History of East Braintree, (Norfolk County) Massachusetts United States of America

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John Prince Lovell, manufacturer, was born in East Braintree, Mass., July 25, 1820; son of John Prince and Esther (Derby) Lovell. His ancestors, John and Jane (Hatch) Lovell, were residents of Weymouth, Mass., previous to 1678, in which year they removed to Barnstable, Mass. His father died in 1821, and he was obliged to leave school and work in a cotton factory. He removed to Boston with his mother in 1832 and attended the Hawkins grammar school one year. He was employed by Aaron B. Fairbanks in his gunsmith shop for three months, and was subsequently an apprentice to Mr. Fairbanks, gunsmith, until his majority. In 1839 he was made foreman of the shop, and in 1840 was offered a partnership in the business. Mr. Fairbanks agreeing to give him half-interest and to furnish the amount of capital required. Upon Mr. Fairbanks's death, Aug. 27, 1841, with Leonard Grover, a fellow-workman in the shop, Mr. Lovell acquired the entire plant, and the firm became Lovell & Grover. In 1844 Lovell bought out Ida partner's interest, and with his sons built up the John P. Lovell Arms Co., of which he was president and which became one of the most important business enterprises in Boston. He was the first president of the East Weymouth Savings bank for ten years and a director of the Weymouth National bank for twenty years. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1864, and refused the nomination for state senator. He was married, Aug. 17, 1841, to Lydia D. Whiton, of Weymouth, Mass. To this union was born five sons?John Whiton, Benjamin S. (1845-1900); Thomas P., Warren D., and George A. Lovell. His second marriage was to Lucinda W. Rice, who had one son, Henry L. Lovell. Mr. Lovell died at Cottage City, Mass., July 29, 1897.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of East Braintree, (Norfolk County) Massachusetts

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