Oct. 13, 1730. He was an extensive land-holder, prominent in the affairs of the town and in the church, whose descendants, thirty years ago,-two names excepted,-were believed to constitute the largest number of voters in the town. At the age of eighteen James was left fatherless, and he assumed his father's place in the care of the family. His mother lived to the age of eighty-seven, and died in the Christian faith in 1858. He pursued his business with various success till about 1831, when the firm of James Tirrell & Co., consisting of the three brothers,-James, Minot, and Albert,-was formed for carrying on the boot and shoe business. Minot was early sent to New Orleans, and was soon followed by Albert, who, by energy and economy, succeeded in establishing a successful business. But James was the leading spirit. He was cautious and enterprising. He had means, experience, and the confidence of business men. He was a man of com- manding presence, great firmness, and persistent energy. He felt a large interest in the public welfare, and was ready for any movement that commended itself to his judgment. He was early the commander of a company of artillery, which gave him the title of captain, which he wore by an apparent right the rest of his life. For many years he was one of the overseers of the poor. He was one of the founders

and directors of the bank in South Weymouth. He was a Whig in politics in the days of Daniel Webster, as were most of his brothers, and great national ques- tions stirred him deeply. He was an active member of the Union Congregational Church, whose welfare was dear to him. He built its first house of worship from his own funds, the society repaying him after the pews were sold ; and often when there was a de- ficit at the end of the year in the parish expenses, he would ask them to raise what money they could, and he would pay the balance. Thus, though his business was in Boston and his days spent there, he was ever thoughtful of home interests, ever helpful to the com- mon welfare, and it cannot be doubted that his per- sonal influence and example encouraged many of his fellow-townsmen to successful enterprise.

He married Betsey Whitmarsh, a most fitting com- panion, who still survives, surrounded by her chil- dren and grandchildren in a pious and serene old age.

James, son of James and Hannah (née Kingman) | Their children are Hannah (the constant companion and tender guardian of her mother in her declining years), Tirzah (the wife of Moses T. Durell, and re- sides in Boston), Alfred (who married Frances Hast- ings, and early entered upon a successful business career in Boston and New Orleans), Mary Jane (the widow of the late Gen. James L. Bates, of the Massa- chusetts Twelfth, who did honorable service in the late war), and James (who married Helen Sprague, and while a young man became a member of the firm of J. & A. Tirrell). Two children died young.

NATHANIEL SHAW.

Nathaniel Shaw was born in Weymouth, Mass., Jan. 24, 1804. He was the son of Capt. Nathaniel and Jane (Tirrell) Shaw. Capt. Nathaniel was born in East Abington, Mass., Aug. 5, 1769. Early in life he moved to Weymouth, and became one of the pioneers in what has since grown to be New England's | greatest industry, the manufacture of boots and shoes. He was a man of character and integrity, and much respected in the community. His children were Na- thaniel (1), Jane (1), Lydia (1), and Oran (1) (all of whom died young), Nathaniel (2) and Jane (2), twins (she married Josiah Torrey and died 1839), Cynthia (married Thomas Reed and died 1878), Theron V. (died 1878), Sophronia (married Thomas White, died 1871), Oran P. and Lydia T., twins (she married Adoniram Vining and is still living in Weymouth). Oran is also still living. Capt. Shaw died Nov. 17, 1835. Mrs. Shaw died Sept. 7, 1833.

Nathaniel Shaw had no exceptional advantages in

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the way of schooling beyond that furnished by the common schools of his day and locality. At these schools only the rudiments of learning were taught, but many, if not the majority of our practical suc- cessful business men were brought up under the same régime, and while they were denied the privileges and pleasures of classic attainments, yet they were suffi- ciently instructed in the fundamental principles of mathematics and other useful branches to enable them to successfully conduct the various transactions incident to a business life. As soon as Mr. Shaw was old enough to be of practical service in his father's shop he was initiated into the mysteries of the craft, and by the time he had arrived at manhood he had acquired a thorough practical knowledge of the busi- ness in all its details. Soon after attaining his ma- jority he came to Boston and engaged as clerk in the store of Joseph Smith, on Hanover Street. On Jan. 20, 1831, he married Emily L., daughter of Eliphalet and Anna (Blanchard) Loud, of Weymouth, and soon after, on account of the ill health of his wife, he re- turned to his native town and took an interest in the manufacturing establishment of his father. Upon the death of his father (1835) he took entire control of the business, and for some years conducted it alone. He soon developed remarkable tact and energy in the conduct of his business, and rapidly extended his trade until it became, for those days, a large concern. Some time prior to 1849, Theron V. Shaw was admitted to 1 partnership; but this copartnership only continued a few years, when Theron V. withdrew, and Nathaniel conducted the business alone until 1855, when Wil- 1 liam Appleton Shaw (Nathaniel's eldest son), becom- ing of age, he and Hon. B. F. White were admitted as partners, under the firm-name of Nathaniel Shaw & Co., and this copartnership continued until Mr. Shaw's death, Feb. 21, 1860. A few years later, Hon. B. F. White, owing to ill health, retired from business and removed to California. Upon his retire- | G., daughter of John Urquhart, of Gloucester, Mass. ment, Theron V. again took an interest in the busi- ness, which he retained to the time of his death (1870). Since then William A. Shaw has conducted the business alone.

stacles and discouragements. At times there seemed an epidemic of failures among his customers, notably during the great panic of 1837, and later, in 1857 ; but through all his embarrassments and adversities he carried a smiling face, an undaunted heart, and an active, persistent energy that eventually tided him successfully over all difficulties. It was often remarked among his acquaintances that he seemed to " carry sun- shine with him wherever he went." Probably no employer ever was more respected or better beloved by his employés. He was the soul of honor and one of the most charitable of men, always looking after the interests and seeking the comforts of the families of those in his employ. He shrank from public no- tice or public office, and the only office he ever ac- cepted from the people was that of representative to the State Legislature in 1857. He was one of the directors of the Weymouth National Bank. In poli- tics he was a Whig and Republican, and was a strong anti-slavery advocate. He was a warm friend to the temperance movement, and gave a great deal to its support. He was very public-spirited, and many marks of his handiwork are observable in the im- provements of his town. He was a regular attendant at the Second Congregational Church at South Wey- mouth, and was never absent unless on account of ill- ness. He was twice married. By his first marriage there was one child, William Appleton (born Jan. 28, 1832; educated at Braintree Academy and Phillips' Andover Academy ; married Harriette P. Reed, April 8, 1858). Mrs. Shaw died Jan. 17, 1833. Mr. Shaw married, as his second wife, Diantha, daughter of Ste- phen and Susan (Loud) Tirrell, Feb. 18, 1840. She was born Oct. 10, 1817. They had three children,- Emily L., born April 8, 1842, died in infancy ; Mary R., born March 23, 1844 ; and Wendell, born Feb. 1, 1848, educated at Weymouth High School and at select school at Auburndale, Mass., and married Lydia They have two children living, Theron B. and Stacy W. Wendell is a farmer, and resides at the old home- stead in Weymouth. Mary R. Shaw is now the wife of Stephen W. Harmon. He was born at Buxton, York Co., Me. After attending the common schools. of his town, and also Linnington and Limerick Acad- emies, he fitted for college at Maine State Seminary (now Bates College), at Lewiston, Me. He gradu- ated at Bowdoin College in 1865, and subsequently taught the high school at Saco, Me., the academy at Hampton, N. II., and the Parsonfield Seminary at

Nathaniel Shaw was in many respects a remarkable man,-remarkable for energy, courage, perseverance under difficulties, and for the equanimity of temper and courtesy of demeanor which he maintained under all, even the most trying circumstances. He was of a quick, active disposition, with a wonderful facility for the dispatch of business. The large business which he built up from a comparatively small begin- | North Parsonfield, Me. He read law at the office of ning, and conducted successfully through the most Wells & Marshall, at Buxton, Me., and was admitted trying ordeals, was beset by more than ordinary ob- 1 to the bar at Saco, Jan. 18, 1869. The following

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March he came to Boston, Mass., and since that time has practiced his profession in the courts of that city.

JOHN S. FOGG.

John S. Fogg, well known as a boot and shoe man- ufacturer, and also as a prominent banker in Boston, was born in Meredith, N. H., April 16, 1817. He is the son of Josiah and Mary (Roberts) Fogg. His ancestors came originally from the South of England, where large estates are now held by Sir Charles Fogg. Younger brothers of this family came to America about the middle of the seventeenth century, and were among the early settlers of Exeter, N. H. Their progeny went westward, and were pioneers in the settlement of the territory about Meredith. Mr. Fogg's parents removed to Stanstead, Canada, when he was a year and a half old. They were poor, and the only opportunities afforded him for an education were the very limited advantages of the public schools. The winters in that climate being long and severe, prevented a regular attendance at these during the winter months, and in summers the necessities of the family compelled him to be placed at labor as soon as he was old enough for his services to be of any value. The death of his mother when he was only nine years old added to the disadvantages under which he was placed, and this was followed, when in his fourteenth year, by the death of his father, leaving a family of five children, of whom John S. was the elder. The children were now compelled to separate and find homes in different families. Mr. Fogg remained in Canada until his nineteenth year, when he came to Meredith, his native place, and attended school that and the following winter, working on a farm the in- termediate summer.

On the 1st day of April, 1836, he started by stage- coach alone for the city of Boston to seek his fortune. At Lowell he saw his first railroad train, boarded it, and that (Monday) afternoon he stepped from the cars in the city of Boston, with scant means in his pocket, with not an acquaintance in the entire city, with no definite plan or object in view save that he was determined to do something to earn a living and if possible to win his way to fortune. He procured cheap lodgings and board, and proceeded during the following week to cast about for something to do. In this he was unsuccessful, and the following Satur- day found him penniless and sadly discouraged. On the afternoon of that day, while standing at a place ! to increase their forces.

called the "loafers' stand,"1 near the place where he boarded, ruminating as to what should be his next move, he was approached by Martin S. Stetson, of Stetson & Blake, East Abington, boot and shoe man- ufacturers, and offered a job " treeing" boots. It is needless to say the proposition was accepted. He continued with them a few months, until the business became slack, when he accepted a like position with Daniel Blanchard. Here he worked very hard for a year, when this firm likewise failed, and Mr. Fogg lost more than half his wages. In the mean time Stetson had managed to get under way again, and Mr. Fogg returned to his employ, where he continued till 1840, treeing and crimping boots. In April of this year he began business for himself as a boot and shoe crimper, at South Weymouth, Mass. About the first of the year 1841 he bought stock and made a few cases of best quality boots, brought them to Boston, and sold them to retailers. With the funds thus ac- quired he replenished his stock, paid his hands, and thus embarked in the boot and shoe manufacturing business. He soou built up quite a trade, and in 1842 he built his first factory-a large one for those days-at Columbian Square, South Weymouth. This was the first large factory in that part of the town; was heated by steam, and was looked upon by Mr. Fogg's more conservative neighbors as rather a risky and extravagant venture. After having met with some losses, through failures among his cus- tomers, he confined himself exclusively to the supply- ing of the wholesale houses. His first deal with a wholesale house was with Alexander Strong, one of Boston's leading dealers. Mr. Fogg's goods were the best that could be made, and he experienced no diffi- culty in finding customers among the best dealers, such as Atherton, Stetson & Co., Joseph Whitten & Co., and other prominent houses.

On Jan. 1, 1850, he formed a copartnership with Wilman Burbank, who was also a partner with Alexander Strong, and they established a boot and shoe store on Central Street, Boston. In July of the following year, 1851, Mr. Burbank died. Mr. Fogg then associated with himself William S. Houghton. They removed their store to Pearl Street, and under the firm-name of Fogg & Houghton, they did a large and rapidly-increasing business. About 1861, Albert L. Coolidge was admitted as a partner, and the firm became Fogg, Houghton & Coolidge. In the mean time, about 1859, they began to secure quite a

1 This was a place where men out of employment and who desired to obtain work were in the habit of congregating, and where employers used to come to seek help when they desired

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trade in California ; they manufactured a class of goods especially adapted to that trade, and their sales in this market continued to increase so rapidly that in 1866 they did a business of more than a million dollars, and were at that time quoted as the largest boot and shoe manufacturers in the United States. In 1878, Mr. Fogg withdrew from this firm, but still continued manufacturing at Weymouth. In the mean time, in 1867, his brother, Parker S. Fogg, returned from California with a cash capital of nearly a hundred thousand dollars, which he had amassed in the boot and shoe trade, and for which he sought investment. John S. placed an equal amount with him, and to- gether they established themselves as bankers, at No. 20 Congress Street, Boston, with Parker S. Fogg as active business manager. John S. continued to give personal attention to his manufacturing interests at Weymouth until June 1, 1871, when his brother died, and he then assumed the management of the bank, and to this interest he has devoted his chief attention to the present time. Upon the dissolution of the firm of Fogg, Houghton & Co., 1878, Mr. Fogg formed a copartnership with N. B. Thayer, who had been foreman of the Weymouth factory and who had shown good business qualities, and under the firm-name of N. B. Thayer & Co. the manufac- appearance, splendid physique, in perfect health, and weighs something over two hundred pounds. His personal manners are easy, address and manner of speaking kindly and sympathetic. He is noted among a very wide circle of business and other acquaintances for his perfect self-control under even the most exasperating circumstances." Neighbors of forty years testify that while they have on very rare occasions seen him angry, they have never known him to exhibit other than the most composed external bearing. This habitual 'ruling of his own spirit' has always given him great influence over his many em- ployés, and has preserved between him and them an unusual degree of harmony. He is candid and frank in his natural disposition, and has an especial sympa- thy for struggling young men of merit who are evi- dently trying to help themselves. More than one such has received from him substantial tokens of his sympathy. His early advantages in the way of edu- cation were scanty, but he has by diligence and per- sistence largely surmounted these difficulties. Mr. Fogg is highly esteemed in the community where he has so long resided and is best known. He is a man of decided religious convictions and character, though never obtrusive, always quietly firm whenever occasion arises for a declaration of his principles in turing at Weymouth was continued until March, | this regard. He is, besides a giver to many good 1882, when the firm of Fogg, Shaw, Thayer & Co. causes, a generous supporter of the Union Congrega- tional Church, of which he has been for so many years a valued and influential member." was formed, with factories at South Weymouth, West- boro', and Marblehead, Mass., and Farmington, N. H. In their banking operations Messrs. Fogg Brothers & Co. made a specialty of dealing in western commer- cial paper, and in this connection one remarkable fact may be mentioned,-during the last five years they MARSHALL CURTIS DIZER. have handled over one hundred million dollars west- Marshall C. Dizer was born in Weymouth, Mass., Sept. 23, 1822. He is the son of John and Sophia (French) Dizer, and grandson of John Dizer, a Ger- man immigrant to this country about 1790. This John Dizer was a seafaring man, and made his home in Boston, where his only son was born. John Dizer, Jr., learned shoemaking when a young man, and fol- | lowed that occupation until between fifty and sixty years of age, when he retired to a farm, where he still resides, at the advanced age of eighty-seven. Marshall C. is the oldest son of seven children. In his youth he had no educational advantages further than the schools of Weymouth afforded, and as soon as he had arrived at such age that his services were useful he was placed in the shop to help his father at the shoe- maker's bench. He was brought up to this vocation, and worked at his trade until he attained his majority. He then took a case of shoes to make for a manufac- turer, for which, when finished, he received thirty-five ern paper and have never lost a dollar. In 1865 the First National Bank of South Weymouth was incor- porated, and Mr. Fogg was chosen president, which position he has held to the present time. In this same year Mr. Fogg was elected president of the Agricultural Industrial Society. After acting in this capacity eleven years he resigned. In 1879 he was elected president of the Putman Horseshoe Nail Corporation, in which concern he is a large share- holder. He still holds this position. Mr. Fogg is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the Union Congregational Church since 1850. His business career has been a phenomenally successful one, and through all his various and multitudinous dealings and interests he has always paid dollar for dollar, and never asked an extension. Of his personal traits and characteristics, one of his neighbors speaks as follows : " Mr. Fogg is a man of fine personal

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more conquered adverse fortune. When he began the erection of his new factory he had no surplus money, but paid all bills of its construction (as they fell due) from the proceeds of his business. Up to this time he made only shoes. He now began making calf boots, and for about three years made a specialty of army shoes.

dollars. With this capital he embarked in business for himself, and from that day to the present he has never worked a day as an employé. He purchased stock, made shoes, and sold them to merchants, and with the money thus acquired would replenish and increase his stock and employ assistants,-gradually | but continually building up and advancing. He prac- ticed the most rigid economy, and labored with the most persevering energy. As an instance of the self- denial and restraint he practiced, he has frequently, when business called him to Boston, made his noon meal off an apple and doughnut costing a cent each. To the young men of the present day this would seem ridiculous and contemptibly penurious, but many if not most of those who are to-day the leading, sub- stantial business men of New England laid the foun- dation of their fortune and success by the exercise of similar frugality. In about three years Mr. Dizer purchased and conducted a grocery-store as an adjunct to his manufacturing business, his shoemaking being conducted in one-half the store. It is worth record- ing that the only material aid Mr. Dizer ever asked or received from any one in the building up of his business was a loan of one hundred dollars from Mr. Jonathan Denton, of Boston (afterwards his father- in-law), and this debt caused him so much mental uneasiness that he determined never to repeat the process. In a few years his business had so far in- creased as to render new and larger quarters necessary. He had also married in the mean time, and so he fitted up the grocery-store as a dwelling and leased a larger factory in which to conduct his business. Here he remained only a few years, when, in obedience to the demands of his rapidly-growing trade, he leased a much larger factory, gave up the grocery-store attach- ment, devoted himself exclusively to manufacturing, and continued in this factory until 1861, when he built a shop where his present immense establishment now stands. Up to this time, however, Mr. Dizer's career had not been one of uninterrupted prosperity. Mr. Dizer has always devoted himself strictly to his business, and almost invariably refused any official position tendered him. He has been director of dif- ferent banks and corporations for short periods, but always gave up such positions as soon as he could consistently do so, believing one interest at a time sufficient for one man, if that interest be properly attended to. The only position of trust he now holds Like other business men, he had encountered many unlooked for obstacles and met with many reverses, but, unlike many others, he never lost heart or cour- ! age, but overcame obstacles as best he could and kept energetically at work. In the great financial crash of 1857 he lost almost the entire accumulations of pre- vious years, and it was only by the most unyielding efforts that he managed to avoid suspension. Again, |is that of vice-president of the Union National Bank in 1861, the loss of his Southern trade through the | of Weymouth and Braintree. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Baptist Church, which is largely sustained by his liberality, and of which his father is deacon. He has always been strictly temperate, never using either tobacco or outbreak of the civil war, and the consequent failure to collect outstanding dues in that quarter left him once more almost penniless. Again, however, he began almost at the beginning, built up new trade, and once

Since 1861, as Mr. Dizer's business has increased, | he has increased his facilities and made additions to his factory more than half a dozen different times, until he has now the largest factory in the world for the class of goods he makes. He has never had any partners in business except his two brothers, John T. and Jacob F., who at different times have had an interest, until Mr. Dizer's two sons became of age, when the brothers retired and the sons were admitted as partners, the firm-name being M. C. Dizer & Co. Mr. Dizer's factory now furnishes employment to nearly six hundred persons, and they do a business of about eight hundred thousand dollars per annum. The writer of this sketch was conducted by Mr. Dizer through the various departments of his im- mense establishment, where hundreds of curiously- fashioned machines, many of which are original with this house, each perform with the most astonishing rapidity some part of the process of making a boot or shoe, where each of these various machines has in attendance a skillful manipulator who operates the machine with such wonderful skill and does his work so deftly and with such mathematical regularity that one involuntarily wonders whether by long months and years of routine work he too has not become a machine, a veritable automaton that could not go wrong if he would. A visit to an establishment like this is full of instruction and interest; it serves to so forcibly and impressively illustrate the rapid strides which have been made in inventive science in the last quarter of a century, that but little seems left for succeeding inventors to do.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 129

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