USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 17
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gent endeavored to finish his education, and took advantage of the educational opportunities offered him in Wisconsin, proving to be a diligent and studious pupil. It was only natural that the son should follow in the footsteps of the father, and accordingly Mr. Sargent took up farming upon the completion of his education, and became a prominent and successful farmer in Nebraska. He was very fond of traveling, and for a while was located at Indianola, Ne- braska, where he became the proprietor of a hotel. He met with success in this undertaking, and seemed made by nature to be a hotel proprietor, so broad, jovial and generous was he created. Mr. Sargent then traveled west, and spent some time in the State of California. He met many friends on these journeys, men whom he had entertained as his guests, and who never forgot his genial- ity and good nature. Indeed, his friends were a legion, numbering many high in official and business life, who received the tidings of his death with great and genuine sorrow. After some years, Mr. Sargent, having acquired capital, experience, and a wide acquaintance, deemed the time ripe to settle down at one place permanently. He returned to the cast, and went to Chelsea, Massa- chusetts, where for many years he conducted a meat shop. He was then at- tracted to the city of Lynn, Massachusetts, and decided to make that place his home and the center of his business interests. He engaged in the manufac- ture of soap there, in which line of business he continued the remainder of his active life. He became interested in real estate and could foresee great op- portunities in such investments. It was but a short time before Mr. Sargent became the owner of considerable property, and the last few years of his life were spent in looking after the real estate that he had acquired. This prop- erty is now being successfully taken care of by his wife, Mrs. Sargent, who resides in Lynn, Massachusetts, at No. 73 Goodridge street. Through good sound judgment, and a keen business foresight, Mrs. Sargent has increased these holdings, and her ability in handling such weighty matters is deserving of sincere praise. Undaunted courage in her undertakings has distinguished Mrs. Sargent from the commonplace, and she has shown unusual tact and business knowledge in thus looking after and increasing the real estate holdings of her husband.
In his political belief, Mr. Sargent was a staunch Republican, but was a voter only, as he never aspired to public office, although the opportunity would have been his but for the asking. He preferred to give his time and attention to the business interests with which he was connected, and while on his way through life won far more honors than are attached to public station. He was always active and deeply interested in all things that pertained to the wel- fare of the city of Lynn, Massachusetts, and was prominent and influential in many movements that were made for the advancement of its social culture. He was a religious man, and was an attendant at the Maple Street Methodist Church of Lynn, being a generous contributor to its worthy cause.
On November 27, 1890, John Carter Sargent was united in marriage with Lucinda H. Davis, born in Washington, Maine, a daughter of Ambrose and
Lucinda Horton Sargent
FORTUNA
COMITE
VIRTUTE
DUCE
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John Carter Sargent
Mary (Gilpatrick) Davis. Her parents were natives of the State of Maine, and her father was a well known farmer there.
Davis Arms-Gules a chevron engrailed between three boars' heads erased argent.
Crest-On a chapeau gules, turned up ermine, a boar passant argent.
Motto-Virtue duce comite fortuna (With valour my leader, and good fortune my com- panion).
Mrs. Sargent was one of three children, namely, Mary Elizabeth Davis, Daniel Davis, and Lucinda H. Davis, who became the wife of Mr. Sargent, in whose memory this memorial is written. As a child, Mrs. Sargent attended the Universalist church, and now attends the Methodist church in Lynn, Mass- achusetts. The home life of Mr. Sargent was ideally happy, and his greatest pleasure was found there. When not at his place of business, he could always be found at his own hearthstone, and in his home was a charming host.
John Carter Sargent possessed the sterling qualities of character which have marked his race for so many generations, the virtues which have brought to them universal respect and the capabilities that made them leaders among their fellow-men. His life was always a busy one, his every-day affairs and duties making heavy demands upon his time, yet he never shrank from his duties as a citizen, nor from his obligations to the community which he had adopted as his home. Always calm and unassuming, his life was a persistent plea for the purity and grandeur of right principles and the beauty and eleva- tion of wholesome character. To Mr. Sargent home life was a sacred trust, friendship was inviolable and nothing could swerve him from the path of rec- titude and honor. Mr. Sargent, a few years prior to his death, made an ex- tensive tour of Europe, visiting Germany, Austria and other European coun- tries, also visiting his old home in England.
John Miller Kingsbury
IN 1877 Mr. Kingsbury located in Lowell, Massachusetts, coming to that city from a Maine farm, with all the energy, strength and ambition of the country-bred young man. He naturally selected the business with which he was familiar, and for two years he was an employee of F. R. Straub, a marketman and produce dealer. At the end of that period he purchased the business and until his death in 1914 conducted it most success- fully. His long years in the market business brought him a host of friends, and he numbered among his regular customers families which he served dur- ing his entire business life. He was strictly honorable and upright in all his dealings, helpful to others and particularly interested in young men who were striving to rise in the world. He was fond of his home and there could al- ways be found when not engaged in his regular pursuits. He was a son of William and Lavocia (McGregor) Kingsbury, both of Maine parentage, his father a farmer and lumberman. Mr. and Mrs. William Kingsbury were the parents of twelve children, four of them yet living.
John Miller Kingsbury was born at Bradford, 'Maine, May 15, 1844, and died in Lowell, Massachusetts, November 20, 1914. He was educated in the public schools, then became his father's assistant, and until the age of thirty-three remained at the home farm engaged in its cultivation and in lum- bering. In 1877 he left the farm and located in Lowell, Massachusetts, and there ever afterward resided. His first position, in fact the only one he ever held under another, was with F. R. Straub, a market dealer, with whom he re- mained until 1879. He then purchased the business and for thirty-five years was its successful owner and manager. In his advanced years he was assisted by his son, who succeeded his father and yet conducts the business. He stood high as a business man, was a director of the Cooperative Bank of Lowell and had other interests of importance. He was a regular attendant of the Methodist church, affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men, and was interested in all that interested his friends and neighbors. He was a good citizen in every way and bore well his part, leaving to his family an honored name.
Mr. Kingsbury married Sarah P. Seavey, born in Maine, daughter of Ho- ratio and Helen (Plummer ) Seavey, both of Maine birth and parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury were the parents of three children: Rose, married John A. Thompson; Fred S., his father's successor in business ; Percy F., married Ethel Wilcox, has a daughter Elizabeth and resides in Passaic. Mrs. Sarah P. Kings- bury survives her husband, residing at No. 1987 Bridge street, Lowell.
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Øren Smith
O REN SMITH belonged to that class of citizens, who, although unassuming and undemonstrative in their natures, nevertheless form the character and mold the society of the communities in which they dwell. It is this class that develops our great busi- ness interests, spreads our commerce, and replaces the rude hamlets of our forefathers with magnificent business palaces. They alone deserve the credit for such impressive results, and when the history of Lynn, Massachusetts, and her most representative citizens shall have been written, its pages will bear no nobler name and record than that of Oren Smith. We should not forget those who although unobtrusive in their every-day life, yet by their individuality and great force of character mold the commercial destinies, and give tone to the communities in which they live. No visionary dreams of the impossible ever filled the mind of Mr. Smith, who was so practical in all of his ideas, ever building up instead of tearing down as he journeyed life's pathway, and endeavoring to benefit his fellow-men in every way possible, and seeking to leave the world all the better for his having been in it. The death of Oren Smith occurred at his residence on Bassett street, Lynn, Massachusetts, June 6, 1912, at the age of seventy-five years. He well exemplified the fact that constant labor when well applied, and when joined with sterling personal qualities, must inevitably win the respect and esteem of his fellow-men. His methods in business were always clear and concise, and the system and ability which he displayed would have been equally as effec- tual if fate had placed him in any other line of work.
The birth of Oren Smith occurred at Cohasset, Massachusetts, October 7, 1837, and was the son of Elijah Smith, of that town. His childhood days were spent in his native town, and in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where he obtained his education. His schooling was cut short owing to the fact that at an early age he was obliged to earn his own livelihood. Unlike the majority of the young men of his age, he was ever and always eager and athirst for more knowledge, and realized that not having the opportunity to complete his educa- tion was a large drawback to him. All through his life he strove to make up for this deficiency, and became a very studious man, using his idle hours in an ef- fort to better his education instead of spending his leisure time in recreation. The result of this well applied characteristic, that of being studious, was a most beneficial one, as Mr. Smith came to be considered a well educated gentleman, and one who was well posted on all subjects and topics of the day and age. His youthful enthusiasm was the cause of his offering his services at the outbreak of the Civil War, and he served as a musician, joining an Army Band, and going from Lynn, Massachusetts, whither he had gone as a young man. Mr. Smith
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became a cabinet maker by occupation, and at one time conducted a store on Market street, Lynn, under the firm name of Smith & Robinson. Later in life his place of business was located in Boston, where he followed the cabinet mak- ing trade, and made fine furniture and violins. He met with success in this un- dertaking, and had retired from all active business affairs several years previ- ous to his death in 1912.
Oren Smith married (first) Amanda Snell, who died leaving no children. He married ( second) June 20, 1910, Mrs. Edith M. Worden, the widow of a former Lynn grocer, Fred A. Worden, who passed away October 30, 1888, at the age of thirty-one years. Mr. Worden was born in St. John, New Bruns- wick, and moved to Lynn with his parents at the age of eight years. He was interested in the grocery business on his own account, and was located on Es- sex street, Lynn, Massachusetts, for fifteen years, and left an enviable record for business integrity. For a short time Mr. Worden was associated with Mr. Packard in the grocery business under the firm name of Packard & Worden. He was a very moderate man in all of his habits, and a strict temperance man. Mrs. Oren Smith was a daughter of Thomas R. and Harriet (Van Blarcom) Baxter, of Scotch descent. In his home Mr. Smith enjoyed the highest happi- ness, and it was always one of his greatest pleasures to spend the time at his own hearthstone. He was one of those men to whom the ties of home and the beloved ones were most sacred.
Mr. Smith was a man of public spirit, but never aspired to hold public of- fice, and he looked beyond the ruts of business life, and was keenly alive to every opportunity to promote the welfare of the community in which he lived, and where he spent the last thirty years of his life. The interests and tastes of Mr. Smith were not confined alone to his own personal business, as he was in- timately connected with many social and benevolent organizations, among which should be mentioned the Masonic order and the Grand Army of the Re- public. The latter organization had charge of the funeral of Mr. Smith, at which many of his friends were present to pay their last tribute to the one who had been taken from their midst. Many beautiful resolutions and tributes were written at the time of his death, which proved the high estimation in which he was held by all. The business career of Mr. Smith suggests the conspicuous qualities of his mind and temperament as the world saw them, and he lived to enjoy the fruition of a successful life, both materially and spiritually. He was the possessor of an affable disposition, which won for him many friends, and a judgment well balanced and almost uniformly correct in its results. He was broad in his views, and true and steadfast in his convictions and feelings. Generous, of untiring energy, sagacious and enterprising, he presents a charac- ter for admiration and an example which is fragrant with all the best qualities of our New England life. His many friends and acquaintances will forever cherish the memory of his warm and tender heart and his brotherly helpfulness toward all mankind.
3 ames Coward Wall
A MONG the men whose lives and personal exertions have done so much toward the material and commercial prosperity of Houghs Neck, Massachusetts, it may be well doubted if any deserve a more honorable mention in the historical and biographical an- nals of that place than the distinguished gentleman whose name heads this memoir. Any calling in life, be it what it may, is either ennobled or debased by the men who follow it. It is such men as the late James Edward Wall who have made the words "cap- tains of industry" synonymous with high-minded enterprise and absolutely fair dealing, and who have maintained the lofty standard of commercial honor for which the business men of the New England States have ever been distinguished. There are some men who are in sympathy with all that is use- ful, pure and good in the community in which they reside, and the community on its side cheerfully responds by extending to them respectful admiration and sincere affection. As a business man, Mr. Wall was in many respects a model, the goal of his ambition being success, but he would succeed only on the basis of truth and honor. He scorned deceit and duplicity, and would not palliate false representations, either in his own employ or among his customers and cor- respondents. His death, which occurred at Houghs Neck, Massachusetts, the place of his adoption, February 8, 1917, brought to an abrupt close the career of a business man of marked force and energy, and one who had well exemplified the fact that constant labor, well applied, especially when joined with sterling qualities, must inevitably win the respect and esteem of his fellowmen. His methods in business were concise, and the system and ability which he displayed would have been equally effectual if fate had placed him in any other line of work.
James Edward Wall was born in Dover, Massachusetts, January II, 1863, and had been a resident of Houghs Neck, Massachusetts, for many years. He was not only one of the best known residents of that place, but a most promi- nent and influential citizen as well. He received his education in the public schools of Dover, Massachusetts, and being of an ambitious temperament was eager to enter into the business world. This desire was so strong that his par- ents finally acceded to his repeated entreaties, and he at once started to manu- facture bamboo articles of all descriptions. He remained in that business, lo- cated in Boston, on Cornhill street, until the year 1900, when in partnership with James E. Brackett he established the wholesale and retail wall paper business in Boston. This partnership continued for about two years, at the termination of which time Mr. Wall bought the interest of Mr. Brackett, and became the sole owner of what was then a well known firm, located at the same spot,
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where he had first started to make his name in the business world. Business in- creased so rapidly that in January, 1916, Mr. Wall was compelled to seek larger quarters in order to take care of his business, and accordingly moved to Nos. 25 and 27 Cornhill street, Boston, and continued there until his death. As a citizen, he was universally esteemed, always sustaining the character of a true man. His business transactions were conducted on the principle of strict in- tegrity ; he fulfilled to the letter every trust that was committed to him, and was generous in his feelings and conduct towards all. He was a type of the busi- ness man of whom any city might be justly proud, and whose enterprise and in- tegrity not only developed the trade of commerce of his community, but gave it an enviable reputation for fair dealing and honorable methods. He was one of the men who were instrumental in having the Atherton Hough School at Houghs Neck, Massachusetts, and since the time that he went to Quincy, and settled at Houghs Neck, where he built for himself a beautiful house at No. 191 Manet avenue, he had been one of the leading residents, and one of the foremost figures in matters looking toward the betterment of that place as an all-year place of residence. He was deeply interested in all the movements that tended to the improvement of Houghs Neck, and served as president of the Houghs Neck Associates. He was one of the leading figures in the community Christmas tree festivals that were held at the Neck each year for the little ones who live there all the year round. In 1912 Mr. Wall was a candidate for mayor, and again in 1914. He had also been a candidate for the City Coun- cil, and was a man of strong social instincts, joining freely with his fellow- citizens in the common life of the town. He was included in the membership of many prominent organizations and clubs, where he met with his friends and as- sociates in the most delightful relations. Mr. Wall was one of the prominent leaders in the movement started a few years past to have Houghs Neck set off from Quincy, Massachusetts, and incorporated into a separate township under the name of Seagrit.
On June 4, 1902, James Edward Wall was united in marriage with Mary E. Lyons, of Boston, a daughter of William B. and Matilda J. (Keinachan) · Lyons, both natives of Boston. Her father, William B. Lyons, was an archi- tectural sculptor, and he and his wife were the parents of five children, namely : William J., Henry T., Frederick E., Herbert G., and Mary E., who became the wife of the late James Edward Wall. Mr. and Mrs. Wall were the parents of five children, as follows: Edith E., James E., Gertrude M., Carolyn A. and Phillip N. Wall. Mr. Wall and his family were members of the Catholic church, and were devoted to its interests.
Death always seems untimely, and it is good that Divine Providence has kept from us the Book of Fate, and in the death of Mr. Wall, at the age of fifty-three years, this fact is brought very forcefully before us. He was one of the best known and most highly honored of Boston's business men, and his ca- reer was rounded with true success. He was preeminently a man of action, one whose plans and theories deeply conceived and deliberately matured speedily
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James Coward Mall
crystallized into realities. The efforts and accomplishments of such men bene- fit not their own cities alone, nor even their own states, but the entire country, furthering the progress of civilization and ministering to the welfare and happi- ness of humanity. Mr. Wall was a man of attractive personality, and greatly valued in social life. He had a host of friends, and it may be truly said of him that he was often a friend in need. His advice was frequently sought by men in other cities and localities when confronted with business problems which needed shrewd calculation and far-sighted judgment, for which Mr. Wall was noted. Of such a man it can be written that he belongs not only to any one community but to the Nation.
MASS .- 3-II
Rear Admiral George William Beaman
L IVING in an age like the present, when the gracious and beau- tiful in life are somewhat at a discount and nothing that does not contribute to material success is very highly prized, it is most pleasant to turn for a moment to the generation that is just past, and recall certain figures in whom that more ideal- istic age was personified. Such a type was the late Rear Ad- miral George William Beaman, in whom seemed present that period in the development of New England when its people united in a most happy combination the strong and sturdy qualities of democracy with the graces of aristocracy; when, in spite of the demand made upon the time and energies of men by the necessity of getting on in life, certainly not less then than now, they found occasion and opportunity for all that occupation with the higher things of existence which we now think of with admiration, so that we can scarcely pay a man a greater compliment than to call him a gentleman of the old school. The name of Admiral Beaman will stand as a symbol of strength and capability among those whose names will be placed in the annals of New England. Through all the varied responsibilities of life, he acquitted himself with dignity and fidelity, and labored persistently and energetically not only to win success for himself, but to make his life a source of benefit to his fellow-men. We are apt to turn our eyes to the past when we desire to find examples of Work and ability in any of the depart- ments of life, it being the prevailing impression that sincere motive and ear- nest endeavor are there to be found, while to-day they are mainly conspicu- ous in their absence. Perhaps there is no field where this search will be more surely successful than in the New England States, which to-day, as in the past, show to the inquirer many men who are worthy descendants of a long line of sturdy forbears and who amply maintain the high traditions of the past. Admiral Beaman inherited his sterling qualities from such illustrious and distinguished ancestors, and on his maternal side was a direct descendant of Thomas Gookin, of Beckesbourne, County Kent, who died in 1599. Rear Admiral Beaman passed from life's fleeting drama at his home in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, in his eightieth year, May 3, 1917, leaving a host of aching hearts to mourn his departure, and to deplore the loss of an excellent example of manhood.
The birth of Mr. Beaman occurred in Rutland, Vermont, May 7, 1837, the son of George Hudson and Eleanor Kettelle (Gookin) Beaman. His fa- ther, George Hudson Beaman, was the son of Joel and Lydia ( Brown) Bea- man, of Poultney, Vermont, and was born there December 25, 1810. About the year 1835, he bought the Franklin House in Rutland, Vermont, but this
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occupation was not a congenial one, and in 1842 he purchased the "Rutland Herald," of which he was for many years the editor. On June 21, 1836, George Hudson Beaman was united in marriage with Eleanor Kettelle Goo- kin, who was born December 1, 1811, in Rutland, Vermont, the eldest daugh- ter of William and Thais (Young) Gookin. She lived only five years after her marriage, and died in 1841. Three years later, Mr. Beaman married her sister, Mary Lucinda Gookin, and for many years, until her death in 1883, they lived in the old Gookin mansion at Centre Rutland, Vermont. Mr. Bea- man survived until January 15, 1899, when he died at the residence of his son, Rear Admiral George William Beaman, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. William Gookin, grandfather of Admiral Beaman, was one of the earliest set- tlers in what is now known as Centre Rutland, Vermont, and was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1784. About 1804, as nearly as can be ascer- tained, he went to Rutland, and built a mill at the falls of Otter Creek. The settlement was for a good many years known as Gookin's Mills, but later the name was changed to that of Centre Rutland.
Admiral Beaman received his education in the public schools of his na- tive town, and after leaving the Rutland High School, he entered the Troy Conference Academy. When he was eighteen years of age, he came to Bos- ton, being a contemporary and personal friend of Colonel E. H. Haskell, at one time owner of the "Boston Herald." For three years Mr. Beaman was connected with several newspapers of that city, and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, where for about four years he was on the staff of the "News" and the "Missouri Democrat." He also spent some time in Hannibal, Mis- souri, where he worked on the same paper with Mark Twain. In May, 1861, Mr. Beaman enlisted as a private in the Third Missouri Regiment, United States Reserve Corps, and took part in the capture of Camp Jackson, serv- ing for three months. He became war correspondent for the "Missouri Dem- ocrat" from August, 1861, to March, 1862, and he was with Frémont in the southwestern Missouri campaign, and later with General Grant in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson.
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