History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 161

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 161

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His interest in the parish matters as a public officer ceased by his resignation, May 14, 1860, upon the | served in that capacity one year. In 1882 he was

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chosen a member of the Common Council from Ward Six to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John W. Porter, and in 1883 was elected assistant assessor for his ward. His was the first death which had taken place among those that constituted the first city government of Brockton, and at a meeting of the Common Council of 1882 these resolutions werc adopted :

" WHEREAS, Our former associate in the Common Council of 1882, Henry Southworth, has been called by death from the scene of his earthly labors;

" Resolved, That we see in this dispensation of Providence the hand of him who indeed 'moves in a mysterious way,' but whose works are done in righteousness and wisdom.

" Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Southworth the city has lost one who was ever true to its best interests, whose counsels and services in the official stations to which he was repeatedly called were given with an honest purpose, and with a careful judgment that always aimed for the highest welfare of the people.

" Resolved, That it is with a deep sense of our personal loss that we note the first death in the number of those who were associated together in the first city government of Brockton, and that we cherish the memory of him who has fallen as one that was faithful in the duties that were laid upon him, ready to bear his part in the responsibilities of the untried course through which we walked, courteous in his intercourse with all his fellow-members, and exhibiting an integrity of life that gave respect and character to the body of which he was a member.

" Resolved, That we choose a delegation to attend his funeral, and that a copy of these resolutions be presented to his afflicted family, with the assurance of our heartfelt sympathy in this the hour of their great sorrow."

He died May 20, 1883. Jan. 15, 1846, Mr. Southworth united in marriage with Eleanor Clark, daughter of Azel and Pamela (Reynolds) Packard, and their family consists of the following: E. Brad- ford, M. Norman, and R. Minnebel, all of whom re- side in Brockton. The sons, in connection with other parties, are proprietors and sole manufacturers of the patent duplex shipping tags, under the name of the Duplex Tag Company.

Henry Southworth always resided in his native town, and secured a strong hold upon the affections of his fellow-townsmen, and died as he had lived, one of Brockton's most honored and esteemcd citizens.

BELA KEITH.

Bela Keith, son of Benjamin and Martha (Cary) Keith, was born in Campello, then Bridgewater, Feb. 2, 1793. He was a branch of the numerous and honored Keith family who were descended from Rev. James Keith, the first ordained minister in Bridge- water. The line of descent is as follows : Rev. James, Timothy, Timothy, Levi, Benjamin, and Bcla.

From carly manhood till his death Bela Keith was prominently identified with the interests of Cam- pello, and was an active worker in all measures which had for their object the advancement of the social, material, and religious welfare of the town. He was a carpenter and builder by occupation, and carried on a large business in the erection of residences, churches, etc. He built the second church edifice belonging to the Congregational Church at Brockton, and also the first house of worship at Campello. Mr. Keith also owned a farm at Campello, upon which a portion of the village is now located. He was a safe and pru- dent man to trust in the management of town affairs, and as early as 1837 he was commissioned justice of the peace. He was chosen selectman in 1845, and again in 1848-51 and 1854, and was also assessor and overseer of the poor for a number of years, and in all of these various official positions he discharged their duties with an eye single to the public good, and died honored and esteemed by his fellow-citizens, and a large circle of friends and relatives. He was a con- sistent Christian, and one of the principal founders of the South Congregational Society. He died Sept. 6, 1867.

Jan. 1, 1821, Mr. Keith united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Seth and Judith Kingman, and their family consisted of the following: Lewis, born Nov. 12, 1821, married first Charlotte L. White, of Mansfield, and second, June 5, 1855, Mariet White, of Norton,-he died June 11, 1859; Seth Kingman, born Sept. 23, 1823, died Aug. 12, 1825; Henry Kingman, born Dcc. 17, 1826, married Vesta S. Cary, July 18, 1847 ; Mary Kingman, born Oct. 12, 1828; Louisa, born Sept. 20, 1830, married Simeon Franklin Packard, Jan. 25, 1855 ; Ellen Sherman, born Sept. 16, 1836, married Jonas Reynolds, Nov. 29, 1866.

JOHN WASHBURN KINGMAN.

John Washburn Kingman was born in that portion of the old North Parish of Bridgewater, afterwards known as North Bridgewater-now the city of Brock- ton-July 24, 1804. He was the son of Seth and Judith (Washburn) Kingman. His father being a farmer, he was early taught to work upon the farm and assist in the labors incident to a farmer's lifc. When he arrived at a proper age to learn a trade he was placed under the care and apprenticeship of his brother Abicl Kingman, who was a manufacturer of cabinet furniture in the Kingman neighborhood, near the place of his birth, on Summer Street. In the

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

spring of 1831 he removed to Reading, Mass., to take the management of his brother Henry's business, who was also a manufacturer of cabinet furniture in that town. There he remained for two years, when he returned to his native town. About that time Marcus Shaw commenced the manufacture of rolling machines for the purpose of hardening leather, thus superseding the old method of using the hammer and lap-stone in the making of boots and shoes. Mr. Kingman pur- chased his interest in that business, and after making several improvements he continued making these machines and supplying the shoemakers throughout Plymonth County and surrounding towns. In this business he continued successfully for several years, when he sold the same to his son-in-law, Welcome H. Wales, Esq., who continued the same for a few years, and who sold to Gustavus H. Farrar.

Mr. Kingman was appointed ensign in the militia of Massachusetts July 15, 1825 ; captain, July 4, 1828. During the latter part of his life he was en- gaged in the care of his real estate.

He became an active member of the First Congre- gational Church at an early age, and was often called to advise and assist in its managenient, in which he took a deep interest.

In the days when the subject of the abolition of slavery was unpopular, he was one of the most active and strongest sustainers of the principles advocated by Garrison, Phillips, Douglass, and others, for the eman- cipation of the colored race, and lived to see four mil- lions of slaves liberated from the thraldom of slavery. As a promoter of good morals and advocate of all social reforms of the times, he has left no uncertain record. He died Jan. 30, 1876. Of the estimation in which he was held by the church of which he was a member, we find the following record :

" Our heavenly Father having taken from our midst Brother John W. Kingman, we desire to place upon record somne ex- pression of our feeling of loss. We shall miss him from his seat in the sanctuary, from his place in our social meetings and Sabbath-school, and in his earnest endeavors to promote the interest of this church and society in every department of his work. For many years he has stood as a leader, devoting a full share of that energy for which he was marked to the de- fenee of the Truth as held by this church. Devoutly would we thank our heavenly Father for the long consistent life of our brother in the midst of this people, for his bold advocacy of every true reform, and the pleasant memories which remain of bis social intercourse with us, while to us his death seems only loss. We know to him it was gain, having lived his threescore and ten years here, and finished the work given him to do, he has entered upon the life eternal, and commenced the service of bearen. Emulating his example, let us, as followers of Christ, be active and earnest, that when the time for our departure comes we be found ready, so may this affliction work out for uz a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. We also

desire to express our sympathy with the afflicted family, and commend them to the God of all consolation, He who has styled himself the widow's God, and the Father of the fatherless, in whom is all blessing. F. B. GARDNER, Clerk."

JOSIAH WASHBURN KINGMAN.

Josiah Washburn Kingman is the sixth son of Seth and Judith (Washburn) Kingman, of Brockton, Mass. He was born Feb. 6, 1802, on Summer Street, in that part of the city known as the " Kingman neighbor- hood." His early life, like most boys of that day, was rather uneventful, consisting of plenty of work and no play sort of a boyhood. There were several able-bodied boys in his father's family, and they each had to contribute to the common interests of agricul- ture by exercising upon the farm during the summer season, while in the winter they indulged in the luxury of hammering nails, which in those early days were all that were made (the quick-moving machines for making cut-nails had not then been invented). It will be borne in mind that at the time of his boyhood there was no Massachusetts Board of Education, no high schools, and only now and then an academy in the commonwealth, therefore but a very limited por- tion of the year was spent in school in acquiring an education. When Mr. Kingman had arrived at the age of ten the militia company, under command of Capt. Nehemiah Lincoln, was called to the defense of Plymouth Harbor in the war of 1812. The glitter- ing swords and bright uniforms of the company were too much for the young lad, and having a brother in the rank and file he was also fired with military ardor, and volunteered to the country's service by carting supplies for the company.

At the age of seventeen years he became an ap- prentice to his brother, Abiel Kingman, with whom he remained for four years, learning the cabinet- maker's trade. Upon arriving at the age of twenty- one Mr. Kingman commenced manufacturing furni- ture for the wholesale trade, succeeding his brother Abiel, in a building afterwards finished into a dwell- ing-house, and for a long time occupied by the late Peleg Holmes, near to the old homestead, and thus commenced a business which he conducted for up- wards of thirty years with signal success.

In 1825, the business having outgrown its original limits, he began to look about for more extensive ac- commodations, and, in a short time after, at the solic- itation of personal friends, he purchased a lot of land of Bela Keith, Esq., situated at the corner of Main and South streets, on what was then known as " The Plain," now the thriving village of Campello, where

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

he pitched his tent, and became one of the then few inhabitants occupying that section of the town.

In the mean time he was married, and resided for a time in the house of Bela Keith, Esq., at the corner of Main and Depot Streets, till he erected a house of his own. After becoming fully estab- lished in housekeeping, he entered upon the carcs of business by building a manufacturing shop, and soon entered upon the wholesale trade, at first finding a market in Boston, and from thence ex- tending his business to other cities of New Eng- land. The business soon became an established suc- cess, and the facilities for conducting the same were increased, building after building were added, till at length a large warehouse and store-rooms were crected, in which a large stock of furniture of every descrip- tion, bedding, and other housekeeping goods were kept for the retail tradc.

When Mr. Kingman commenced business he em- ployed at first such water privileges as the immediate vicinity afforded, and afterward erected a mill con- ducted by horse-power nearer homc, which served his purpose for a time, till his trade, which had extended to the rapidly-growing Western and Southern States, required additional facilities for the prosecution of his business, and in 1851 he erected a large building for steam-power, on the westerly borders of his grounds, which had then become nearly covered by the various buildings used in manufacturing. In this mill the most modern and most approved machinery was intro- duced, so that at that time no establishment in South- eastern Massachusetts had better, if as good, facilities for conducting the rapidly-growing business.

After a lapse of two years and the erection of this new mill, with a prospect of a large expansion in busi- ness, the entire establishment was destroyed by fire on the 23d of May, 1853, entailing a loss of nearly fifty thousand dollars. At the time of this fire, besides the manufacturing buildings, the dwelling-house and home of Mr. Kingman were destroyed, and by this calamity a large number of persons were thrown out of employment, and the growth of the village of Cam- pello was for a time retarded. It has, however, re- covered from this stroke of adversity, and is now in a thrifty condition.

Previous to 1836 the people of Campello for church worship were dependent upon the First Church in the Centre. The population of the southerly portion of the town at that date was small, and among those who felt the necessity for church accommodations nearer home was Mr. Kingman. He was a pioneer in a movement in that direction, and was active in the procuring of land and the erection of a meet-

ing-house, and has ever been active in promoting the interests of both church and society. In the carly his- tory of the church he was always on committees con- nected with and interested in this church, and when they were fairly organized a Sabbath-school was formed, and Mr. Kingman was clected their first superintendent, which office he held for many years. He was an early, active, prominent, and consistent member of the church, and enjoys the confidence of his friends and follow-citizens to an eminent degree.

After a life of activity, varied as most lives are, he lives a calm, serene life at the ripe old age of eighty-three, at a point beyond the time allotted to the average of man ; and his qualities of inind and experiences of life make him still a most entertaining and instructive companion. He is still youthful in spirit, social and affable in his manners, and takes a lively interest in the events of every-day life. In 1838 he was chosen one of the board of selectmen of the town, an office to which he was nine years re- elected. In 1847 and 1848 he represented the town of North Bridgewater (now Brockton) in the Legis- lature of Massachusetts. He was often on the board of overseers of the poor, assessor of the town, and one of the first engineers of the fire department. During the Rebellion of 1861 he was appointed by the pro- vost-marshal as recruiting officer for this section. In 1875 he was one of the road commissioners for the town. He was also on the committee for introducing the first public water-works into the town. He was appointed justice of the peace by Governor John A. Andrew, Jan. 14, 1864.

In all and every position to which he was called, his public spirit, his wise yet liberal judgment, his carnest devotion to the interests of the town, and his large comprehension of its needs have been marked, and rendered him a valuable public officer.

His comparative freedom from active business pur- suits, and the excellent qualifications he has exhibited in town and other public affairs, have pointed him out to his fellow-citizens for their frequent and re- pcated choice to positions of responsibility and honor, in all of which he has shown himself worthy of the confidence reposed in him.

ELLIS PACKARD.

Among the oldest business men, and one who has been intimately identificd with the rise and develop- ment of Brockton is Ellis Packard. He is a son of Micha and Lucinda (Hartshorn) Packard, and was born in Brockton (then North Bridgewater) July 30, 1820. His carly education was acquired at the coll-

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

mon schools of his native town, supplemented by a course at Taunton and Hardwick Academies. At the age of eighteen he went to Cincinnati as clerk iu a store, where he remained two years, and returned to Brockton. In 1862 he commenced business on his own account, dealing in grain and coal. In this business he was eminently successful, and in 1882 retired with a competency, the business now being conducted by his son, Elmer C. Mr. Packard has ever been considered one of the solid business men of the town, and has been a director in the Home Na- tional Bank since its organization. He was originally a Whig, and has been a Republican since the organ- ization of the party. He has been a member of the school committee, and was selectman in 1855 and 1861, and justice of the peace in 1857. Mr. Pack- ard was married, June 12, 1844, to Nancy G. Reves, who died July 10, 1845. June 15, 1847, he united in marriage with Abby Heard. a native of Wayland, Mass., and their family has been as follows : Clara Gray, born Sept. 28, 1849, died Feb. 13, 1875; Warren Newell. born April 8, 1852, died Oct. 11, 1861; Elmer C., born March 8, 1854; Marion Heard, born July 9, 1855, died Nov. 7, 1879; Allen Ellis, born March 3, 1859; Horace Newell, born Dec. 12, 1862 ; and Isabel Abby.

FREDERICK HOWARD.

It is always a pleasure to place upon the page of history "passing incidents" in the life of one whose career has been marked by unostentatious benevo- lence, and whose kindly spirit has carried sunshine into many homes of suffering and want. Such an one is Frederick Howard, the subject of this sketch.

He was born in Brockton, then the north parish of Bridgewater, Feb. 14, 1815, and has passed his entire life in his native town. His education Was confined to the common schools, and at the early age of thirteen years he entered the employ of Lysander Howard, dressing and cutting shoes, receiving the meagre salary of one shilling per day for the first six weeks. He remained here until twenty-one years of age, and then, after having worked one year for Rufus E. Howard in the same business, in 1837, he com- menced in a small way for himself in the manufacture of boots and shoes, which he continued six years, when failing health compelled him to relinquish the business. Since that time he has dealt some in rcal estate, and been more or less engaged in town affairs. He was selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor one year (in 1849), and was special county commis- sioner nine years. He has also been somewhat engaged

in settling estates. He was also a director in the North Bridgewater Bank during its existence, and is the only surviving director of that old institution. He is a Republican, and has been from the organization of the party. Quiet and unostentatious in the be- stowal of his charities, Mr. Howard expends thou- sands of dollars that the public know not of, and rests in the sweet satisfaction of having done his duty to his fellow-man. Many there are, not only in this State but in others, that can speak of the benevo- lence of Mr. Howard. He is a kind neighbor, and one of Brockton's most honored citizens.

Mr. Howard traces his ancestry in this country to John Howard, who came from England, and first settled in Duxbury, and later (1651) in West Bridge- water. When a lad John Howard is said to have lived in the family of Miles Standish. He was a man of great influence in the new plantation, and was one of the first military officers in Bridgewater. The line of descent is as follows : John, John (2), Capt. Robert (one of the first settlers of the North Parish), Dan- iel, Darius, and Frederick. Darius married Sophia, daughter of Jonas Howard, June 3, 1804, by whom he had three children. His wife died Aug. 15, 1807, and June 5, 1808, he married Huldah, daughter of Jonathan Cary, and their family consisted of seven children, of whom Frederick was the fourth. His father died April 8, 1836. He was a selectman of the town, and also deputy sheriff several years.

In addition to other matters in North Bridgewater in which he manifested a decided interest, he was for a long series of years actively engaged in improving the thoroughfares of the town, and many of the note- worthy improvements in the roads and streets are largely the result of his energy and good judgment.

MARCUS PACKARD.

Marcus Packard, son of Luke and Lucinda ( Battles) Packard, was born in North Bridgewater (now Brock- ton), Mass., Sept. 7, 1808. He was descended in a direct line from Samuel Packard, who came from Windham, ncar Hingham, England, to America in the ship " Diligence," and settled first in Hingham, Mass., in 1638, but afterwards removed to West Bridgewater, where he was a constable and tavern- kecper, and a man of some consequence in the com- munity. Here he resided till his death, and was the founder of a family who, through the various genera- tions to the present time, have been numerically and otherwise of prominence and importance in the town. Most, if not all, of the Packards of New England

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

arc descended from him. The liuc of descent to Marcus is as follows : Samuel1, Zaccheus2, Capt. Abiel ", Josiah 4, Josiah 5, Capt. Luke ", Marcus 7.

The educational advantages of Marcus Packard were limited to the common schools of his locality, and when he grew up to manhood he chose the trade of carpenter and builder as his avocation. This was the field of labor in which most of the active years of his life were spent, and many of the best buildings erected in that vicinity at that period attest his handi- work. He was a skillful and honest mechanic, and achieved not only local repute in his calling but also success financially.

Being prudent, industrious, and of primitive habits, he was enabled to gradually build up not wealth but an ample competence. He purchased a farm near the old homestead, and on it erected a beautiful resi- dence, where he passed many years of his life, de- voting during his latter years most of his attention to husbandry. Marcus Packard belonged to that class of New Englanders who, while unostentatious and unpretending, are yet the true benefactors of the community in which they live, in that they add to the material prosperity of their respective localities and leave behind them tangible results of their life's work. He was a man who preferred the quiet walks of life to the turmoil of public strife, and conse- quently never sought political or official distinction. The only eapacity in which he ever figured in public affairs was as selectman and overseer of the poor in his native town.

He was deeply religious in his nature, and an active, earnest member of the First Congregational Church. In this society he did much useful work, and left the accumulations of his lifetime to its uses and benefit after the decease of his wife, the estate being left in trust to her during her lifetime.

He married Lucinda Bates, Nov. 28, 1833. To their marriage there was no issue. He died Dec. 6, 1871.

WILLIAM FRENCH BRETT.

William French Brett, the subject of this sketch, was born July 13, 1816, in the North Parish of an- cient Bridgewater, or what is now Brockton. He was the seventh generation from his immigrant an- cestor, William Brett, who came to this township about 1656. The line being, in brief, as follows :

First generation, William Brett, who married Mar- garet -----.

Second generation, Nathaniel Brett, married Sarah Hayward.

Third generation, Seth Brett, married Sarah Alden. Fourth generation, Samuel Brett, married Hannah Packard.

Fifth generation, William Brett, married Molly Allen.

Sixth generation, Zenas Brett, married Sibbil French.

Seventh generation, William F. Brett, married Rebecca Packard.

The first William Brett came from England, and was at Duxbury, according to Judge Mitchell, in 1645. He was one of the original proprietors of the town of Bridgewater, and lived in what is now West Bridge- water. He was a devout man, an elder in the church, preaching in the absence or sickness of the Rev. James Keith, the first pastor of Bridgewater, and in every way was a leading man in the town and prov- ince, and often a representative to the Old Colony Court.

The old homestead, where William French Brett was born, and the home of at least two or more gen- erations that preceded him, was situated not far from the residence of Charles Johnson, Esq., on North Main Street, in this city, and was occupied for many years by the late Lucien B. Keith.

Mr. William F. Brett came of good stock. In his veins ran some of the best blood of the Plymouth Colony. He was a lineal descendant of Experience Mitchell, Thomas Hayward, John Alden, Samuel Packard, John Cary, John Howard, John and Wil- liam Ames, forefathers and original settlers in this section of Massachusetts. With such an ancestry, we may well conceive that he believed in muscular Christianity. His attendance at church, although not a member, was as constant as that of his ancestor, who was deacon in the First Church of this ancient town.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 161

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