History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 217

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 217

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JARED PRATT.

Jared Pratt, son of Josiah and Bethiah (Keith) Pratt, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., July 27, 1792.

Phineas and Joshua Pratt were early New Eng- land emigrants. Phineas settled at Weymouth ; Joshua, from whom probably Jared Pratt derived his descent, had descendants who settled in Vermont, from which State they came to Bridgewater, where Josiah, father of Jared, was a farmer. He married Bethiah, daughter of Jeremiah Keith. (Jeremiah

June 9, 1840, Mr. Pratt married Hannah Thomp- son, the accomplished daughter of Benjamin L. Thompson, his former partner. They have had five children, one danghter and four sons, viz., Ellen Jane Oakes, born March 27, 1841; Isaae Lowell, born Oet. 18, 1843; David Gurney, born Nov. 7, ' Keith was a descendant in the fourth generation of

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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBORO'.

Rev. James Keith, the old Scotch "first minister" , which were made nails, bar-iron, plates, ete. This of Bridgewater (see history of Bridgewater). The was a successful enterprise, and was conducted with great profit until 1859. About 1842 his son, Chris-

line is James1. John2. Daniel3, Jeremiah+. By his first wife. Agatha Bryant, Jeremiah had five topher C. K., beeame connected with him, and the children .- Jeremiah. Bethiah, Naomi (Mrs. Isaac firm was theneeforward J. Pratt & Son. In 1859 Mr. Pratt returned to North Middleboro' as a retired : business man, and passed his closing years in the midst of the pleasant rural seenes of that beautiful little village, and in the spacious house which he had erceted in accordance with his taste in 1848, and which was one of the splendid mansions of the town. He died July 4, 1864. Mrs. Pratt, who was born May 15, 1794, is still living, in possession of remark- able physical and mental strength. Their children are Christopher C. K., Maria O. (Mrs. Albert Wash- burn), Augustus, Eliza Ann, Julia, and Louisa. Pratt), Betsey (Mrs. Benjamin Tucker), and Su- sanna Mrs. Zebulon K. Pratt). He was early engaged in the iron business, owning a foundry, and doing much iron work for those days. He made cannon, which were cast solid to borc, being drilled out afterwards. He is said to have cast the first cannon made in Bridgewater. He was a strong, resolute man. of active temperament, with all the per- sistenee and energy of his Scotch ancestry.) Josiah Pratt had three children,-Jared, Lydia (first wife of Charles Wilbur), and Agatha B. (second wife of Charles Wilbnr). He died Dee. 12, 1843, aged sev- enty-six years. Jared Pratt received his education at public and private schools, and he devoted himself to his studies assiduously. When nineteen he taught public school in Taunton for one year. He engaged for some time as clerk for Crocker & Richmond in their nail-manufactory in Taunton, and served in the same capacity for other manufacturers. He married Jemima Williams. daughter of Job and Zipporah King, of Taunton, Jan. 1, 1818, and commenced housekeeping at North Middleboro', in elose prox- imity to the present residences of his sons, and began his successful business life there as proprietor of a general country store in company with Isaac Pratt, the firm-name being I. & J. Pratt. Country mer- chandising at that time meant participation in all branches of business carried on by the people, so, in 1819, we find the firm had a forge, or "bloomery," in operation at Wareham, doing a moderate business, under the personal care of Mr. Wilbar, the resident partner at Wareham of the firm which then was known as Pratt, Crane & Wilbar. From this small beginning in iron-work grew up the extensive manu- ALBERT ALDEN. facture of nails so long conducted in Wareham by the Wareham Iron Company, doing business as I. & J. Pratt & Co., which soon threw into the shade and superseded the little mercantile business at North Middleboro'. (See biography of Isaac Pratt.)

Mr. Pratt's business ability and shrewd financial skill rendered him an important factor in this rapidly- developing industry, and he removed to Wareham in 1824; and to his shrewdness, energy, and skillful conducting the monetary affairs, and as treasurer of the Wareham Iron Company, the firm was greatly indebted for its success.

Mr. Pratt was a sergeant of Capt. Keith's Com- pany of East Bridgewater in the war of 1812; his widow now receives a pension for his services. He also held a commission as eaptain of the militia for many years, by which title he was familiarly known. He was intimately eonneeted with, and a warm sup- porter of, all matters of interest arising in the com- munity or in the town, and being a business man of the highest order, his adviee was of great value and eagerly sought. He was careful and cautious, but at the same time positive, holding a well-grounded faith in his own opinions. As a man and eitizen he was esteemed, as a friend and associate he was beloved, and his memory is cherished by a large circle of friends. The engraving aceompanying this sketeh is taken from a painting representing him at thirty years of age ; it is the only likeness extant, and is said to be a remarkably good one of him at that age. The autograph is taken from a letter written in 1846, when he was fifty-four years old.

John Alden, the first of the Pilgrim band to step on Plymouth Roek, and the last male survivor of those who came in the " Mayflower," whose romantic love- story has been so beautifully told by our great poet, Longfellow, and whose merits have been so faithfully recorded in old records, was the ancestor of the numerous family of Aldens in America. He pos- sessed much versatility of talent, and by his intelli- gence, refinement, and decision of character early obtained a strong influenec over his associates. Hc was secretary to the Governor for many years, and in every position performed his duties satisfactorily. He

In 1836, Mr. Pratt went to Harrisburg, Pa., , was born in 1599, and emigrated from Southampton, and cetablished an extensive iron manufactory, in ' England. In 1621 he married Priscilla Mullins, who

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

was celebrated for her beauty and domestic aecom- plishments. After a few years they made Duxbury their residence, on the north side of the village, on a farm which is still in the possession of their deseend- ants. John Alden died at Duxbury Sept. 12, 1687. " In a good old age, an old man, and full of years ; and was gathered to his people, and his sons buried him." The line of deseent to the present generation is John1, Joseph2, Joseph 3, Samuel4, Samuel5, Dan- iel6, Otis 7, Albert 8.

ALBERT ALDEN, son of Otis and Harriet (Adams) Alden, was born at Jay, Me., Oet. 24, 1817. His parents moved to North Bridgewater, Mass., a few months after his birth, where they died. His mother was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Adams, who, when young, was in the Revolutionary war, and whose father was one of the earliest settlers of the family of Adams that settled near Boston. Rev. Joseph Adams was for many years a prominent Baptist elergyman. He was for a long period of time a settled pastor of Jay, Me., and filled various pulpits to the aeeeptanee of the people, making many friends outside of his own denomination. He married Merey Gading, daughter of Rev. William Gading, then holding a pastorate near Boston.

His grandmother on his father's side was the daugh- ter of Jonathan Cary, who was a deseendant from John Cary, who came over from England about 1634 and joined the Plymouth Colony.

Albert Alden is a worthy example of the elass of self-made men. Left an orphan at seven years of age, he lived with an unele on a farm until he was thirteen, when he began life for himself, having re- eeived very limited sehool advantages. With all these deprivations, however, he has gained wealth and an honorable position in society, and may be elassed among the truly sueeessful men of this eounty. Be- fore he was twenty-one he was owner of an express or baggage route between Boston and Providenee and Boston and Foxboro'. His devotion to principle has ever been marked. He never would saerifiee his ideas of right for the sake of gain, and, although at that time it was against publie sentiment to be opposed to liquor, he plaeed himself while a youth on the strong- est temperanee platform, and would not allow liquor intended for intoxieating purposes to be earried in any of his wagons. In 1840 he sold out his teams, and started in a small way in the straw business at Fox- boro', being among the earliest ones in that trade. With various partners he continued manufacturing until the fall of 1849, when he entered the employ of the Carpenters, and remained with them and the Union Straw-Works, in which corporation he was a

stock holder, until 1856, for eighteen months being in charge of a branch manufactory at Nantucket. Dur- ing 1856-57 he was employed by Thomas White & Co., Philadelphia, to superintend their faetory.

After purchasing the straw-factory of Pickens Brothers, at Middleboro', Mr. Alden moved to this plaee Nov. 20, 1858, and, from that time to the present, with the exeeption of a few months, has been a resident of and identified with the business progress and interests of Middleboro'. From a small and in- convenient building he has built up one of the largest manufactories in the State. He named his factory the Bay State Straw-Works, admitted William King as partner in 1859, and, in 1860 also admitted Hiram Plummer. Selling out his interest in 1861 to Plum- mer & King, he moved again to Foxboro', but did not remain long, for in 1862 he repurchased the Bay State Straw-Works, and continued the manufacturing alone until 1865, when H. K. White was given an interest in the business, which interest was purehased by Mr. Alden in 1871, and his son, A. B. Alden, ad- mitted into partnership. In 1872, David T. Harts- horn also beeame a partner, and, in 1876, the Bay State Straw-Works were sold to a corporation, of which Mr. Alden was one of the ineorporators and direetors. It was the Union and Bay State Manufae- turing Company of Foxboro' and Middleboro'. Mr. Alden and his son had charge of the Middleboro' works, and manufactured goods for the corporation until August, 1882, when Mr. Alden retired from active business, and the works were leased to A. B. Al- den, who formed a partnership with D. T. Hartshorn. Mr. Alden gave his eounsel and assistance to the new firm (which still continues the lessee of the works), having no interest in the business. In 1883, he purchased again the Bay State Straw-Works. From the one small building with which he eommeneed, the trade has increased to such an extent as to eompel the ereetion of building after building, each of several stories, and fitted with expensive machinery. From a forest the land contiguous to the works has be- eome a pleasant village, Mr. Alden having ereeted houses for the convenience of his employés, and set out and eared for numerous trees on the highway that have beeome a souree of great pride to the whole village.

Mr. Alden married, May 14, 1837, Charlotte B. Comey, of Foxboro', Mass., daughter of Aaron and Charlotte (Skinner) Comey, who died April 29, 1849. They had five children,-Charlotte L., who married F. Marion Vaughan, lawyer of Middleboro' (Mrs. Vaughan died Mareh 13, 1884) ; Albert Henry, who died at sea, Aug. 3, 1862 ; Harriet E., died July 24,

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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBORO'.

1846; Leslie, died April 5, 1847 ; and Arthur B., the only one living at the present time, who married. in 1874. Mary H. Soule, of Middleboro'.

Whig and Republican in political sentiment, Mr. Alden has preferred to devote his time and energies to business, and aside from voting has meddled little with politics. He has been a progressive man. and continually advocated improvements needed by the town ; he was one of the first to advocate a new town- house, which was finally built, he being one of the committee appointed to superintend its building. He has also been prominent in advocating water-works for the town. He was one of the directors of the Mid- dleboro' and Taunton Railroad, now consolidated with the Old Colony Railroad. He is a direetor in the Machinists' National Bank of Taunton, one of the trustees of the Middleboro' Savings-Bank, and di- rector and president of the Union Needle Company. Acquiring a strong physique and iron constitution by his early exposure and hard labor, Mr. Alden is yet vigorous and capable of accomplishing more than many men much younger than he. Steady and per- sistent. yet weighing all things well, his judgment has proved an excellent guide, and his perseverance has carried his undertakings almost uniformly to success. He united with the Baptist Chureli in 1842, and has always been a consistent member. Of unswerving integrity and uneompromising in the discharge of duty. Mr. Alden is also kind and unassuming, pleas- ant and social; has a warm heart and a generous purse for the relief of suffering, and for religious and benevolent institutions. He has many friends, and as citizen, workman, and employer, in church eir- cles, and in the family relation, he has discharged the duties imposed on him with honor to himself and with the esteem of all who know him. The old blood of John Alden flows in all its purity through his veins.

HORATIO BARROWS.

No history of Middleboro' would be complete without a sketch of the life of Horatio Barrows. He was the son of Charles and Mary (Cobb) Barrows, and was born in Carver, Mass., May 12, 1824. He was educated at Peirce Academy, and then learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and for some years was engaged in building. His last work in this line was in erecting the store now occupied by Mr. Thomas W. Pierce, which was completed in the fall of 1853, and was immediately used by Noah C. Perkins, Charles E. Leonard and himself as shoe manufacturers, under the firm-name of Perkins, i lost not only one of its most active business men,

Leonard & Barrows. This firm continued for several years, and in April, 1860, Leonard & Barrows sold their interests to Mr. Perkins, and purchased what is now known as Murdoek's bloek, and C. D. King- man beeame associated with them under the firm-name of Leonard, Barrows & Co. At the expiration of five years the connection was dissolved, and Leonard & Barrows made large additions and improvements to their manufactory. They introduced steam-power, added another story and a basement; remained here until 1874, when their largely-increasing business de- manded greater space, and they erected the building now occupied on Centre Street, where the manufae- ture is still carried on by Charles E. Leonard, the interest and firm-name remaining the same. They employ from two hundred to two hundred and fifty operatives, and it is one of the leading houses in this line in the county. During the first years of their business they manufactured largely for the Southern trade, but at the breaking out of the Rebellion that market was destroyed, and new ones were sought in the West, and ladies' shoes were made a specialty.

With that characteristie shrewdness and foresight which has built up this extensive business, it was seen that an entirely different class of goods would be demanded in the West, and the change was adopted successfully. In establishing these new markets Mr. Barrows was obliged to travel exten- sively in the West, and by his honorable dealing, striet attention to business, he seeured to the firm a reputation which has enabled them to manufacture goods to order to the full capacity of their factory without personal solicitation. In 1854, Mr. Bar- rows married Abbie M., daughter of Benjamin and Waitstill (Murdock ) Leonard, of Middleboro'. They had one son, Fletcher Lawton, born July 15, 1871.

Mr. Barrows was a member of the Central Con- gregational Church. He was not largely identified in political or town affairs, as he devoted himself entirely to his business. He was chairman of the committee for the construction of the town-house, and it is to his perseverance and labor that the town is largely indebted for the fine structure which they now enjoy. The architect and contraetor having died early in the work of its erection, and having no written plans of the building, Mr. Barrows, himself a practical builder, took upon himself the heavy task of superintending the work. To this extra respon- sibility and mental labor, added to the demands of his own business, was partially attributed the ill health from which he suffered for a number of years. In his death, which oeeurred May 24, 1883, the town

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

but an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, who, when not the pioneer of some village improvement, was always a ready champion in such work. The following, contributed by one of his personal and business friends, will show the estimation of Mr. Barrows by those who knew him best : " Possessing an ambition and enterprise above that of most young men with his surroundings, he left his native town and came to Middleboro', where as a carpenter he worked at his trade for some years. This offered in prospect only hard work, and at last only a compe- tency, and the same spirit which drew him from his early home now led him to leave his trade and com- mence the manufacture of shoes. With slight excep- tions his business was uniformly successful, and from small beginnings grew to be the largest in town and among the largest in the county. Schooled from early youth to habits of industry and economy, he ever retained them, and these with a successful busi- ness made him a wealthy man. Shrewd in his deal- ings, reliable in his promises, of good judgment, a constant reader, he kept well posted on all the lead- ing subjects of his day, and was one of our most prominent and reliable citizens. Slow to reach con- clusions, yet firm in his convictions when formed, no opposition or difficulties seemed to move him from his fixed purposes. Our magnificent town-house is a monument to his taste and judgment, and to liis per- severing push through difficulties and opposition. He was long a member of the Congregational Church, was a quiet man in all ways, and dearly loved his home. To make it beautiful and attractive to his wife and son, whom he loved tenderly, was his con- stant study."

ABISHAI MILLER.

History is the résumé of the lives and events which are to-day among the things of the present, to-mor- row those of the past, and in history mention should be made of those whosc personal qualities, business enterprise, and moral worth have contributed in some way to the wealth, knowledge, and welfare of the community in which they lived, and to this number belongs Abishai Miller, who was born at Fall Brook, Middleboro', Mass., June 22, 1809. His ancestry, for several generations, had been land-holders there, having purchased their cstate from the Indians. He was the youngest child of John and Susanna (Spar- row) Miller, and was educated at the common schools in Middleboro'. His father dying when Abishai was a mere lad, he left his home and went to Westboro' and Taunton to learn the machinists' trade. He de-

voted himself to this trade until he had thoroughly mastered it in all its details, and it was said of him that he was one of the best machinists in New Eng- land. A man of his mechanical genius could not long remain a subordinate. In 1837 he entered the service of Otis Tufts (Mr. Tufts at that time being the proprietor of a machine-shop on Broomfield Street, Boston, and afterwards known as one of the most successful engine-builders in New England), and con- tinued in his employ in this location and in East Boston until 1853. During this period he superin- tended the construction of much large work, and had, as apprentices, many young men who have become justly celebrated in the line of iron manufacture, and shown the excellence of their training. In the year 1853, Mr. Miller, with several other enterprising me- chanics, organized the Atlantic Works, and obtained a charter from the Legislaturc. They put into this venture all their savings, and began the difficult task of making a place for their company in the business world. They purchased land in East Boston, and erected buildings thereon for machine-, blacksmith-, and boiler-shops, and purchased tools for these several departments. Mr. Miller became superintendent of construction, and by dint of hard work, self-sacrifice, and the utmost economy, soon succeeded in establishing a reputation, and steadily increased their business and facilities. About 1859, Mr. Miller retired from active work to Middleboro', to take much-needed and well- earned rest. At this time he erected a fine residence on the old homestead at Fall Brook, and here his friends always found him happy and hospitable. But when the civil war commenced the Atlantic Works secured a contract for the building of one of the now famous " monitors," and at the earnest solicitation of his associates in the business, he returned and again became its superintendent, and during the four years following a busier man could not have been found in Boston. Under his direction were built the monitors " Casco" and " Nantucket," the turrets for the moni- tors " Monadnock," " Agamenticus," " Passaconaway," "Shackamaxon," and the machinery for the gunboats " Sagamore," " Canandaigua," " Sassacus," and " Os- ceola," also for the United States man-of-war " Ny- phon." At the close of the war, Mr. Miller again retired from active business, although remaining on the board of directors of the company until 1876, when, upon the death of the president, he was elected to that office, and continued in the same until his death, which occurred at East Boston, Jan. 30, 1883. He was buried at the " Green" Cemetery, Middleboro', where five generations of his ancestors already lay. His wife, Julia A., daughter of Edward Sparrow, of

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HISTORY OF MIDDLEBORO'.

Middleboro', died many years before him. An only daughter, Julia H., the wife of Dr. G. W. Copeland, of Boston, survives them.

As a business man and mechanic few surpassed him, and the success and prosperity of the Atlantic Works was largely due to Mr. Miller's management and skill. In private and social life he was much beloved. He never betrayed a friend or deceived an enemy. His nature was positive. Strong in his likes and dislikes, he was always just and charitable. A friend in want or in trouble found in him a ready helper and adviser. It is said that the truly great man always loves and respects his mother. This characteristic he possessed in a large degree, for he always treated his mother with affection and reverence, and cared for her under his own roof during the last years of her life. As a husband and father, he was devoted and indulgent. As a citizen, he commanded the esteem of all who knew him, and. although having neither the time or ambition to be very active in town affairs, yet when elected to office filled the posi- tions with credit, serving as selectman of Middleboro', and in other positions of trust to the acceptance of his townsmen. He was an attendant of the Congre- gational Church, and contributed largely towards its support.

Mr. Miller was essentially a self-made man, and his life was one of steady and active devotion to business. Starting forth when but a mere lad to conquer for- tune, his success was well won, the result of mental strength united with indomitable will and persevering industry. This was not accomplished at the expense of his social nature, as is evidenced by the large circle of intimate friends, who were attracted by his geni- ality and hospitality.

C. D. KINGMAN.

The first American ancestor of the Kingman family, Henry Kingman, came to this country about the year 1630, ten years after the landing of the Pil- grim fathers, and settled in Weymouth. He was a man of good character, with intellectual strength and cultivation. In the year 1631 he was on the grand jury, and repeatedly represented the town in which he lived, and filled many places of public trust and confidence. His introduction to such responsible offices, while yet a young man, speaks in the strongest terms in favor of his character and intelligence. He changed his residence to West Bridgewater, where he died at the age of eighty-four, leaving a son John. John (second generation) was born in 1664, died in -

1755. His son, John (third generation), was born in 1703. Abner (fourth generation) was born in 1735, and died in 1812. He married Susannah -, who died in 1820. Their children were nine in number, of whom Bela was the eighth. Abner was the first of the family in Middleboro'. He settled on a farm in North Middleboro', where he always resided. Here Bela (fifth generation) was born May 2, 1781, and died April 16, 1854. He married Lydia Dean, of Taunton, in 1804. She was born July 6, 1786, died Dec. 12, 1860. They had twelve children. Bela followed the occupation of his father (that of tanner and farmer), and made his residence on the old home- stead. He held a major's commission in the militia, but was excused from service in the war of 1812, when the company was ordered to Plymouth, from the peculiar reason that two majors' commissions had been given in his regiment. He was an attendant of the Congregational Church of North Middleboro', and was its first Sabbath-school superintendent (1818). He was a man physically and morally strong, of good judgment, and in all the positions he was called to fill performed their duties in accordance with the saying, " Act well your part, there all the honor lies." We quote from an old document the following, in regard to the characteristics of the Kingman family : "Strong attachment to and high admiration of each other; ambition, not in the acquisition of wealth or goodly apparel, but in the acquisition of knowledge. It may be well and truly said, ‘ A Kingman is a good friend and true, but not an enemy to be desired.'"

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 217

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