USA > New Hampshire > Genealogical and biographical records of American families, representative citizens: New Hampshire > Part 5
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Mr. Johnson took a keen and active interest in the business, civic, and social life of his town and could always be counted upon to encourage any movement for the benefit of the general welfare. His many fine qualities and sterling honesty were appreciated by all who knew him and had dealings with him, and it was said of him that his word was as good as his bond.
The following is quoted from the "Adirondack Daily Enterprise" of February 25, 1929:
"It is certain that there was not a better or more favorably known man in all this section of the Adirondacks than Dick Johnson. His courageous fight against an incurable malady aroused the greatest ad- miration upon the part of his scores of friends. Their grief was most sincere when word of his passing reached them today."
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Richard Henry Johnson married, March 5, 1885, Lillian Burt, daughter of Wesley C. and Sabrina (Bigelow) Burt, of Clintonville, New York.
DUM
SPERO
SPIRO
mason
Arms: Or, a lion rampant affrontee azure. Crest: A mermaid proper holding in the dexter hand a mirror and in the sinister, a comb. Motto: Dum Spiro, Spero.
MASON
THE surname Mason is of ancient English origin and it is frequently mentioned in early Colonial Records. Several scions of this old patronymic have brought further honor to an already honored name by virtue of their several accomplishments.
SAMPSON MASON, the immigrant ancestor, was a Cromwellian soldier in his native England. He came to America about 1649, and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, where he purchased a house and some land in 1650, which he sold in 1657, when he re- moved to Rehoboth, Massachusetts, where he finally settled. He obtained grants of land south of Rehoboth from the Indians, in the town of Swansey, which place lists his name as one of the original as- sociates and founders of the town, and one of the original proprietors of the "North Purchase", later known as Attleborough, Massachusetts. It is prob- able that he was a cordwainer by trade, as on the Suf- folk County records, there is the record of the settle- ment of the estate of Edward Bullock, of Dorchester, which shows a debt due Sampson Mason for his wife's shoes.
Butterworth
Arms: Gules, on a chevron or between two lions rampant in chief and an eagle displayed with two heads in base, or three crosses crosslet azure.
Crest: An eagle, wings elevated, erminois, supporting with the dexter claw an escutcheon azure charged with a cross crosslet or.
一
MASON
Sampson Mason married Mary Butterworth, who was believed to be a daughter of John Butterworth of Weymouth, and they were the parents of 12 children. He died in 1676.
NOAH MASON, son of Sampson and Mary (Butter- worth) Mason, was born about 1651, in Dorchester, and died March 21, 1700, in Rehoboth. His first wife's name was Martha and she died in 1675. He married (second) in 1677, Sarah Fitch, a daughter of John and Mary Fitch.
NOAH MASON, JR., son of Noah and Sarah (Fitch) Mason, was born December 17, 1678, in Rehoboth, and died August 29, 1744. He owned a large tract of land which was formerly the old homestead of Samuel Mason, in that section which is now East Providence, Rhode Island. He was also one of the owners of the old Providence Ferry. Noah Mason, Jr., married Mary, daughter of Henry and Joanna Sweeting.
JOHN MASON, son of Noah Mason, Jr. and Mary (Sweeting) Mason, was born in Rehoboth, September 9, 1718, and followed the occupation of tanner. He '
ל
MASON
married Elizabeth Grafton, of Providence, and they were the parents of three sons.
JOHN MASON, JR., son of John and Elizabeth (Grafton) Mason, was born June 20, 1762, in Rehoboth, and died in Attleboro in 1838. He mar- ried May 17, 1795, Mrs. Hannah (Richardson) Campbell, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah Richard- son and widow of John Campbell, who died April 1, 1839.
JAMES MASON, son of John Mason, Jr., and Mrs. Hannah (Richardson) Campbell Mason, was born February 26, 1800, in Attleboro, and married in 1826, Abigail Freeman, a daughter of Abial and Abigail (Stanley) Freeman. She was born October 7, 1790.
THOMAS FRANCIS MASON, son of James and Abigail (Freeman) Mason, was youngest of a family of three children. He was born April 22, 1832, in Attleboro, and died in North Attleboro, January 22, 1905. In his youth he learned the jeweler's trade which he followed throughout his active years. He married Harriet Collins, a daughter of Charles and
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Cynthia B. (Sweet) Collins and she died August 6, 1917. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: (1) Francis J., who died young; (2) Maria I., who also died in infancy; (3) James Frank, of whom further; (4) Charles O., of whom further.
CHARLES O. MASON, son of Thomas Francis and Harriett (Collins) Mason, was born August 7, 1867, in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, where he died June 8, 1911, on the threshold of a most promising career. He was educated in the public schools of North Attleboro, and Bryant & Stratton Business College in Providence, Rhode Island. Following his graduation, he was employed by the Gold Medal Braid Company of Attleboro, until 1891, when he formed a partnership with his brother J. Frank Mason to manufacture boxes for jewelry, under the firm name of the Mason Box Company.
With the same business acumen which marked his later executive affairs, Mr. Mason began the venture in a small way. For the first few months, the factory was in a barn in the rear of the Mason home. A few girls and boys from the neighborhood were the em-
MASON
ployees and the local jewelry trade was the retail source. Prosperity and good fortune was attendant upon the enterprise and very soon it became neces- sary to enlarge the space. The business was soon on a basis that warranted the building of a plant and the installing of modern equipment. Today it is one of the important industries of North Attleboro, and the factory covers a space of sixty-five thousand square feet. Everything that is necessary in the display and box line in the jewelry business is manufactured by the Mason Box Company. The plant is a real bene- faction to the community on account of the large number of people employed. Mr. Mason was also one of the founders of the Mason-Lenzen Company of North Attleboro.
Not only did Mr. Mason contribute to the indus- trial interests of Attleboro, but he was also keenly in- terested in its civic affairs. He was a public spirited citizen and was an important member of the Finance Committee of North Attleboro. Another project in which he was particularly zealous was in the manage- ment of the electric light and water plant. He gave much time and thought to perfecting his ideas in this
MASON
direction and had the great satisfaction of seeing many of his plans mature previous to his death. He was never too busy to devote a certain portion of his time to town affairs and as a member of the Board of Trade, he rendered invaluable service. He was a director of the Manufacturers Bank of Attleboro, and of the Attleboro Savings Bank.
His genial and pleasant nature brought him into several fraternal organizations. He was a member of Bristol Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Attleboro, and of several other affiliated bodies.
The following editorial is quoted from a local paper contemporary with the death of Mr. Mason and it expresses the high esteem and respect in which he was held by his fellow citizens:
"In the death of Charles O. Mason, North Attleboro lost one of its most highly esteemed and public-spirited citizens. He was a wide- awake, progressive and enterprising business man, and was exceptionally successful. From a small enterprise with its home in a barn, the Mason Box Company grew until it reached its
MASON
present large proportions and much of the suc- cess was due to the splendid ability of the dear departed. Mr. Mason was also identified with everything that stood for the advancement and progress of North Attleboro. Every public- spirited movement claimed in him an ardent and enthusiastic supporter. As a member of the elec- tric light and water boards, Mr. Mason was a most zealous worker, and the value of his service to the town in those positions could not be fully estimated. In many other ways, he was a splendid worker for the town. The loss of Mr. Mason just in the prime of life is a severe blow to North Attleboro, the magnitude of which words cannot adequately express. But this is certain, he did all in his power and means to help the town, and it is gratifying to realize that his efforts were ap- preciated and that with his departure to the heavenly world he leaves the whole town bowed down in deepest grief."
Charles O. Mason married October 6, 1892, Ellen Louise Blanchard, daughter of Hartwell Hooker and Sarah Jane (Thurston) Blanchard. They were the parents of a son, Thurston Blanchard Mason, who died in infancy.
MASON
J. FRANK MASON
JAMES FRANK MASON, son of Thomas Francis and Harriet (Collins) Mason, was born in North Attle- boro, Massachusetts, July 20, 1860, and died at Day- tona Beach, Florida, March 18, 1930. Except for the time spent in traveling, practically all of his sixty- eight years were spent in his native town of North Attleboro, where he was one of the most esteemed and beloved citizens. There he received his education in the public schools, later attending the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Providence, Rhode Island.
His first experience in business was as a clerk in the employ of the R. F. Simmons Company, manu- facturers of jewelry in North Attleboro. He wished to learn this business in all its detail and after spend- ing some time with the Simmons Company, he en- tered the employ of the Mason, Draper Company, where he had further experience. Subsequently, he became superintendent of the plant of D. F. Briggs Company. Mr. Mason now felt that he had a general knowledge of the various phases of jewelry manu-
MASON BOX COM
MASON BOX COMPANY
MASON
facturing and at this time in partnership with his brother, Charles O. Mason, he formed the Mason Box Company of which he was president until his death. This company was organized to manufacture all kinds of jewelry boxes. It started from a very modest beginning, utilizing an old barn in the rear of the Mason home as a factory; employing a few boys and girls from the neighborhood and distributing their finished product locally. From the outset their busi- ness policy was "Fair Dealing with all Customers; Originality and Quality."
Thus from this little acorn, the great oak of prog- ress, industry and success which is today the Mason Box Company has grown. It is very safe to say that a large measure of this success is entirely due to the adherence in every way to the motto and to the honest dealings of J. Frank Mason and his brother, C. O. Mason. The present plant covers sixty-five thousand square feet of floor space. The most modern machinery is installed there and many of the innova- tions and inventions are the ideas of Mr. Mason.
All kinds of jewelry boxes are manufactured, in-
MASON
1
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND PLANT
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cluding paper display boxes of every description for jewelry and silverware, express and mailing boxes. They also manufacture novelties to meet the display needs and their product includes everything possible required in the jewelry trade, regarding containers and equipment. A complete jewelry card department is another feature of the plant and a display pad de- partment, as well as a line of leather novelties.
They also maintain a completely equipped print- ing and steel die printing department and employ nearly 300 people in the factory at North Attleboro, and in a branch which is located in Providence, Rhode Island, they give employment to one hundred and twenty people. This company maintains a central office in New York City. The Mason Box Company is premier in this particular field, throughout the United States, and the product of their plant is found in all the leading jewelry establishments.
Mr. Mason was interested in the welfare of those in his employ and the faithful performance of duty was always rewarded with a promotion or salary in- crease. His will made provision for those who had
J. FRANK MASON RESIDENCE
MASON
served him long and the terms of the will are such that eventually the business will pass into the owner- ship of these employees. Mr. Mason was also one of the founders and an officer of the Mason-Lenzen Company of North Attleboro.
Other business connections included membership in the Board of Directors of the Manufacturers Bank of Attleboro and the Attleboro Savings Bank.
A man could not possess the qualities of Mr. Mason without being a most public spirited citizen. Despite the great demand of his business on his time, he did not hesitate to assume his share of the public burden. He served as selectman for three terms, was president of the Young Men's Christian Association for several years, vice-president of the Rotary Club and of the Community Chest. He donated the land which formed the public playground of the children of Falls Village, and in his will the public institutions are remembered with substantial bequests. It is also willed that one day his beautiful home, with the sur- rounding grounds, shall be the site of the new North Attleboro Hospital. He was a great believer in the
MASON
greatest good to the greatest number and was always eager to aid any movement which was for the benefit of the public at large. When the community hotel project was launched, it was largely due to Mr. Mason's interest and untiring labor that the under- taking was a success, resulting in the present Hotel Hixon and Mr. Mason held the office of president of the Company until his death.
His fraternal connections were many; he was a member of the Masonic order having passed through nearly all the chairs, and he was a member of the Elk fraternity and of the Red Men. His friends were legion; he was known to everyone in North Attle- boro and surrounding territory and the sorrow of his passing was felt by every man, woman and child.
The local paper carried this tribute to his memory, which is quoted in full herewith.
"J. Frank Mason, North Attleboro, born and bred, comes back home today from Florida where he passed away on Tuesday morning. His body will rest in his home on Mount Hope Street overlooking the site of his birth and the site of
MASON
the manufacturing plant which developed under the guidance of the Mason boys-Charles and Frank. He will be buried within the shadow of these places he loved so well. We cannot speak formally about J. Frank. He was such a demo- cratic person that nearly every one called him J. Frank and he took it as a tribute. He lived a most useful life, making it possible for hun- dreds of persons to earn a living in his plant, as- sisting every charitable proposition by service as well as funds, serving his town as an official and being solicitous of the well being of the youth. North Attleboro has lost another of its benefac- tors. The town joins with his family in sharing their sorrow in his passing."
Mr. Mason married November 21, 1921, Rosella Platt, daughter of Thomas B. and Rose (Taylor) Platt of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
PITMAN
THE patronymic Pitman is of that class of sur- names derived from the situation of their residence. Thus the name Pitman was given to one who originally resided in the vicinity of a "pit".
The Pitman family of New Hampshire is of English lineage, three English emigrants having settled there; two in Lee, then a part of Dover and the third in Conway, New Hampshire. It is recorded in Dover that William Pitman, of that place, married Barbara Evans at Boston, November 29, 1653 ; Ezekiel Pitman or Pitnam was in New Hampshire in 1683; Joseph Pitman, of Dover, in the service of William Tasket, was discharged by the court in 1656 for cruelty to his master. He was killed by the Indians, August 19, 1704. It would seem, judging from early records of the Pitmans' in New Hampshire, that they are descended from a common ancestor, though family tradition has it otherwise.
Members of the Pitman family were among the early settlers in what is now Belknap County, New Hampshire, and have been outstanding in the history of that region as well as in other parts of the state.
PITMAN
Several of them were Quakers, and kept apart from the public records.
JOHN PITMAN was born in Lee, New Hampshire, May 7, 1732, and died in Barnstead, New Hampshire, February 28, 1834. He, with his brother Samuel, settled in Barnstead in 1789.
"His lands which were in the eastern part of Barnstead had not been cleared and there was no public road opened in that neighborhood. He began cultivating his land, one acre at a time, and though the wolves and bears menaced his flocks and crops, and he endured many difficulties and hardships, he triumphed over all obstacles through his industry and thriftiness. A man of stern integrity, he taught his children to be faithful to their friends, charitable to the distressed and honest in all their dealings. He was enjoying good health on his one hundredth birth- day and on that day sent for his pastor, Reverend Enos George, who baptized him and partook of the sacrament with him. He felt as though it were the dawn of a new life. About that time he purchased a set of teeth, which, to the people in his neighborhood,
PITMAN
were considered a wonder. He lived to the age of 101 years and was buried in the field where a plain stone bears record of his name and age and from that loca- tion has originated the present Pitman Cemetery Incorporation of Barnstead, New Hampshire.
His descendants occupied the old homestead until the fifth generation.
He married, Susannah, who was born in 1740 and died March 6, 1835, at the age of ninety-five.
JOHN PITMAN, son of John and Susannah Pitman, was born in 1770. He died at his father's homestead, where he had always resided, in 1856.
He married Shuah Lougee, who was born in 1780 and died in 1859.
JOHN PITMAN, probably a son of John and Shuah (Lougee) Pitman, removed from Barnstead to Alex- andria, New Hampshire, where he was an industrious and prosperous farmer. He was an active member of the Congregational church and a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party.
PITMAN
He married Fanny Miles, a relative of General Miles, retired commander-in-chief of the United States Army. John Pitman died at the age of ninety- seven in Alexandria.
GEORGE T. PITMAN, son of John and Fanny (Miles) Pitman, was born in Alexandria, August 4, 1835, and died in Barnstead, February 26, 1895. He was educated in the schools of Barnstead. After com- pleting his education he obtained work in a bobbin mill in Nashua, New Hampshire, and later removed to Alexandria, where he was occupied in farming until 1883. In that year he removed to Barnstead and engaged in moderate farming, real estate and the lumber business.
He was a democrat in politics and was interested in all civic affairs.
George T. Pitman married, in 1865, Aurilla M. Brock, daughter of John and Maria (Scruton) Brock of Alexandria. They were the parents of three children: Arthur John, of whom further, Albert and Eva.
Arthury Pelwane
PITMAN
ARTHUR JOHN PITMAN, son of George T. and Aurilla M. (Brock) Pitman, was born in Alexandria, July 4, 1868, and died in Manchester, New Hamp- shire, July 14, 1929. He attended school in Alex- andria until he was fourteen years of age, when his family removed to Barnstead where he completed his preliminary education. He then attended the high school at Pittsfield and the Austin-Cate Academy of Strafford, New Hampshire, after which he finished a preliminary study of medicine with Doctor John Wheeler, of Pittsfield, as preceptor. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1891 with a degree of M. D. and then took a post-graduate course at Harvard University. He received several hospital appointments at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the State Hospital at Tewksbury.
In 1892, Dr. Pitman began the practice of his profession in Auburn, New Hampshire, and a year later moved to the adjoining town of Candia, New Hampshire, where he successfully engaged in general practice. For the next two decades he was the out- standing physician in that locality, as well as, in the
PITMAN
surrounding towns of Auburn, Chester, Raymond and Deerfield.
During 1903-1904, Dr. Pitman did post-graduate work in Boston and New York and in 1912 and 1913 respectively, took courses at the New York Poly- clinic Medical School and Hospital, and the New York Post-Graduate Medical School.
In 1914, he removed to Manchester, New Hamp- shire, where he was actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery until the time of his death, often responding to the calls from his former field of labor. He was assistant surgeon in Beacon Hill Hospital from 1917-1926 and of Notre Dame Hospital from 1926-1929.
He continued to maintain the offices on the sixth floor of the Amoskeag Bank Building in which he began to practice his profession when he located in Manchester and lived twelve years at 290 Hanover Street where he made extensive property repairs. In 1926, he removed to a more retiring location on the River Road North where he died very suddenly of
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angina pectoris at the age of 61 years, survived by his widow, his brother Albert and his sister Mrs. Eva M. Slate.
Dr. Pitman was a member of the Hillsboro County Medical Society; the Manchester Medical Association; the New Hampshire State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was president of the Manchester Medical Association in 1927, and often served as a member on important committees. He took a keen interest in the District Nursing Association and its program for the welfare of the needy and unfortunate of his city.
At Dartmouth College, Dr. Pitman was one of the first members of the Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternity. He was also a member of Rockingham Lodge, No. 76, F. & A. M. of Candia; Adah Chapter, No. 9, Order of the Eastern Star and Leola Lodge, No. 70, of Candia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Manchester.
The following resolutions were adopted at the time of Dr. Pitman's death:
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From the Manchester Medical Society:
"WHEREAS, the all wise Creator has seen fit to remove from our midst ARTHUR J. PITMAN, M. D., whose privilege it was to serve his fellow men in the noblest of callings, in the alleviation of their sufferings and distress, responding at all times without thought of self;
"WHEREAS, his standing amongst his fellow practitioners was most exemplary, the loss to the community and his professional associates will be deeply mourned by all;
"THEREFORE, be it resolved that these resolu- tions be spread upon the records of the Manchester Medical Society, and a copy thereof, with our sympathy, be extended to Mrs. Arthur J. Pitman.
M. P. BADGER, M. D. GEO. V. FISKE, M. D. JESSE S. BRAGG, M. D.
Committee".
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From Rockingham Lodge, No. 76, F. & A. M. of Candia:
"Once again a brother Mason, having com- pleted the designs written for him on life's trestle board, has passed through the portals of Eternity and entered the Grand Lodge of the New Jeru- salem and hath received as his reward, the white stone with the new name written thereon.
"And Whereas, the all-wise and merciful Master of the universe has called from labor to refreshments our beloved and respected brother, he having been a true and faithful member of our beloved Order, therefore be it
"RESOLVED, That Rockingham Lodge, No. 76, F. & A. M. of Candia, New Hampshire, in testi- mony of her loss, drape its charter in mourning for thirty days and that we tender to the family of our deceased brother our sincere condolence in their deep affliction and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family.
CHARLES L. FLINT WILLIS S. LOUGEE ALFRED N. SANBORN
Committee."
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From Adah Chapter, No. 9, Order of the Eastern Star of Candia:
"Suddenly the dread alarm has sounded again at our Chapter door and brother Arthur J. Pitman has answered the summons and passed with the Boatman, cold and pale, to the better shores of the Spirit land.
"RESOLVED, that our cup of sorrow is over- flowing with his loss. We shall miss his pleasant smile and kindly words.
'WHEREAS, we will ever hold in sacred memory his fidelity to friends, his thoughtfulness of the sick and unfortunate, and his true love for home, making it a shining place.
"RESOLVED, We can not really think of him as being far away,
His love, we know, is with us, un- failing, day by day.
"RESOLVED, that while we fondly cherish the memory of this brother, we will not forget those he loved. Our hearts go out in sympathy to the bereaved wife, brother and sister who have lost a dear companion. They never quite leave us, the friends who have passed through the shadows of
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death to the sunlight above. A thousand bright memories hold them fast to the places they blessed with their presence and love.
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