USA > Massachusetts > One of a thousand, a series of biographical sketches of one thousand representative men resident in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, A.D. 1888-'89; > Part 57
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He married, August 12, 1840, Cementha T., daughter of Isaac and Polly (Chand- ler) Sturtevant. They had five children : Mary L. (married Marcellus G. Howard), Abbie F. (married first, James W. Lee, second, James W. Leach), Austin, Cora C., and Spencer Leonard, Jr.
During his long and useful life Mr. Leonard has been elected to many offices in the gift of his fellow-citizens. He rep- resented Bridgewater in the lower branch of the Legislature in the years 1846 and '47. He was elected selectman in 1855, and has served in that capacity and as assessor, overseer of the poor, member of the board of health, etc., for thirty-two years continuously, requesting to be re- lieved in 1887. He has been one of the justices of the peace for the county of Plymouth since 1867.
He took an active interest in sustaining the government in the late war, by procur- ing enlistments, filling quotas, and caring for the soldiers and their families. He also served as United States enrolling officer during the rebellion. He has been probation officer for Bridgewater from the first creation of that office to the present time ; has been a member of the board of
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trustees of the Bridgewater Savings Bank from its incorporation, and its vice-presi- dent for several years. In 1883 he was elected president of that institution to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. Lloyd Parsons, which office he now holds. He has been connected with the Plymouth County Agricultural Society since 1846, having served as trustee and vice-president a large portion of the time.
Mr. Leonard is an attendant of the New Jerusalem church ; has always been a firm supporter of the Republican party, and is one who to a marked degree enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-towns- men.
LEWIS, CHARLES DUDLEY, son of William Gustavus and Mary Ann (Dudley) Lewis, was born in Roxbury, Norfolk county, September 26, 1844.
He was educated in the public schools of Roxbury and Framingham, and Dummer Academy, South Byfield.
In 1861 he entered mercantile life with the firm of A. S. & W. G. Lewis ; three years later was taken into the firm as part- ner, and held the position until 1885, when he retired.
He was elected treasurer of the Demo- cratic state committee in 1884, and still holds the position. Although a resident of Framingham, a considerable portion of his time is employed in the management of a farm of eight hundred acres which he owns in Sherborn.
He was one of the organizers of the South Framingham National Bank, and a charter member ; also of the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank of the same town, of which he is a trustee. In 1888 he was elected a member of the national Democratic committee.
Mr. Lewis has traveled quite extensively, and has spent some years in Brazil and the West Indies. Lewis Wharf, Boston, was named for his grandfather, Thomas Lewis, who was a well-known Boston merchant sixty years ago. Mr. Lewis's maternal grandfather was David Dudley, an old and highly respected resident of Roxbury, who died in 1841.
Mr. Lewis was married in Framingham, on the 3d of April, 1872, to Emily Johonnot, daughter of James Wilson and Catharine Monroe (March) Clark. Of this union there were seven children : James Wilson Clark, William Gustavus 2d, Katharine Le Baron, Frances Wilson, Margaret Dudley, Charles Dudley, Jr., and Edmund Sanford Lewis.
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LEWIS, JOHN JAY, was born July 6, 1840, in Montpelier, Washington county, Vt. He is seventh in descent from George Lewis, who landed at Plymouth 1630. His father, a well-to-do farmer, was Orlando F. Lewis, of Montpelier, and his mother, Cecilia B. (Nash) Lewis, came of an old English family that settled in Rehoboth in 1700.
His early training was received in the district school of his native town. He fitted for an academic course in the Orleans Liberal Institute, at Glover, Vt., and in 1858 entered the Barre (Vt.) Acad- emy, from which he graduated in June, 1859. The following August he entered Tufts College, from which he graduated as valedictorian, July 8, 1863, and the en- suing September became principal of the Green Mountain Liberal Institute, at South Woodstock, Vt., remaining there two years. The succeeding year found him financial agent for the Goddard Seminary, Barre, Vt.
He preached his first sermon in Lyceum Hall before the old Fourth Universalist society of South Boston, in 1866. Imme- diately afterwards he received two calls to settle as pastor - one from the above so- ciety, and one from the Universalist society of Williston, Vt. The latter was accepted. After serving one year he came to Boston, and preached again at South Boston, in July, 1867. This resulted in a second call from the old Fourth society, and he be- came its pastor in December of that year, Rev. A. A. Miner preaching the ordina- tion sermon. The society had been organ- ized in 1830 as the Fourth Universalist society. It subsequently changed its name to the Broadway Universalist society, and was one of the most influential of the city, when it dedicated its new church edifice two years after Mr. Lewis took charge.
He was married at North Montpelier, Vt., November 23, 1863, to Abbie Good- win, an only daughter of Colonel Nathan- iel and Irene (Rich) Davis, of North Mont- pelier, the ancestors of both being of Ox- ford, Mass. The fruits of this union were two children : Leo R., born February II, 1865, and Orlando F., born September 5, 1873.
The elder of these, a graduate of the Boston high and Latin schools, also of Tufts College, subsequently spent two years at Harvard, where he took both the degree of A. B. and A. M .- the latter with the highest honors-and has done some notable work in musical composition. He edited, and in large part wrote the music of a Sunday-school service book,
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" The Redeemer," of which Rev. Mr. Lewis is the author ; and also the musi- cal work of a half-score of cantatas and operettas for which his mother did the literary work. Young Lewis is at present continuing his musical studies in Munich, Germany.
Mrs. Lewis is a popular writer for chil- dren and youth, her work appearing in " Youth's Companion," " Ladies' Home Journal," "Wide Awake," the youths' de- partment of the American Press Associa- tion, and other publications of that class.
Mr. Lewis confines his labors to the community wherein he resides. He has been honorably conspicuous in effecting many local reforms which have resulted in purifying and beautifying that portion of the city he has benefited by his faithful work.
LILLEY, CHARLES SUMNER, son of Charles and Cynthia (Huntley) Lilley, was born in Lowell, Middlesex county, Decem- ber 13, 1851.
CHARLES S. LILLEY.
He attended the public schools of his native city, and was prepared for college under private tutors, but owing to ill health was obliged to forego the pursuit of his collegiate course.
Early in life he learned the business of carpet designing, and was with the Lowell
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Manufacturing Company for some years. Subsequently he studied law in the office of Hon. A. P. Bonney, and in 1877 was admitted to the bar.
Mr. Lilley is connected with the Masonic order, being a member of Kilwinning Lodge. He was chairman of the board of aldermen, Lowell, in 1879 ; member of the state Senate in 1880, and re-elected in 1881, serving in the two years on the committees on the judiciary, probate and chancery, bills in the third reading (chairman), and on the joint special committee on the re- vision of the statutes.
He was a member of the executive coun- cil of Governor Robinson in 1884; was again a member of the Senate in 1886, serving on the committees on the judiciary, rules (chairman), street railways, the joint special committee on re-districting the State, and the joint special committee on the revision of the judicial system of the Commonwealth.
He was appointed special justice of the police court of Lowell, and resigned the position when elected to the Senate in 1886.
Mr. Lilley was nominated for congres- sional honors in 1882 and '84, but being the Democratic nominee in a strongly Republican district, he, of course, suffered defeat. It is to be regretted that the ar- rangement of political districts and the inherited discipline of party lines should debar the State from the intelligent and valuable service of such men as Mr. Lilley. He has evinced, in positions of responsi- bility, an unswerving loyalty to pure and honorable political methods, has displayed a clear comprehension of the true functions of government ; and by his own brave and manly career, has illustrated anew the dig- nity and worth of conscientious and honor- able citizenship.
Mr. Lilley is unmarried, and his resi- dence is Lowell.
LILLY, ALFRED THEODORE, son of Al- fred and Jerusha (Swift) Lilly, was born at Mansfield, Tolland county, Conn., April 15, 1813.
He attended the district school of his native town both summer and winter ses- sions, until the age of twelve, and from twelve to seventeen, in the winter only.
Upon leaving school he worked for his father until the age of twenty-one, in learn- ing the manufacture of screw-augers and auger-bits. After attaining his majority, he continued with his father for one year as journeyman. At that time, his father failing in business, he started in the same
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line on his own account at Mansfield, with- out any capital. But his health failing him, after seventeen years of close application, he became superintendent of the Rixford & Butler Silk Manufacturing Company at Mansfield Centre. With this company he remained one year. His next business en- terprise was to settle in Providence, R. I., as a retail grocer, which business he con- tinued for two years.
In the spring of 1853 he removed from Providence to Florence Village, North- ampton, taking sole charge of the Nono- tuck Silk Company, manufacturers of sew- ing silk and machine twist - Hill & Hinck-
ALFRED T. LILLY.
ley, proprietors. In 1858 this firm was in- corporated as the Nonotuck Silk Company, of which Mr. Lilly became a stockholder, and in 1865 acting treasurer. This office he held until January 1, 1887, when he re- tired from business, owing to a second fail- ure of health.
In the state of Connecticut all able- bodied men were formerly required to do military duty from the age of eighteen to forty-five. Alfred T. Lilly was early ap- pointed on the colonel's staff as quarter- master sergeant, and subsequently becanic drum-major. He is an honorary life mem- ber of Wm. L. Baker Post 86, G. A. R., to whose treasury he has been a generous
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contributor, presenting it on Decoration Day, in 1886, with a thousand dollars.
For over fifteen years he has been a member of the Northampton public library committee. He was one of the founders of the Florence Savings Bank, and upon its organization was chosen president, which office he still holds. When the Florence Furniture Company was organ- ized, he was chosen a director and presi- dent, and still holds these positions. He is also a stockholder and director in the Northampton Emery Wheel Company
In 1886 he presented Smith College with a building for scientific purposes, at a cost of thirty-three thousand dollars, which is known as the Lilly Hall of Science. He also, in November, 1888, presented the Lilly Library Association of Florence with the sum of twelve thousand dollars to erect a building for a free library and reading room.
In religion he has been agnostic throughout his whole life-was one of the early founders of the Free Congrega- tional society of Florence, which is unsec- tarian. He is one of the executive com- mittee, and for many years has been treasurer, and aided in erecting a building known as Cosmian Hall, which cost forty thousand dollars.
Mr. Lilly was married at Hebron, Conn., in 1838, to Lucy M., daughter of Isaac and Constantia (Young) Crane, of that town, who died November 2, 1886.
LINCOLN, FREDERIC WALKER, son of Louis and Mary (Knight) Lincoln, was born in Boston, February 27, 1817. He was a grandson of Amos Lincoln - a mem- ber of the "tea-party " and captain of an artillery company during the revolution- ary war - who married a daughter of the distinguished patriot, Paul Revere.
He received an education in the public and private schools of his time. At an early age he began life's struggle by serv- ing an apprenticeship with Gedney King, maker of nautical instruments, and when twenty-two years of age, began the manu- facture of these for himself, remaining in the business from 1839 to '82, when he re- tired to become general manager of the Boston Storage Warehouse, a position he still holds.
He served in the state Legislature 1847- '48 and in 1872 and '74 ; was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1853 ; in 1854-'56 he was president of the Massa- chusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, and in 1880 again became a member of its government as treasurer. In 1868 he was
appointed on the state board of harbor commissioners, serving for several years as chairman. He was chairman of the Boston board of overseers of the poor for eleven years, and in April, 1878, became treasurer
Mr. Lincoln was one of the original board of directors of the Continental Bank, a trustee of the Institute of Tech- nology, vice-president of the Boston Safe Deposit Company, treasurer of the Young Men's Benevolent Society for more than forty years, vice-president and president of the Franklin Savings Bank, president of the Massachusetts Charitable Fire Society, and a member and officer of other similar organizations. He was a member of the Boston Light Infantry, and ranks now upon its roll of veterans ; became director of the Bunker Hill Monument Association in 1854, and for the past ten years has been one of its vice-presidents, and is at the present time president. He has been for thirty-five years treasurer of the Second church in Boston.
FP.EDERIC W. LINCOLN.
After having served for three years as mayor of the city of Boston, 1858-'60, Mr. Lincoln was once more recalled from private life to accept again the mayoralty, which he held four years, 1863-'66 - not- able chapters in the history of Boston, covering, if possible, a more exciting pe-
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riod than that which ushered in the war of the rebellion, embraced by his previous service. It was in the latter period that Mr. Lincoln more than ever displayed the qualities of a sturdy executive, and, by the prompt use of military force, crushed out an incipient rebellion, in the form of draft riots in Boston. For this and other official and private services connected with the civil war, he was complimented with mem- bership in the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
As chairman of the committee, he deliv- ered the presentation address at the unveil- ing of the first out-door statue set up in Bos- ton-that of Benjamin Franklin in front of city hall. Interested in all public measures, he has ever been prominent in any move- ment that helped engrave, not only in mon- umental marble, but on the hearts and minds of the rising generation, the patri- otic deeds and noble sacrifices of the founders of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts.
The honorary degree of master of arts has been conferred on him by Harvard Uni- versity, and also by Dartmouth College.
The Lincoln school, South Boston, dedi- cated September 17, 1859, during his may- oralty, was named for him.
In May, 1848, Mr. Lincoln married Emeline, a daughter of the Hon. Jacob Hall. She died the following year, leaving a daughter, Harriet A., now the wife of George A. Coolidge. On June 20, 1854, he married Emily C., a daughter of Noah Lincoln. Their children are : Frederick WV., Jr., of the firm of Kidder, Peabody & Co., of Boston, Mary K., and Louis Revere Lincoln.
LINCOLN, LEONTINE, son of Jona- than Thayer and Abby (Luscomb) Lin- coln, was born in Fall River, Bristol county, December 26, 1846. He is a descendant of Thomas Lincoln, who settled in Taun- ton in 1652.
His early educational training was ob- tained in the public schools of his native city, and a private school, Providence, R. I.
At the age of nineteen he began busi- ness life in the counting-room of Kilburn, Lincoln & Co., Fall River, manufacturers of cotton and silk machinery - a corpora- tion of which his father, J. T. Lincoln, was president, the position being held later on by his brother, H. C. Lincoln. In 1872 Mr. Lincoln became treasurer of the com- pany, succeeding E. C. Kilburn, who re- tired from the concern. The company is one of the largest makers of cotton and
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silk looms. Mr. Lincoln still holds the treasurership of the company.
Mr. Lincoln was married in Fall River, May 12, 1868, to Amelia S., daughter of John Duncan, D. D., and Mary A. (Ma- cowan) Duncan. Of this union are two children : Jonathan Thayer and Leontine Lincoln, Jr.
Mr. Lincoln is president and director of the Second National Bank ; president of the Seaconnet Mills ; a director in the Tecumseh Mills, the King Philip Mills, the Barnard Manufacturing Company, the Crystal Spring Bleaching & Dyeing Company, and a member of the board of investment of the Fall River Five Cents Savings Bank.
He has been a member of the board of trustees of the public library for twelve years, and secretary and treasurer of the board eleven years ; a member of the Fall River school board ten years, and its chair- man 1888 and '89. He is also a member and the secretary of the board of trustees of the B. M. C. Durfee high school.
Mr. Lincoln has written frequent articles for the press on "Home Travel," " Read- ing," and on various industrial and politi- cal questions. He has always been inter- ested in educational matters, and in 1889 received the honorary degree of A. M. from Brown University. He is a repre- sentative man, not only of the manufact- uring interests but of the better social element of Fall River.
LISTEMANN, BERNHARD FRIEDRICH WILHELM, eighth child of Friedrich Wil- helm and Henrietta Listemann, was born in Schlotheim, Germany, August 28, 1841.
He began the study of the violin when about six years old. In Sondershausen he completed his school studies, being at the same time a pupil of the concert-master Uhlrich. Later on he had as teachers suc- cessively - Ferdinand David in Leipzig, Joseph Joachim in Hanover, and Henry Vieuxtemps in Frankfort.
For a number of years he held the posi- tion as kammer-virtuos of the prince of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt -frequently ap- pearing as soloist during this time in lead- ing cities of Germany. In 1867 he came to America, making extended concert trips in connection with Leopold de Meier, Os- car Pfeiffer, Gazzaniga, Alide Topp, and others.
In 1870 he was married to Sophie, eldest daughter of Louis and Pauline Lungers- hausen, in Schlotheim.
From 1871 to '74 he was concert-meister and soloist of the Theodore Thomas Or-
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chestra in New York. Shortly after, he organized the Boston Philharmonic Club, and traveled over almost the whole conti- nent of America. In 1879 he settled in Boston, organized and conducted the Bos- ton Philharmonic Orchestra, and was for one season the musical director of the Philharmonic Society. From 1881 to '85 he was concert-meister of the Boston Sym- phonie Orchestra. At present he teaches extensively.
Five children have been born to him.
LITCHFIELD, GEORGE ALLEN, son of Richard and Xoa (Clapp) Litchfield, was born in Scituate, Plymouth county, August 21, 1838.
His early education was obtained at the common schools of his native town, and at the academy in Hanover. He entered Brown University, Providence, R. I., but did not fully complete his college course.
GEORGE A. LITCHFIELD.
He studied for the ministry, and in 1861 was settled as pastor over the Baptist church, Winchendon, Mass., where he re- mained five years. Ill health caused him to relinquish this field of labor, and he subsequently became interested in the insurance business, and for some years has been very successfully engaged in the conduct of a large life insurance agency for western Massachusetts.
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In 1874 he purchased a half interest in the long established firm of Brigham, Whit- man & Co., tack and nail manufacturers at South Abington, the firm becoming Brig- ham, Litchfield & Vining. Here he re- mained until the fall of 1879, when he be- came interested in the establishment of the Massachusetts Benefit Association, the leading company in New England engaged in the mutual assessment insurance busi- ness. Organized in 1879, it has enjoyed a continuous era of prosperity, evincing skill- ful and prudent management. It has now a membership of some eighteen thousand, and has an outstanding insurance of about $60,000,000, written upon its books. Since commencing business, October 13, 1879, only fifty-five mortuary calls had been made to September 1, 1889. From these death and disability losses have been paid amounting to over $3,000,000, and a cash surplus accumulated amounting to over $360,000.
It has kept all its pledges, and met its obligations in a highly creditable and hon- orable manner. No small share of this phenomenal success is due to the untiring energy and intelligent supervision of Mr. Litchfield, one of the few gentlemen of its present board of managers who participa- ted in its original organization.
Mr. Litchfield was married in South Abington, November 21, 1861, to Sarah M., daughter of Davis and Eliza (Blanch- ard) Gurney. Their children are : Cannie Zetta, Everett Starr and Frederick Ells- worth. His residence is in Wollaston, a part of the city of Quincy.
LITTLE, SAMUEL, son of Isaac and Sally (Lincoln) Little, was born in Hing- ham, Plymouth county, August 15, 1827. His father was born in Pembroke, in 1796, and died in Hingham, in 1864. His mother was born in Hingham, in 1792, and died there in 1861. Her father, Seth, a mem- ber of one of the oldest families (the Lin- colns) in the town of Hingham, was born in 1751 and died in 1839, the line of de- scent running back to Seth, Samuel, Sam- uel, Samuel to Samuel, who came from Hingham, England, to Hingham, Mass., in 1637.
Mr. Little received his educational train- ing in the Derby Academy, Hingham. On leaving the academy he obtained a position as cashier and book-keeper in the dry-goods house of Daniell & Company, in the city of Boston. On the organization of the Bank of Commerce, in 1850, he was made receiving teller, which position he held un- til 1853, when he was made cashier of the
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Rockland Bank, Roxbury, at that time or- ganized. On the death of Samuel Walker, its president, he was elected to fill the vacancy thus created, and has occupied this position ever since.
Mr. Little was married in Hingham, June 6, 1855, to Elizabeth, daughter of Micajah and Eliza (Parker) Malbon. Of this union is one son : Arthur Malbon Little.
Mr. Little's capacity for business, and personal traits of character, early attracted the attention of his fellow-citizens, and he was soon called to represent them in im- portant offices of trust and responsibility. He was a member of the common council of the city of Roxbury in 1856 and '57 ; served as a member of the board of alder- men eight years, from 1861 to '68, inclu- sive. After the annexation of Roxbury to
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Boston, he became a member of the board of aldermen of the latter city in 1871, and was re-elected for 1872, and served as chairman of the board that year. He was also a member of the House of Represen- tatives from Roxbury in 1864 and '65 ; member of the board of directors of public institutions of Boston, from 1873 to '82, inclusive, and served as president of the board from 1877 to his retirement.
Mr. Little was active in the organization of the Highland Street Railway Company,
in 1872, and was its treasurer until its con- solidation with the Middlesex Street Rail- way Company. He was a director of the consolidated company until its union with the West End Street Railway Company. He was then made one of its directors, which position he still holds.
Mr. Little was one of the state agents for the improvement of the South Boston flats belonging to the Commonwealth ; has been referee in many important cases, notably the City of Boston vs. the Boston Belting Company, and trustee and executor of many large estates. He is a trustee of the Roxbury Institution for Savings, and was one of the incorporators of the Rox- bury Homoeopathic Dispensary.
During the civil war he was one of the most active and influential members of the city government, serving as chairman of the finance and military committees.
Mr. Little has been master of the Wash- ington Lodge, F. & A. M. ; is a member of Mount Vernon Royal Arch Chapter, and has served as commander of the Joseph Warren Commandery.
He is president of the Boston Lead Man- ufacturing Company, the E. Howard Watch & Clock Company, Roxbury Gas Light Company, Bay State Gas Company, and director of the Boston, Dorchester & South Boston Gas Light companies.
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