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 88
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
At the age of twenty-one he came to Boston, and secured a position with C. C. Burr, at a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per annum. His energy, and a
RICHARD H STEARNS
desire to accomplish more than was de- manded by his employer, earned for him a promotion to the position of salesman the first year. Less than two years from this time he left Mr Burr and went into business for himself without capital, but with credit with some of the merchants of those days, who recognized the qualities which have given Mr. Stearns his uninter- rupted success. At the start he did all the work himself, being buyer, salesman, and porter. His sales, which then were counted by a few hundreds of dollars, have increased steadily until they are high in the hundreds of thousands, and the working force has increased to several hundred.
STEELE.
Mr. Stearns started with the idea that he would cater to the best trade, and make a specialty of goods of the highest grade. This plan persistently carried out through so long a term of years has established a reputation for this house second to no other in the United States in its own par- ticular line. His fame is not confined to New England. He has the reputation of being personally known to more buyers who come to Boston than any other mer- chant in his business.
Mr. Stearns was married in Boston, Sep- tember 18, 1855, to Louisa, daughter of Foster and Charlotte V. Waterman. Of this union were three children : F. W. Stearns, admitted a member of the firm of R. H. Stearns & Co., June 1, 1881 ; William F., a clergyman ; and R. H. Stearns, Jr., admitted a member of the firm January 1, 1887.
Mr. Stearns has been called to fill many positions of trust, being a director in the National Hide & Leather Bank ; director in the Massachusetts Loan & Trust Com- pany ; was a member of the Boston school board from 1867 to '71, and a member of the House of Representatives in 1874 and '75.
In religious matters Mr. Stearns has been prominently connected with the Con- gregational denomination. He was one of the early presidents of the Congregational Club of Boston, and is now a deacon of the Old South church of Boston.
STEELE, GEORGE MCKENDREE, son of Rev. Joel and Jerusha Rich (Higgins) Steele, was born in Strafford, Orange coun- ty, Vermont, April 13, 1823.
He attended district schools till eighteen years of age ; prepared for college at New- bury Seminary, Vt .; entered Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1846, and was graduated in the class of 1850. From 1850 to '53 he was teacher of math- ematics and Latin in the Wesleyan Acad- emy, Wilbraham.
In 1853 he entered the ministry of the New England conference of the M. E. church. He was stationed at Warren, 1853-'4; Fitchburg, 1855; St. Paul's church, Lowell, 1856-'7 ; Watertown, 1858-'9; First church, Lynn, 1860-'61 ; Church Street, Boston, 1862-'3 ; Fitchburg, 1864 ; and was a delegate to the United States Christian Commission. In 1866 he received the de- gree of D. D. from the Northwestern Uni- versity, and in 1879 that of LL. D. from the Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis. He has been a trustee of the Boston Uni- versity since 1880, and was a delegate to
577
STETSON.
STETSON.
the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. 1868-'72-'76.
In 1865 he was made president of the Lawrence University, of Wisconsin, where he remained till 1879. Since that time he has been principal of the Wesleyan Acad- emy, Wilbraham.
Mr. Steele was married July 1, 1852, to Susan Jane, daughter of John and Lydia (Snow) Swift, of Provincetown. He has one child living : George Francis Steele, having lost two daughters, Lillian and Harriet.
Mr. Steele is a member of the Wiscon- sin Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters; a member and councilor of the American Economic Association ; a member and vice-president of the Connecticut Valley Association and also of the American Insti- tute of Civics ; and a member of the board of visitors to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. (1871). He traveled in Europe in 1873. He is the author of "Outlines of Bible Study " and "Outline Study of Political Economy," and has written largely for reviews, maga- zines and other periodicals.
STETSON, GEORGE FOBES, son of George Fobes and Chloe Murdock (Bon- ney) Stetson, was born in Hanson, Plym- outh county, April 11, 1833.
His early education was obtained at the common schools, and by three terms, at- tendance in the Hanover Academy.
From early life he devoted his attention to the trade of shoemaking until within two years, when he changed his vocation to farming, in which he is now interested.
On the 3d of December, 1861, at Han- son, Mr. Stetson was married to Dorothy Brown, daughter of Hervey and Ruth T. (Reed) Dyer. Their children are : Flor- ence D. and George H. Stetson.
In 1861, '62, '79, and '83, Mr. Stetson was sent as a representative to the state Legis- lature, and has served upon the school committee for a number of years.
For five years from 1862 he was assis- tant United States assessor for the roth division of the 2d district of Massachu- setts.
He still resides at his birthplace, where he is well known and respected by a large circle of friends.
STETSON, NAHUM, the son of Abisha and Alice (Allen) Stetson, was born in East Bridgewater, Plymouth county, Au- gust 21, 1807.
His early education was received in the district schools of those days, supplemented
by two terms in Bridgewater Academy. He taught a country school before he was of age.
In 1825 he began work with the Bridge- water Iron Works, at fifty dollars per year. In 1835, on the death of Nathan Lazell, he was elected agent and treasurer of the Bridgewater Iron Company, and in 1841 of the Weymouth Iron Company, both of which offices he held till 1886 ; from 1844 to '46 he was agent and treasurer of the Tre- mont Iron Company, of Wareham, where the first railroad iron was made in New England; from 1846 to '86, agent and treas- urer of the Parker Mills, of Wareham. For several years he was a director, and two years president, of the Taunton Locomo- tive Works. For about twenty years he was a director and president of the Dean Cotton Machine Company, of Taunton. For twenty years from 1854, he was presi- dent of the Providence Iron Company, of Providence, R. I., and was a director of the Bristol County Bank in Taunton, from 1835 to '54, and president one year. He was one of the original directors of the Fall River Railroad, also the Cape Cod R. R. until the union with the Old Colony.
Mr. Stetson was married in Hanson, November 13, 1828, to Sarah Wilson, daughter of Rev. George and Sarah Bar- stow. Of this union were four children : George Barstow, Sarah L., Nahum, Jr., and William Butler Stetson. His second mar- riage was with Lucy A. F. Barstow, sister of his first wife, to whom were born two chil- dren: Lucy Ann and Helen Forester Stetson.
Mr. Stetson once yielded to the oft-re- peated calls to public duty, and allowed himself to be sent as a representative to the General Court in 1838, '39, and '40. A life-long devotion to his business, however, has not prevented his maintaining a lively interest in the affairs of his native town of Bridgewater, where he has always resided, and where he has so long been an honored and conspicuous citizen.
STETSON, THOMAS M., son of Rev. Caleb and Julia Ann (Meriam) Stetson, was born in Medford, Middlesex county, June 15, 1830.
He was graduated from Harvard College in the class of 1849, and from the Dane law school, Harvard University, in 1852.
He began law practice with Hon. Thomas D. Eliot in New Bedford, and was subse- quently connected with Hon. Robert C. Pitman, now associate justice of the supe- rior court. Later on he was associated with Francis B. Greene, Lemuel L. B. Holmes, and Eliot D. Stetson, his son.
578
STEVENS.
STEVENS.
Mr. Stetson was married in New Bed- ford, September 10, 1856, to Caroline Dawes, daughter of Thomas D. and Fran- ces L. (Brock) Eliot, of Nantucket. Of this union were five children : Julia M. (Yale), Eliot D., Frederick Dudley, Frank Eliot, and Edward Meriam Stetson.
THOMAS M. STETSON.
Mr. Stetson is a lineal descendant of Robert Stetson, cornet of mounted troop under Miles Standish, and of Edward Gray, of the " Mayflower."
STEVENS, CHARLES EDWARD, son of Charles Abbot and Maria ('Tyler) Stevens, was born in Ware, Hampshire county, April 21, 1843.
He was educated at the common schools, and began business in 1859. He is one of a very few successful business men who have entered upon life's work at sixteen years of age, and found no occasion to change their occupation throughout their entire career. Mr. Stevens began with the woolen business in his native place, and still resides in Ware, engaged in woolen manufacture.
Mr. Stevens is unmarried. He is a director in the Ware National Bank, and in 1882 was sent as a representative to the General Court, where he served upon the committee on railroads. In 1889 he was a member of the Senate, and again
served upon the committee on railroads and on education. For many years he has been secretary of the 11th congres- sional district Republican committee.
STEVENS, CHARLES EDWIN, son of Ansel and Sarah (Knight) Stevens, was born in Greenwood, Oxford county, Maine, February 25, 1847. His ancestors were among the oldest settlers of Maine, and patriots of the revolution. His father was a farmer, and a representative of one of the oldest families of that region.
When he was six years old his father moved to Sutton, where the son obtained a common school education, and afterwards studied at the Wesleyan Academy at Wil- braham. He was learning the machinist's trade, at Whitinsville, when the war of the rebellion broke out, and he enlisted in the 42d Massachusetts regiment.
After his return he was for several years engaged as book-keeper and superintend- ent in the manufacturing establishments at Leeds. In 1881, with Mr. Mulligan of
CHARLES E. STEVENS.
Springfield, president of the Connecticut River Railroad, he established the Crystal Emery Wheel Works, at Northampton, of which he was made treasurer and manager.
In politics Mr. Stevens is a pronounced Republican, and has served with efficiency upon the local committee many years. He
579
STEVENS.
STEVENS.
is a member of the Northampton Grand Army post, and a member of the "old " Congregational church - a cautious, en- terprising man, thoroughly interested in reforms, and active in all questions of pub- lic improvement.
On the 20th of January, 1878, at Leeds, Mr. Stevens married Annetta M., daughter of William F. and Maria E. (Jackson) Quigley. Their children are : Grace Mil- dred and Mabel Annetta Stevens.
STEVENS, CHARLES GODFREY, son of Godfrey and Hannah (Pool) Stevens, was born in Claremont, Sullivan county, N. H., September 16, 1821.
His early education was obtained in the common schools and the high school of Claremont, supplemented by attendance at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H. Later, he was a student of Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, Conn., studying also at Dartmouth College ; he then spent a short time at the law school, Harvard University.
He began the practice of law at Clare- mont, N. H. The year 1845 found him practicing law in Boston, but in 1846 he removed to Clinton, where he has since remained in the practice of his profession.
Mr. Stevens was married in Bellows Falls, Vt., September 29, 1846, to Laura A., daughter of Eli and Hepzibeth Floyd Russell. Of this union were three chil- dren : Edward G., Charles R. (deceased), and Ellen K. Stevens.
Mr. Stevens was a member of the Con- stitutional Convention in 1853, and state senator in 1862 and '63. He was for many years senior warden in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Clinton; a director in sev- eral insurance companies ; secretary and solicitor of the Clinton Savings Bank (since 1851) ; was judge of 2d district court of eastern Worcester from its establishment until his resignation in 1880, and a member of the school board of Lancaster and Clin- ton for many years. He is president of the First National Bank of Clinton.
He took an active part in the division of Lancaster, as chairman of the residents of Clinton seeking a division, and has filled the office of moderator at the annual town meetings for nearly every year since the incorporation of the town in 1850. He organized the public schools of Clinton, preparing rules and regulations for graded schools.
He was largely instrumental in the estab- lishment of a Mechanics' Institute; was its first librarian, and aided in transferring its property to the Bigelow Library Associa-
tion, and from the association to the town -its five thousand volumes forming the nucleus for a free public library, now con- taining nearly fifteen thousand volumes.
STEVENS, FRANCIS H., son of Moses and Maria (Stearns) Stevens, was born in Boxborough, Middlesex county, June 11, 1839, and received his early education in the common schools of his native town. He began active life in farming and the milk business, and subsequently was senior partner in the firm of F. II. Stevens & Son, excursionists, from which he retired in 1888 to carry on the farm, and engage in the insurance business and real estate.
During the war he served in the 26th regiment, Massachusetts volunteers, from 1861 to '65, and was appointed a justice of the peace by Governor Ames in 1887. He is commander of the Isaac Davis Post, No. 138, G. A. R., has been chairman of the board of selectmen for the last five years, and town treasurer for the last four years, besides holding various other town offices.
On the 13th of April, 1864, Mr. Stevens was married, at Harvard, to Frances A., daughter of Nathaniel and Lucy (Taylor) Mead. Their only child is Eugene C. Stevens.
His present residence is at Stow.
STEVENS, FRANCIS JEWETT, son of John Sherburne and Lucy (Jewett) Stev- ens, was born on the 20th of June, 1824, at Gilford, Belknap county, N. H.
His early education was accomplished at home. When nine years old he was sent to a private school taught by the late Dudley Leavitt, the originator of "Leav- itt's Almanac;" then he attended a dis- trict school, and afterward the Pembroke and Gilford academies, until his majority.
When twenty-one years old he went to Schenectady, N. Y., and was for several months clerk in a book store. He then entered the office of the late Dr. John Lacy, where he learned the art of dentis- try, and began the study of medicine, which he completed in the office of the late Dr. G. W. Garland, at Meredith Bridge, N. H. (now Laconia). He at- tended lectures and graduated at the Al- bany Medical College in the class of 1851, and began the practice of medicine in Hampstead, N. H., where he remained for four years, removing to Haverhill, Mass., in 1855, where, until 1878, he combined the professions of medicine and dentistry in active practice, since which time he has added the care of a farm to his profession.
580
STEVENS.
Dr. Stevens has been twice married: first in Gilford, N. H., January 1, 1852, to Susan Elizabeth, daughter of Zebedee and Lucy (Potter) Morrill, who died in 1873. April 16, 1874, he was married, in Boxford, Mass., to Lydia Helen, daughter of Daniel and Lydia (Batchelder) Gould. He has no children.
He is a member of Mutual Relief Lodge of Odd Fellows No. 83, of Haverhill, and has filled almost every office, both in the lodge and encampment branch of the order. For several years he was president of the Haverhill Odd Fellows' Hall Associa- tion. He became a member of Merrimac Masonic Lodge in 1855, and in that, too, has filled almost every office, from steward to master. He was a charter member of the Pentucket Chapter, Haverhill Council, and Haverhill Commandery ; he was first master of Haverhill Council, and an of- ficer in all of them almost continuously from their organization in 1878. For eight years he was recording officer of the four bodies and received the degrees of the A. & A. Rite to the 32d degree in Bos- ton in 1864.
He is president of the Boxford Natural History Society, and was for three years a member of the school committee in Hampstead, N. H., also. for the same length of time in Haverhill, and for eight years in Boxford, which is his present residence.
For two years, 1864 and '67, Dr. Stevens was a representative from Haverhill to the General Court, and was appointed coroner by Governor Claflin, which office he held till the same was abolished. For two years he was chairman of the Haver- hill Republican town committee. For a year he had charge of the "Haverhill Gazette," establishing the " Daily," when the ill health of his aged father obliged him to abandon further interest in the undertaking, and his own health at present prohibits him from taking such active parts in his profession as he is well adapted to fill.
STEVENS, HOMER BEMIS, son of Washington and Ruth Simons (Bemis) Stevens, was born in Norwich (now Hunt- ington), Hampshire county, September 9, 1835.
He was educated in the public schools, at Williston Seminary, where he fitted for college, 1852 and '53, and at Williams College, from which he was graduated with high honors in the class of 1857.
Choosing the profession of law, he pur- sued his legal studies in Westfield, and began law practice in Boston, in 1859.
STEVENS.
He subsequently removed to Westfield, and from 1860 to '85 was associated in practice with the Hon. E. B. Gillett, one of the leading lights of the profession in western Massachusetts.
In 1886 he was appointed judge of the district court of western Hampden, which position he still holds.
Mr. Stevens was married in Huntington, April 10, 1861, to Mariette, daughter of Moses and Juvenelia (Curtis) Hannum. They have an adopted child : Bella Horton Stevens.
STEVENS, JAMES TRIMBLE, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth A. Stevens, was born in Braintree, Norfolk county, June 20, 1835. His education was principally gained from the district schools of Brain- tree and the Hollis Institute, an academy of high standing at that time. He began life as a practical workman with the old firm of Randall & Co., tack manufacturers.
JAMES T. STEVENS.
He continued steadily at this employment for ten years, when the civil war turned aside for a time the current of his life. He went to the front as ist lieutenant, company C, 4th regiment, Massachusetts militia. The company having served out its term, he returned to Braintree, and again left for the seat of war, captain of company 1, 42d regiment, Massachusetts volunteers.
581
STEVENS.
At the close of the war he renewed his connection with the tack business as an employee, and in 1868 associated himself with G. D. Willis, forming the firm of Stevens & Willis, tack manufacturers. His business now includes the manufacture of nails.
Mr. Stevens was married in Braintree, December 12, 1860, to Myra F., daughter of George W. and Myra A. Willis. Of this union are two children : Idella F. and George W. Stevens.
Mr. Stevens was a representative to the General Court, 1876, from Braintree, and senator from the Ist Norfolk district, 1888 and '89.
He was the first commander of Post 87, G. A. R., of Braintree. He is treasurer of the trustees of South Braintree M. E. church, a trustee of the Braintree Savings Bank, has been chief engineer of the fire depart- ment, and is president of the Braintree Rural Improvement Association. He is a member of Delta Lodge, F. & A. M., Weymouth, and of South Shore Com- mandery.
Mr. Stevens has always been interested in music, having been president of two or- ganizations in his native town, and was president of the Braintree Musical Society, which contributed its share to the great success attending the wonderful " Peace Jubilee " held in Boston in 1872.
STEVENS, MOSES TYLER, son of Na- thaniel and Harriet (Hale) Stevens, was born in North Andover, Essex county, Oc- tober 10, 1825.
He prepared for college in the Franklin Academy, North Andover, and Phillips Academy, Andover, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1842. He entered Dartmouth College in 1842, but left his collegiate course the next year to learn the business of manufacturing flan- nels, in which his father had been engaged since 1813.
He became a partner in 1850, the firm being Nathaniel Stevens & Son. These relations continued until 1876, when the firm was dissolved. He now began the manufacture of ladies' dress-goods, and continued on his own account until 1886, when his sons, Nathaniel and Samuel D., were admitted as partners, and the house took the name of M. T. Stevens & Sons, operating mills at North Andover, Ando- ver, and Haverhill, and Franklin, N. H.
Mr. Stevens was married in North An- dover, May 5, 1853, to Charlotte Emeline, daughter of Isaac and Charlotte (Adams) Osgood. Six children are the issue of
STEVENSON.
this marriage : Mary O., Nathaniel, Samuel D., Virginia, Helen, and Moses T. Stev- ens, Jr.
Mr. Stevens was a member of the House of Representatives in 1861, and of the state Senate in 1868 ; is a director of the Ando- ver National Bank ; a trustee of the An- dover Savings Bank ; a director of the
MOSES T. STEVENS.
Merrimac Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and president of the Stevens Linen Works, Webster. He continues to reside in his native place, North Andover.
STEVENSON, JOHN LINDSAY, son of Joseph and Judith (True) Stevenson, was born in Fremont, Rockingham county, N. H., December 27, 1833.
His youth was spent on a farm in his native town, and his school opportunities were such as country towns then afforded. At the age of fourteen years he left his home and went to South Hampton, N. H., and served an apprenticeship in carriage building. In 1852 he removed to Law- rence, and was employed in the construc- tion of locomotive engines. While thus engaged an accident happened to him, Oc- tober 2, 1852, which, resulting in perma- nent injury to one of his limbs, completely changed his plans of life and caused him to relinquish his mechanical taste and pur- suit.
I
582
STEVENSON.
After a severe illness and long confine- ment, he came to Boston, entered a com- mercial college, and fitted himself for an accountant. Subsequently, and for nearly ten years, he was employed as book-keeper, at the expiration of which time, January I, 1862, he established himself in business at Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, under the firm name of John L. Stevenson & Co., importers and dealers in wine, spirits, and liquors, where he has continued in business until the present time.
Mr. Stevenson began his Masonic career in 1856, and has ever since been identified with that fraternity. He has passed through the chairs in various Masonic bodies, bring-
JOHN L. STEVENSON.
ing to his duties an intelligent and work- ful spirit, infusing earnestness of purpose and securing unusual prosperity. He was created a sovereign grand inspector-gen- eral for the thirty-third and last degree, and an honorary member of the supreme council, N. M. J., September 18, 1878. The honorary memberships conferred upon him best indicate the esteem in which he is held by his brethren. He is an honorary mem- ber of Mt. Lebanon Lodge, Boston; Ami- cable Lodge, Cambridge ; St. John's Lodge, Conception, Chili ; Boston Commandery, Boston ; St. John's Commandery, Phila- delphia ; Boston Lodge of Perfection, Bos-
STOCKBRIDGE.
ton ; Mt. Calvary Chapter of Rose Croix, Lowell, and of the consistories of Vermont and Massachusetts.
He was president of the Athenian Club in 1881-'82, and of the Boston Club in 1882-'83; is a member of the New England and New Hampshire clubs, and one of the board of directors of the Society of Sons of the American Revolution. He also is a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and was its commander in 1877-'78.
Mr. Stevenson is a man of large frame, robust health, active brain, and generous disposition, best appreciated by those who are honored with his intimate friendship. His ability as an organizer appears in all matters to which he devotes his energies. His good judgment, indomitable will, and executive skill were especially conspicuous in conceiving and executing with absolute success the unparalleled pilgrimage of Boston Commandery to San Francisco, Cal., in 1883.
In September, 1853, he married Ellen Bridge Hawkins, of Dover, N. H. His maternal grandfather was Captain Benja- min True, a soldier in the revolutionary war ; his father served in the war of 1812-'14 ; his brother, William Stevenson, served during the war of the rebellion, in the 2d N. H. regiment. Other members of the family also served the country in various New England organizations during the rebellion, and only for the disability incurred in 1852, he would also have been early in the contest.
He has four children living : two sons and two daughters. His eldest son was four years at West Point Military Academy, and subsequently served on the staff of Governor Benjamin F. Butler of Massa- chusetts.
STOCKBRIDGE, LEVI, was born in North Hadley, Hampshire county, March 13, 1820.
He was educated in the public schools and academies of his native town. His tastes led him early to agricultural pur- suits, into which he threw the weight of his energies, and it was not very long be- fore the advantages of a scientific knowl- edge and the diligent application of scien- tific principles brought their legitimate reward to the faithful student.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.