History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 29

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

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Puritan Lodge, No. 179, I. O. of O. F., was organ- ized April 11, 1877, and numbers about seventy members. They hold their meetings in Odd-Fellows' Hall in the south village.

Braintree Lodge, No. 1494, Knights of Honor, numbering about sixty, was organized Feb. 26, 1779, and holds its meetings in Grand Army Hall.

In closing these sketches, permit me to acknowledge my indebtedness to the Registers of Probate and Deeds for Suffolk and Norfolk Counties, to John Ward Dean, Esq., Librarian of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society, and to the aged citizens of the town, for information which has enabled me to give so many facts in the history of our town.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CALEB STETSON.

Caleb Stetson was born in Braintree, Mass., Jan. | paid on presentation.

6, 1801. He was the eldest of the three sons of | elected a director in the Shoe and Leather Dealers' Amos Stetson. He received the best education the country at that time afforded, spending six months at school and the remaining six playing or working on the farm. He was offered a collegiate education by his father, who had a prosperous business, but he de- clined it, his spirit of enterprise being more active than his love of study. In 1815 he was sent to a private school, with a view to the study of law, for which profession he had a growing taste, and which he would have honored had he completed his studies.

His father was three or four times elected to repre- sent the town of Braintree in the Legislature of Mas- sachusetts, and was one of the selectmen and asses- sors of Braintree for many years. In the war of | establishing a Board of State Bank Commissioners

1812 he was major of the State militia, and was or- dered out for service, in 1813, for coast defense.

After two years' application to the study of law Ca- leb Stetson abandoned the profession and began to assist his father in his store. His aptitude for busi- ness soon became conspicuous in the management of his father's affairs, which he conducted with great success for five years. At the age of twenty-two he married Susannah, daughter of the late Deacon Hunt, of Weymouth, a most estimable lady, by whom he had six children.

Mr. Stetson selected for his business the manufac- ture of boots and shoes. His father furnished him a capital of three hundred dollars, and he went to work, this being all the aid he received from any one. Adding industry and good judgment to his small fund, he conducted a prosperous business in Braintree for years.

In 1826 he became initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry, becoming a member of Orphans' Hope Lodge in Weymouth. During the anti-Masonic ex- citement which followed the reported death of Wil- liam Morgan, of New York, Mr. Stetson found him- self so unpleasantly situated in Braintree that he removed to Boston, where, though anti-Masonry prevailed to some extent, it was far less aggressive than in the country towns. He eventually acquired great wealth in the shoe business, and extended his operations into other branches of industry. His ac- tive labors have covered more than half a century of time. He has passed through four or five severe financial revulsions in trade,-say, 1826-28, 1836-37, 1847-49, 1857-61,-and what is very remarkable, he has had no occasion to ask any renewal or ex- tension of his liabilities for a single day during his whole life,-a prosperous business period of over forty years. All correct cash bills have been instantly In 1842 Mr. Stetson was Bank, in Boston, and in 1857 he was made president. This office he held ten years, with great distinction to himself and great profit to the bank.

Although Mr. Stetson was an observing and unde- viating Democrat, of unquestionable courage and pa- triotism, he was no politician in the low sense of that word. He was no office-seeker. In 1835 he and his wife became members of Rev. Dr. Adams' church, Boston. After the death of his wife, in 1863, he became connected with the Episcopal Church. In 1852 he was elected a representative to the General Court from Braintree, and was made chairman of the House Committee on Banks and Banking. The bill

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was prepared by him. In 1854 he was nominated as an example of legitimate success worthy to be fol- by the Democratic State Convention as the candidate | lowed by young men, but few who live to the ripe age for Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts. The same of fourscore years have a more commendable record than Caleb Stetson, of Braintree. His name will be an enduring honor, both to his native town and coun- try. year he was elected a presidential elector on the Demo- cratic ticket. This honor he declined, and after that date he accepted no nominations whatever for political office.

His first appearance as a public writer was in 1835. The late Hon. Amasa Walker published a series of articles advocating extensions of the credit system to six, eight, and ten months to Southern and Western purchases. These were answered by Mr. Stetson with much ability. The general crash of 1837 proved his wisdom and foresight. In 1836 he wrote several articles in favor of the sub-treasury. The many fail- ures of banks turned his attention to the subject of banking, and he opposed the further issue of currency under the general system then established. He con- sidered that the banks were unsafe under the general laws of Massachusetts, as it tended to encourage their increase without real capital. He advised the safety- fund system, which was afterwards adopted in New York and Massachusetts in 1854.

In 1854 he published a pamphlet, over the signa- , time at paper-making, he immediately started for

Boston to see Bunker Hill and Long Wharf. This a history of mining and the probable effect which the | trip decided his future career. Not returning, he

ture of " Silex," of about one hundred pages, giving

discovery of gold would have on the future value of property. To this was appended some twelve or fif- teen letters, written and published in the Boston Traveller in the winter of 1853.

On Mr. Stetson's return from Europe, he visited California. While at San Francisco he was so ill that it was only with great difficulty that he could be brought home, and for four years there was hardly a hope of his recovery ; but by skillful medical attend- ance and good nursing he was restored almost to his original vigor and health. To escape the severity of -

Northern winters he has spent them for several years at the South, having purchased a plantation of five or six hundred acres in Georgia.

In reply to an inquiry made by a friend how it had been possible for him to accomplish so much in his life, he replied, " The last forty years of my life, I have risen out of my bed, when well, at four A.M., and have done all my correspondence and written all arti- cles for the press or otherwise from four to seven A.M. before eating or drinking anything. It is now five A.M., the day of our forefathers' landing, and I am nearly seventy-eight years of age."

For practical common sense and industry ; for sterling integrity and consistency of practice in har- mony with the profession of principle ; for his noble and generous sympathies as a friend and citizen, and

ELLIS A. HOLLINGSWORTH.

Ellis A. Hollingsworth, son of Mark and Waitstill (Tileston) Hollingsworth, was born in Milton, Mass., March 6, 1819. His grandfather, Amor Hollings- worth, was born on the old family homestead in Chester County, Pa., held by a deed given from William Penn, and rendered historic by being the ! place whereon the memorable battle of Brandywine was fought between the forces under Lord Howe and Gen. Washington. The family were originally Quakers, who came to America with William Penn, -probably from Chester County, England.

Amor afterwards moved to Delaware, where his son Mark was born. Mark received a good com- mon-school education, and, after having served his

engaged with Hugh McLean, manufacturer of paper at Milton Upper Mills, now called Mattapan, and said to be one of the oldest establishments of the kind in America, a company having obtained from the General Court, about the year 1728, the exclu- sive privilege of making paper for the term of ten years, upon condition that they should make, after the third year, five hundred reams per year for each succeeding year of the remaining ten, one hundred and fifty reams of which were to be writing-paper, and a fine of twenty shillings was imposed upon every ream made by any one else. After McLean's death, Mark Hollingsworth, in 1809, purchased these mills, and, associating himself with Edmund Tileston, his | brother-in-law, under the firm-title of Tileston & Hol- lingsworth, established the business of paper-manu- facturing, which has continued from that time until the present in the same families and under the same firm-name, the eldest son of each generation succeed- ing, without an exception, to the business. Mark Hollingsworth was a Quaker, and was characterized by the attributes of his people, a quiet, positive, re- flective man, and a hater of shams. He possessed much mechanical ingenuity, and by his tact and in- dustry acquired a competency which made him for his own time wealthy. He died in March, 1855. Ellis Anderson was the youngest son of a family of eight

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attaining maturity, viz. : Leander M., Amor, John Mark, George, Lyman, Maria H. (Mrs. E. K. Cor- nell), Cornelia W. (Mrs. W. Babcock), and Ellis Anderson.

When young, Ellis Anderson, owing to precarious health, was placed with a progressive and scientific farmer of the State of New York, with whom he remained until he had obtained a thorough knowl- edge of agriculture, both theoretically and practically, and for which he ever after manifested a fondness in | and a fanciful delight in gathering grasses, of which

the application of his knowledge to the care of a farm of his own. He married Susan J., only daughter of Rufus and Susanna Sumner, a cousin of the Hon. Charles Sumner. Their children are Sumner and Ellis. In 1849, under the stimulant of the gold excitement, he went to California, and after a sojourn of a year or more he returned to Massachusetts, and in 1851 took possession of his father's mills at South Braintree, Mark Hollingsworth having purchased the old Revere Copper Works at South Braintree, and there established a paper manufactory.

One of the most fortunate discoveries of modern times was the invention at this mill in 1843 of ma- nilla paper, the production of which has become so valuable in every branch of industry. Ellis Anderson continued the manufacture of this paper, and after- wards in association with Leonard Whitney, Jr., of Watertown, under the firm-name of Hollingsworth & Whitney, they commenced the making of their paper into bags by machinery. The enormous in- crease of business necessitated the construction and purchase of new mills, which were accordingly erected in Watertown, Mass., and in Gardiner, Me. The Po- quonock mill at Hartford, Conn., was purchased, and partnerships were formed with large manufacturers both in Baltimore and in Philadelphia. Mr. E. A. Hollingsworth showed a wonderful adaptability to the details of business, and possessing a clear compre- hension of the mechanical processes, through his care, economy, and ability the business not only as- sumed large proportions, but was put upon a solid financial basis. He was in many respects a most remarkable man. He did nothing upon the impulse of the moment, but gave each subject the most care- ful thought and consideration. Apparently of vigor- ous health, he was yet for years a great sufferer, but possessed of wonderful physical endurance he trans- acted business day after day when others would have withdrawn from the task. Calmly, patiently, and without complaint, he was a personal exemplification of the motto inscribed upon the Hollingsworth coat of arms, " Disce ferenda pati" (Learn to suffer what must be endured). Although thus heavily engrossed

in his immense business, his mind took cognizance of other more scientific and literary pursuits. A student of the Journal of Speculative Philosophy, of which he was among the first subscribers, he was accus- tomed to remark that his acumen, insight, and success was largely the result of his philosophical researches. A lover of the beautiful in nature, he would point out what would be obscure to a common observer. He took an interest in collecting minerals and shells, he had numbered nearly five hundred varieties. In reference to his last visit to his Gardiner mills, a friend writes, " We met him, on the north side of the Cobbossee, gathering ferns and grasses ; we little thought then that this was the last time we were to see him." Mr. Hollingsworth was a Unitarian in his religious views, although by no means bigoted or sectarian, and a Republican in politics. He was ex- tremely unconventional, and by his lack of ostentation | and display showed the spirit of his Quaker ancestry. His kind heart and sound judgment gave him an interest in all good and progressive works, of which he was also a generous contributor. Although his fellow-townsmen honored him with the presidency of the Braintree Savings-Bank, he would not consent to other offices of public trust. Of a retiring nature, he had comparatively small acquaintanceship with his fellow-citizens; but it arose rather from ill health, and from his quiet, unobtrusive manner, than from any pride of position or lack of geniality. With intimate friends he was ever social and communi- cative. Original and keen-witted, he would give expression to his thoughts with a clearness and purity of language that gave him few equals. A quick observer of the comic in life, and possessing a great fund of quiet humor, he could tell a story so humor- ously as to draw tears with laughter. Independent, self-reliant, and tenacious of purpose, he was ever in social and family relations companionable, loving, and tender.

Sincerely beloved and deeply lamented by the community at large, a wide circle of business friends, and by those who knew him best, he passed this life Jan. 6, 1882.

THE MORRISON FAMILY.

The Morrison Family originated in the island of Lewis, on the west coast of Scotland, from Scandinavian stock. There are many ways of spelling the name, but from about 1800 Morrison has been generally ac- cepted. It is Gaelic, from Moor's son, signifying re- nown, famous, a mighty one. Their heraldic crest is

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three Moors' heads, pointing clearly to their origin. The chief of the clan Morrison was a ruler of Lewis for many generations, and many instances of their prow- ess, mechanical skill, and humor may be cited. "The record of this remarkable family is one of thrilling interest, and an air of romance still lingers about i the descendants of the Brieve of Lewis. In various walks of life, in peaceful scenes, in foreign climes, they are as celebrated as were their ancestors in the feuds and bloody dramas of the past. In the fields of dis- covery, in politics, in the conflicts of arms, in business and mercantile life, their history is one of progress, and their record one of honor."

Robert lived all his life in Windham, N. H. ; was born Feb. 6, 1758, and was a farmer. He had twelve children, among them Ira and Alva.

From the " History of the Morrison Family" we extract the following graphic sketch :

JOHN MORRISON, born in Scotland, county of | Aberdeen, 1628, was one of the first settlers of Lon- donderry, N. H., previous to which he assisted in de- fending Londonderry, Ireland, in its memorable siege of 1688-89. He and his family were among the number driven beneath the walls, and subsequently admitted into the city, remaining there until its relief. He re- moved to America in 1720 with a young family. His sons James and John, who had preceded him to the New World, deeded him on Christmas, 1723, a tract of land, now situate in Derry, N. H., where, on Jan. 19, 1736, being near his end, and " very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory," he made his last will and testament, and shortly thereafter died at the reputed age of one hundred and eight years. His son James was one of the proprietors of the ancient town of Londonderry, N. H., and one of those to whom its charter was given, from which he is known as " Charter James Morrison." He was one of the earliest settlers of the town, and the land then " laid out" in 1728 is now owned by his great-great-grandson. He was prominent in town affairs, and selectman in 1725. By his wife, Mary Wallace, who died in Ireland, he had two sons, Halbert and Samuel. He died about 1756. Samuel, born in Ireland in 1704, came to London- derry with his father in 1719, a lad of fifteen, and shared the hardships of the new settlement. He was deeded a farm which was afterwards set off into Windham, still owned in the Morrison name and with unchanged boundaries. He was moderator of the first town-meeting held in Windham in 1742, and presided at fifty-one consecutive meetings. He was a member of the first board of selectmen, acting in this capacity at different times for seven years. He was town clerk four years. He was a lieutenant in the French and Indian war, and was present at the cap- ture of Louisburg, July 26, 1758. He married Martha, daughter of Samuel Allison, of Londonderry, born March.31, 1720. She was the first female child of European parentage born in that town. Their son ' country. He was a man of much reading; he loved

" Hon. Alva Morrison [John (1), James (2), Lieut. Samuel (3), Robert (4) ] was born at Wind- ham, N. H., May 13, 1806. His father died when he was nearly two years old. From that time until he was twenty years of age his life was passed quietly at home with his mother. He received whatever education the district school was able to give, and worked at farming. From his earliest years he ex- hibited that spirit of industry which led to his success in after-life. In the spring of 1826, desiring to acquire a knowledge of some business other than farming, he left his boyhood's home and went to Stoughton, Mass., where his brother Leonard was at work in a woolen-factory. He worked at the same place, but the proprietor soon becoming insolvent, he went to Canton and obtained a situation in a woolen-factory in that town. Here he remained only until the factory at Stoughton started again under the control of a new owner, when he returned to his former situ- ation. It was while in Stoughton that he married, July 11, 1830, Mira, only daughter of Col. Consider Southworth, of that town. (See his biography in Stoughton history.) She was born Nov. 3, 1810. He remained in the same factory until May, 1831, when he moved to Braintree, which was ever after his home. Having acquired a thorough knowledge of the busi- ness, he, in company with his brother Leonard, com- menced the manufacture of woolen goods. They soon sustained a high reputation, as the goods made by them were the best in the market. They remained in company five years, when they dissolved partner- ship. Alva continued the business at Braintree, and Leonard started anew at Salem, N. H. By close attention to business and strict integrity they accumu- lated wealth. He remained in business until 1871, when he retired and was succeeded by his sons, who still maintain the high reputation he established in 1831. He was several times chosen as representa- tive and senator, and was the recipient of other im- portant trusts from his fellow-townsmen, who relied implicitly upon his high integrity and intelligence. He was a large-hearted, whole-souled man. In his private as well as public life he was highly esteemed for great energy of character and strength of purpose. The wealth which he accumulated he made generous use of in public and private benevolence. He was greatly interested in the honor and success of his

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and appreciated the best books of English literature. In the intervals of business he was given to study books of science and theology, and upon these sub- jects formed independent and progressive, though thoroughly reverent opinions. Religion was with him a practical thing for every-day use, and his sense of duty toward his fellow-man and God was the highest. He was very domestic in his tastes, and found his greatest enjoyment in his home. In return for his great love of his family, he found them ever ready to bestow on him the warmest affection and sympa- thy. He died May 28, 1879." The business estab- lished by Alva and Leonard Morrison in 1831, and continued for a few years, was making satinets. Mr. Morrison abandoned this in 1837 and began to make woolen yarns. He made good goods and established a first-class reputation. During all financial reverses Mr. Morrison paid every dollar of every obligation, and never asked an extension. Strong in his sense of justice and the principles of universal right, he was among the first to join the anti-slavery move- ment. In those days that meant almost social ostra- cism, and in these days we can little conceive the courage required to maintain those principles. He was a member of the secret society organized to aid escaped slaves, and his name was placed at the head of the Free-Soil ticket for years. From 1856 he supported the Republican party until Grant's second administration, when, with Charles Sumner, Wendell Phillips, and others, he abandoned it. A man of unusual powers and usefulness, a citizen of command- ing presence and acknowledged integrity, the whole community felt a loss when Alva Morrison passed away. His children were M. Lurett, Alva S., Mary C. (deceased), E. Adelaide, Robert Elmer, Augus- tus M. (deceased), and Ibrahim.

building. When R. Elmer became of age, in 1864, he was admitted partner, and Mr. Abercrombie retired, and the firm became " A. Morrison & Sons." In 1872, Ibrahim was admitted as partner, and the firm became " A. S. Morrison & Bros." The brothers have worked together harmoniously, used good mate- rial, given good work, maintained the high reputation previously established, and Morrison's yarns and un- derwear are standard among dealers throughout New England. The excessive demand for their goods necessitated another large building in 1874, since which time their business has doubled. During the Rebellion " Alva Morrison & Co." for four years man- ufactured hosiery and underwear, and in 1879 this firm's successors introduced the manufacture of " gents' fashioned underwear," which department is a very prominent one in their business. " A. S. Mor- rison & Bros." have ever kept abreast of the progress of improvement, and availed themselves of each new advance in machinery or otherwise to secure for their manufactory the best possible result. Their special- ties are yarns for manufacturing purposes, knitting yarns, and the underwear spoken of. Their trade- mark is the family coat-of-arms with the three Moors' heads. Alva S. has steadily and earnestly de- voted himself to business, and has preferred this to meddling with public affairs, but has served on school committee seven years, and, believing in the princi- ples of economy and equality enunciated by Thomas Jefferson, he is active in support of Democracy, and as a Democrat was elected to represent his district in 1883. He has been twice married, first, Nov. 9, 1857, to Elizabeth A., daughter of Ira and Elizabeth W. Curtis, of Weymouth. She died Jan. 1, 1874. Their surviving children are Anna G., Walter E., Fred. G., and Mira I. He married, second, Rebecca H., daughter of Edward Holyoke, of Marlboro, June 13, 1875. By this marriage he has one daughter, Alice Southworth. For the last quarter of a century

ALVA S. MORRISON, son of Alva and Mira (South- worth) Morrison, was born Nov. 9, 1835, in Braintree. Attended common and private schools, which attend- ance was supplemented by two years passed in Con- Mr. Morrison has been one of the representative and ference Seminary, at Northfield, N. H. He received successful manufacturers of Braintree, and his success has been worthily won by his skill, attention, and ap- plication in his chosen field of labor. a thoroughly practical business education in his father's mills, working in every department, and when old enough was placed in charge of the financial in- IRA MORRISON, [John (1), James (2), Lieut. Samuel (3), Robert (4), Ira (5) ] was born July 18, 1798, in Windham, N. H. He was first a hatter and afterwards a farmer, and settled first in Hopkinton, N. H., next in Ripley, Me., and in 1845 he moved to Braintree, Mass., and subsequently bought a farm in Salem, N. H., where he resided until a year or two previous to his death, which occurred in Braintree, March 10, 1870. He married Sophia Colby, and had terests, and was admitted partner in April, 1856. From that time Mr. Morrison has attended personally to the development of the business, and under his careful management it has grown slowly and steadily. Previous to 1856 the firm had been " A. Morrison & Co.," Horace Abercrombie, his son-in-law, being a partner. An increase of business demanded a larger and more commodious building, and in 1856 the pres- ent stone mill was erected a little to the east of the old . four children, among them Benjamin Lyman. Ira

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 29

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