History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 172

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 172

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Nahum Stetson, second son of Abisha and Alice (Allen) Stetson, was born in East Bridgewater, Mass., Aug. 21, 1807. Receiving the educational advan- tages of the public schools, and two years' attendance at the academy at Bridgewater, he went to the town of Boston in 1821, and remained a short time as clerk in a mercantile house. At the age of eighteen years (Nov. 28, 1825), he entered the store of La- zell, Perkins & Co., of Bridgewater, where he de- veloped a capacity for business that rapidly hastened his promotion to a prominent place in the manage- ment of the affairs of the company. Having won the confidence and cstcem of his employers in all the positions which he filled, he succeeded to the treas- urership of the company, which office was made vacant by the death of Nathan Lazell, Esq., in 1835. To the energy and good judgment of Mr. Stetson may be attributed much of the success that has been at- tained by this great enterprise during the past forty years. The reputation which the company acquired for honorable dealing carricd it through the great panics of 1837 and 1857, and its credit has ever been unquestioned. The business organization of the " Bridgewater Iron-Works" is the same as when Mr. Stetson first became connected with it, but not one of the original stockholders are living, and every build- ing has been rebuilt. In addition to the financial oversight of the Bridgewater Iron Company, Mr. Stetson was chosen treasurer of the Weymouth Iron Company in 1837, which position he now holds. In 1846 he took the Parker Mills (Tremont Iron- Works), in Wareham ; was agent, treasurer, and clerk up to the time they. ceased operation, about 1874.

Nahum Stelson

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HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

At these works was made, in 1846, the first railroad iron manufactured in New England. The rails were used on the Old Colony road ; they have been worn out, replaced by new ones, and Mr. Stetson is now buying them in to make over. In 1848, Mr. Stetson was one of the incorporators of the Dean Cotton-Ma- chine Company, of Taunton ; was made its president, and continued until the close of the organization, twenty-five years. He never missed a meeting of either directors or stockholders during this time, and presides at each one, driving ten miles in order to be present. He was director of Bristol County Bank, Taunton, from 1835 till 1852. He was then chosen president of the same, but the pressure of business forbade him carrying this additional labor and respon- sibility. and he resigned both offices at the end of one year, during which time his strongly-marked signature was placed on twenty thousand bills. He was also an incorporator, and director for many years, of the Taunton Locomotive-Works, and was elected their president in 1883. to succeed Samuel L. Crocker. In 1854 he purchased the works of the Providence Iron Company, at Providence, R. I., and was con- nected with it as president until 1874. For forty years he has been director of the Old Colony Iron- Works of East Taunton. He was one of the prime movers and incorporators of the Fall River Railroad, of which he was a director until its consolidation with the Old Colony Railroad.

Mr. Stetson has supported with all the energy of his nature the Whig and Republican parties ; was elected to represent Bridgewater in 1838-39, but his extensive private interests have precluded his further acceptance of political official positions.

He married, Nov. 13, 1828, Sarah, daughter of Rev. George and Sarah (Barstow) Barstow, of Han- son. They had three children attaining maturity,- George B., born October, 1830 (married Mary Sum- ner, of Pawtucket, and died in Havana, August, 1883, of yellow fever; they had three children,-George W., John M., and Nahum3. George W. married Clara, daughter of Senator Webster Wagner, of Wag- ner car fame, and has two children, Ethel and Web- ster, thus making MIr. Stetson a great-grandfather) ; John M., now clerk for Mr. Stetson at Bridgewater (married Ruth, daughter of Dr. James C. Swan, of West Bridgewater, and has two children,-Mary L. and Harriet S.); Nahum 3 is head salesman for Stein- way & Co., in New York (married Cora May, of New York, and has one child,-Leonard S.). Na- hum, Jr., is in charge of the New York business of the Bridgewater Iron Company, and, during their existence, of the Parker Mills (married Alice Ames,

of West Bridgewater, and has Thomas Ames, Nata- lie, and Paul). William B. resides in Boston ; is clerk in the Boston office of the Bridgewater Iron Company (married Etta Caverly, and has two children,-Helen and William Herbert). Mrs. Sarah B. Stetson died Aug. 17, 1842. Mr. Stetson married, July 4, 1843, Lucy A. F. Barstow. The children of this marriage are Lucy A. (married Zena H. Kelly, of Raynham ; they have four children,-Helen, Lucy, Sarah, and Julia) and Helen F.

While Mr. Stetson has been so engrossed in great business enterprises, he has been active in agricul- tural pursuits, and on his large and productive farm have been raised some of the best blooded cattle, he having early introduced some splendid stock from Daniel Webster's farm at Marshfield. For many years his horticultural exhibits at the county fair were unsurpassed, and his extensive greenhouses have largely contributed to the delight of his numer- ous visitors, among whom he has had the pleasure of entertaining Daniel Webster, Robert C. Winthrop, and others of national reputation. The life of Mr. Stetson has been one of indefatigable industry, and only by the most methodical arrangements could. he have accomplished such a large amount of work.

In all local affairs of public interest Mr. Stetson has cheerfully given his aid, being one of the most liberal supporters of the First Congregational (Unita- rian) Society, of which he is a member. He was also one of the largest subscribers for the building of the new academy. He is closing his seventy-seventh year, yet his mind is as powerful, his eyes are as keen, his step is as active, and he still toils as in the prime of life. Cautious and shrewd as a business man, righteous in every act, of highest integrity and signal ability, rich in experience, large-hearted, of great energy, faithful in all his relations, above fear and beyond reproach,-such are the qualities which all who know him award to Mr. Stetson.

JAMES FERGUSON.

James Ferguson, son of John and Margaret (Graham) Ferguson, was born in Annan, Scotland, Aug. 12, 1812. His immediate ancestry for several generations were independent farmers of Annan, and derived their descent from Fergus I., who assisted the Scots to drive out the Picts from Scotland, about A.D. 350, and for his services was elected by the Scots as their king. He was drowned at a venerable age while crossing a loch, in the year 404. Accord- ing to the Scandinavian custom, his sons took the

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

name Fergusson. This is the nomenclature of all his male descendants in Scotland, although some branches use but one " s." " Fergus" signifies " a brave chicf- tain," and the family has been one of Scotland's noblest, and some of this linc are high in the pcerage, and closely allied to the ruling family of England. They have been eminent in seience, literature, and mechanies. Of hardy, energetic nature, they have taken a pronouneed part in all the wars in which Seotland has been engaged from the time the founder of the name fought against the Picts, Britons, and Romans.

When James was fifteen years old he was bound as an apprentice to learn the millwright and ina- ehinist's trade for five years, according to the Seottish custom. His apprenticeship was within six months of expiration, when it was terminated by his master's death. Believing the New World afforded larger scope for his capabilities, in company with an older brother and two other friends he sailed for New York, where he arrived July 1, 1832. He was not twenty years old. His brother went up the Hudson to se- cure employment, and James was left dependent on his own resources. He had, however, a letter of in- troduetion, given by a gentleman in Scotland to his cousin, " somewhere in America." Paterson, N. J., had even then extensive iron works, and on the morning of July 3d James started across the Ho- boken Ferry to walk there, a distance of twenty-one miles. This was no hard task for the vigorous Scotch youth, and, walking leisurely, he arrived at Paterson about dusk. A fine-looking old gentleman was lean- ing out of a window which he passed. A strong im- pression caused James to think that this was the man to whom he had the letter of introduction. He ran up the steps and inquired if Mr. - was at home. Strange to say it was the very man, and he hearing the Scoteh accent of the young man, hastened to the door and drew him into the house, and received and entertained him with true Scottish hospitality. A position was soon seeured by James as pattern-maker and machinist. At Paterson he worked two years, during which time his skill and energy had attracted attention, and he was offered, in 1834, a situation in Fall River by Charles Proctor, as superintendent of the erection of machinery for calico-printing. This Fall River work continued about two years, when he went to Taunton to superintend the erection of ma- ehinery for the Bristol Print-Works. In this he was engaged about ten years. Returning to Fall River, he was for seven years putting up machinery in the Globe Print-Works for William and George Chaffee.

From there Mr. Ferguson returned to Taunton as

superintendent of a new machine-shop for " Taunton Foundry and Machine Company." The shop was constructed under his direction, and in addition to general foundry and machinists' work they made specialties of manufacturing steam-engines and ma- chinists' tools. Mr. Ferguson was also the designer of all the plans used. Under his vigorous superin- tendence the company was prosperous. While assist- ing some of his men one day one of his feet was crushed so badly as to lose one-half of it, he him- sclf cutting off the mangled part before a surgeon arrived. After several years' connection with this foundry he entered the cmploy of the Bridgewater Iron Company in 1856 as superintendent of their extensive business. For twenty-eight years he has been identified with this company and a resident of Bridgewater. His strong inherited constitution, his indomitable perseveranee, and his wonderful energy have contributed largely to the company's success. At the breaking out of the great civil war there were four large forges in existence in America, and the Bridgewater Iron-Works was crowded with work. There was a demand for heavy machinery and forg- ings in connection with naval construction for the government hitherto unpreecdented in iron manu- facture. The Bridgewater forge was insufficient for the demand, and the company obtained branch works in Taunton, Fall River, Providence, and Boston, making a total of seven large establishments under Mr. Ferguson's personal superintendence, with an army of from fourteen to fifteen hundred employés. Few men have ever had a more responsible position. Ericsson, the noted inventor of the monitors, found the Bridgewater Iron Company an efficient aid in his great enterprises, and, under Mr. Ferguson's direc- tion, some of the most difficult work was successfully accomplished. They furnished all the wrought iron work for the famous " Monitor," " Dietator," and " Puritan." They made steam cylinders, condensers, and all the heavy works for many other vessels eon- structed for the government, and did a vast amount of forging for the Delematers, Morgans, and other large ship-builders. To give this immense quantity of work the proper supervision required not only a complete mastery of all details of the business, but great nerve and iron constitution. Month after month, yes, year after year, Mr. Ferguson gave his nights as well as days to this. After working at Bridgewater all day, he would drive to Taunton, in- spect the works there, then go to Fall River, Boston, or Providence, and back to Bridgewater to commence work with the men in the morning. This oversight was continued in this way by him until the close of

Gabel F& Leonard

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HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

the war, and probably not one man in a thousand could have survived such labor. The forgings of some portions of the great St. Louis bridge, and the shafts of many of the immeuse ocean steamers were also made under his direction.

Mr. Ferguson married, first, Ann Maria, daugh- ter of Albert Herder, of Flushing. L. I. Their children were Robert, James, Margaret (deccased ; she married, first, Ephraim Edson, and had two children ; second, James H. Ferguson, and had two children), and John. Mr. Ferguson married, second, Mary, daughter of John and Margaret Hunter, of Fall River. Their children are Joseph, George, Mary, and Arthur.

Robert is a merchant in Bridgewater ; James is a machinist in the employ of Bridgewater Iron Com- pany; John is a mason and bricklayer, residing in Baltimore; Joseph is assistant superintendent and mechanical draughtsman for Bridgewater Iron Company ; George is engaged in the monumental marble business in Boston ; Mary, whose mother died Aug. 24, 1865, is housekeeper for her father ; Arthur has been a student at Harvard.

Mr. Ferguson is still active, and his capacity for the special oversight of the great establishment under his charge is fully equal to all demands. Positive in his likes and dislikes, persistent in whatever he un- dertakes, firm and inflexible in his convictions, he is one whose friendship, warm and true, is most highly prized. As a citizen he is held in great esteem, and generously contributes to all means of public im- provement. He is a Republican politically, and an Orthodox Congregationalist in religion. His chil- dren and grandchildren hold him in high veneration, and appreciate in no small degree his parental devo- tion and care. Mr. Ferguson's life may be truly called one of success, as well as of remarkable activ- ity. His ability, in his chosen field, has given him a place among the leading iron-workers of the day.

CALEB F. LEONARD.

Caleb F. Leonard, son of David and Mary (Hall) Leonard, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., Oct. 15, 1778. Some genealogists claim the Leonards to have descended from Richard Cœur de Leon (Leon- hardt). All authorities unite in stating that they have been a family of prominence in England for many generations, coming from Leonard, Lord Dacre, of England, and through two lines from Edward III., viz., through John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Thomas Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester. The

Leonard families have been noted throughout this country and Europe, and have been so for genera- tions, for their connection with iron manufactures.

From old records in the family, we find that the first Leonards in America were Solomon, James, and Henry, brothers. They were sons of Thomas Leon- ard, of Pontipool, Wales, a place famous for its iron- works and mines. They were Puritans. Solomon came from Holland, probably with Rev. John Robin- son's congregation, although not in the " Mayflower." He settled first in Duxbury, became an original pro- prietor of Bridgewater, and, with four of his children, John, Jacob, Isaac, and Mary, settled in the south part of the town.

James and Henry settled in Lynn, next Braintree ; and in 1652, at a town-meeting held in Taunton, Oc- tober 2d, "it was agreed and granted to the said Henry Leonard and James Leonard, his brother, and Ralph Russell, free consent to come hither and join certain of our inhabitants to set up a bloomery on the Two-Mile River," and to dig and mine ore at Two-Mile Meadows. These were the first iron-works established on this continent, and were enlarged from time to time, and subsequently converted into a forge for making anchors. These works were situated in what is now the town of Raynham, and continued in the possession of the Leonards and their descendants over one hundred years. James and Henry, attracted by more abundant ores in New Jersey, removed thither and established the first iron-works in that province. Solomon and his descendants, however, chose agriculture as their avocation, and those claim- ing him for ancestor are numerous, and are mostly diligent, industrious farmers. Here and there one has gone into medicine or the ministry, but these are the exceptions, not the rule. His son, John2, had several children, his youngest son being Joseph3. His son Joseph4, born in 1697, married Mary Packard, and resided on the beautiful place on Nippenicket Pond, still owned and occupied by their descendants. His son David5, who married, in 1767, Mary Hall, of Taunton, was a farmer on the ancestral estate, and was also a soldier with Gen. Winslow in seizing the neutral French, or Acadians, in Nova Scotia, in 1755 (see Longfellow's " Evangeline"). Hc was of strong character, active and vigorous, father of thirteen chil- dren, and generally known as "Squire" Lconard.

Caleb F. Leonard (sixth generation) had merely the school advantages of the town schools of the day, as he had to be the farm-boy, while his two older brothers were attending Brown University, where they graduated. He, however, made diligent use of his educational opportunities, and, although he was

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

always an agriculturist, was greatly interested in the public men and measures of the day, a reader and thinker, and during his life did a large amount of public business for the town. Hc had a commission of justice of the peace for many years, and was held in more than ordinary cstcem for his sound judgment, clear-headedness, and integrity. He married, July 12, 1807, Nancy Thompson, of Middleboro'. They had three children, - Clementina M. (Mrs. Levi Painc), James M., and Caroline L. (who marricd, first, George Ward ; second, Rev. James W. Ward,- see biography of George Ward, in history of Lake- ville). Mrs. Paine had three children,-Rev. Levi L., D.D., now senior professor at Bangor (Me.) Theo- logical Seminary (he married, July 29, 1861, Jennette Holmes) ; Bernard, who married Eliza Smith Blos- som, Dec. 4, 1867, and has been for some years pas- tor of the Congregational Church at Sandwich, Mass. ; and Adelia C. (Mrs. E. P. Stetson, of Walpole). James M. Leonard married Jane N. Thompson, of Rochester, Mass. ; their children are Emma F., Eliz- abeth M. (wife of Rev. T. D. Childs, Home Mis- sionary in Kansas), Mary H. (a teacher in the State Normal School, Bridgewater, Mass.), Clara F. (wife of Dr. C. I. Fisher, superintendent of State Almshouse, Tewksbury, Mass.), James H. (married Mary C. Johnston ; is a practicing lawyer of Elyria, Ohio), Edith (also a teacher in the State Normal School), Caroline L. (wife of Rev. Herbert D. Good- enough, now missionary of Congregational American Board of Foreign Missions at Natal, South Africa), Jennie T. (died Jan. 25, 1865, aged five years).

The life of a plain farmer, with no startling events, no striking or famous acts, is apt to be uneventful so far as the purposes of a biographical sketch is con- cerned, and such a life was that of Caleb F. Leonard. And yet these lives are the foundation and super- structure of society. Day follows day, year succeeds year, through a long, useful life, where lack of oppor- tunity for display did certainly not create in him a desire for it. He did his duty well in all the varied relations of domestic, social, and community life, and was appreciated, loved, and honorcd. Of extremely kind and sympathetic nature, he was so tender-hearted that a tale of suffering or distress would bring the tears quickly to his eyes, and so energetic as at once to move toward relieving that suffering,-these were prominent traits. Few, if any, cver appealed to him in vain for charity, or for friendly sympathy and as- sistance, when it was in his power to give. Tenderly affectionate in his family relations, his wife and chil- dren were bound to him by the strongest ties of love and reverence. As a neighbor, friend, and citizen, he

was so genial, social, and hospitable in his disposition and habits, so truc, honorable, and trustworthy, that he made many friends, and could scarcely have had an enemy. He was not called to high and prominent public offices, but in the positions of trust and influ- ence held in the town where he lived and dicd, he carned the good opinion of all. Such a life, quiet and unostentatious though it be, has a value not casily measured. He died suddenly, July 3, 1840, “ leav- ing no memorial but a world made better for his living."

THE FOBES FAMILY.

The Fobes family in Bridgewater are of Scotch ancestry, descending probably from Rev. John Forbes, or Fobes, who was moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, holden at Aberdeen, July 2, 1605. His son, John 1, came to Plymouth with the remnant of Rev. John Robinson's church in 1636, settled in Duxbury, and came to Bridgewater in 1651, among the first settlers, and was one of the incorpo- rators of the town of Bridgewater. His descendants are numerous. He married Constant, sister of Ex- perience Mitchell, who came over in the third ship, " Ann," in 1623. Edward2, second son, born in Bridge- water in 1651, died in 1732, aged eighty-one years. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Howard,- they had several children. John3, the oldest son, born in Bridgewater in 1679, married Abigail Robinson, of Taunton, Aug. 15, 1704,-they had eight children. John dicd Aug. 15, 1725. Josiah4, son of John3, married Freelove, daughter of Capt. Josiah Edson, March 5, 1739. He was born Sept. 6, 1716 ; among his numerous children were Ezra5, born Jan. 21, 1751, and Alpheus5, born June 30, 1756. Ezra5 married Mary Shaw, of Raynham, in 1776; died in 1823, aged seventy-two ycars. His oldest son, Ezra6, born Dec. 31, 1785, married Hannah Bassett, daughter of Jo- seplı Bassett, Esq., June 19, 1810. Their children were Franklin B., Joseph B., George P., Hannah, and Mary S. Alpheus5 married, first, Mehitable, daugh- ter of Seth Lathrop, in 1781 ; second, Lucy, daughter of Rev. Isaac Backus; the oldest and youngest sons of this second marriage werc Isaac6, whose daughter, Mary, married Franklin Lcach (sce biography), and Aretas6, born April 9, 1798. Alpheus died April 12, 1839, aged eighty-three ycars. Aretas6 married, Feb. 20, 1826, Rowena, daughter of Deacon Edward Paul, of Taunton. He died Oct. 30, 1873, aged seventy- five years. Their children were Edwin A., Ellen A., Martha P. (who married Dr. Joseph B. Fobes), Franklin, and Nathan.

Joseph B. Forbes

M. Garant

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HISTORY OF BRIDGEWATER.

JOSEPH BASSETT FOBES, M.D.

Among the leading, successful. and representative physicians of Plymouth County, who began active practice nearly half a century ago, and to-day are living in comfortable physical health and unimpaired vigor of mind, must be mentioned Dr. Joseph B. Fobes. Descended from strong Scotch ancestry, he inherited much of the vitality of the hardy Caledo- nian race. His parents were Deacon Ezra and Hannah (Bassett) Fobes, and he was born in Bridge- water. Mass., Sept. 19, 1814. He is a direct de- scendant from one of the original proprietors and incorporators of Bridgewater. The family name was originally Forbes, but is now spelled Fobes. For several generations have the ancestors of the doctor been identified with the development and improve- ment of Bridgewater,-good citizens, law-abiding people, serving well their day and generation.

Joseph Bassett Fobes, M.D., was prepared for col- lege at Bridgewater Academy, studied medicine with Dr. Louis L. Miller, of Providence, R. I., and was graduated from the Medical Department of Harvard College in the spring of 1839. In May of the same year he settled in Hanover, and engaged in medical practice. This was before the day of specialties in medicine, and the county practitioner of that day had to be well versed in both theory and practice of all branches of medicine and surgery. The young phy- sician soon made many friends by his medical skill and winning personal traits of character, and built up a large and lucrative practice. For nearly a quar- ter of a century he was actively employed in attending to an extensive range of patients in Hanover, Pem- broke. Scituate, South Scituate, Marshfield, Hanson, Rockland, etc. He was a close student, attended minutely to the peculiar manifestations of disease, as shown in different individuals, and won success. No physician ever enjoyed the love of the community more than he, and it was worthily bestowed. Care- ful, kind, and painstaking, he was social, yet method- ical and systematic. The people had great confidence in him, and by his diligent though arduous en- deavors he secured the esteem of the best element of society. His counsels and advice have been highly prized by his professional brethren. He has been for years a member of the Plymouth County Medical Society, and also of Massachusetts Medical Society. Dr. Fobes married Jan. 4, 1853, Martha P., daugh- ter of Aretas and Rowena (Paul) Fobes, also a na- tive of Bridgewater.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 172

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