History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 193

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 193

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

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923

HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

SEAMEN IN NAVAL SERVICE.

Howard, George B., enl. August, 1861, gunboat "Gemsbok." Stevenson, Horace, enl. October. 1861, gunboat " Minnesota." Ryan, James, enl. June, 1861, frigate " Potomac." Withington, George. enl. frigate " Colorado." Daggett, Thomas, enl. gunboat " Penobscot." Burgoine. Edmond.

Soldiers' Monument .- Soon after the close of the war a movement was started for the purpose of erect- ing a suitable memorial in honor of those citizens who had fallen in that struggle, and on Nov. 7, 1865, a meeting of the citizens was called to consider the feasibility of forming a monument association. The association was organized Dec. 4, 1865, with the fol- lowing officers : President, Pardon Copeland; Vice- Presidents, Caleb Copeland, Jr., Shepherd L. Pratt, Nahum Snell, Francis E. Howard, George D. Ryder ; Secretary, George Copeland ; Treasurer, Beujamin Howard.

Immediately after the organization subscription papers were circulated throughout the town, and March 3, 1866. $1215.50 had been raised. This was subsequently enlarged by a gift of $100 from Mr. George D. Ryder, also $100 from Otis Drury, and $50 from Azel Howard. and Dec. 31, 1866, the fund amounted to $2040. For more than ten years the project slumbered, the fund, however, remaining on interest. and Nov. 28, 1877, amounted to $3364.46. Active steps were then taken toward the consumma- tion of the project. and a contract was closed for the construction of the monument with Messrs. Thomas & Owens, of Quincy.

The monument is a beautiful piece of work, thirty- five feet high, weighs seventy tons, and cost nearly thirty-five hundred dollars. The bottom-base, plat- form, second base, die, and cap are of Quincy granite, the remainder being granite from Clark's Island, Me. The bottom-base is a large stone seven feet by two feet six inches high.

The second base is five feet six inches square, by two feet and one inch in height, and is neatly molded. Upon it rests a polished die inscribed, on the north face, as follows :

" Erected by the Citizens of This Town In memory of Her Sons Who Lost Their Lives Defending the Government During the War of 1861-65.

Let Us Have Peace. 1879."

Upon the east side are cut the following names :

han, Edgar E. Colwell, George Colwell, Melvin Col- well, Martin Cunningham, William Dewyre, John B. Duubar, Henry M. Folsom, John B. Gould, Charles H. Haydeu, Lyman E. Hayward, Eustace Howard, Nicholas P. Howard.

West face : Leonard Jones, Hector O. Kingman, Wesley D. Lindsey, Francis Lothrop, Michael Mc- Murphy, John Mullen, Charles H. Parker, James M. Pasco, Henry Quinley, Asa F. Shaw, James M. Stetson, Roscoe Tucker, Charles H. Turner, Elijah Withington, James E. Jacobs.

South side : Alvan R. Coffin.

Above the die is a handsomely-molded cap, upon which rests the plinth. The front of the plinth bears a canuon cut in relief, draped with a flag; the east side, an anchor and coil of rope ; the west, crossed swords and a rifle ; the south, a circular laurel wreath. The column-base, column, and cap rest upon the plinth, aud are handsomely polished and fluted. Sur- mounting the whole is au cagle with unfolded wings, grasping in its talous a shield. The entire monu- ment is beautiful in design, and the citizens of West Bridgewater may justly feel proud of this tribute to the memory of their gallant sous who lost their lives in the defense of their country.

The monument was dedicated July 4, 1879, with appropriate ceremonies. It was presented to the town by Mr. Francis E. Howard in behalf of the association, and accepted by Mr. Henry Copeland, chairman of the board of selectinen. Mr. Howard, in the course of his remarks, said,-

" I hardly need remind you that this is sacred ground. On or near this spot was erected, if not the first, certainly the sec- ond and third meeting-houses. Here for more than one hun- dred and twenty-five years the people of the ancient town of Bridgewater (which then included the now enterprising towns of Brockton, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, and West Bridge- water) were wont to assemble to worship their Maker according to the dictates of their consciences and the beauty of holiness. Here for ninety years the town-inectings were held. From this spot to the tent, where we are soon to assemble to continue these exercises, the legal voters of this ancient town were accustomed to meet and array themselves on either side of the street to de- cide important questions which then agitated the public mind, the house being insufficient to accommodate them ; and to-day, after a lapse of two hundred and five years from the time the second house of public worship was here crected (the first one of which we have any reliable knowledge), we come to conse- crate this ground anew. This monument, with the names and inscriptions thereon, will remind us and those who come after us of that dark and fearful event in our nation's history known as the Rebellion, and will perpetuate the names of those of our sons who sacrificed their lives in not only defending our coun- try as a whole, but in sustaining our government that we might have peace, without which no nation can be truly prosperous."

The officers of the association at the time of the Capt. John Ripley, Myron E. Algier, Timothy Calla- | dedication of the monument were : President, Francis

924

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

E. Howard; Vice-Presidents, George Wilbur and Edward Tisdale; Secretary, W. H. Jeunings ; Treas- urer, Benjamin Howard.

At what is called the Centre is located the old church, soldiers' monument, and Howard Collegiate Institute.

Cochesctt is a small hamlet with two churches- Methodist and Baptist-and several manufactories.

What is known as the Algier district, or Madagas- car, as it is sometimes called, is the southwestern part. Here is located the iron-foundry of James Otis Algier.

Jerusalem is the local name to the northwestern part of the town.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THE HOWARD FAMILY.

The name of Howard is another form of Harvard or Hereward, and is identified with the most brilliant achievements in various departments of knightly and, honorable service in England, and is one of the proudest families in that fair land. We extract the following early transatlantic history of the family from Burke's " Heraldic Register," an English work valuable for its learning, research, and accuracy, and standard authority in family history.

" HOWARD, Duke of Norfolk .- The illustrious House of Norfolk derives in the male line from Wil- liam Howard, ' a learned and reverend judge,' of the reign of Edward I., and with him the authentic pedigree commences. Dugdale sought in vain amid the mists of remote ages for a clue to the family's earlier origin. The alliance of the judge's descend- ant, Sir Robert Howard, knight, with Margarct, elder daughter of Thomas de Mowbray, duke of Norfolk, was the source whence flowed to after generations 'all the blood of all the Howards.' Margaret de Mowbray was great granddaughter and heiress of Thomas Plantagenet, surnamed De Brotherton, eldest son of King Edward I., by Margaret, his second wife, daughter of Philip the Hardy of France. This great alliance may be regarded as the foundation- stone on which was erected the subsequent grandeur of the House of Norfolk ; but the brilliant halo which encircles the coronet of the Howards owes its splendor to the heroic achievements of the successive chiefs, on whom its honors devolved. John Howard, duke of Norfolk, fell at Bosworth, manfully adhering to Richard III. ; his son, the earl of Surrey, was the

hero of Flodden, and the latter's grandson is ever memorable as the first poet of his age, --

" 'The gentle Surrey loved his lyre; Who has not heard of Surrey's fame ?

His was the hero's soul of fire, And his the bard's immortal name.

" In more recent times the hereditary gallantry of the race continued to shine conspicuously forth, and to a Howard was reserved the honor of overthrowing the mighty power of Spain, and crushing the 'in- vincible' Armada. In point of mere antiquity there are several nobles who far exceed the Howards ; but what family pervades all our national annals with such frequent mention, and often involved in circumstances of such intense interest. As heroes, poets, politicians, courtiers, patrons of literature, State victims to tyranny and feudal chiefs, they have been constantly before us for four centuries. ' In the drama of life,' says an eloquent writer, ' they have exhibited every variety of character, good and bad ; and a tale of their vices, as well as of their virtues, is full of instruction, and would excite anxious sympathy or indignant censure. No story of romance or tragic drama can exhibit more incidents to enhance attention or move the heart than would a comprehensive account of this house, written with cloquence and pathos.' On their es- cutcheon is the motto ' Sola virtus invicta.'"

JOHN HOWARD, the first American ancestor of the Howards in Plymouth County, came from England and settled in Duxbury prior to 1643. He came to West Bridgewater in 1651, and was one of its pro- prietors and original settlers. He took the oath of fidelity here in 1657; was one of the first military officers in Bridgewater, and died in 1700. His de- scendants still own and live on the place where he first settled ; he always wrote his name Haward, and so did his descendants till after 1700, and the early town records are conformable to this spelling ; but for the last century it has invariably been written Howard. His children were John, James, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Bethiah, Ephraim.

He kept the first "ordinary" or public-house in the town, and was a man of great strength of character, possessing much influence in the colony. None of the carly settlers of Bridgewater has left more tangible results of his cxistence, nor more descendants ; and if he were permitted to visit the scenes among which his mature life was passed he would find nothing in the conduct, character, or worth of many of those who have borne his name for two centuries, that the grand old Puritan would severely criticise, and much in which he could take just pride.

CAPT. BENJAMIN BEAL HOWARD, son of Col. Ed-

I.A.

Benz Byloword

925

HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

ward and Abigail Howard, was born on the ancestral home, in Bridgewater (now West Bridgewater), Mass., March 2, 1788. The line of descent is John1, John2, of any one, without reference to his station or con- Maj. Edwards, Col. Edward4, Benjamin B.5 Passing his early life as a farmer. he diligently availed him- self of the educational advantages of the district schools of that day, and was the fifth generation of the family to own and occupy the land on which his great-great-grandfather had established his inn. He was its last landlord, for the necessity for its existence ceased with the advent of railroads, and the old house was destroyed in 1838. Each of his ancestors were conspicuous in the local and military affairs of the town, and filled their part well, and Benjamin was a true descendant of. that Puritan stock. He was cap- tain of a company of militia, hut not called into active service. He was a successful farmer, and prominent in his native town as a business man, and held various responsible positions, but for his active and vigorous nature the quiet life of a farmer did not afford sufficient scope, and, about 1837, he removed his business to New Bedford. where he hecame largely connected with whaling, owning an interest in, and acting as agent for, numerous vessels fitted out for the whaling industry in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. He was prospered, and amassed wealth. He kept his real estate in West Bridgewater until 1860, when he sold it to his son, Francis E., and always claimed the right of suffrage here, although residing at New Bed- ford during the last fifteen years of his life, and dying there April 3, 1867. He was a director of several important corporations of New Bedford, and at the time of his death was president of the New Bedford Flouring Mills. In the numerous railroad and manu- facturing enterprises in which he was so largely in- terested for the few years previous to his death, his buisness ability was greatly appreciated and his cool, dispassionate judgment often sought.

He was four times married. First, in 1810, to Olive, daughter of Gamaliel and Olive Howard. Their children were Lucy (Mrs. Thomas Ames), Azel, Benjamin, Edward, and Francis E. Mrs. Olive Howard died in January, 1826, and Capt. Howard married, in 1827, Susan Mitchell. Their children were Susan E. and Olivia (Mrs. Dana B. Humphrey ). His third wife was Mrs. Jane B. Tay- lor, of New Bedford, and his fourth, Mrs. Harriet M., widow of John E. Howard, Esq., of West Bridgewater, who survives him. Capt. Howard was a remarkable man. He was simple in his tastes, of great force of character, strong and resolute will, in- domitable energy, and firmly fixed in his opinions, and did not willingly brook opposition. In his likes

and dislikes he was equally decided, but his judgments were based upon what he considered the real worth

: dition. He was a Unitarian in his religious con- victions. He used few words, but these expressed much. In business he exhibited sagacity, a breadth of view, a watchful regard to details, and an un- swerving fidelity to every engagement. He had no confidants, kept his affairs wholly to himself, and his son says that he has often heard him say that no loss of property he ever met with, however heavy (once he lost twenty thousand dollars in one day by fire, uninsured), caused him to lose one hour's sleep. He was a zealous friend, a vigorous enemy. He was prompt in decision, resolute in action, fearless, inde- pendent, and outspoken in his views on all subjects, and cared not whether the community agreed or dis- agreed with him. One or two anecdotes will show some characteristic traits. In 1846, just before the building of the Old Colony Railroad from Boston to Fall River, there was a diversity of opinion regard- ing its route through this immediate section. Capt. Howard strongly favored a direct line from Campello to Bridgewater. This would have brought it near the centre of West Bridgewater. East Bridgewater wished to secure a route through their town. The railroad corporation compromised the matter by lo- cating the road in its present line, and saw its error when too late to rectify it without an enormous ex- penditure. The wear and tear of engines, cars, and road-bed on the curves, which would have been avoided by a direct line, amounts to a large sum an- nually. Corporations, like men, are sometimes too narrow-minded for their pecuniary interests, and this one man, Capt. Howard, had better vision than the corporation. Once, while serving on a jury, Capt. Howard found himself, with one other, opposed to the ten remaining jurymen. The other man at last agreed with the ten, and although Capt. Howard could not see the justice of their opinion, and gave his reasons, he did not stand out, and the verdict was rendered in accordance with their idcas. Some time after, possibly years, one of the ten jurymen inet him, and, recalling the matter, said that the results had fully justified Capt. Howard's opinion when on the jury. Another instance where his shrewdness quicted an agitation of great proportions in the town will be in place herc. About 1850 the town was much ex- cited and divided over a place to hold town-meetings, which had previously been held in the First Congre- gational Church. The parish had just repaired and refitted the church, making a vestry, and asked an in- creased compensation for its use. The townsmen out-

926

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

side the parish refused to agree to pay the price. Capt. Howard belonged to the parish and advocated the payment. The town secmed arrayed against the parish, and the strife waxed hot. After several town- meetings in which nothing was accomplished, another was called and Capt. Howard, the heaviest tax-payer, arose and proposed the building of a very expensive town hall with marble steps. As this would largely increase the tax the people at once settled the matter by hiring the vestry, where the town-meetings have since been held.

Capt. Howard was, as before mentioned, very reti- cent, and when in his will were found bequests for the benefit of his town, amounting to one hundred and two thousand dollars, it was evident that his mind had, for a long time, been fixed upon this, for once on the death of a friend and neighbor, he re- marked that the deceased should have left a fund for a school, and also one for the benefit of the religious society upon whose services he had been so long attendant, and it is interesting to note that both of the objects to which he thought his friend should have bequeathed money were generously remembered in his will, yet none knew what he had done until after his death. His bequests were as follows: To the town of West Bridgewater eighty thousand dol- lars, the income of which is to be used for the " establishment and support of a high school or sem- inary of learning, to be called the Howard School;" twenty thousand dollars to the First Congrega- tional Society of this town, to be called the Howard Parochial Fund, the income of which is to be ap- plied to the support of Unitarian or liberal preach- ing; two thousand dollars, the income of which is to be applied to scientific lectures in town, provided there be an annual addition of one hundred dollars, otherwise to be added to the school or parochial fund.

The unpretentious character of these munificent gifts was in keeping with the whole life-work of Capt. Howard. No sounding of trumpets or vaunt. ings of what he had done or was going to do were ever sent abroad, but his deeds of charity were done unostentatiously and generously. His memory is reverenced and cherished in the hearts of a grateful community, and his deeds will cause other souls through many years to emulate his noble example, and thus, "although dead, he yet speaketh ;" and when gencration after generation shall have passed away, and this good year of grace have become one of the dates of antiquity, may there not be wanting happy voices of children enjoying the educational advantages of " Howard Collegiate Institute," to bless

the wise and fatherly eare of the benefactor who was mindful of them before their lives began.

FRANCIS E. HOWARD, son of Capt. Benjamin B. and Olive (Howard) Howard, was born in West Bridgewater, on the old Howard homestead, May 14, 1825. He was educated at the town schools of West Bridgewater in all the branches of a thorough com- mon-school education. He became a farmer, and in 1847 moved to his present residence, then owned by his father, and which he afterwards purchased. He married Nov. 25, 1852, Mary K., daughter of Pliny and Polly (Kingman) Hayward. Their only child attaining maturity was Edith F., who still resides with her father. Mrs. Mary K. Howard died June 2, 1857, and Oct. 5, 1858, Mr. Howard married his present wife, Elizabeth B., daughter of Simeon and Sibel (Fobes) Taylor.

Formerly a Whig in politics, Mr. Howard was the first man in his town to put his nanie to a paper as an adherent of the Republican party, just then in formation. This was in 1854, and nowhere has it had a more fearless, zealous, or intelligent supporter. He has served eight years on the school committee, six years as selectman, two years chairman of the board, was appointed in 1870 United States assistant marshal for taking the census. He was representa- tive from West Bridgewater and Brockton to the lower House of the State Legislature in 1882, and in all of his official relations has shown himself modest and unassuming, possessing sound common sense, ability, and sterling integrity. He has watched closely the interests of his constituents, and discharged his duties acceptably to his town. He is a member of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, West Bridgewater, was its treasurer for fifteen years, and for thirteen years member of the elective com- mittee of Plymouth and Bay Unitarian Conference.

Mr. Howard is descended from ancestors possessing more than ordinary power, both in brain and musele. Ralph Waldo Emerson affirmed that man was what the mother makes him, yet much of truth as there undoubtedly is in that statement, it does not express the whole. Bygone generations as well are con- cerned in the building of the mnan. Physical pecu- liaritics, characteristie traits, and mental tendencies have been transmitted to him by his ancestors. The noble and godly fathers of Plymouth Colony believed that in improving their own intellectual powers, and elevating their own moral nature by watehful self- discipline, they were not merely benefiting themselves, but improving the mental and moral constitution which their descendants for generations should receive from them. This sublime faith was founded in faet, and

Graneis E. Howard .

Charles E. Howard

927

HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

Mr. Howard, although an opulent New England farmer, is not an exception to the rule. The energy of past generations is his also. William Cullen Bry- ant asserted that he received the gift of poetry from his great-grandfather, Dr. Abiel Howard (a West Bridgewater Howard and kinsman of Francis E.). This gift was also possessed by the Earl of Surrey, a Howard on the other side of the Atlantic. Another noted Howard was John Howard, the philanthropist, whose name excites admiration and reverence through- out Christendom. The family is bold, aggressive, out-spoken everywhere. So Mr. Howard is not merely a farmer. He reads, travels, studies, and thinks. He is an intense radical in support of every- thing tending to improve, develop, and advance the best elements of society. He is in favor of higher education, and as treasurer of Howard Collegiate In- stitute ably assists in carrying out the munificent educational plan of his father. Frank and courteous in his intercourse with all, and as honest as the day is long. he is one whom it is a pleasure to know. He holds advanced opinions on all subjects, and supports them ably and pungently by voice and pen. He would have filled a pulpit with ability, had circum- stances drawn him in that direction, for he is a born theologian, and many of his newspaper articles are well-written sermons. In the various fields of busi- ness, agriculture, and citizenship, Mr. Howard is ac- tive, sagacious, and progressive. Enthusiastic and generous, positive in his likes and dislikes, a strong friend, a kind neighbor, he is one of the best and most useful citizens of his town and county, and worthily has the esteem and confidence of their lead- ing men.

CHARLES EDWARD HOWARD, son of Charles and Betsey (Wade) Howard, was born in West Bridge- water, March 7, 1820, and was a lineal descendant, in the sixth generation, from John Howard, the emi- grant. The line is John1, John2, Maj. Edward3, Col. Edward4, Charles5, Charles E.6 His father, Charles, born in 1790, was a younger brother of Capt. Benjamin B. Howard. He was a farmer, and also ran a shingle-mill during the winter. He was an active, diligent man, enjoying the esteem and con- fidence of the community. He died in February, whom he was said by some to personally resemble. 1860, aged seventy years. His children were Charles E., Henry, William, George, and Louisa (Mrs. Ho- ratio L. Washburn).

brother-in-law), and Benjamin Howard, he formed the copartnerships of C. E. Howard & Co. and How- ard, Washburn & Co., and engaged in manufacturing in West Bridgewater. After continuing four years, the firm dissolved, Mr. Washburn succeeding to and carrying on the business at the old stand, and Mr. Howard removing to the east part of the town, where he began manufacturing alone, and was very success- ful. From 1859 until his death he kept in business either alone or in company with others, part of the time carrying on two shops, and employing a large number of men, making use of steam power, which he was the first to introduce in this section. He traveled extensively through the South and West for the development of his trade, which his efforts and ability largely increased. In connection with his shoe business, during the last few years of his life, he was connected with Timothy Reed, of East Bridge- water, in manufacturing Reed & Packard's patent self-feeding eyelet machines.

Mr. Howard married, Oct. 25, 1843, Nancy J. Lothrop. (The Lothrops are of English ancestry, and well known in New England history. The name is derived from the parish of Lowthorpe, in the East Riding of York.) Their children were Alinda W. and Eleanor W. Mr. Howard died April 5, 1864, aged forty-four years. By his early death the town lost one of its ablest business men, who gave fair promise of extended usefulness. Quick, energetic, and decisive, it did not take him long to grasp the results of any course of action, and he was largely successful in his affairs. He was generous and kind- hearted, and as an employer was loved by the numer- ous persons in his service. He interested himself in their welfare, and voluntarily assisted them whenever it was possible so to do. Broad and liberal in his views, he was a Universalist in religious faith, and also an active member of the Masonic order. He was Whig and Republican in political belief, but, al- though giving freely of his time to his party, and fre- quently urged by his friends, could never be induced to take official positions. His business demanded his time, and he would not leave it. His character in many ways resembled that of Abraham Lincoln, A business man of more than ordinary ability, a good citizen, a strong friend, a loving husband and father, his memory is strongly and tenderly cherished in the hearts of many who prized him for his unostentatious worth.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 193

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