History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 194

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 194

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Charles received a common-school education. He learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it many years. As early as 1855 his attention was attracted JAMES HOWARD, son of Uriel and Lucy (Coving- ton) Howard, was born in West Bridgewater, Sept. towards shoe manufacturing as a lucrative business, and, in company with Horatio L. Washburn (his | 11, 1816, in the same house where his father was

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

born and where he now resides. He is a descendant in the sixth generation from John Howard, the emi- grant,-the line being John1, Ephraim2, David 3, Eliakim4, Uriel5, James6. Ephraim2, son of John1, married Mary, daughter of Rev. James Keith, who was the first minister in Bridgewater, and possessed of all the characteristies of his Scotch ancestry. " Mary's father did not approve of the match ; not- withstanding which the lovers were united. The displeased clergyman preached a sermom, appropriate to the occasion and to his feelings, from the following text : 'Ephraim is joined to idols : let him alone.' (Hos. iv. 17.) As time rolled on, Parson Keith be- came reconciled to his son-in-law, and learned to love and respect him. The parson then preached another sermon, and took for his text : 'Is Ephraim my dear son ? is he a pleasant child ? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still ; there- fore my bowels are troubled for him : I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord.' (Jer. xxxi. 20.)" The children of Ephraim and Mary (Keith) Howard were Jane, Susanna, Martha, Ephraim, Daniel, David, Silence, Mary. They lived near where Horatio Howard now (1884) resides. David3, born 1703, married Bethiah Leonard, of Taunton, and had David, Phebe, Simeon, Bethiah, Eliakim, Mary, and Catherine. Eliakim4, born 1739, married Mary Howard, and built the house where his grandson, James, now lives. Eliakim was a captain of militia, a prominent man in the affairs of the town. He was town clerk and treasurer of Old Bridgewater from 1779 to 1822,-nearly half a century. When the town was divided, he resigned the office he had so worthily held. He owned the site now occupied by Oliver Ames' works, and had a grist-mill, which was on the same spot where Deacon Samuel Edson erected the first mill in town. He was also a farmer, owning over one hundred acres of land. He was a quick, resolute, and active man; short, thick-set, with a sharp-toned voice, yet social and kind-hearted, posi- tive, and of unflinching integrity. He died Jan. 31, 1827. His children were Silvia, Eliakim, Keziah, Molly, Simeon, Martha, Alpheus, Susanna, Sarah, John, Uriel. Uricl5, born Dec. 29, 1781, married Lucy, daughter of Thoulas Covington, of Plymouth, 1815. Their children were James, Lucy (Mrs. Charles A. Dunham), Isaac (deceased), Elmina (Mrs. Edward W. Cobb), and Everett F., who lives in Brockton. Uriel, in early life, ran a carding ma- chine, where the shovel-works of O. Ames & Sons is located. His health being impaired, he became a farmer in later life. He died Jan. 4, 1870, aged eighty-eight years, having lived to a greater age than

many strong men who commenced life when he did. As a citizen he was highly respected ; he was a mem- ber of the First Congregational ( Unitarian) Church for very many years, and his life was eminently peace- ful and Christian.

James6 was educated at the common schools. After leaving school he began teaching in the town of Rochester, Mass., and continued teaching for cleven years, some part of the year assisting his father in the farm-work during the summer. He married, first, Aug. 18, 1844, Sarah Jane, daughter of Ansel and Mary (Howard) Alger, of Easton. They had three children, -- Albert (married Sarah E. Howard, lives in Greeley, Col., and has three children ; he owns and carries on a milk-ranch, from which he supplies most of the city with milk); Mary L. (married George W. Allen. of East Bridgewater ; they have two chil- dren), and Alice Covington (died, aged twenty). Mrs. Sarah J. Howard died June 18, 1856. Mr. Howard married second, Feb. 9, 1857, Frances A., daughter of David R. Clarke, of New Boston, N. H. ; they have had three children,-Joseph Clarke, who attended Bridgewater Academy, and spent three years in Amherst Agricultural College ; George Ramsey, died in infancy ; and William James, who is in Brockton, studying civil engineering.

Mr. Howard has been honored with many official positions. He was commissioned justice of the peace in 1864, and has held the office to the present time ; he was one of the special commissioners of the county for three years. He was town clerk fourteen years, and served as chairman of the selectmen eighteen years, including overseer of the poor and assessor ; he has also been treasurer and collector, and held minor offices. He was elected to represent the Sec- ond Senatorial District of Plymouth County in the State Legislature of 1865 ; held the office of United States Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue for six years, and was appointed deputy provost-marshal in 1862, and served during the war. He has also done much business in drafting deeds, conveyances, etc. He has been agent for Abington Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company and Hingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In political sentiment he has been Whig, Freesoil, and Republican. James Howard has been for a long period of years a most useful citizen. Pleas- ant aud gracious in his ways, he is a kind neighbor, husband and father. A firm and conscientious official, he has acquired by long and faithful services the strong- est confidence of his townsmen. Economical and pru- dent in his own business, he Iras carried the same qualities into his public life, and always has opposed vigorously anytlring savoring of extravagance in the

James Howard

Pardon Copuland

Nathan Copeland

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

administration of towu matters. He is a safe coun- selor, a good representative of New England's intel- ligent farmer, and an honest man, and worthily stands high in public esteem for his hearty co-operation in everything tending to the elevation or improvement of the community.

PARDON AND NATHAN COPELAND.

Among the families of old Bridgewater that have shown energy, force of character, business acumen, and persistent industry. and one that has impressed itself on the present era by the perpetuated labors of several generations, must be particularly mentioned the Copeland family.

The first American ancestor was Lawrence Cope- land, the English emigrant, who came to America in early colonial days, settled in Braintree, married Lydia Townsand, and died in 1699, at an advanced age,-it is said one hundred and ten years. His These brothers were bound together by unusually strong ties of congeniality and friendship. During their lives they were connected in business, and amid the various changes and perplexities which must have arisen in those long years, the greatest harmony prevailed. They began the manufacture of boots and shoes in 1835, in the infancy of that in- portions, under the firm-title of P. & N. Copeland. From comparatively small beginnings they rose in strength until their name and manufactures were ex- tensively known, and their business acquired great magnitude. Through their energetic and skillful prosecution of it they amassed wealth, and retired in son, William2, married Mrs. Mary Webb, daughter of John and Ruth Bass (Ruth was a daughter of John Alden, of Pilgrim fame). Jonathan3. son of William, married Betty, daughter of Thomas Snell, Jr., in 1723, and settled in West Bridgewater. Joseph4 married Rebecca, daughter of John Hooper. Among their children was Salmon5, born in 1766. He ; dustry, which has now attained such enormous pro- married, in 1799, Betty, daughter of Nathan Snell. (Nathan Snell, like all others bearing the name in this vicinity, was a lineal descendant of Thomas Snell, the English ancestor, who settled in Bridgewater, and was the largest landholder in old Bridgewater, and otherwise a man of consequence in the town.) Mrs. Betty Snell's mother was a Howard. They had 1879. three children,-Lyman, Pardon, and Nathan.

These people have in every generation in the past been mostly agriculturists,-industrious, careful, shrewd individuals,-doing their duties well in the uupretentious sphere of life to which they were called. Here and there one of the family has drifted into other fields,-professional, commercial, or scholastic,-and shown capabilities and powers which have won suc- cess, but up to the sixth generation this direct line have been "tillers of the soil." They have always been men of good judgment, active temperament, broad and liberal in their views, and have performed their share of the public matters of the town, and generously contributed to the needs of social, public, and religious life.

PARDON COPELAND 6, second son of Salmon and Betty (Snell) Copeland, was born in West Bridge- water, March 7, 1803; lived on the old homestead, 59

married Alice White Ames, of West Bridgewater, daughter of Capt. Abiel Ames, whose father, John, was son of Richard Ames, of Bruton, Somersetshirc, England. John settled in West Bridgewater in 1640. His only brother, William, settled in Brain- tree.

Mr. Copeland died Jan. 23, 1882. They had three sons, - George Ames, Fisher, and Charles White. George Ames married Ann Jennette Stet- son. of Bridgewater, and has one daughter, Edith Stetson ; Fisher married Lucy, daughter of Martin Wales, of Stoughton, and has two sons,-Harrie Addison and Martin Fisher; Charles White married Jennette Orr, daughter of Hon. James H. Mitchell, and granddaughter of Judge Nahum Mitchell, of East Bridgewater, and has one daughter, Alice Ames.

NATHAN COPELAND, third son of Salmon and Betty (Snell) Copeland, was born also in West Bridgewater, Mass., May 29, 1805, and died April 26, 1880.

They were men of sound, practical judgment. Par- don served on school committee, and was one of the most active members of the committee to procure the soldiers' inonument. Both often were sent as dele- gates to political conventions,-county, district, and State. They were fully in accord with the Republi- can party, but sought no official positions at its hand, although giving it a strong support. They frequently represented the Unitarian society, of which they were prominent members, in religious conferences, and in all these relations, as cverywhere else, their influence was on the side of good order, good government, and the attainment of the highest truth. They were leading men, not only in the Unitarian society, but in the town ; intelligent, social, genial, just, and generous, never refusing to give to, a good object, nor to give liberally from their abundant mcans. The church as well as the community could rely on their co-opera-

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

tion in all measures tending to promote its welfare and interest.

Pardon Copeland was especially fixed and inflexible in his advanced ideas. His positive nature brooked no half-way measures. He was a pronounced temper- ance man, strongly anti-slavery, and an ardent be- liever and worker in the cause of higher education. He was one of the board of trustees selected by Benjamin B. Howard to conduct the affairs of Howard Collegiate Institute, and was a valuable member of the board, and for a time president of the board. A prominent citizen of the town, who knew the brothers intimately, says this, " I have been con- nected with Mr. Pardon Copeland in agricultural, po- litical, and religious matters, and often been associated with him as a delegate in political and religious con- ventions. I considered him an honest and upright man, and of most excellent business qualifications. I think I can justly say as much for Nathan Copeland. He was a very pleasant, generous, and public-spirited individual. I sincerely wish we had more such men. They were certainly a great benefit to our town."

OTIS DRURY.

Otis Drury, son of Abel and Nabby ( Broad) Drury, was born in Natick, Mass., Nov. 26, 1804. IIe was a descendant in the eighth generation from Hugh Drury, the English emigrant, who settled in Boston in 1640, was a carpenter by trade, admitted freeman in 1654, a man of consequence in the community, and in 1659 was a member of the Ancient and Hon- orable Artillery Company. The line to Otis is Hugh 1, John2, Thomas8, Caleb4, Caleb 5, Caleb 6, Abel7, Otis8.

After his school-life at Leicester Academy, Mr. Drury became a teacher for several terms, mecting with good success, but his inclinations urging him to city life and business he went to Boston about 1825 and engaged in merchandising. He had the qualities needful to success in this, prospered rapidly, and ac- quired wealth. He married, Oct. 6, 1836, Julia A., eldest daughter of Abiezer Alger, of West Bridge- water (see biography). From this time West Bridge- water was his summer residence, and for the last part of his life his home. He was a member of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, a constant attend- ant and most generous supporter of public worship. as well as a warm friend and liberal giver in aid of the Sunday-school and all religious institutions. His was a strong character. He seemed to know intuitively the consequence for a long length of time of any de- fined action, hence was bold, positive, and strongly assertive in his opinions and positions, and the results

justified the wisdom of his views, as well as the sound- ness of his judgment. He would have been successful in any sphere of life, particularly so as a soldier, leg- islator, or financier. All his views were broad and generous. He was not only willing, but anxious to give for noble and worthy causes, yet desired that others should do likewise, and sometimes this was the condition upon which he gave. Hence he encountered opposition, as every person will who takes as bold, prominent, decided, and unyielding positions as he did to carry out his convictions. From his nature he could not be fully understood by his contemporaries, as the completeness of his views and plans could only be seen after the years required for their development ; therefore during his life his town did not fairly esti- mate nor justly appreciate his liberality and worth, but every passing year will show it more clearly. He was one of the original trustees of the Howard funds, and to him is chiefly due the erection of the fine school buildings of the Howard Collegiate Institute. Through many coming years, as generation after generation of scholars shall enjoy the educational advantages of this institution, will Mr. Drury's liberal aid and kindness be brought to mind by the sweet tones of the bell calling them together, and which will voice his gen- erosity long after all who knew him personally have passed away.

" It is a singular coincidence that on the very day (Oct. 2, 1883) on which Howard Collegiate Insti- tute was formally opened, Mr. Drury bade a final farewell to the joys and sorrows, the trials, tempta- tions, and cares of this short and fleeting life, to enter a higher, purer, and never-ending state of existence, where the shadows of time will not obscure the reali- ties of eternity, and wherein dwelleth righteousness."

The following preamble and resolutions were adopted by the trustees of the Howard funds after his death :

" WHEREAS, Sinee our last annual meeting in June an all- wise but mysterious Providenee has seen fit to remove from the seenes of life one of our members; therefore be it

" Resolved, That in him we saw exemplified traits of char- acter that necessarily eommand success in life, such as deeision, promptness, frankness, fearlessness, and independence, as well as an unswerving and unfaltering devotion to what one might consider a proper line of duty to pursue, course of conduct to follow, or ohjeet to obtain.

" Resolved, That while he held comprehensive as well as lib- eral views, ho was firm in maintaining, fearless in defonding, consistent and generous in supporting them.

" Resolved, That for the active and vory prominent part he took in the erection and completion of our school building, and for the purchase of the land adjoining, for the stroet ho laid out and built at his own oxpense, also for the costly bell he pur- chased from his private means and presented to the trustoos, all of which showed his deep interest and desire to advance the

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

prosperity of the school: for these munificent acts we have ample cause to cherish and revere his memory, but above all for bis last and most generous gift, a gift which at some future time will be made available to the trust fund, will he ever be held in the most grateful remembrance.

" Resolred, That these resolutions be entered on our record- book, and a copy presented to Mrs. Drury."

It seems well to record here that in all the generous and beneficent deeds of Mr. Drury, he had the sym- pathy and hearty co-operation of his estimable wife.

Several years ago Mr. Drury expressed a desire to live long enough to see the accomplishment of three important matters in which he was personally inter- ested. One was the suit brought, about 1850, by the late Cyrus Alger against the Old Colony and Hartford and Erie (now New York and New England) Rail- road Companies to recover land damages involving a large amount of money. Another was the settlement of differences between the Vermont Central (after- wards Central Vermont) and the Vermont and Canada Railroad Companies This matter was in litigation over twenty years, and Mr. Drury was personally as well as pecuniarily interested to a large amount. Both these matters were satisfactorily adjusted in accordance with his views and feelings during the year previous to his death. The third matter was the establishment of the ladies' school in the Howard Collegiate Institute building, which, as before men- tioned, was accomplished during his life.

We give, as a fitting elose to this tribute to Mr. Drury's memory, the following extract from a letter written by Hon. Ellis Ames :

" I became acquainted with Mr. Drury Jan. 1, 1833, on the occasion of my going to Boston as rep- resentative of West Bridgewater to the General Court, and enjoyed his acquaintance in Boston four years, and have known him ever sinee. Mr. Drury was eminent as a Boston merchant, of sterling integrity in all his business relations, open-hearted, and of great decision and force of character, and possessed of all that various knowledge that made his mercan- tile operations successful, and he deserved an honor- able place in the memories of the long list of his friends and admirers."

ABIEZER ALGER.

Thomas1 Alger, the first of the name in this coun- ry. was one of eight men bearing the name of Alger who settled in New England during the seventeenth century. The exact time of his arrival is not known, out it was some time previous to 1665, as at that late we find him at Taunton, Mass., near the Three-

Mile River, a stream flowing through the eastern part of Taunton. On the 14th of November, 1665, he married Elizabeth Packard, a daughter of Samuel Packard, of Wymondham, England, who, with his wife and child, eame to America in 1638 in the ship " Diligent," settled in Hingham, then in Bridgewater, Mass., where he died about 1684. He had at least two children, perhaps more, viz. : Israel and Deliver- ance. Israel2 Alger was a farmer on the north side of the Town River, in Bridgewater. He was a man of influence and wealth for those days. He married Patience, daughter of Nathaniel Hayward, and grand- daughter of Thomas Hayward, one of the original proprietors and first settlers of Bridgewater. Her uncle, Hon. Thomas Hayward, Jr., was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and one of the Gover- nor's assistants. She died before 1730; he died about 1726. His children were Israel3, Joseph, Thomas, Nathaniel, and John, Israel3, born 1689, married, first, Alice, daughter of Joseph Hayward, who died in 1716, leaving a daughter, Patience, three years of age, who, after her mother's death, was ealled by her name, Alice. (She married Shepherd Fiske, of whom Hon. Ellis Ames, the celebrated genealogist, thus writes : "Shepherd Fiske, a native of old Braintree (now Quincy) was a great-uncle of President John Quincy Adams. Mr. Fiske gradu- ated at Harvard College in 1721, became a Doctor of Medicine, and settled as a physician in Killingly, Conn., but abandoned the practice of medicine, came to Bridgewater, married Alice Alger in 1732, lived all his days in Bridgewater, carried on the business of a furnace, was many years one of the selectmen, and died June 14, 1779, in the seventy-seventh ycar of his age. I met Hon. Nahum Mitchell one day in June, 1843, who told me he had just returned from Washington, and that while there he went into the House of Representatives and took the seat assigned for former members visiting them, and that as he sat therc President John Quincy Adams eame to him and inquired for Shepherd Fiske, and said that Shep- herd Fiske was his great-uncle, and that he well knew him when he himself was twelve years of age." Dr. Fiske was a noted physician, and probably the orig- inator of the Alger Furnace.)

Israel3 married, second (1717), Susanna, daughter of William Snow, and had children,-Israel and Daniel (1727), and James (1729). Susanna dying, Mr. Alger married, third (1731), Rachel, daughter of Thomas Wade. James4 married (1750) Martha, daughter of Jonathan Kingman, and died in 1800. He had six children attaining maturity, of whom Abiezer was the oldest son. Abiezer Alger5, born in

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

1757, was a farmer and foundryman, and a strong, positive man. He was a prominent citizen of the town, chairman of selectmen over twenty years, often ehosen moderator, held the commission of justice of the peace, was often ealled to settle estates, was a valued business adviser, and did mueh elerieal and other business for the town. Energetie in his nature, he rarely failed in accomplishing his purpose, and was a good speeimen of the old Puritan stoek. He married, in 1778, Hepzibah, daughter of Ebenezer Keith. They had five children attaining maturity,-Cyrus, Olive (Mrs. John Reed), Abiezer, Hepsey, and Cor- nelia. Mr. Alger died July 31, 1830, aged seventy- three, and his wife, Hepzibah, died Feb. 25, 1841, aged eighty.

ABIEZER ALGER (sixth generation), son of Abie- zer and Hepzibah (Keith) Alger, whose portrait ae- companies this sketeh, was born May 21, 1787, in the house on the Alger homestead, ereeted in 1748, and which, preserving most of its external appearanee, but internally remodeled and entirely ehanged, is now the residenee of his daughters, Mrs. Julia A. Drury and Cornelia Alger. Receiving the educational advan- tages of the town sehools, he early engaged with his father in the foundry, and followed that business many years with him. Then he carried it on alone during his life, with the exception of a few years in which his son, James, was eonneeted with it. It was not a large business, but fairly remunerative. In eonnee- tion therewith he owned and worked a farm of a hun- dred aeres. June 18, 1812, he married Anne Cush- ing Thomas, daughter of Isaac Thomas, of Hanson. They had four children attaining maturity,-Julia Ann (Mrs. Otis Drury), James (deceased), Lydia Thomas (Mrs. Williams Latham), and Cornelia.

Mr. Alger possessed great vitality, was strong and robust, and whatsoever his hand found to do he did it with all his might. He found sufficient to oeeupy his energies and time in his personal affairs, without entering into publie life. He was quiet and un- demonstrative, but had many warm friends drawn to him by his sterling worth and integrity. He died March 1, 1863, aged seventy-six years. His wife died Sept. 24, 1857, aged seventy-one years.

EDWARD TISDALE.

The name Tisdale is derived from the river Tees, a stream in the north of England. This river is skirted by dale lands, and these together form the origin of the name. The family bearing the name is of old English aneestry. We find them among the early families of the Old Colony.

John Tisdale was born in England about the year 1600. In 1636 he landed in Duxbury, Mass., re- maining until 1650, when he removed to Taunton. As early as 1671, four years before King Philip's war, his house was the rendezvous for the English troops, when during the war, in 1675, his house was destroyed, and he was murdered by the Indians. He married Miss Sarah Walker, who eame in the bark " Elizabeth" from London. Their children were John, born about 1642; James, born about 1644; Joshua, born 1646; Joseph, born 1656; Elizabeth ; Mary, 1660; Abigail.

The above Joseph married Mary Leonard in Au- gust, 1681. Their children were Joseph, Jr., born 1682; Elkanah, born 1684; Mary, born 1686; Hannah, born 1688; Sarah, born 1690; Abigail, born 1692; Elizabeth, born 1694.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 194

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