History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 88

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 88

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

This Nathaniel, born Sept. 11, 1788, in Stoughton, married, Jan. 1, 1815, Phebe, daughter of Capt. Wil- liam French and Mary Perkins, his wife. (Capt. French was a descendant in direct line from John French, the emigrant, who came from England to Dorchester, where he was admitted freeman in 1639. He was a well-to-do farmer of East Stoughton, and died about 1820, leaving one son, Alpha, and several daughters.) She was born Jan. 30, 1789. Mr. Wales was a manufacturer of shoes and lasts, and, in connection with that business, kept a grocery. Active in militia service, immediately after the war of 1812 he served in the various grades to captain with accept- ability and credit, and resigned his commission as captain April 28, 1820. He was one of the first in this section to adopt the religious doctrines of Eman-

character, quiet dignity, and practical judgment, and added to the property left by her husband, and brought up her young children (Nathaniel being but six years old at his father's death) with great credit to herself. She died Dec. 25, 1855. From the ele- gant " Souvenir" of " The Government of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts," published in 1880, we extract this graphic sketch of Nathaniel (8th gen.) : " Hon. Nathaniel Wales, of Stoughton, represents the First Norfolk Senatorial District. He was born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton) Nov. 25, 1819, and received his education at the public academic and normal schools of that town and Bridgewater. When quite a young man he engaged successfully in teach- ing in his native town and in other towns in that vicin- ity. He afterwards taught as principal in the high school in Pawtucket, R. I. As a young man he showed great enterprise and energy. Being the only son of a widow, he was in early life solely dependent on his own efforts for advancement. In 1843 he en- gaged in trade in Stoughton, resigning his position in Pawtucket for this purpose, and continued in mercan- tile business, with others or by himself, for a period of twenty-eight years. During this time he was post- master at Stoughton from 1860 to 1867, when he re- signed, being then appointed United States Assessor of Second District of Internal Revenue, the duties of which office he discharged acceptably till its discon- tinuance. He also held commissions of more or less importance under Governors Banks, Andrew, Wash- burn, and Bullock. He was appointed commissioner to superintend the drafting of militia for Norfolk County by Governor Andrew in 1862, and afterwards was appointed by President Lincoln United States commissioner of the Board of Enrollment for the Second District of Massachusetts from 1863 to 1865. Since 1872 he has been associated with the Stough- ton Boot and Shoe Company as treasurer, and has held several other positions of public and private trust.

He was a member of the Massachusetts Senate of 1879, and served on the Committees on Towns, Labor, and Prisons; also in 1880, when he was chairman of the Committee on Roads and Bridges, and also a member of Committee on Military Affairs and State-House.

Always interested and active in politics, he has uel Swedenborg and enter the " New Church." He i been a member of the Republican party from its commencement, and it is not too much to say that during the entire period the party has had, in his section of the State, no more zealous and efficient supporter than he. The natural bias of his mind has

moved from Stoughton to North Bridgewater in 1817, where he died of consumption Feb. 8, 1826. He left two children who attained maturity,-Harriet G. and Nathaniel (8th gen.),-and a business fairly success- ful. His wife was a woman of great strength of | always kept him familiar with the legal questions and

414

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

decisions of the day, and developed in him habits of thought and judgment that would not disgrace the legal profession, and [caused his opinion and advice to be much sought after in those controversies and knotty questions usually referred to members of the bar. His religious. views are those of the " New Church."

Among the men of strong character, who stood high in the esteem of the people of Stoughton, and was by virtue of his originality and the wishes of the people a truly representative man in many ways, must not fail to mention Martin Wales, son of Joshua Wales. He was born in East Stoughton, Feb. 22, In 1881, Mr. Wales was elected member of the Executive Council from the Second District of Mas- sachusetts, which position he now holds. He has been twice married, first to J. Montgomery, daughter of Newton and Jane (Montgomery) Shaw, of North Bridgewater, June 4, 1848. They had one son, Na- thaniel S. Wales, now a resident of Des Moines, Iowa. Mrs. Wales died May 3, 1849. Mr. Wales married, second, in 1851, Susan Kingsbury Reed, daughter of Timothy and Susan P. (Kingsbury) Reed, of Barn- stable. (He was a lawyer, and for a long time regis- ter of deeds and clerk of the court for Barnstable County. He held both offices at the time of his death. This Reed family is not only an old New Eng- land family, but can be traced back to Saxon England over a century before the Norman conquest. Every generation in England has held responsible and prom- inent official positions.) 1802, and died March 6, 1874, aged seventy-two years. His childhood was passed on his father's farm. He had the opportunities for education given by the public schools of that period, and at an early age began to show the independence and industry so marked in his whole life by learning to make shoes. After a time he was hired by his father to butcher animals for the Boston market, receiving for his labor one dollar per day. He was about eighteen, and after two years' service here, he engaged with Oliver Bel- cher, of Stoughton, as butchers of beef cattle. From this time (1822) he was connected with Stoughton. After a few months passed in working for others, he engaged in the same business for himself. Continu- ing this a few years, he found much of his capital absorbed in debts due him, and he began to manufac- ture shoes in the upper part of Holbrook's (now Swan's) store. This was in a small way, and intended The children of this truly fortunate union were Susan R. (born in 1853, married W. O. Faxon, M.D., resides in Stoughton, and has one child, Nathaniel Wales) and Timothy Reed (born 1856). He was an active and promising youth, but met an untimely death by drowning while striving to rescue some com- panions who were capsized with him in a sailboat at Martha's Vineyard, in 1870. only to help him out in collecting his meat bills, but the business proving profitable, and there being a good demand for his goods, he entered into co-partnership with Ira Linfield, and added bootmaking to that of shoes. This partnership did not last long, each con- tinuing to manufacture. Mr. Wales' business in- creased, and became very large for those days, reach- ing to the Southern and Middle and Western States. Mrs. Wales died Jan. 31, 1882. She was an in- tellectual and highly educated woman, of rare accom- plishments and culture. An indefatigable and accu- rate genealogist, she expended months in tracing the Reed, Wales, and other families in which she was interested, and her work is a marvel of neatness, system, and convenience. She gave freely of her time and means to relieve suffering, was beloved by all, and left to her family the recollections of a model wife and mother. For many years he continued manufacturing alone, and, in company with others, accumulated wealth. In connection therewith he conducted a mercantile busi- ness from about 1840 to 1852, when he disposed of his stock to his nephew, Nathaniel Wales, whose biography is on another page. In financial matters Mr. Wales was shrewd, cautious, and conservative, and was a valuable counselor, whose advice was often sought. He was president of the Stoughton Boot and Shoe Company during its existence, and director and president of the North Bridgewater Bank from its organization until it ceased to do business. One of the strong characteristics of Mr. Wales was his marked love of justice. A prominent business man of Stoughton, who knew him well, says, " When he promised to do anything he would do it. His word Massachusetts, and enjoys a handsome property, the was as good as his bond." He never sued a man

Mr. Wales is a genial companion, a kind neighbor, and a strong friend. Casting his lot with those who advocate the higher education and progress of human- ity, he has never swerved from action in accordance with his belief. A good citizen, he is justly popular, ranks among the representative men of this section of result of his financial ability and business acumen.

MARTIN WALES.

during his long business life, and never wanted any trouble with any one. He was a strong Anti-Mason in the days when Masonry was a political issue, and

Martina Males

415

STOUGHTON.

as the leader of that principle, was elected twice representative from Stoughton in the General Court, and to all the prominent public offices of the town. At one time he held nearly every office of importance in the town. He was chairman of selectmen many years, town clerk many years, treasurer several years, to say nothing of minor trusts. With all this, he was a modest, unpretentious man, caring nothing for offi- cial honors and only accepting them as the representa- tive of a principle. He was a kind and accommo- dating neighbor, a good citizen, a loving husband and father, and had a large circle of acquaintances in sur- rounding towns and in Boston, who enjoyed his quaint and original conversation. He married Rebekah Parker, daughter of Elisha and Jerusha (Wentworth) Parker, who was born Sept. 18, 1807. Their chil- dren were Mary R. (Mrs. Caleb H. Packard), Martin (deceased), Lucy M. (Mrs. Fisher Copeland), George, Seth, and Adelaide F., a young lady of great amia- bility, who married William Neale, and died Dec. 31, 1882. Her death was deeply felt by the entire community. Mr. Wales was an earnest and liberal Christian. He was in full harmony with the doctrines of the " New Church," and a large contributor to its enterprises. He gave two thousand dollars towards the erection of the church of that society in Brock- ton, where he held a membership, and left a legacy in its behalf of five thousand dollars. He was always ready to do his part in all matters of public interest, and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.

Mrs. Wales was a worthy companion for Mr. Wales, and in advanced years, holds much of the vivacity of early life, enjoys the esteem of the best portion of the community, is endeavoring to carry out the wishes of her husband in all things, and is passing on to the twilight of life with a sincere trust in rejoining her companion of so many years on the " other side."

JAMES ATHERTON.

One of the wealthiest portions of Lancashire is confined in the area bounded thus: Beginning at Liverpool, the southwest boundary of Lancashire, and following the coast line of the Irish Sea twenty miles north, we reach the river Ribble ; from there going eastward fifteen miles, thence south to Manchester and down the river to Liverpool. This section is rich in coal-mines, quarries of useful stones, iron-works, and is the wealthiest cotton-manufacturing district in the world. Through the centre of this territory the Athertons for nearly one thousand years

I have had immense possessions, which were increased by marrying heiresses, until it became one of the richest families of the great commoners of England. In their manorial estate the town of Atherton lies ten miles northwest of Manchester ; here the family origi- nated, and Robert de Atherton (1) lived (1199-1216) as the shreve (high sheriff) of the county under King John, and held the manor of Atherton of the barons of Warrington. William de Atherton, his son, held the manors of Atherton and Pennington (1251). (By intermarriage with the Derby family the title is now vested in that line.) William Atherton (3), of Atherton (1312), had wife Agnes (1339), whose son Henry Atherton (4), of Atherton (1316-30), married Agnes (1387), and had for second son Sir William Atherton (5), of Atherton (1351), knight. He mar- ried, first, Jane, daughter of William and sister of Sir Ralphe, Woberly, knight; married, second, Margerie, a widow (1396). In the private chapel of the Ather- tons, in the parish church of Leigh, is a family vault, and the arms of the family hang there. As entered in the Visitation of Sir William Dugdale Norrey, King of Arms (1664-65), they are : Gules, three spar- rowhawks, argent crest ; a swan, argent, another crest ; on a perch a hawk billed, proper. By first wife, William (5) had Sir William Atherton (6), knight ; born 1381; died 1416; his wife was Agnes, sole daughter and heiress of Ralphe Vernon, Baron of Shipbroke. Their third child, Sir William Atherton (7), knight, married, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Pilkinton, knight ; by her had Margaret and Sir William Atherton (8), who married Margaret, daughter of Sir John Byron, knight, and died in 1441. Among their children was John Atherton (9), whose son George (10), born 1487, by first wife, Anne Ashton, had Sir John Atherton (11), knight, born 1514; died 1513 ; married, first, Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Sir Alexander Ratcliffe, knight. This marriage was recorded in the Visitation of 1533, where the arms were also entered ; he married, second, Marga- ret, daughter of Thomas Caterall. He was high sheriff under three sovereigns, in 1551, 1555, and 1561, and commander of the Military Hundred in 1553. Among his children was John (12), Esq., born 1556; high sheriff 1583, who was'twice mar- ried ; first, to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Byron, knight ; second, to Katherine, daughter and co-heiress of John, Lord Conyers, of Hornby Castle. By each wife he had a son John ; the first John Atherton (13), of Atherton, who had John (14), died in 1646 ; mar- ried Eleanor, daughter of Sir Thomas Ireland, of Beansey, knight. They had numerous children ; one John (15), high sheriff, died in 1655; the second,

416

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

John Atherton, of Skelton, was heir to his mother's large estate and title. We have thus far followed the line of heirship, the scions, all worthy representatives of the name, being found in different parts of the country. As the American branch deflected at this period, we have no need of further tracing the English family.

" Here lies our Captain & Major of Suffolk was withall ; A godly magistrate was he, and Major General ;

Two troop horse with him here comes, such worth his love did crave.

Ten companies of foot also mourning march to his grave, Let all that read be sure to keep the faith as he has done

With Christ he lives now around his name was Humphrey Atherton."

In 1613, Edmund Atherton did in Wigan, Lanca- shire, his son and next heir, Humphrey, being at this time four years old, thus giving his birth in 1608. This Humphrey is referred to by Mr. Brown in an article on " the Atherton family in England," " New England Historical and Genealogical Register," Jan- uary, 1881, as perhaps being the identical Humphrey Atherton, major-general of Dorchester, progenitor of the American line. That they are different persons is clearly shown by the fact that Gen. Atherton was killed in 1661, when only thirty-six years old. The other Humphrey would have been fifty-three years old at this time. Humphrey Atherton, born in Lancashire, | perhaps son of above, married Mary Wales, probably daughter of John Wales, of Idle, England, and, with three children, Jonathan, Isabel (married Nathaniel Wales, Jr.), and Elizabeth came in the ship " James" from Bristol to America in 1635. Rev. Richard Mather, in his journal of the voyage, names but few of the one hundred passengers, among them Nathan- iel Wales, whose will was witnessed by Humphrey Atherton, who was styled in it " loving brother-in- law." They settled in Dorchester. Humphrey was married when an infant. His first child was born when he was fourteen years old, and his wife thirteen. They had twelve children, those mentioned above and the following nine born in Dorchester: Consider, Mary, Margaret, Rest, Increase, Thankful, Hope, Watching, and Patience. Appleton's " American En- cyclopædia" says this of him, " Atherton, Humphrey, a military officer whose name is mentioned with much honor in the early annals of Massachusetts. He came from England about 1636, when he signed the | covenant of the church of Dorchester. He was ad- mitted as a freeman in 1638, and was deputy in the General Court from Dorchester for that year, and also in 1639-41, and in 1853, from Springfield, when he was chosen Speaker. The next year he was chosen assistant and soon after Major-General. He was much employed in negotiations with the Indians, and made use of his influence with them in a great purchase in the colony of Rhode Island. He died by a fall from his house, at Boston, Sept. 17, 1661. The manner of his death is made matter of comment by Hubbard as one of the judgments of God." His wife died in | fun. He was honest, straightforward, prudent, sav- 1672. In the old Dorchester cemetery is this epitaph :

Consider (2 American gen.), son of Humphrey, mar- ried Anne Annably, Dec. 14, 1671. His son Humphrey (3), had a son John (4), who became " deacon," and whose son John (5), married Mary, daughter of Rev. Jedediah Adams, the first settled pastor of Stough- ton, where he ministered with great acceptability for many years (see " History of First Parish," on another page). They had nine children, John, Jedediah, Humphrey, Mary, Rachel, Elijah, Samuel, Mary, and Nathan. Samuel (6), born Sept. 19, 1784, was a man much esteemed, possessing good sterling qualities. He was a farmer, owning about eighty acres of the homestead of his father near Stoughton Centre, on which he was born and lived his long life of over ninety-two years. He married Feb. 28, 1811, Abi- gail, daughter of Ralph and Abigail (Soran) Pope, of Stoughton. She came of an old New England family of repute, the first American ancestor, John Pope, coming about 1633 from the neighborhood of London, England, and settling in 1640 in " Dorchester New Grant," now Stoughton, the line being John (1), John (2), Ralph (3), Ralph (4) (a physician of great kindness and benevolence), Col. Frederick (5) (he was a justice, colonel, serving in 1756 with his regi- ment on the Canada frontier in the French and In- dian war; was State representative . from Stoughton. In the Revolution, when the summons came to take the field he was plowing. Taking the harness from his horse he at once made ready, and with his two eldest sons, Ralph and Samuel Ward, joined the army. He served in several campaigns, his sons acting as his aids. His third son, Alexander, then but sixteen, fulfilled faithfully the task of carrying on the farm and supporting the family), Ralph (6) (he was born in Stoughton, 1759, and died 1797. He served through the Revolution ; married Abigail, daughter of Maj. Robert and Rachel (Draper) Swan, born 1761, died 1852, aged ninety-one. Their daughter, Abigail (7), who married Samuel Atherton, was born in Stoughton, Mass., Dec. 5, 1785, dying March 19, 1868, aged eighty-two years, three and a half months). Samuel Atherton was of energetic temperament, cheer- ful disposition, eminently social, enjoying humor, and always ready with some bright remark, pointed with ing, and perfectly just in all the relations of life. He

Sand ! Altreton

417

STOUGHTON.

had musical tastes, was a great singer, and when pre- vented sometimes from talking by an impediment (stam- mering) which afflicted him, he would sing clearly the words he wished to speak. He and his brother Nathan were among the originators of the " Stoughton Musical Society." He was selectman in his younger days, and held other positions of trust. Although a great sufferer from rheumatism in his later years, he continued cheerful even to the time of his death. He was very fond of his brother, Nathan, four years his junior ; they lived all their lives a few rods apart ; both attained great age, and died within three months of each other ; Nathan's death occurring Nov. 13, 1876, at eighty-eight. A short time previous to his death, Nathan walked to and from church for morn- ing service, a distance of two and a quarter miles.

Samuel was a successful farmer, and at one time the largest land-holder in town. He voted at every election from 1805 till 1876, when his last vote was cast for the Hayes electoral ticket. The children of Samuel and Abigail Atherton were six,-Mary (Mrs. William Belcher), Vashti (Mrs. James Swan), Sam- uel, Abigail (Mrs. Joseph Swan), James, and Wil- liam. James Atherton (7)-(Humphrey (1), Con- sider (2), Humphrey (3), John (4), John (5), Sam- uel (6)-was born on the homestead mentioned above May 6, 1819. He had common-school and academic education ; remained with his father on the farm until he was of age, teaching, however, | critical and important affairs. He was Whig and several terms of winter schools. He married, first, | Republican in politics. May 5, 1853, Phebe, daughter of John and Phebe Reed, born in Boston, Feb. 9, 1831, died March 11, 1868. Her father was a civil officer of Bos- ton for many years, and was strong, fearless, and SAMUEL ATHERTON. uncompromising in the discharge of duty. His an- cestors trace their origin through early New England to one of England's most honored families, dating from a period anteceding the Norman conquest by

all by his first wife, are James (8), born July 26, 1854; William (8), April 30, 1859; and Walter (8), March 18, 1863. Mr. Atherton married, second, Mary B. Marshall, of Boston, June 1, 1869. She died Feb. 5, 1880. Always in delicate health, Mr. Atherton was a man of energy, and accomplished much. In early life he was fond of discussions, and took an active part in debating societies. He was a quick and ready speaker, a clear logician, and there showed the sound judgment which distinguished him in later life. He was a great reader, and kept abreast of the current of the world's affairs, and always liked to discuss matters of thought and moment. He en- gaged but little in public life, devoted himself wholly to his business, which rewarded his attention with a liberal competency. This was not obtained by any of the fraudulent devices so common in business life, but the motto, dated 1855, which, worn by long use, was found in his pocket-book after his death, furnishes the motive which actuated him through all life's changes, and is a better delineation of his character than any words of ours : "Do unto others as you would that others should do to you under like circumstances." He sympathized with the Universalist creed, attended its services, and was active and liberal in all church matters. He was systematic and orderly in all things. A good citizen, aiding much in building up the inter- ests of Stoughton, his counsel was often sought in

Samuel Atherton (7), son of Samuel and Abigail Atherton, was born Jan. 26, 1815, in Stoughton ; was educated at the common schools; passed the early part of his life (until twenty years of age) on over a century, and which has, in each successive | the homestead farm. He then went to Boston (1835) as clerk for William Capen, shoe and leather

generation, held places high in the counsels of royalty. After marriage, Mr. Atherton continued on the old ! dealer, and remained with him about two years. place, and there began the manufacture of boots with | Then taking a position as book-keeper with the his brother William, under the firm-title of J. & W. firm of Prouty & Co., Commercial Street, wholesale hardware, he stayed with them for one year. He next established himself in business, as a retail boot and shoe dealer, on Washington Street, in company with Edwin Battles, under the firm-name of Battles & Atherton. After one year the connection with Mr. Battles was dissolved, and Mr. Atherton was employed by Caleb Stetson, wholesale shoe and leather dealer, corner of Broad and Central Streets, whom he served as clerk until Jan. 1, 1842, when he became partner, the new firm being C. Stetson & Co. Atherton. This firm continued in business some years, and was prosperous. It was finally merged with the firm of Atherton, Stetson & Co., a solid Boston house, the Athertons being Samuel, James, and William. James' health not being robust, after his business energies had been rewarded with a suffi- cient competency, he retired from active labor. This was in 1867, his connection with Atherton, Stetson & Co. ceasing in 1861. About 1838 he removed to the house now occupied by his sons. His children,

418

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

This partnership lasted about three years. Then Mr. Stetson retired from active business, remaining, however, special partner, but the business was con- ducted as "Samuel Atherton." This relation con- tinued three years, when Mr. Stetson again resumed active connection, and the firm-name became S. Ather- ton & Co., to be changed two years later to Atherton, Stetson & Co., on the admission as member of A. W. Stetson, now president of the State Bank. From that time to 1861 the firm-name was unchanged. On the retirement of Caleb Stetson, in 1852, James and William Atherton were admitted as partners, and they continued the Stoughton manufactory as their portion of the firm work. In 1861, Samuel and James Atherton withdrew from the firm, it, however, retaining the old name of Atherton, Stetson & Co. Soon after George E. Atherton, son of Samuel, was admitted as partner. This business was one of the most successful in this department of trade in Boston, five or six of the partners retiring in succession with wealth.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 88

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