History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 80

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 80

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" I took a walk round the garden, nursery, and orchard. The desolation of the season cast a gloom on my spirits. The fruit has been gathered from all the trees. The ground is strewn with sere red and yellow leaves; it is wet and gathered in clods. Most of the large trees are mere stems, stripped of all their leaves. I hastened in from this prospect. Again, as the sun went down, I walked up the hill to Charles' house,1 to see the sunset. But, although it was not quite five o'clock, the sun was already behind Mount Ararat. I went further over the hill, and surveyed the village, the surrounding country, the harbor and bay of Boston, the State-House of Boston itself, and the shaft of Bunker Hill Monument; and memory re- turned to the fact that this day eighty years ago 2 my father and mother were united in marriage. What an ordo sæcu- lorum commenced for me from that day! What was then the condition of the people who constituted the town of Braintree ? What is the condition of the three towns of Quincy, Braintree, and Randolph now ? And what will be the condition of the occupiers of the soil of these three towns in eighty years from this day ? The recollection of the past is pleasing and melan-

1 This was the house, still standing, on President's Hill, built in 1841 by Charles Francis Adams, and in which he lived for several summers. It was the custom of President Adams when at Quincy to watch the sun rise and set from the piazza of this house every fine day ; but when he wrote it was vacant, his son having moved to his winter residence in Boston. 2 Oct. 25, 1764.

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choly ; the prospect of the future-oh, how gloomy it is! Not a soul now lives who was then in the bloom of life. Not a soul now living will be here in 1924. My own term-how soon it will close ! And to whom will all this belong in eighty years from this day? Will prayer to God preserve the branches and shoots from my father's stock ?"

One-half of the allotted period thus sadly forecast is already gone. Nor was it without reason, in the autumn of 1844, that to the trained eye of the old statesman the future seemed gloomy, for over it clouds both thick and black were then already gathering. His were no idle forebodings, for better than any one else he realized what those clouds por- tended. What he feared came about. At last that slavery question on which his whole mind was intent ripened into war,-a civil war which involved his native place and his family, even as it and he had been involved in his own early youth. But all in good time each new danger was met and overcome by those who succeeded him, just as he and his had met and overcome their dangers in the past. And now that forty years have elapsed, it may fairly and truthfully be said that Quincy has not before met better days. There is also a stability and perma- nence in the town which in America is not always seen. It adheres to the ancient ways. The inhab- itants yet meet in their own hall and manage their own affairs as did their fathers for generations before. And just as, a century and a half ago, John Quincy by common consent presided over each town-meeting that was held, so now does a descendant five gener- ations removed, but still bearing his name. Never in the history of the town were those meetings more orderly, more intelligent, or more prone to do right. Never was the town so populous, so rich, or so tem- perate. It is now more than two hundred and sixty years since Miles Standish first set foot on the Squan- tum beach, and six years only are wanting to com- plete a quarter of a millennium of continuous munici- pal life. Two centuries and a half is no small portion of recorded history, and there are few forms of human government to which a longer existence is given. It is hardly to be expected that the old simple village system, even in its most developed shape, can in

difficulty as it shall arise. As in 1844, " the recol- lection of the past is pleasing ;" but in 1884 " the prospect of the future" cannot be said to be " gloomy."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THOMAS ADAMS.

Thomas Adams, for many years sheriff of Norfolk County, was born in Quincy (then Braintree), April 19, 1804. He had but the educational advantages of the farmers' boys of the period of his youth, but what they supplied him was retained and used with profit during his life. He married Mehetabel, daughter of Joseph and Relief (Baxter) Field, April 4, 1826. (She was born Jan. 3, 1804.) He early became identified as a political worker with the Whig party, and received the appointment of deputy-sheriff, for which office he possessed great qualifications, and whose duties he discharged to the perfect satisfaction of the people. He was continued a long time as deputy, and so much were his services demanded, that he relinquished all other business, removed from Quincy to Roxbury in 1842, and was prominent in official relations. Marked and decided in his char- acter, positive and energetic in his nature, he showed such adaptability to the duties devolving upon him, that when placed in nomination for high sheriff he was elected by a very flattering vote, which also con- tinued him for many years in this office. Probably no resident of the county was better fitted for this position than Mr. Adams. He was popular, quite humorous, could both tell and enjoy a good story, had a large circle of friends among the best men of both political creeds, and united with a gentlemanly bearing and fine personal presence undaunted courage and rapidity of execution. He felt all the dignity of liis office and sustained it well, but ever softened the sharp edges of his duty by his kindness and human- ity toward those upon whom he was forced to execute his power. To this end he often took responsibilities Quincy long outlast that period. But none the less, from which weaker men would have shrunk. Ex- whatever the future may have in store, it may fairly | Governor Gaston relates the following instance of his be said that never did the town contain within its kindness of heart: " One Saturday a man was re- manded to his custody until Monday. Mr. Adams turning to him, asked, ' Do you want to be with your family over Sunday ?' The man answered ' Yes.' ' Go home, then, and be here when court opens,' said Mr. Adams. The man went joyfully, and was prompt - in his attendance at the opening of court on Monday." limits so many prosperous, well-to-do, contented, self- governed, and well-governed human beings as are con- tained within them to-day. Never was the standard of virtue, temperance, education, and public spirit so high. Never did Quincy face the coming years with such confidence in its own ability to master each new

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Such characteristics as these did not fail to give him

Politically Dr. Stetson was a Democrat, and at one a large personal following of friends. Outside of his / time he was elected to represent the town in the Gen- eral Court, but aside from that, we believe held no

official duties, he was an able business man, a valued member of the Sagamore Club, an excellent citizen, | public office. His religious belief was that of the and acquired wealth. He was very hospitable, and was noted for his kindness in aiding young men both by his counsels and monetary assistance. During the Rebellion he filled numerous contracts for horses for the government. For this he was well qualified, as he had a great love for and skill in selecting fine horses. He was the original inceptor, and became one of the incorporators and directors of the Rock- | the advancement of his chosen profession. He was

land Bank, now Rockland National Bank, Roxbury, with which he was identified until his death, which occurred Jan. 2, 1869. Mrs. Adams, who survives him, is an amiable lady of gentle and unassuming man- ners, possessing the same kindness of heart toward the poor and unfortunate as Mr. Adams, and is noted for her benevolence and charity.

JAMES A. STETSON, M.D.

James A. Stetson, M.D., son of Maj. Amos Stetson, was born in Braintree, Dec. 28, 1806. He acquired a classical education and was graduated at Columbia College, New York, and afterwards studied medicine at the Harvard Medical School. He came to Quincy about 1830, not long after his graduation, and estab- lished himself as a physician. His agreeable manners and well-founded medical knowledge soon made him popular among all classes, and at the time of his mar- riage he had built up a fine practice. He married, Nov. 10, 1842, Abigail F., oldest daughter of Josiah

Brigham, of Quincy. Their children are Josiah B. | of friends, and one of the most thoroughly honest and James H. Josiah B. is a teacher of vocal and | and upright of men.

instrumental music in Boston. James H. is a sales- man and commercial traveler, and is in the employ of | a Boston wholesale firm.

As a physician Dr. Stetson was skillful and suc- cessful, possessing great judgment and decision which always inspired confidence in him ; kind, charitable, and faithful, he was ever ready to attend the calls of the poor, and never required a fee if he thought they were unable to pay for his services.

At the time of his decease, which occurred March 15, 1880, he was the oldest practicing physician in Norfolk County, having been the representative phy- sician of Quincy for about half a century. He had a very extensive practice, and not until failing health, some ten years before his death, warned him that his labors were too engrossing and fatiguing, did he com- mence to relinquish his work to younger physicians. 'at his death an estate of forty thousand dollars.

Unitarians. As a physician, citizen, and friend, Dr. Stetson won all hearts by his unpretentious goodness, unassuming manners, fidelity, and probity. Probably no man ever lived in Quincy who had a larger circle of strong personal friends. He was a highly respected member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and kept himself well versed in everything pertaining to well read in the current literature of the day, and always deeply interested in the progress of art and discoveries of science. His clearness of mental vision gave strength to all his convictions. His opinions were not hastily formed, but were tena- ciously held, and, when occasion offered, fearlessly expressed, whether upon social, political, or religious subjects. If his prejudices were sometimes strong, they were not invincible, for he was open to argu- ment, and candid in weighing the reasons of his opponents. His independence of nature made him superior to the love of popularity and to the pursuit of it, and kept him through life (with one exception) from taking public place or official position. He was impatient of all that was vulgar and pretentious, in- tolerant of deception, prevarication, and meanness. His dislike of ostentation led him to veil beneath a somewhat cold exterior a generosity of character and a tenderness of feeling which were among his most striking traits, and which will be borne witness to by all who were admitted to the intimacy of his friend- ship. He was a sincere Christian, one of the firmest

HENRY HARDWICK FAXON.

Henry Hardwick Faxon, son of Job and Judith B. (Hardwick) Faxon, was born in Quincy, Mass., Sept. 28, 1823. He is a descendant in the eighth generation of Thomas Faxon, who came, with his wife, daughter, and two sons, from England to America previous to 1647, and settled in that part of Braintree now Quincy. He consequently repre- sents one of the oldest New England families in this section.

Job Faxon was quite an extensive farmer, owning and managing, in connection with his farm, a stall in Quincy Market, Boston, for many years, and leaving

He He. Hayen.

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Henry passed his youth on the farm, with merely common-school advantages for education. He was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade when about sixteen, and during his five years' experience became thoroughly conversant with the manufacture of all parts of a boot and shoe. In 1843, in company with his brother John, he began manufacturing boots and shoes principally for the Boston and Baltimore markets. About 1846 he changed his business, opening a retail grocery and provision store in Quincy, which he conducted for about seven years. During the last three years of that time he carried on a bakery, and also was a real-estate and merchan- dise auctioneer. His temperament was too active, however, to be confined within the comparatively narrow limits of country trade, and he became a re- tail grocer at the corner of South and Beach Streets, Boston, the firm-name being " Faxon, Wood & Co." Two years later he, with his brothers, moved to Com- mercial Street, changing the title of the firm to " Faxon Brothers & Co.," and the business to whole- sale transactions exclusively. In 1861, retiring from the firm, Mr. Faxon went to New Orleans and made large purchases of molasses, shipping it to his former partners. Returning to Boston the next year, he engaged in speculating on Chatham Street, and subse- quently located on India Wharf. Here he operated largely in chicory, kerosene oil, raisins, spices, and everything in the way of staple merchandise upon which he could realize a profit. At this time Mr. Faxon had given no special thought to temperance matters, and was not himself' a "total abstainer." Anticipating the rise in the price of liquors on account of an in- crease of duty, he purchased several hundred barrels of whiskey and rum, and held them for the expected advance. The result proved the accuracy of his judgment. This is the transaction upon which Mr. Faxon's bibulous opponents have founded the essen- tially false charge, so often heard, that he " made his money selling rum," the intention being to convey the impression that the temperance campaigner was at one time in his life distinctively a liquor-seller.

Relinquishing speculation, he dealt in real estate on a large scale, and it was in this that he made the bulk of his fortune. He purchased for the most part at auction, and through careful management cleared great amounts of money. He is now the largest real-estate owner in Quincy, where he has about one hundred tenants, besides having nearly the same number in Boston and Chelsea. He married, Nov. 18, 1852, Mary B., daughter of Israel W. and Pris- cilla L. (Burbank) Munroe. They have one child, Henry Munroe, born May 22, 1864.

Mr. Faxon was chosen to represent Quincy in the State Legislature, as a Republican, in 1864 and 1871. With these exceptions, Mr. Faxon has never held public office, save his present peculiar one of " Special Police," to enforce the laws relative to the sale of in- toxicating liquors in Quincy. A man of rare judg- ment, of irrepressible energy, he has " hewed to the line" of an unshaken purpose. His life is of a type rarely found elsewhere than in America-a note- worthy manifestation of that tireless, ceaseless, sleep- less effort, ending only at death, which seems to characterize our people, and which strikes thoughtful foreigners with astonishment. As a business man, Mr. Faxon seemed to know intuitively the state of future as well as current markets; and the boldness of his operations, and the manner of his purchases, though unerringly clear to himself, seemed to others audacious, even wild and reckless, and astounded his associates by their successful issues. As a legislator, Mr. Faxon looked keenly to the best interests of his constituents. His attention was first attracted to the temperance question while a member of the Legisla- ture. He voted for all measures tending to restrict the sale of intoxicating liquors.

This action on his part was met with fierce denun- ciation by the advocates of license, which caused Mr. Faxon to thoroughly investigate the liquor traffic in all its phases. He soon saw the enormity of the evil, and its destructive effects upon society. He imme- diately adopted the principles of prohibition, and has since devoted himself untiringly to the temperance cause. It is in connection with this movement that he has become so widely and prominently known. He became at once one of the acknowledged leaders of the temperance forces of Massachusetts, and in- augurated a bold, aggressive policy of active and vigorous war on intemperance wherever intrenched. "Through the pulpit, the Sunday-schools, the press, the conventions, the polls, he has assailed the traffic in intoxicating liquors with an uncompromising spirit. He has treated with defiant scorn that political policy which has so often betrayed the friends of prohibitory legislation. Consequently he has encountered much opposition, personal abuse, and misrepresentation of motives ; but his courage, consistency, and persever- ance are unyielding. His entire freedom from sec- tarian bigotry, and his Christian integrity, place the purity of his motives beyond question, and render in- effectual the attacks of those who find his sincerity unsuited to their political purposes."

Mr. Faxon has applied the same methods to his temperance work that were so successful in his busi- ness career. He has never attempted to use his

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

principles as levers to elevate himself to office, but has persistently refused to be a candidate for any position. To use his own words, " I want it distinctly under- stood that it is not for office or honor that I take so active a part in politics, but for the satisfaction of do- ing what I consider my political duty." He has no affiliation with any third-party movement, holding the Republican party as the most reliable medium for re- form, and constantly endeavoring, through it, to ac- complish the reforms so imperatively demanded by | the interests of society ; but he has often been severely censured by its leaders for ignoring party lines. He says, "I do not care for parties, but only for the principles which govern them ; and I have been free in the past to condemn the action of the party to which I am allied, and to bolt nominations, and defeat its candidates, when the good of the people demanded it. I am content to stand between the two great political parties, with my prohibition club, and, in case of an emergency, knock the life out of one or both, unless they accept the issue."

Mr. Faxon has used his wealth without stint in aiding the temperance cause, and this has sustained the Reform Clubs in various parts of Massachusetts. During the year when the Reform Club movement was at its height his gifts averaged fifty dollars per day. In Quincy, his home, he has done a noble work. Faxon Hall, a permanent memorial to his name, was erected in 1876, for the Reform Club of Quincy. This, with its furniture, cost eleven thousand dollars, of which he paid more than four-fifths. His zeal and independent political ability have placed him at the head of the prohibitory forces of Massachusetts, and made him a prominent factor in State politics. A State Republican Convention without him and his prohibitory resolutions would be a grateful surprise to politicians. He keeps a keen eye on the legislative pro- ceedings, and is personally in attendance at nearly every day's session, working with unremitting zeal to advance temperance legislation. He is the bête noire of the politicians of both political parties, who have pretty well settled it that Mr. Faxon is a disturber of the peace, often upsetting the calculations of machine politicians. Probably the most effective bombshell ever dropped in their ranks was the tabulated position of each member of the State Senate and House of Representatives on the temperance question, which was published by him first in 1880, in the Boston llerald, and in numberless pamphlets, as a guide for temperance voters. This was a keen stroke of policy, and resulted so well that it was continued, with the regularity of an almanac, for three years, when, in consequence of the small number of " Yea" and

" Nay" votes (which form the basis of the report) taken during the legislative session of 1883, Mr. Faxon was forced to suspend its issue.

Mr. Faxon has formulated his political creed in the following :

"It may appear presumptuous in the writer to dictate, as f some express it, to the great party of the State and Nation; but if the Republican party hopes for success in the future, it has got to adopt certain principles, and carry them out without fear or favor.

" Ist. The colored voter in the Southern States must be pro- tected. For every negro hung, shot, or deprived of his rights, hang or shoot the white rebel guilty of depriving him of such rights.

" Having given the negroes the right of suffrage, it is the im- perative duty of the government to see that they are defended, if it takes a standing army to do it.

" I do not believe that any person, with very rare exceptions, should have the right to wield the ballot until he or she can read it, and understand its importance.

" Thousands of politicians in the country admit this fact, but they dare not express it from the platform or over their signa- tures, for fear it will hurt their political futures.

" 2d. The naturalization laws must be enforced and obeyed, so that the rights of native-born and honest naturalized citizens shall not be trodden upon by foreign-born tramps and criminals, who have cast odium and reproach upon those who are up- right.

" If I understand it correctly, there are many foreigners made voters through the instrumentalities of false oaths, and other devices, who have not the requisite qualifications entitling them to the right of citizenship. The laws, if enforced, will protect the honestly-naturalized equally with the native-born citizen. No man can find fault with that doctrine.

"3d. The payment of poll taxes. The power to procure by purchase the votes of a low class of bummers and drunkards, ought to be stopped by legal enactments.

" It is dangerous for the welfare of any community to be controlled by a class of voters who have not ambition enough to pay their own poll taxes. I will venture to make the asser- tion that nine-tenths of those whose poll taxes are paid by charity spend yearly for rum and tobacco thirty times as much as their taxes amount to.

"4th. The Republican party must adopt the principles of temperance, however heavy the burden may be to bear. There are more than seventy thousand voters in this Commonwealth who are in sympathy with the cause, and are determined to press it, in some form or another, into their political creed ; and there is a proportionate number in many other States in the Union.

" 5th. Women must have the power to wield the ballot; and that privilege will have to be advanced and obtained through the Republican party. The mothers and daughters of Massa- chusetts have the undeniable right to a voice in this matter, and it will be an honor to any organization or party that shall aid women in their desire to help control the affairs of gov- ernment."

Mr. Faxon considers the press a powerful agent in temperance work. In the campaigns of the past three years he has sent out an average, for each working- day, of over one thousand printed documents contain- ing facts, statements, and appeals to temperance voters. He has compiled, and scattered broadcast, many copies

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of a volume which has cost him much labor, entitled " Extracts from the Public Statutes : containing all legislation relating to the liquor traffic, with a digest of the decisions of the Supreme Court bearing upon these matters, with full table of contents and indexes." This is a most valuable work. He uses the columns of newspapers unsparingly, and often occupies the supplement to the Boston Herald with his " temper- ance broadsides." His headquarters for "Temperance Republican" work is at No. 36 Bromfield Street, Bos- ton. He receives far more editorial attention than any other temperance reformer,-bitter denunciations, . slurs, misrepresentations, as well as commendations and approvals,-and he is probably more hated and feared by professed politicians than any other man in the political arena. Their attacks never disconcert him, however, but are received with perfect good na- ture and unruffled temper. He keeps a number of scrap-books, in which he methodically and carefully preserves all criticisms pro and con, all sorts of infor- mation concerning politics and politicians, proceedings of conventions and legislative bodies, and other arti- cles. from which to draw ammunition in the future.

As a speaker, Mr. Faxon is ready, outspoken, and blunt, never falling in line with any " cut-and-dried" policy or plan, but speaking freely, and directly to the point, under all circumstances, even when silence would seem to others the more advantageous. It has been said frequently by his political enemies, as well as friends, " If Faxon only knew better when to talk and when to hold his tongue, with his ability as a campaigner, backed by his wealth, he might easily ask and receive from the Republican party of Massa- chusetts any office in its gift-even that of Governor." Mr. Faxon, however, prefers his independence. He says, "I don't care a straw for any office; I won't take one. It would tie my hands to be an office- holder, and I want to be left free. As for talking, I propose to speak my mind when and where I please, and if any one doesn't like it, he needn't stop to listen."

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 80

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