History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 110

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Dr. Copeland has taken much interest in Free- masonry. He was admitted to the order in Rising Star Lodge of Stoughton, but is now connected with Puritan Lodge, South Abington ; Pilgrim Chapter, Abington ; Old Colony Commandery, Abing- ton ; and Abington Council. Of this last-named

organization he was one of the constituent members, its second officer for three years, and its presiding officer four years. He is also a member of David A. Russell Post, No. 78, G. A. R. of South Abington ; and a Republican in politics.

Dr. Copeland is in accord with the progressive element of society; has social qualities, and a win- ning geniality which attracts many friends, whom he retains by his outspoken frankness and sincerity, his broad and charitable opinions, and the strength of his adherence to his principles. Although young in years, he has built up a fine and lucrative practice, and is one of South Abington's most popular citizens.

REV. E. PORTER DYER.

Rev. E. Porter Dyer, formerly for many years pastor of the Congregational Church at Shrewsbury, died at South Abington Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1882. He was born at South Abington Aug. 15, 1813, graduated at Brown University in 1833, in the class with Senator Anthony, of Rhode Island, and after- wards pursued a theological course at Andover. In 1835 he began preaching at Stow, Middlesex Co., and established a Congregational Church there, which became the parent of two others in the neighborhood. He left the pastorate at Stow in 1846, and for a year was engaged in city missionary work at Boston. Under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society he then went to Hingham, where he established a Congregational Church, and secured the funds for building the meeting-house at Hingham Centre. He remained at Hingham sixteen years, where he greatly endeared himself to the people of the town. In the mean while he was instrumental in establishing a Congregational Church at Beachwood, in Scituate. In 1864 he resigned the pastorate, and again under- took pioncer work at Winter Hill, in Somerville, where he founded the Broadway Congregational Church. Thus he was directly the founder of three Congregational Churches, and indirectly of three more. From Somerville he was called to the pastor- ate of the Congregational Church at Shrewsbury, where he remained seven or eight years, then leaving the pastoral work to return to his ancestral home, at South Abington. He did not abandon pulpit service, however, and until the summer of 1881 he supplied one of the churches at Hanover, when his work was interrupted by a stroke of paralysis, which permanently disabled him. For the few months preceding his death he was confined to his room, though he retained his

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

mental faculties unclouded to the end. During his early ministry he was often actively engaged in re- vival work, and in most of the towns of Plymouth and Norfolk Counties many Christian people have cause to remember him with gratitude. His life was one of hard and unremitting toil for his Master, and he has gone to find the reward of a faithful servant. Of his children who reached adult life, two have gone before him,-Mrs. Helen A. Lee, who, after a term of service among the freedmen of the South during the war, and immediately after her marriage, was lost at sea, and Mrs. Sarah E. Pierson, a missionary of the American Board, who died last winter at Pao-ting-fu, North China. The surviving children are Edward N. Dyer, engaged in educational and missionary work in the Sandwich Islands; Mrs. Henry M. Wyatt, of West Medford ; Mrs. J. F. Thomas, of Boston ; Mrs. Martha L. Ford, of West Medford; and E. Porter Dyer, of Springfield. A descendant of a Pilgrim family, and brought up in conformity to the religious thought and life of the Old Colony, Mr. Dyer was a forcible preacher of the old school and very familiar with the Bible, which was always his chief religious teacher and guide. In middle life he was a frequent contributor to religious and other journals. He was also the author of two or three books for children and young people, and a metrical version of " Pil- grim's Progress," published by Lee & Shepard, in 1869.

WILLIAM P. CORTIIELL.

A history of South Abington, however brief, would be far from complete if no mention were made of Mr. William P. Corthell. He has served on the board of selectmen, with one exception, every year since the incorporation of the town. In Abington he acted as a singularly able and impartial moderator at nearly all the regular and special town-meetings from May 5, 1848, to Dec. 8, 1874. From 1850 to 1855 he was on the boards of selectmen and asses- sors, and a member of the House of Representatives in 1850 and 1853. As a special county commissioner he served one year, and as a county commissioner, fifteen years. Such a period of service is almost without parallel, and shows the high degree of confi- denee that his fellow-citizens have placed in him.

HON. HORACE REED.

The senator from the Second Plymouth District for the present legislative year (1883-84) is Hon. Horace Reed, of this town. He is a brother of Hon. Wil- liam L. Reed, and was born in Abington. Mr. Reed was a member of the lower branch of the General Court in 1863-64; has served on the board of school committee of Abington, and was clerk in his brother's factory for twenty years. He was a member of the Committees on Drainage, Insurance, and Prisons during the last session of the Legislature.

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HISTORY OF ROCKLAND.

BY CHARLES F. MESERVE, A.M.

ROCKLAND, formerly a part of Abington, was in- corporated March 9, 1874. Having had a corporate existence for only a decade, her history must neces- sarily be brief. Rockland is a busy manufacturing town. The streets are neat and well kept, and have beautifully-shaded sidewalks, and the dwellings con- vey to the stranger the pleasing impression of comfort and neatness. There is a well-organized fire depart- ment, and a liberally patronized public library.

The following were the town officers for the first year : Town Clerk, E. R. Studley ; Treasurer and Collector, E. R. Studley ; Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor, E. R. Studley, J. C. Hebberd, J. W. Beal ; School Committee, J. C. Gleason (three years), Martha Reed (two years), George H. Bates (one year); Auditors, Washington Reed, Zenas M. Lanc, Isaiah Jenkins; Highway Surveyors, J. C. Hebberd, J. W. Beal, Joseph French ; Constables, George F. Wheeler, Owen Maguire, Joshua Crooker, David B. Torrey, J. W. Beal, Ferdinand H. Pool, Samuel P. Keen, Willis Taylor ; Field-Drivers, Mi- chael Shannahan, Luther W. Turner, John Llewel- lyn, George P. Shaw ; Sealer of Weights and Mcas- ures, Samuel T. Bliss ; Measurcr of Wood and Bark, H. C. Totman ; Surveyor of Lumber, Albert Culver ; Fence-Viewers, George B. Clapp, Washington Reed, Richmond J. Lane ; Truant Officers, David Thomas, H. C. Totman; Keeper of Lock-up, George F. Wheeler ; Chief Engineer of Fire Department, Jo- seph Merritt ; Representatives (Twelfth District), Dexter Grose, George W. Reed, of Abington.

The business conducted by Messrs. French & Hall was established in 1881 by the present proprietors. Mr. French, twenty years previous to that, was en- gaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. The special line of trade for which this house is celebrated is the manufacture of fine- and medium-grade hand- and machine-sewed calf boots and shoes, a depart- ment in which it stands second to none for excellence and durability of this class of goods. The business premises occupied by Messrs. French & Hall cover a

spacious arca of twelve thousand square feet of flooring, the building being a four-story structure, of which they occupy the second, third, and fourth floors. On the first-mentioned floor is the office and packing-room ; the third floor is required for the cutting and stitching, and sole-leather department, while the fourth is devoted to bottoming. Seventy-five people, some of whom are expert workingmen, find employment here, their production averaging over two hundred and fifty pairs per day. The machinery with which the establish- ment is supplied is of a high degree of excellence, being of the latest improved pattern, and adds greatly to the perfection of the goods produced. In charge of the establishment is Mr. Joseph E. French, whose acquirements in his vocation are such as to in- sure the satisfactory transaction of all matters in his charge. Mr. Hall attends to all the selling of the goods, and is well known among the trade, having had some eight years' experience in this line. The number of cases of boots and shoes manufactured last year was two thousand six hundred, at the value of one hundred thousand dollars.

Messrs. French & Hall have been identified with their vocation in Rockland for a number of years, during which time they have not only acquired a thoroughi and minute knowledge of their business, but have secured and maintained the respect and esteem of the community. Of the individual members of the firm, we may say that Mr. Joseph E. French is a native of Rockland, where he was born in 1838; while Mr. George W. Hall is originally from Roches- ter, in this State, his birth occurring in 1847, and resides at Abington. Their Boston office is located at No. 135 Summer Street.

The affluence of invention characteristic of the present age supplies in abundance new machines, new processes, and new materials as rapidly as the never- ccasing demands for increased production, superior style and quality, and lessened cost of manufactured articles necessitates them. To those outside a de- partment of industry who have merely noticed the

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

fact that the goods produced in it are more abundant, stylish, and convenient than formerly, an acquaintance with the intricate machinery, methodical processes, and systematie division of labor now employed comes as a startling revelation. The production of any one of the most familiar objects of every-day use involves the assistance of numerous incchanical contrivances of which the grandparents of the present generation were wholly ignorant. The manufacture of paper boxes, for example, is an industry which has assumed immense proportions with the development of pro- duetion in innumerable varieties of goods to which this form of package is appropriate. Among those manufacturers in this department who add greatly to the impetus of the trade we find the house of Messrs. F. E. Nesmith & Co. The business was established in 1883, by C. Littlefield & Co., who were succeeded a short time ago by the present proprietors. The premises occupied by them are situated on Church Street, and cover an area of one hundred and forty- five by forty-five feet, being a four-story structure, of which they occupy the first floor, where they carry on the manufacture of paper boxes of all descriptions. The machinery with which the establishment is equipped embraces every improvement or novel ad- vantage known to the trade, and adds greatly to the perfection of the goods produced as well as the rap- idity with which they are made. Employment is given to about forty skilled operatives, who turn out about five thousand boxes per day, or one million two. hundred thousand per year. Messrs. F. E. Nesmith & Co. entered into the arena of trade competition after a long application to, and a thorough practical knowledge of, the art. Possessing as they do a most eligible location, combined with practical knowledge and business capacity, the trade is sure to increase and attain such a position as they so well deserve.

Promoting the industrial thrift of Rockland by the employment of numerous artisans and others, and fostering a trade which extends throughout the country, the house of Messrs. R. J. Lane & Pratt is certainly entitled to mention in this work. Estab- lished in 1880, the firm was originally Lane & Chip- man, who began about that time the manufacture of boots and shoes, which title was succeeded by R. J. Lane & Pratt in August, 1883, which from that pe- riod has (under the caption title) been composed of R. J. Lane, formerly senior partner in the house of J. Lane & Son, and A. H. Pratt, who was connected with the old house of Lane & Chipman from its foundation in 1880. The plant now covers an area of one hundred and forty-four by forty-five feet, flanked with an L measuring seventy by thirty-five feet,

being a four-story structure, of which they occupy the second, third, and fourth floors of the main building. Here we find the office, packing-room, and also the cutting department on the second floor. On the third floor a large number of mechanics are employed in bottoming, and on the fourth floor skilled operatives are attending the stitching. One steam-engine of about twenty-five horse-power furnishes the necessary motive-power. This manufactory contains the latest improved machinery, and employment is given to some one hundred people during the whole ycar, their annual output amounting to one hundred thousand pairs, which, for quality and excellence, bear a high reputation among the trade. It is not surprising then that this well-known and firmly-established house should have attained the success it enjoys, and which the long experience of the proprietors in the business and their general liberal poliey and integrity fully warrants a lengthened continuance. The individual members of the firm are both natives of Abington. Mr. Richmond J. Lane was born in 1826, and Mr. Ashton H. Pratt in 1857. They have uniformly made it a rule to employ none but skilled workmen, use nothing but the best stock, and the trade may depend confidently upon securing from their estab- lishment exactly what they desire. Their salesroom is at No. 127 Summer Street, Boston. The firm last year turned out four thousand twelve-pair cases, at a market value of one hundred and thirty thousand dol- lars.

In mentioning the boot and shoe trade of Rock- land we would not willingly omit reference to the house of Messrs. Arnold & Leatherbee, which has donc no little to promote the prosperity and industrial thrift of the community. This house was established in 1879, by Messrs. Arnold & Leatherbee, under the above title, both partners having had a previous ex- perience in the manufacturing business of a compre- hensive character. The premises consist of a four- story structure, measuring thirty-two by sixty feet in dimensions, the first floor being retained for office and sole-leather ; the second floor required as finishing- room and packing department; on the third we find a force of skilled mechanics employed in cutting, fitting, and stitching; and the fourth is used for bottoming. Here one hundred hands are employed, who manufacture about two hundred pairs per day. In the hands, and under the able management of this house, the business has been greatly enlarged during the period which they have controlled it, a trade having been established throughout the United States, which is annually on the increase. The manufacture of hand- and machinc-sewed men's fine calf boots

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HISTORY OF ROCKLAND.

and shoes is under the immediate supervision of Mr. H. B. Arnold, the senior member of the firm, who, with an experience of many years, is known through- out the entire trade as an expert in his vocation. Mr. H. B. Arnold is a native of Rockland, and has reached the age of fifty-five years, while Mr. J. D. Leatherbee is a native of Boston, where he was born in 1846. Their sales-room is located at No. 57 Lin- coln Street, Boston. Messrs. Arnold & Leatherbee were, for twelve years previous to their establishing themselves in business, in the employ of Mr. George B. Clapp, shoe manufacturer, the former as super- intendent, and the latter as book-keeper. They em- ploy one hundred hands, and manufacture three hundred pairs per day.

An important business was established in 1870 by Messrs. Torrey & Gurney, a title which was sup- planted in 1879 by E. P. Torrey & Co., and in 1883 changed to the present style, Torrey, Gurney & Co. The premises cover an area of fifty by thirty feet. flanked with an L measuring thirty-four by fif- teen feet in dimensions, being three stories in height. The first floor contains the office, packing-room, and stock of sole-leather, also the dressing and stitching department ; the second floor is devoted to cutting and stitching, and the third floor is reserved for tree- ing and finishing. One ten horse-power engine and fifteen horse-power boiler are required to move the machinery, which is of the latest and most improved style, while one hundred skilled operatives are. given employment, who manufacture some two hundred pairs per day. The goods manufactured and turned out by Messrs. Torrey, Gurney & Co. hold the highest reputation in the market for quality and durability. The growth and prosperity of this house, though rapid, is only commensurate with the energy, good judgment, and superior advantages possessed by this firm, all of which are sedulously employed in maintaining the character of their goods. The individual members of the firm are too well and widely known in this town, and by the general trade over the country, to demand personal mention at our hands. Messrs. E. P. Tor- rey and E. S. Tirrell are natives of Abington, the former being fifty, and the latter fifty-four years of age. Mr. J. C. Gurney is a native of Hartford, Me., where he was born in 1833. Their sample- and sales- room is located at No. 107 Summer Street, Boston.

In reviewing the several firms and individuals in the boot and shoe industry, we require no apology for referring to the firm of Messrs. W. E. Putnam & Co. as being clearly entitled to recognition in this history. This house was organized in 1863, by the association of Messrs. W. E. Putnam and H. S. Jenkins, who

entered into the manufacture of fine calf boots and shoes. The factory, a three-story structure, occupies an area of two hundred and five by forty feet, the same being supplied with a twenty-five horse-power steam-engine which operates the machinery, all of which is particularly effective and ingenious. Some two hundred skillful mechanics find occupation in this establishment, who turn out over five hundred pairs per day. This factory is equal in extent to any simi- lar concern in the State, and has become the centre from which radiates a trade extending from Maine to the Pacific slope, and from St. Paul to New Orleans. The first floor of this well-equipped factory is used as office- and packing-room, while a large force of arti- sans is attending to the finishing and dressing. On the second floor is a number of operatives conducting the fitting, cutting, and bottoming, and on the third floor bottoming and cutting is done. The factory is under the superintendence of Mr. W. H. Bates, and the goods made are mainly the finest hand-sewed, equaling in style the best Newark goods.

Messrs. W. E. Putnam & Co. also have a large manu- factory at Campello. Always pursuing a policy em- bracing the cardinal elements of success,-the highest possible standard of goods produced at the lowest pos- sible price,-strict adherence to sound business princi- ples, and an indefatigable activity to ascertain the wants of the tradc, the house of W. E. Putnam & Co. has created a demand for their manufactures throughout the country, and is regarded as one of the most re- liable and liberal manufacturing concerns. Mr. W. E. Putnam is a native of Danvers, Mass., where he was born in 1837, and Mr. H. S. Jenkins claims Boston his native city, and has reached the age of forty-five years. As a firm, it is not too much to say of thein, that in all attributes that lead to success and universal consideration, Messrs. Putnam & Jenkins have been endowed to a remarkable degree. The location of their sample-room is at 122 Summer Street, Boston.

To successfully achieve the desired result of turn- ing out the best description of work, it is essential that the manufacturer should avail himself of such im- provements as will more easily tend to accomplish his object. This more particularly applies to the manu- facturer of boots and shocs, as the large amount of rivalry and competition displayed by the different houses affords at once a market for any improvement that may tend to lessen the cost or better the produc- tion. In this connection we make mention of the establishment of Mr. Jason Smith, of Rockland, manufacturer of Smith's patent sole-fitting and chan- neling machine. This is one of the best labor-saving

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

machines ever introduced. Some of the advantages claimed for this machine are that the cost of labor in stock-fitting is reduced from fifty to seventy-five per cent., as one man can do the work of from two to four men. An active workman can round, channel, and groove in one day two thousand pairs. One great advantage in this machine is the saving of dies, which in one year alone will pay the cost of the machine.

A prominent manufacturer states that this machine has " saved more than three fourths the expense of dies," and that they " find iron patterns more con- venient to handle and easier to change."

This house was established in 1878 by Messrs. C. T. Stetson and J. Smith, under which title it was known till 1879, when by the retirement of Mr. C. T. Stetson the style and status changed to that at present employed. The premises occupied by Mr. Smith consist of a three-story structure, covering an area of fifty-five by twenty-seven feet, of which he occupies two floors, which are equipped with the most perfect machinery and mechanical appliances.

A native of Maine, where he was born in 1842, Mr. Smith has been prominent in promoting the in- dustrial and commercial interests of Rockland, and occupies an esteemed position in the consideration of this community.

In reference to the boot and shoe business trans- acted in Rockland we have particular occasion to note the house of Z. M. & E. Lane as being more than usually prominent for the enterprise and energy with which its operations are conducted. When Mr. J. Lane established his business, in 1834, his capital was small, and his resources consequently limited. Being a practical mechanic, however, and perfectly familiar with his work in every department, he made it his object to excel, and the superiority of his work became so well known as to lead to a trade which gradually increased from year to year. In 1855 he admitted his two sons, R. J. and Z. M. Lane, to an interest in the concern, and the business was carried on under the style of J. Lanc & Sons till 1879, when the present firm succeeded to the plant. To the manufacture of fine boots and shoes the attention of the firm is mainly directed, and the facilities enjoyed for the production of this class of goods are simply unrivaled. The factory is a large four-story building, covering an area of one hundred and fifty-eight by one hundred and ten feet, supplied with all the mod- ern mechanical appliances requisite for the perfection of first-class work. Two hundred and twenty-five experienced mechanics arc employed in the several departments, who turn out some seventy-five cases per day. In point of durability, style, and finish,

these goods compare most favorably with the similar products of other makers, and have a steady and widely-extended demand. Both members of the firm are natives of Rockland, and were born in that town,- Mr. Zenas M. Lane in 1828, and Mr. Everett Lane in 1836,-both having been actively identified here with the interests and industries of this community. This firm produces annually about nine thousand cases, at a value of three hundred thousand dollars.

Among the many houses engaged in the trade in Rockland that are worthy of mention is the house of Mr. C. W. Torrey. He is a manufacturer of fine calf boots and shoes, of which he makes as fine an assortment as can be obtained in any similar con- cern. This establishment was originated by C. W. Torrey and T. P. Young in 1858. They conducted the business until 1860, when the latter retired, and the title of the firm changed to its present title. The premises consist of a four-story structure, covering an area of thirty-five by one hundred and seventeen feet. Here, in various departments of the works, are employed one hundred and fifty hands, many of whom are expert mechanics, all being adroit in their respective duties, who turn out fifty dozen pairs per day. All the latest and most improved machinery, propelled by a fifteen horse-power steam-engine, are to be found here. In all respects this establishment occupies a leading position in the market, not only with regard to the superiority of its goods, but is also equally conspicuous for the enterprise of its policy and the liberality and promptness with which all its dealings are conducted. Mr. C. W. Torrey is a native of Rockland, where he was born in 1831, and bears a high reputation among his many friends and cus- tomers.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 110

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706