Men of progress one thousand biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Part 54

Author: Herndon, Richard; Bacon, Edwin M. (Edwin Monroe), 1844-1916
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston : New England Magazine
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Massachusetts > Men of progress one thousand biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts > Part 54

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Mutual Relief Lodge. Odd Fellows. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist member of the North Congregational Society. He is ever ready to help the needy, and his sterling integrity makes his word as good as his bond. Mr. Jaques was married first in 1858 to Miss Harriet Carr, daughter of John Carr, of Bowdoin, Me., who died in 1865 ; and second, in 1871, to Miss Marcia L. Avery, daughter of Leonard R. Avery, of New Hampton. N.Il. They have had one son : Walter 11. Jaques.

JENNINGS, ANDREW JACKSON, of Fall River, member of the Bristol bar. is a native of Fall River, born August 2, 1849, son of Andrew M. and Olive B. (Chace) Jennings. He was educated in the Fall River public schools, at the English and Classical School of Mowry & Goff in Provi- dence, R.I., and at Brown University, from which he graduated with special honors in the class of 1872. In college he was a good athlete, as well as a good scholar, prominent in all athletic sports,

ANDREW J. JENNINGS.

captain some time of his class nine, and also of the university nine. For two years after gradua- tion he was principal of the High School of War-

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ren, R.I. Then he began his law studies, enter- ing the office of the Hon. James M. Morton, in Fall River, as a student in July, 1874, and the Boston University Law School the following January. Graduating in 1876, he was admitted to the bar, and at once began practice in part- nership with Judge Morton. This relation con- tinued till Mr. Morton's elevation to the Supreme Bench in September, 1890. Thereafter he was in partnership with John S. Brayton, Jr., for two years, and subsequently formed a partnership with the son of Judge Morton, under the firm name of Jennings & Morton. He gained special promi- nence as counsel in association with ex-Governor George D. Robinson for the defence in the famous " Lizzie Borden case" in 1892. He has been prominent also in public affairs, serving three years on the Fall River School Commit- tee (1876-79), two years as a representative for Fall River in the lower house of the Legislature (1878-79), and one year as a senator ( 1882), de- clining a re-election for a second term. During his entire service in the General Court he was a member of the committee on the judiciary ; and in 1882 was chairman of the joint specia- committee on the removal of Judge Day by ad- dress. As a legislator, he was effective in de- bate and influential in committee work. When in the House, he was especially identified with the civil damage law, and in the Senate with the act prohibiting saloons within certain distance of school-houses, which he introduced. He was chosen district attorney for the Southern district in November, 1894, to fill the unexpired term of the Hon. H. M. Knowlton, elected attorney gen- eral of the State. In politics he is a Republican, and has for some years spoken regularly from the stump during the annual fall campaigns. He has also delivered formal addresses on public occasions, one of the most notable of this class being his memorial oration for the city of Fall . River on the day of the funeral of General Grant. Mr. Jennings is now president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Fall River, has been for some years a trustee of Brown University, and is a member of the University Club, Boston, and the . Delta Kappa Upsilon, New York. He was mar- ried December 25, 1879, to Miss Marion G. Saun- ders, daughter of Captain Seth and Nancy I. (Bosworth ) Saunders, of Warren, R.1. They have two children : Oliver Saunders and Marion Jen- nings.

JOHNSON, GEORGE WILLIAM, of Brookfield, ex-member of the Governor's Council, was born in Boston, December 27, 1827, son of Samuel and Charlotte A. ( Howe) Johnson. His father was an eminent Boston merchant, at different times member of the firms of Brewer & Johnson, John- son & Curtis, and J. C. Howe & Co., "distin- guished," as one who knew him well wrote in an obituary notice after his death, "by a singular union of shrewd judgment and methodical habits of business, with the energy of an impulsive tem- perament." "The mercantile history of Boston," this writer added, "has furnished few, if any,

GEO. W. JOHNSON.

more worthy specimens of the honorable, liberal, Christian merchant." George W. was educated in the Chauncy Hall and the Boston Latin schools. In his seventeenth year he entered the importing and jobbing house of Deane & Davis, Boston, and, upon attaining his majority, became a mem- ber of the firm, the name being then changed to Deane. Davis, & Co., and later to Davis, Johnson, & Co. In 1850 this partnership was dissolved. Mr. Johnson having accepted a proposition to en- gage in the Mediterranean trade : and soon after he sailed for Smyrna and other parts of the Le- vant. Upon his return, however, eight months . later. he found that the firm with whom he had made the connection had become insolvent ; and

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he was obliged to change his plans. The next five years he was abroad the greater part of the time, partly for pleasure and partly for business, visiting England, China, and South America. In April, 1856, he went to Brookfield, the home of his maternal ancestors, to which he was much at- tached. for a temporary residence ; and the follow- ing year, marrying there, he made it his permanent home. In ISGo, having concluded to adopt a pro- fession, he began the study of law in the office of J. K. Greene, of North Brookfield. and subse- quently completed his studies in that of the dis- tinguished Boston lawyer, Peleg W. Chandler. Admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1863. he at once began practice in Brookfield. To his law busi- ness he added that of negotiating loans for East- ern capitalists on real estate in Chicago. For a while the two branches were conducted together comfortably ; but in course of time his frequent absences from home to attend to Chicago matters interfered with his legal practice, and in 1868 he closed the Brookfield office, and confined himself wholly to his financial operations. In 1870 he en- tered the manufacturing field, engaging in shoe manufacture in Brookfield. in partnership with Levi Davis, under the firm name of Johnson &' Davis. Two years later the firm name was changed to Johnson, Davis, & Forbes. The busi- ness was continued till 1878, when, their factory being destroyed by fire and the shoe trade being in a depressed condition, the partnership was dis- solved. Thereupon Mr. Johnson resumed his law practice and the Chicago loan business. A few years later he retired from professional work, and has since lived in the enjoyment of a well-earned ease. In the local affairs of Brookfield he has always taken an active part, and he has for many years been prominent in State affairs. He was chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Brookfield and of the School Committee for a long period, and he has been one of the trustees of the Mer- rick Library since its foundation. In 1868 he was a delegate to the National Republican Con- vention in Chicago, and twelve years later was an alternate to the convention which nominated Gar- field. He has served in both branches of the State Legislature, beginning as a senator for the Third Worcester District in 1870, and member of the House in 1877 and 1880. In the Senate he was a member of the committees on probate and chancery, on the library, and on woman suffrage ; and was especially active in opposing the State

grant to the old Hartford & Erie Railroad. now the New York & New England. In the House during his first term he served on the committee on finance, and his second term on the same com- mittee, also on that on rules and orders, and as House chairman of the committee on fisheries. In 1877, by appointment of Governor Rice, he became one of the inspectors of the State Primary School at Monson ; and, under the act of 1879 or- ganizing the Board of State Charities, he was ap- pointed a trustee of the State Primary and Reform schools, and served several years as chairman of the board. In i887 he was a member of the Executive Council, and, twice re-elected (for 1888 and 1889). served the entire length of Governor Ames's term in the governorship, taking a leading hand in a number of important matters. He was one of the principal members of the committee on pardons and a member of the special committee on the purchase of land and on plans and esti- mates for the State House Extension. On the latter committee his services were especially efficient. Owing to the illness of the governor. who was one of his associates, and the early re- tirement of the other member, the entire work of carrying through a number of delicate business transactions fell upon him ; and all interested bore testimony to his satisfactory conduct of them. Every purchase was made without the intervention of brokers, thus saving to the State the cost of commissions. In ISSo he was a leading candi- date in the Republican State convention for the nomination for lieutenant governor, with the in- dorsement of a strong list of supporters, and on the first ballot received three hundred and thirty- seven votes, a good portion of them cast by Bos- ton delegates. But the choice of the convention fell on another candidate. and in the campaign following he gave his successful competitor the heartiest support. In December. 1889. he was appointed to the State Board of Lunacy and Charity, on which he has served to the present time, occupying the position of chairman since 1892. In the presidential election of 1892 he was chosen one of the presidential electors, and. as a member of the electoral college. cast his vote for Benjamin Harrison. Mr. Johnson was mar- ried February 24. 1857, to Miss Mary Ellen Stowell, daughter of E. C. Stowell, of Chicago. They have had eight children, of whom six are now living : Clara S .. George H .. Alice R., Ethel, Harold A .. and Marion P'. Johnson.

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JOHNSON, SAMUEL ALLEN, of Salem, sheriff of Essex County, is a native of Salem, born July 31, 1847, son of Samuel S. and Elizabeth (Allen) Johnson. He is descended on the maternal side from Chester Allen, son of one of the first settlers of Sturbridge, and Anna Rice, of Belchertown. His father's family was of Stafford's Springs, Conn. He was educated in Wisconsin, attending the public schools of Beloit, fitting for college at the Beloit College Preparatory School, and taking a part of the course at Beloit College as a mem- ber of the class of 1869, being obliged to leave before completing the full course on account of

SAMUEL A. JOHNSON.

failing eyesight. Soon after leaving college he began the study of law in the office of Todd & Converse in Beloit, where he spent about a year. The next two years were devoted to travel in the distant West and in Europe. Returning to Salem in the autumn of IS70, he resumed his law studies in the office of the Hon. William D. Northend, and was admitted to the bar of Essex County on October 3, 1871. He remained in the office with Mr. Northend, practising his profes- sion, until May, 1872, when he entered into a law partnership with Dean Peabody, at that time one of the leading attorneys and practitioners of Lynn, and since for many years clerk of courts for

Essex County. He remained in active practice in Lynn until May, 1875, and then, on account of a severe and prolonged illness, was obliged to withdraw from professional work, and to seek health and strength in Colorado. Returning in July, 1876, to his old home in Salem, instead of resuming practice, his physician advising him not to attempt it, he took an appointment in Decem- ber following as deputy sheriff ; and this office he held, serving much of the time as special sheriff, until he assumed the duties of his present office of sheriff of Essex County, to which he was elected in 1892. He has been a member of the Second Corps of Cadets of Salem for twenty years, having enlisted in April, 1874, and has passed through the various grades to that of major, which office he now holds. He is also an active member of numerous fraternal organiza- tions : in the Masonic order connected with the Essex Lodge, the Washington Royal Arch Chap- ter, the Winslow Lewis Commandery, the Sutton Grand Lodge of Perfection, all of Salem, and the Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Boston ; in the order of Odd Fellows, member of the Essex Lodge and the Naumkeag Encampment ; in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, mem- ber of the John Endicott Lodge ; and in the Im- proved Order of Red Men, member of the Naum- keag Tribe. In politics Sheriff Johnson is a stanch Republican, but has held no elective of- fice except that of sheriff. He was married No- vember 17, 1872, to Miss Eliza A. Fitz, daughter of Daniel P. Fitz, of Salem. Their children were : Nellie Maud and Chester Allen Johnson. Mrs. Johnson died February 1, 1885; and he married second, October 5, 1886, Miss Lily J. Shannon, of New York City. They have one child: Mary Hilda Johnson.

KEITH, ZIBA CARY, of Brockton, first mayor of that city and its representative in numerous other stations, is a native of North Bridgewater, which became Brockton in 18SI, born July 13, 1842, in the ancestral home of the family built in 1747. His father, Ziba Keith, was a descendant in the fourth generation of Rev. James Keith, the first minister in Bridgewater, settled February IS, 1664, and his mother, Polly (Noyes) Keith, was of an early Old Colony family. He acquired his education in the North Bridgewater public schools and at the Pierce Academy, Middle-

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borough. His business life was begun at eighteen. when he became book-keeper and salesman for Martin L. Keith, in Boston. Four years were spent there, and then in 1864. with Embert How- ard as partner. he bought out a general country store in Campello, formerly kept by Sidney Pack- ard, and started in trade on his own account. Two years later he sold his interest in the store, but rebought the next year (1867), and from that time continued the business with profit until 1883. when he retired. Subsequently he became con- nected with banking interests. He was an incor- porator of the Campello Co-operative Bank, and

ZIBA C. KEITH.

secretary and treasurer of the institution in its early days ; an incorporator of the Brockton Say- ings Bank, and later one of the vice-presidents of the corporation, which position he still holds ; and a director of the Brockton National Bank from the time of its incorporation until 1893. when he resigned to take the presidency of the Plymouth County Safe Deposit and Trust Company. of which he is still the head. He is also treasurer of the Monarch Rubber Company. Mr. Keith's notable public career was begun as a represen- tative for North Bridgewater in the State Legis- lature of 1875 and 1876. In 1879 he was chosen a selectman of his town. In ISSi he was a mem-

ber of the committee selected by the town to draft the city charter, and in 1882 he was made the first mayor of the new city. Two years later he was re-elected to the mayoralty, and returned the next year ; was again chosen to serve for 1891, and twice re-elected, -- for 1892 and 1893. Under his administration a system of sewerage was provided for. and work upon it begun; the abolishment of grade crossing was begun ; the construction of the City Hall accomplished, and a park commis- sion established. For the years 1887-88-89, he served as tax collector. In 1887 and ISSS he represented his district in the State Senate, and in 1892 was elected a member of the Governor's Council for service in 1893. Re-elected in 1893 and in 1894. he is now serving his third term. During his first term as a councillor he served on the committees on accounts. harbors. and public lands, charitable institutions, military af- fairs, and railroads. In 1894 he was a member of the committees on finance, harbor, and public lands, military affairs, railroads, State House Extension, accounts (chairman); and in 1895 member of the committees on finance, harbor and public lands (chairman), military affairs, rail- roads. State House Extension, accounts (chair- man). Of Mr. Keith's public service it has been said that, "wherever he has been placed. he has served to the satisfaction of the great mass of citizens, and therefore with honor to himself." He is thoroughly identified with Brockton. and by his able and energetic leadership has contributed much to its prosperity. He is in politics a stead- fast Republican, but has considered municipal affairs from the point of view of the citizen rather than the party man. He is a Freemason, member of St. George Lodge and of the Bay State Commandery. He was married December 31. 1865, to Miss Abbie Frances Jackson. They have one son : William C. Keith.

KINGMAN, HOSEA, of Bridgewater, member of the Plymouth bar, and chairman of the State Metropolitan Sewerage Commission, is a native of Bridgewater, born April 11, 1843, son of Philip D. and Betsey (Washburn) Kingman. He traces his lineage to Henry Kingman, who settled in Weymouth some time about 1636. He was ed- ucated in the public schools of Bridgewater, at the Bridgewater Academy, at AAppleton Academy, New Ipswich, N. H., where he was fitted for col-

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MEN OF PROGRESS.

lege, and at Dartmouth. He was a student in college when the Civil War broke out, and in the summer of 1862, closing his books, he joined

HOSEA KINGMAN.

the army, enlisting as a private in Company K. Third Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. He was mustered in on September 22, that year, and went with his regiment to Newbern, N.C. Here he remained until December, when he was de- tailed to duty in the signal service, and was con- tinued in this department for the remainder of his term, first assigned to Port Royal, S.C., and later to Folly Island, Charleston Harbor. Mus- tered out on the 22d of June, 1863, he returned to college, made up his junior year work in his senior year, and graduated with his class in 1864. Then he began the study of law at Bridgewater in the office of William Latham, where he spent two years. He was admitted to the bar June 21, 1866, and at once engaged in practice as a part- ner of Mr. Latham, under the firm name of Latham & Kingman, which relation held until 1871, when Mr. Latham retired, and Mr. King- man continued alone. He has enjoyed a large practice in his profession since he first began ; and his time has been very fully occupied with professional duty. November 12. 1878, he was appointed special justice of the First District

Court of Plymouth County, and held this posi- tion until July 6. 1885. From March 7, 1883, to January 3. 1887, he was city solicitor of Brockton. From 1884 to 1887 he was commissioner of in- solvency through repeated elections; and from January, 1887, to August, 1889, district attorney, resigning this office when appointed to the Metro- politan Sewerage Commission. He has been chairman of the latter body since the begin- ning of his service thereon. He is a trustee of the Old Colony Safe Deposit and Trust Com- pany of Brockton, and trustee of the Bridgewater Savings Bank. In 1864 he was a captain in the State Militia. He is much interested in historical and educational matters, and is a trustee of the Plymouth County Pilgrim Society and of the Bridgewater Academy. He is prominent also in the Masonic and other fraternal organizations, having been master of the Fellowship Lodge of Brockton three years, district deputy grand mas- ter three years, and a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor, and the New England Order of Protection. His club associa- tions are with the University of Boston, the Com- mercial of Brockton, the Old Colony of Plymouth, and the Bridgewater Social Club, of which he is president. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Kingman was married June 21, 1864, to Miss Carrie Cole, daughter of Hezekiah and Deborah ( Freeman) Cole, of Carver. They have one daughter: . Agnes Cole Kingman.

KNIGHT, HORATIO GATES, of Easthampton, lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth 1875 to 1878 inclusive, is a native of Easthampton, born March 24, 1818, son of Sylvester and Rachel (Lyman) Knight. His ancestry, while not clearly ascertained, is believed to be a combination of English and Scotch. His education was attained through private tutors and in the public schools of his native town. In lieu of a college training he early enjoyed the advantage of travel and obser- vation in various lands, wide reading, and associa- tion with wise men. He began active life at four- teen as a clerk in a country store, entering the employ of Samuel Williston, the successful manu- facturer and distinguished philanthropist. Early working his way to positions of responsibility, at twenty-four he became a partner in Mr. Williston's extensive button manufacturing business. There- after he continued with Mr. Williston in various

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MEN OF PROGRESS.

manufacturing and mercantile enterprises until the latter's death in 1874. Ile bought the first India rubber and the first elastic fabric looms and braiding machines used in the Easthampton fac- tories, and the prosperous business of the partners was in no small share due to his intelligent energy and systematic methods. He has been a director in many and president of several manufacturing corporations and banks, and trustee of several educational institutions. Having resigned many of these positions, including that of a trustee of Williams College which he held many years, he is still president of the Williston and Knight Com- pany and of the Northampton Institution for Savings, a trustee of the Clarke Institution for Deaf Mutes, and director of the First National Bank of Northampton. Mr. Knight's notable public career began in the early fifties, and cov- ered a long and important period. He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives in 1852 and 1853. was a senator in 1858 and 1859, a member of the Executive Coun- cil in 1868 and 1869, lieutenant governor for four years (1875 to 1878 inclusive), was drafting com-

HORATIO G. KNIGHT.

missioner by appointment of Governor Andrew in 1862, and commissioner to the Vienna Exposition by appointment of Governor Washburn in 1873.

During his service as lieutenant governor the con- tract was made under which the Hoosac Tunnel was completed. As draft commissioner. instead of drafting, he promoted enlistments, expending from his own resources thousands of dollars in this work ; and. as a result, Hampshire County's quota was filled without resorting to the draft. While as lieutenant governor, chairman of the committees of the Executive Council on pardons. several hundred applications for pardon were passed upon, In politics Mr. Knight was a Whig till that party was succeeded by the Republican. to which he has since adhered without wavering. He has since served his native town upon its School Committee and in various other offices. and is at the present time chairman of its Water Commissioners. He was the originator of the Village Improvement Society, which has done much to promote the beauty, attractiveness, and prosperity of Easthampton. He is a member of the American Institute of Civics. of the Home Market Club, and has been a member of the Union League of New York. He was married September 28, 1841, to Miss Mary Ann Huntoon. They have had three daughters : Alice. Lucy, and Mary: and four sons: Horatio Williston, Charles Huntoon, Frederic Allen, and Russell Wright. the last two having died in childhood.

LARRABEE. Joux. of Melrose. pharmacist. member of the State Board of Registration in Pharmacy, was born in Melrose (then North Mal- den). April 21, 1850, son of John and Sarah Jane ( Kimball) Larrabee. He is a direct descendant of the Larrabee family who settled in this section in colonial days. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native town. Early es- tablishing himself as a pharmacist in Melrose, he conducted a successful business alone for twenty- three years, from 1867 to 1890: and since that time he has been associated with A. C. Stearns, a former clerk, under the firm name of Larrabee & Stearns. He has been a member of the State Board of Registration in Pharmacy since May. 1887, first appointed by Governor Ames, and re- appointed by Governor Brackett. in 1890. for the term of five years. He is interested, also. in local banking institutions, having been a trustee and clerk of the Melrose Savings Bank from Jan- uary, 1886. to the present time, and the first cashier ( 1892) of the Melrose National Bank, the

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organization and successful establishment of which were largely due to his efforts. He is now a director of the latter institution, having resigned the position of cashier after one year's service on account of the pressure of other duties. He has served his town during a long period in various capacities. For twenty-one years - from 1873 10 1894 -he was town clerk, finally retiring, having declined a renomination. From 1888 to 1893 he was also clerk of the Board of Selectmen. Since 1875 he has been a member of the committee on cemeteries. In 1883 and 1887 he was a repre- sentative in the Legislature for the Eleventh Mid-

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Men of progress one thousand biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Part 54

Author: Herndon, Richard; Bacon, Edwin M. (Edwin Monroe), 1844-1916 Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Boston : New England Magazine Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Herndon, Richard; Bacon, Edwin M. (Edwin Monroe), 1844-1916
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston : New England Magazine
Number of Pages: 1036