History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 5

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 5

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Mr. Boyden is a member of the National Educa- tion Association; the Massachusetts Teachers' As- sociation; the Plymouth County Teachers' Associa- tion, of which he is a past-president; the Alumni Teachers' School of Science, of which he is a past- president; the Howard Seminary, president of the board of trustees; member, and moderator of the Central Square Congregational Church and deacon thereof for several years; member of the Congre- gational Men's Club; member of the Chamber of

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PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE .

Commerce; trustee, the Bridgewater Savings Bank; past-president, the Bridgewater Improvement Asso- ciation; past-president of the Council of Churches, town of Bridgewater; and past-president of the library committee of the town of Bridgewater. He is also most active in lodge and fraternal circles, being a member and Past Master, also . District Deputy Grand Master of the Fellowship Masonic Lodge; member of Harmony Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Brockton Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar. His fraternities are the Phi Beta Kappa, and the Alpha Delta Phi. For several years Mr. Boyden, who is a Republican in political affiliation, has served as a member of the town committee. During the World War, he was most active as a "four-minute" speaker, served on the committee for coal conservation at Bridgewater, and was also a member of the war service committee. His hobby is the study of nature, and in this connection Mr. Boyden was formerly the editor of the publication, "Nature Study by Months." He has individually written several other articles on nature study, has compiled two "Who's Who" vol- umes, comprising careers of students or former stu- dents and the faculties of Bridgewater State Normal School, and has also compiled a memorial volume named "Albert Gardner Boyden and the Bridge- water State Normal School." Active in religious edu- cation work, he printed many outlines for the same. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Lit- erature from Amherst College, in 1927.

Arthur Clarke Boyden married, in 1877, Katherine Chipman Allen, a native of New Bedford, Massachu- setts, and a direct maternal descendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller of the "Mayflower." Mr. Boyden is himself directly descended from Thomas Boyden, who settled in Boston as early as 1630. To Arthur Clarke and Katherine Chipman (Allen) Boyden have been born: 1. Ethel. 2. Edward Allen, now a physician and professor of anatomy to the medical school of the University of Illinois.

LORENZO WOOD-For more than thirty years Lorenzo Wood has been associated with the weekly publication now known as the "Middleboro Gazette," the oldest weekly newspaper in this section of the State. Since 1906 he has been sole owner and man- aging editor, and has made of his journal one of the best of its kind published in this locality. In addition to being the owner of the oldest weekly publication in this part of the State, Mr. Wood enjoys the dis- tinction of having been connected with it longer than any other owner or editor in its history, and therefore he may most justly be given credit for the present high standing of his publication.

The Wood family to which Mr. Wood belongs is a very old one in New England, tracing back to Henry Wood, who came to this country from Eng- land in 1633 and settled in Middleboro, Massachusetts, where his descendants have continuously resided. More than two hundred and ninety years have passed since that pioneer ancestor settled in this community, and still some of the original homestead farm is in the possession of direct descendants of the original owner. All through the centuries which have passed since the coming of Henry Wood, his descendants have been taking an honorable part in the life of the nation, and have served in its wars. Ichabod Wood

served in the Revolutionary War, and Jacob Wood ·in the War of 1812. Lorenzo Wood, father of Mr. Wood, was born in Middleboro, and was engaged in farming there to the time of his death in 1879. He was well known and highly respected in the com- munity as one of the representatives of its oldest group of pioneer families, also as a public-spirited citizen, and a man of sterling qualities of character. He married Adeline Victoria Wood, who was born in Orono, Maine, and died in Middleboro, Massachu- setts, March 18, 1911.

Lorenzo Wood, son of Lorenzo and Adeline Vic- toria (Wood) Wood, was born in Middleboro, Mas- sachusetts, September 29, 1868, and received his ear- liest education in the local public schools. He con- tinued his studies in the Eaton School, after which he finished his preparation for an active career by taking a course in Thayer Academy, at Braintree, Massachusetts. Upon the completion of his acad- emic course he found employment for a time in the office of Leonard & Barrows, a concern engaged in the shoe manufacturing business in Middleboro. On August 13, 1894, when he was twenty-six years of age, he partly realized his dream by forming a part- nership with the late Wallace M. Tinkham, under the firm name of Wood & Tinkham. The newly formed concern purchased the "Middleboro Gazette," and continued the partnership until 1906, when Mr. Wood purchased Mr. Tinkham's interest and became sole owner of the oldest weekly publication in this part of the State.

The history of this old weekly is an interesting one, dating back to October 7, 1852, when appeared the first edition of the "Namasket Gazette," published by Samuel P. Brown. It was a small sheet, printed on seventeen by twenty-four paper, but for a country paper devoted exclusively to local news it achieved quite a circulation. In 1854 the publication was pur- chased by Rev. Stillman B. Pratt, who changed its name to "The Middleboro Gazette and Old Colony Advertiser," under which title it was published by Mr. Pratt for a period of ten years. Mr. Pratt was a retired clergyman of literary taste and culture, and he gave to the little weekly his best effort. Upon his death the paper passed into the possession of his son, Stillman B. Pratt, Jr., but in 1869 it was purchased by James M. Coombs. He enlarged the paper and shortened its name, dropping the last half of its cum- bersome appellation and calling it simply "The Mid- dleboro Gazette." Mr. Coombs was an original and progressive managing editor and knew well how to appeal to the tastes and interests of his reading pub- lic. To the news items he added other and more permanent material. He knew that the central liter- ary and historical interest of the people of his part of Massachusetts was its early history, and he secured for them a rare treat in this line when he introduced a series of historical articles relating to the early history of Plymouth Colony, especially as it was re- lated to the early history of Middleboro. These articles, prepared by such men of affairs and of learn- ing as Granville Temple Sproat, General Ebenezer Peirce, Shubael Wilder, and others, were of great interest, and some of these articles, as those of Gen- eral Peirce, were of a military character. The pub- lication gained a wide reputation, and its circulation list grew rapidly, but in 1894 failing health made it advisable that Mr. Coombs give up the responsi- bilities which its publication entailed, and he sold to Lorenzo Wood and Wallace M. Tinkham, the last-

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

mentioned of whom had for some years been in the employ of Mr. Coombs as a reporter. The firm of Wood & Tinkham continued the prosperous develop- ment of the historic little paper, and made of it the widely known model publication of its kind which it is today. As has already been stated, Mr. Tink- ham retired from the firm in 1906, and during the twenty years which have passed since that time, Mr. Wood has been sole owner, as well as managing ed- itor. He, therefore, has been the arbiter of its fate and the judge of its policy, as well as the author of much of its material. He is an adept in getting other people to contribute the kind of material he desires, however, and his publication represents the work of many contributors and ministers to the interests of a large and varied patronage. As has been said, Mr. Wood has been associated with his publication for a longer period of time than has any other person who has been connected with it during its long and varied career, and he is in a very true sense its creator as it appears at the present time. He has not only built up a very satisfactory circulation list, but he also has the advantage of a very considerable advertising patronage. While carefully keeping in mind the historic and literary interests of the older members of his subscription list, many of whom have read its pages for more than twenty years, he also keeps his paper thoroughly up-to-date and has brought it to a degree of excellence which has caused it to be re- garded as a model of its kind. It is an eight-page paper, but often appears in an edition of ten or twelve pages.

In addition to his activities and responsibilities as owner and editor of the "Middleboro Gazette," Mr. Wood finds time for local public service and has served for six years as a member of the Middleboro School Board. Politically, he is an Independent, and it is interesting to note that he keeps the "Middleboro Gazette" absolutely independent, giving support to men and measures according to merit without any regard to party affiliation. Fraternally, he is identified with Middleboro Lodge, No. 134, Independent Order of Odd. Fellows, and he is also a member of the old Middleboro Historical Society.

Lorenzo Wood was married, October 13, 1899, to Lucy S. Lovell, who was born in Middleboro, daugh- ter of Galen E. H. and Mary (Sampson) Lovell. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of four children: Doris M., Mary A., Lorenzo, Jr., and Alfred L.

ELBRIDGE CUSHMAN-A native of Middle- boro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, and a mem- ber of one of the oldest Plymouth County families, tracing his descent to a number of "Mayflower" Pilgrims, the late Elbridge Cushman, for many years and to the time of his death was one of the most successful and prominent agriculturists of Southeast- ern Massachusetts. He was also very effectively active in public affairs, both in his native town and in the State, and was one of the earliest and most active members of both the local and the district Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. At all times deeply interested in and an active supporter of any move- ment tending to promote and advance the welfare and prosperity of his community, its people and its institutions, he enjoyed to an unusual degree the re- spect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

Elbridge Cushman was born in Middleboro, Plym- outh County, in which community he spent his en-

tire life. As soon as he had grown to manhood, he engaged in farming, wherein he continued actively until his death in 1899, at which time he was the owner of the most up-to-date farm in Southeastern Massachusetts. He was a firm believer in the value of scientific farming and in the use of the most modern methods, and was one of the most active men in the promotion and development of farming in his native region, devoting much of his time and atten- tion to this work on behalf of other farmers. For many years he was lecturer for the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture; a member of the board of trustees of Amherst College; for a number of years president of the Plymouth County Agricultural Society; one of the founders and the first master of Middleboro Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; a founder and the first Master of Old Colony District Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; and at one time State Deputy of the Massachusetts Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. During his earlier life he also taught at Middleboro High School, having been a member of this school's first faculty. In politics he was a supporter of the Democratic party and at various times served his native town as selectman, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, town treasurer and town collector, and also was appointed to several State offices during the administrations of Governor Russell and Gov- ernor Long.

Mr. Cushman married Elizabeth Bumper Shurtleff, a daughter of Nathaniel and Susanna (Thomas) Shurtleff, and like her husband a member of old Plymouth County families and a descendant of a number of the "Mayflower" Pilgrims. Mrs. Cush- man shared her husband's interest in community af- fairs and took an active and always helpful part in their conduct. She was a member of the Lakeville School Board; an officer of the Cabot Club; a Past Master of both the Middleboro Grange and the Mas- sachusetts State Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; and a member of Nemasket Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; the Sarasota Women's Club, of which she was also a director; the Mayflower So- ciety; the Alden Kindred of America; the Old Mid- dleboro Historical Society; and the Daughters of Colonial Wars. Mr. and Mrs. Cushman were the par- ents of one daughter, Ruth Howard, who married, in 1909, the late John Borden Holmes, a biography of whom follows.

Mr. Cushman died in 1899, deeply mourned by his family, his exceptionally large circle of friends and the community-at-large, his death being a serious loss to his native town and State and especially to the agricultural interests of Plymouth County and Mas- sachusetts.

JOHN BORDEN HOLMES-Though a native of Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, the late John Borden Holmes spent most of his com- paratively short life away from his native town, in Michigan and in Boston, Massachusetts. Entering the banking business immediately after having com- pleted his education, he learned its fundamental prin- ciples during his connection of several years with the Bay City National Bank, Bay City, Michigan. Returning then to his native New England, he be- came associated with the Bank of the Republic, of Boston, and with its successor, the Shawmut National Bank, an association which endured to the time of his death in 1910. During his entire business career he displayed qualities, which gained him rapid rec-

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

ognition as an able banker and likewise the respect and regard of his association and, indeed, of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

John Borden Holmes was born at Middleboro, Massachusetts, Scptember 5, 1872, a son of Rev. John S. and Catherine Shirley (Borden) Holmes. His father, a native of Copenhagen, Denmark, was for many years successfully engaged in the ministry of the Baptist church in this country, continuing in this work until the time of his death. His mother, a native of Middleboro, was one of the best-known concert singers of her time in Massachusetts and equally well known as a music teacher. On both his parents' sides Mr. Holmes was a member of old and prominent New England families, tracing his descent to some of the "Mayflower" Pilgrims. Removing, during his early childhood, to Michigan with his parents, he was educated in the public grammar and high schools of that State and then attended a busi- ness college. After completing his education, he be- canie connected with the Bay City National Bank, Bay City, Michigan, and thereafter, until his un- timely death at the age of thirty-eight years, he con- tinued in the banking business. Later he left Michi- gan and returned to his native State, where he be- camc associated with the Bank of the Republic, of Boston. When this bank was merged with the Shaw- mut National Bank, of Boston, he continued with the latter, remaining with it until the time of his death. He was a member of the Masonic Order and in politics a supporter of the Republican party and its principles.

Mr. Holmes married, in 1909, Ruth Howard Cush- man, a daughter of Elbridge and Elizabeth Bumper (Shurtleff) Cushman (q. v.), of Middleboro. On both parents' sides Mrs. Holmes is a member of old and historic New England families, twenty-three of her early ancestors having been "Mayflower" Pil- grims. She is a member of the Daughters of the Colonial Wars; the Mayflower Society; the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution, of which, in 1926, she was one of the State Counselors, and of the Ne- masket Chapter, of which she is a Past Regent; and of the Old Middleboro Historical Society. Mrs. Holmes has taken an active interest in public affairs for a number of years and has served on the Middle- boro Republican Town Committee. Her religious affiliations are with the Baptist church.

Mr. Holmes died in 1910, in his thirty-eighth year. By his death his wife lost a loving and devoted hus- band, his many friends a genial and faithful associate, and his community an energetic and upright citizen, who, had not death cut short his carecr, would have been assured of a brilliant future. Since his death his widow has made her home in her native town, Middleboro, where her residence is located at No. 85 South Main Street.

JUDGE DENNIS DAVID SULLIVAN-Among those who are prominent in the legal profession in the eastern part of the State of Massachusetts, is Judge Dennis David Sullivan, of Middleboro, who in addition to the care of a large clientele in Middle- boro and in Boston, is Associate Justice of the Fourth District Court of Plymouth. Judge Sullivan is wide- ly known as a skilled general practitioner of sound legal knowledge and of marked ability as an advo- cate, and stands high in the esteem of his profession- al associates.

John Sullivan, father of Judge Sullivan, was born

in County Cork, Ircland, but canc to this country as a young man. He settled in Middleboro, and for many years was a supervisor in the employ of the Middleboro & Taunton Railroad Company. He was an ablc, energetic, and successful man, held in high estcem among his associates, for whom he always had a cheery word, a kindly smile, and a witty remark. He dicd in 1872, survived by his wife, Margaret (Ho- gan) Sullivan, also a native of County Cork, Ireland, whose death occurred in 1916.

Dennis David Sullivan, son of John and Margarct (Hogan) Sullivan, was born in Middleboro, Massa- chusetts, July 29, 1863, and received his early educa- tion in the local public schools. When his high school course was completed, he prepared for college in the famous Eaton School, and then matriculated in Boston University. Shortly after he successfully passed the examination for admission to the Massa- chusetts bar, and since that time has been continu- ously engaged in general practice in this section of the State. He has an office in Boston and one in Middleboro, the Middleboro office being located in the Sullivan Building, on Centre Street. He has built up a large and important clientele and includes among his patrons some of the most prominent fam- ilies of this section of the State. He was appointed Associated Justice of the Fourth District Court of Plymouth, in 1900, two years after his admission to the bar, and has most efficiently filled that judicial office during the twenty-eight years which have passed since that time. He is still (1928) taking care of the duties of that responsible office. In 1912 he was admitted to the United States District Court, and in 1914 he was admitted to the United States Court in Washington, District of Columbia. Never satisfied with less than the best in any field of activity, Judge Sullivan thoroughly masters the details and all the surrounding circumstances of whatever case comes before him. His swift grasp of the essential facts of a case, his keen power of analysis, and his forceful method of presentation make him a formid- able antagonist or a powerful advocate, as the case may be, and both friend and foe in legal battles have learned that a quick wit may sometimes, by a laugh-provoking remark or a bit of satire, make clear some things which formal legal methods fail to im- press. In judicial capacity, Judge Sullivan is dis- criminating and understanding. To his sound legal knowledge is added a large fund of human under- standing and keen insight into the motives which actu- ate the human race, and he holds a well balanced scale when he administers justice. Judge Sullivan is a member of the Plymouth County Bar Associa- tion and of the Massachusetts Judges' Association, and he holds a high place in the esteem of his pro- fessional associates. During the World War he served on the Legal Advisory Board and was one of the "four-minute speakers." He has always taken an active interest in local affairs and been ready to assist in professional capacity when the need pre- sented itself. He is a member of the board of di- rectors of the Middleborough Co-operative Bank, and also serves that financial organization as attorney. Since 1915 he has served on the State board of trustees for the State Farm at Bridgewater, and for the State Infirmary at Tewksbury. He is a member of the Old Middleboro Historical Society, and his religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart.

Dennis David Sullivan was married, in Middleboro,

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

September 2, 1886, to Lucy H. Harrington, who was born in Middleboro, daughter of John and Helen (Lynch) Harrington. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan became the parents of three children: 1. John Vincent, of whom further. 2. Irene Lucy, who is a graduate of Trinity College, Washington, District of Columbia; married Theodore Stegmaier, of Boston. 3. Phyllis Washburn, graduate of Merrymount College at Tar- rytown, New York; married Otto P. Becker, of Mid- dleboro.

John Vincent Sullivan, son of Dennis David and Lucy H. (Harrington) Sullivan, was born in Middle- boro, Massachusetts, November 28, 1887. He attended the local public schools, and after completing the course in high school matriculated in the Law School of Boston University, from which he was graduated in 1910 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar soon after graduation, and at once engaged in general practice in Middleboro. His office is in the Sullivan Build- ing, No. 111 Centre Street, and he is taking care of a large and important general practice. He has made for himself an enviable reputation as an attorney, and in 1922 he was appointed United States Attorney for the district of Massachusetts, in which capacity he served until 1925. On January 1, 1925, he was ap- pointed deputy district attorney for Plymouth and Norfolk counties, and in that legal office he has con- tinued to serve to the present time (1928). In ad- dition to his various professional responsibilities in connection with his practice and the public offices above mentioned, Mr. Sullivan is also interested in the financial institutions of this section of the county, being a member of the board of directors of the Mid- dleborough Co-operative Bank, and one of the incor- porators of the Middleborough Savings Bank. He is actively interested in local public affairs, particularly in the educational field, and for a period of nine years served on the Middleboro School Board. He gives his support to the Republican party. Fraternally, he is identified with Phi Delta Phi College Fraternity; with the Knights of Columbus; and with Middleboro Lodge, No. 1274, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Middleboro Com- mercial Club, and of the Old Middleboro Historical Society, and his religious interest is with the Church of the Sacred Heart, of which he is an attendant. Professionally, he is identified with the Massachusetts Bar Association, and with the Plymouth County Bar Association. His reputation as a skilled legal practi- tioner is an enviable one, he several years ago was ad- mitted to the United States Court and to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals.

John Vincent Sullivan was married, at Plymouth, October 24, 1913, to Helen Louise McArdle, who was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, daughter of John and Ellen (Mahoney) McArdle. Mr. and Mrs. Sul- livan are the parents of two children: 1. John Vincent, Jr. 2. Paul David.

GEORGE E. DOANE-Prominent among the business men of Southeastern Massachusetts, is George E. Doane, proprietor of the oldest hardware establishment in the town of Middleboro. Mr. Doane is also a member of the board of directors of the Middleborough Trust Company, and president of the Middleborough Savings Bank. He is very well known in this section of Plymouth County.

The Doane family of which Mr. Doane is a member is one of the very old, historic families of Massachu-

setts, tracing to John Doane, who was one of the three men chosen by Governor Bradford to re-write and codify the laws of Plymouth Colony. He was also one of the seven men who went with Governor Bradford to help establish, on the Cape, the town of Eastham, from which Orleans was later set off.

Major George H. Doane, father of Mr. Doane, was born in Orleans, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, received his education in the local schools, and later engaged in the hardware business in Middleboro. He founded the business in 1849, and continued to de- velop it, steadily increasing its patronage to the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. Two years prior to his death, his son, George E., had returned to Middleboro and became his assistant, and after his death, the son took over the business, and has since successfully conducted it. For several years previous to the outbreak of the Civil War, Major Doane served in the Massachusetts Militia, and he was connected with the general staff. He married Patia Sparrow, who was born in Orleans, Massachusetts, and died September 27, 1917. Both were held in very high esteem among a very large group of friends and as- sociates, and both were numbered among the leading citizens of their section of the county.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 5

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874- Publication date: 1928 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642