USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 44
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Lewis Historical Fub Co
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BIOGRAPHICAL
first woman school board member in the United States, was a woman of prominence and usefulness in educational affairs in Rhode Island. Her mantle fell upon her daughter, and the choice of Mrs. Barker as the speaker of the day upon the fortieth anniversary of the Rhode Island Normal School was a tribute to the service of both. Mrs. Barker possesses great executive ability, is a graceful pre- siding officer and a ready public speaker." She is a woman of splendid presence, and has lent her support and influence to many worthy patriotic and civic causes.
The former home of Mrs. Barker is well named "The Outlook," and has an unrivalled location in Tiverton, overlooking Narragansett Bay and the surrounding country about Mount Hope Bay. The grounds were artistically laid out by Mrs. Barker, and the mansion was tastefully and beautifully ap- pointed. They had a fine library and have collected treasures from all parts of the world. Mrs. Bar- ker's collection of more than 11,000 book plates, said to be one of the best in this country, and the first made by a woman, was exhibited at the At- lanta Exposition and was awarded a medal.
NATHAN DURFEE-The importance of the po- sition Nathan Durfee holds, plant executive and as- sistant treasurer of the American Printing Com- pany, can be better appreciated by knowing that the corporation whose destinies he guides operates 500,000 spindles in its mills, manufacturing cotton cloth, and converting it into prints and percales in its print works, which is the second largest plant in the United States in the number of printing ma- chines in use and the largest in production, 5,600 hands being employed. Mr. Durfee is a native son of Fall River, and of a family long connected with the manufacturing, financial and civic interests of that city; in fact, Durfees were large landowners at Fall River long before the building of the town. In addition to the large holdings inherent in the family, Thomas Durfee, of the third generation, married Patience Borden, daughter of Joseph Bor- den, of Freetown, and united the fortunes of two of the leading families of the district. The early Durfees were landowners and agriculturists, but in the fourth generation Charles Durfee became promi- nent in public life, and his son, Dr. Nathan Durfee, a physician, finally retired from his professional work and became identified with the moral and re- ligious life of Fall River. His son, Holder Borden Durfee, gave himself to cotton manufacturing, as has the latter's son, Nathan Durfee, to whom ref- erence was made in the opening paragraph. He is of the seventh American generation of his family and has won high standing in the business world, worthily representing this ancent Fall River family.
(I) The family history begins in England, where Thomas Durfee, born in England in 1643, settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1660. He later acquired title to lands at what is now the city of Fall River, his tract covering the area from Rod- man to Osborn streets on the south, and from the shore to Eight Rod Way. He bought that tract of
William Manchester in 1680, and gave it to his son, Benjamin Durfee, in 1709.
(II) Benjamin Durfee, son of Thomas Durfee, in addition to the lands given him by his father, pur- chased more, becoming one of the largest land- owners of the city. He married Prudence Earle in 1699, and to his son Captain William Durfee, he gave the land given him by his father. Among the children of Benjamin and 'Prudence (Earle) Durfee was a son, Thomas, of further mention.
(III) Thomas Durfee was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, November 5, 1721, and became one of the magnates of his day, living in a manner commensurate with his wealth. The farm on which he lived and died he inherited from his father, it including all that part of the Fall River of the pres- ent day lying north of the line of Elm street and south of Turner street, extending from the shore to Watuppa Lake. He owned other large tracts. and on the death of his father-in-law, Joseph Bor- den, of Freetown, he came into possession of val- uable water power. He enclosed a large park, in which he maintained a herd of deer, and at his home he entertained with generous and warm-heart- ed hospitality. Among his guests was General Lafayette, who upon his return to France acknowl- edged his entertainment by the Durfees by the gift of a pair of blooded French hounds. A high-mind- ed, upright and intelligent man, he was called to high place in the public service, and during the Revolution he used a large portion of his estate to further the cause of independence. He represented Freetown (now Fall River) for many years in the Great Court and in the General Court: sat in the State Senate thirteen sessions by election; was a inember of the governor's council six years, and judge of the Court of Sessions for Bristol county several years. He died at his home July 9, 1796. Thomas Durfee married, August 9, 1747, Patience Borden, of Freetown, daughter of Joseph Borden, and they were the parents of a large family, in- cluding a son, Charles, of further mention.
(IV) Charles Durfee was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, November 20, 1761, became one of the leading citizens of Fall River, and there died February 8, 1812. · A man of means, he gave his time to the care of his private estate and to the public service. He served as local magistrate (jus- tice of the peace) for many years, was selectman of the town, and in 1803 called to meet in his office the citizens who wished to discuss the advisability of incorporating the town of Fall River. He mar- ried, in Freetown, Massachusetts, November 23. 1792, Welthe Hathaway of Freetown, born there in 1771, died at Fall River in February, 1851, daugh- ter of Gilbert and Mary (Weaver) Hathaway. She survived her husband, and married (second) at Fall River, June 7, 1820, Silas Payne. Descent is traced in this branch through Dr. Nathan, eldest son of the ten children of Charles and Welthe (Hathaway) Durfee.
(V) Dr. Nathan Durfee was born in then Free- town, now Fall River, Massachusetts, June 18, 1799, and died there April 6, 1876. After public school
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courses he entered Brown University, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1824. Later choosing a profession, he prepared at Harvard Medical School and in 1831 was awarded the degree of M. D. by that institution. He practiced his profession for a time at Fall River, also, and for several years, con- ducted a drug store located in the first brick struc- ture erected in the township. Later, after building his own brick residence at the northeast corner of Bank and North Main streets, he established his drug store in that building. Dr. Durfee did not enjoy his professional work and finally retired from both his profession and the drug business, and while he was most of his active life interested in Fall River Mills and manufacturing he had, like his ancestors, a great love for the land and gave him- self to the care of his estate, owning it is said about 1,000 acres at one time. Among the manufac- turing and transportation corporations which he served as a director were the Iron Works; Ameri- can Print Works; the Old Fall River railroad and the Cape Cod railroad. He was one of the owners of the Bay State Steamboat Line; was principal owner of the Massasoit Steam Print Works, which burned in 1875; was interested in several banks, and after the fire of 1843 he built the Mt. Hope block, to be used as a hotel.
Dr. Durfee was a member of the Congregational church, a founder of its Sunday school, and a leader in moral thought, his activities covering a wide range. He was also a leader in civic affairs, held several city offices, and represented his district in the State House of Representatives. His large es- tate was divided by a will probated June 18, 1876, among his children, generous bequests being also made to the Foreign and Home Missionary , socie- ties. He was a man of broad sympathies, public- spirited and progressive, few men leaving a more beneficial impress upon the life of Fall River than Dr., Nathan Durfee.
Dr. Durfee married at Fall River, April 24, 1827, Delena Borden, born May 5, 1801, and died Janu- ary 30, 1863, daughter of Captain George Borden, of the prominent Borden family. Dr. and Mrs. Durfee were parents of five children, all born at Fall River: Mary Maria, born July 8, 1829; Min- erva, born January 24, 1836, died May 11, 1837; Harriet M., born July 20, 1838; Holder Borden, of whom further; and Annie G., born May 6, 1842.
(VI) Holder Borden Durfee, only son of Dr. Nathan and Delena (Borden) Durfee, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, September 20, 1840, died in the city of his birth March 4, 1919. He was a man of education and sterling business quality, growing into prominence as a cotton manufacturer and having intimate connections with several large corporations. He was one of the founders and a director of the Montauk Mills (later known as the Osborn Mill No. 2); held the same relation to the Annawan Manufactory and to the Narragansett Mills, he also serving the last-named as president. He took a deep interest in municipal affairs, and in 1875 served as chief engineer of the Volunteer
Fire Department. He was an official member of Central Congregational Church, and a member of the building committee in charge of the erection of the church edifice dedicated December 13, 1875. He met all the responsibilities of citizenship fairly, shirking no duty and meeting to the full every obligation imposed upon him.
Holder B. Durfee married, at Fall River, October 25, 1865, Sylvia B. Durfee, born September 6, 1844, died October 8, 1882, daughter of Joseph and Min- erva (Chace) Durfee. Mr. and Mrs. Durfee were the parents of a son, Nathan, of whom further; and a daughter, Anne D., born May 5, 1871.
(VII) Nathan Durfee, only son of Holder Bor- den and Sylvia B. (Durfee) Durfee, was born at Fall River, the home of his ancestors for two and cne-half centuries, and the birthplace of his grand- father, Dr. Nathan Durfee, whose name he bears. He was born September 11, 1867, and there yet re- sides, the years having brought him the responsi- bilities of the manufacturer and financier as well as their rewards. After completing public school study with graduation from B. M. C. Durfee High School, Fall River, in 1885, Nathan Durfee entered Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, whence he was graduated B. S., class of 1889. He then spent one year as civil engineer with the Masaschusetts Sew- erage Commission, then was with the Thompson- Houston Electric Company of Boston, and after the merging of that company with the General Electric Company he was for a year located in Schenectady, New York, with the latter company. He then returned to Fall River, where in 1895 he became a member of the cotton brokerage firm, Bassett & Durfee, an association that continued until 1912, when he became assistant treasurer and plant executive of the American Printing Company. He is also a director of the American Printing Company; Fall River Iron Works Company; the Metacomet National Bank; Fall River Manufactur- ers' Mutual Insurance Company; Fall River Elec- tric Light Company; Fall River Gas Works Com- pany; and is a trustee of the Fall River Five Cent Savings Bank. He is vice-president of the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, and by virtue of his office a member of the executive committee. He ably fills his place in the business life of his city, where so long the name of Durfee has been so well and so favorably known, and in his keeping the best traditions of the family are secure.
During the World War period, 1917-18, Mr. Dur- fee aided all in his power through committees and personal work in the activities of those two im- portant years. He served as vice-chairman of the Second and subsequent Liberty Loan Committees, and was a member of the City Committee on Pre- paredness, also served on the executive committee of the Red Cross. In politics he is a Republican, now chairman of the City Planning Board of Fall River and interested in all civic affairs. He serves Central Congregational Church as a member of the executive board. He is interested in the Boys' Club, of which he is vice-president and member of
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John & Milne
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BIOGRAPHICAL
the finance committee. His clubs are the Queque- chan; Fall River Country, which was organized in his office in 1898 and of which he was president the first few years of its life; Rhode Island Country; Acoaxet; Merchants', and Union League of New York City; and the Wardroom, of Boston
Mr. Durfee married, June 2, 1897, Helena Wood- row Brown, of Chillicothe, Ohio, born November 30, 1869, daughter of Allison and Elizabeth (Barry) Brown. To Mr. and Mrs. Durfee two children have been born: Dorothy, born October 15, 1900, at Fall River; she was educated at Miss Porter's School at Farmington, Connecticut. 2. Nathan Barry, born May 11, 1904, at Fall River; he is a graduate of Hotchkiss Preparatory School, Lake- ville, Connecticut, class of 1922, now a freshman at Yale University.
JOHN CRUICKSHANK MILNE-On his nine- tieth birthday, May 18, 1914, John C. Milne, after eighty-two years of continuous and conscientious labor as a printer, retired from the publication of the Fall River "Evening News," in the founding of which he was concerned as a partner sixty-nine years earlier in life. He was at that time (1914) believed to be the oldest active printer in the world, both in actual years and in years of service. A photograph taken the preceding April 22, shows him true to life after an earthly pilgrimage cover- ing ninety years, and every man who looks upon him may breathe the thought: "May I look as well and bear my part as well as did he." The record of his connection with the printing trade as com- positor and publisher for more than fourscore years has perhaps never been surpassed in newspaper history.
The "News" was founded by Thomas Almy and John C. Milne as a weekly, April 3, 1845. Mr. Milne was then not quite twenty-one years of age. Fall River was a town of about 10,000 inhabitants. Mr. Milne's life, the growth of the "News," and the growth of Fall River have been closely identified since. Mr. Milne was actively engaged on the paper up to November, 1913, when he passed his interest to his son, Joseph D. Milne, who had been connected with the "News" since July, 1877, as reporter and managing editor, and for several years as part owner. He now has a half ownership with Frank S. Almy, who succeeded to the half interest held by his father, Franklin L. Almy, upon the lat- ter's death, June 12, 1912. Mr. Almy has been connected with the business office since July, 1896, succeeding his father as business manager.
John Cruickshank Milne was born in Milfield, Scotland, May 18, 1824. He was the son of Ser- geant John Cruickshank, paymaster of a British regiment stationed in Scotland, and Annie Milne, daughter of Rev. John Milne, a Baptist clergyman. His parents died when he was three or four years of age, and he was brought up by his grandparents, Rev. and Mrs. John Milne, who formally adopted him after coming to the United States. He received his primary education in a private school at Glas-
gow, and with his grandparents and an uncle came to Pictou, Nova Scotia, in 1832. There, at the age of eight years, he went to work in the printing office of an uncle, making his advent in a trade that was to become his life work. A keen mind and a natural aptitude for the mechanical part of the trade enabled him to develop into a rapid and accurate compositor in a comparatively brief time. Three years later, in 1835, came the only lengthy interruption that was to figure in his life as a printer for more than fourscore years. With his grandparents and an uncle he came to Fall River, Massachusetts, where other uncles had made homes already. No opportunity to continue in the printing trade presented itself, and he secured work in the blue dye house of the calico print works, conducted on Pocasset street by Andrew Robeson & Son, his pay $2.25 a week, the hours from five o'clock in the morning until six o'clock at night. He remained in the print works three years. Cloth printing by machinery was in its infancy at that time. The methods which had been devised and the machines which had been constructed were but half successful, and printing at the Robeson factory was still done by the primitive block printing system. One im- pression of the figure on the pattern was conveyed to the white cloth by each application of an en- graved wooden block, which was first immersed in the coloring matter, then carefully placed upon the cloth to be printed, and tapped smartly with a mallet to transfer the imprint.
An act of the Massachusetts Legislature early in 1838, and the broad-minded generosity of Andrew Robeson, proprietor of the print works, had an im- portant effect in shaping Mr. Milne's life during the next few years. This legislative act prohibited the employment of children under fourteen years of age unless they were allowed to attend school at least three months in the year, or for periods approxi- mating that time. Mr. Robeson, realizing that the loss of three months' wages would be a hardship to the parents of the 150 boys employed in his works, established a system of part-time schooling, giving them three hours a day for the entire year, saving their earnings to their families, and more than fulfilling the requirements of the law.
This opportunity for improvement was eagerly grasped by young Milne, then in his fourteenth year. The boys in each room in the factory were divided into three classes, and for three hours each day each class studied and recited under the direc- tion of Louis Lapham, afterwards for many years a practicing attorney in Fall River and judge of its police court. Mr. Lapham, a block printer of more than ordinary intellectual attainments, was paid nine dollars a week for his services as an in- structor. Mr. Lapham also opened an evening school at the corner of South Main and Anawan streets, and the name of John Milne was enrolled as a student there, too. Such ambition was bound to attract attention, and the interest which Mr. Lapham found himself taking in young Milne re- sulted in his discovery that the boy could set type.
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BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Mr. Lapham's knowledge of this fact proved the means of returning the boy to his trade. William Canfield had just started the publication of the Fall River "Patriot and Tiverton Advertiser," and when Mr. Lapham told Mr. Canfield of his factory-boy student who could set type, Milne received and ac- cepted an offer to enter the "Patriot" office as a com- positor. His wages were increased to four dollars a week. The "Patriot and Advertiser" was the first of a series of papers of varying lengths of life, all more or less short, upon which Mr. Milne worked during the next six years. The interurban nature of its title emphasizes the close connection of Fall River, Massachusetts, and Tiverton, Rhode Island, at that time, and also tells a good deal about the newspaper of the day, and the extremely precarious chances for their success. The publication of the laws enacted by Congress in three papers in each State was an important item of revenue, and the Fall River "Patriot and Tiverton Advertiser" was selected as one to reap the welcome harvest in Rhode Island. The setting up of these laws was one of the tasks given young John Milne.
It was while working in the office of the "Patriot and Advertiser" that one of the strongest and most helpful friendships of Mr. Milne's life was formed. There he met Thomas Almy, a native of Tiverton, who had learned his trade as a printer with the Bristol, Rhode Island, "Phoenix." Mr. Almy was the older, but the difference in their ages was never a barrier to their intimate friendship. Mr. Milne worked with and for Mr. Almy on several local papers and later, as stated above, became a partner with him in founding the Fall River "News". One of the papers which Mr. Almy published, with Jonathan Slade, and on which Mr. Milne worked, was a weekly called the Fall River "Argus." It was printed in New Bedford, and was brought to Fall River each week by stage coach. Its life, like that of most of the local papers of the day, was not long.
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The six years after 1838 were important ones to Milne. While he worked long hours in the print- ing office he was enabled also, through persistent application and the kindly thoughtfulness of his friend, Mr. Almy, to continue his studies in Latin, Greek and mathematics. During one of the periods between these short-lived weeklies, Mr. Milne en- tered Pierce Academy in Middleboro. He had saved a little money, and with the aid of relatives and the encouragement of Mr. Almy, he improved the opportunity to increase his learning. Filled with a genuine desire to acquire an education he applied the same principle of concentration to his studies that he had given his work in the printing office. His willing expenditure of effort again attracted attention. The principal of the academy, Avery Briggs, became interested in him and in his work, and noting the evidences of a bright intellect urged him to prepare for college. But the boy was penni- less and without friends who could give him finan- cial assistance, and at the end of six months he returned to Fall River and the printing office. His friends, Thomas Almy, drove to Middleboro for
him, and the two returned to prepare another weekly newspaper for the people of Fall River village. Though still but a dim hope, the idea of entering a college was allowed to die. Mr. Almy encouraged him to continue his studies and so ar- ranged his hours of work that he could recite each day to Rev. George M. Randall, the first permanent Episcopal rector in Fall River, and later the first bishop of Colorado. The boy arose each morning at five o'clock to study before going to the newspaper office for a day's work. Each noon at Rev. Mr. Ran- dall's house he recited his translations of Virgil, Cicero or New Testament Greek. When George B. Stone opened the first high school in Fall River,. May 10, 1849, Mr. Milne took up his studies there in mathematics. Brown University was the ambi- tion of most Fall River boys at that time who as- pired to a college education, and it was still Milne's hope ultimately to matriculate there.
The great fire which devasted Fall River on Sunday, July 2, 1843, created a big demand for labor in the reconstruction that followed, and brought in a larger number of carpenters and masons than the town had ever seen. The advent of this large body of workingmen of an intelligent class had an immediate effect, and occasioned a local agitation. for a ten-hour day system, instead of the thirteen and fourteen-hour workday that was the rule throughout New England. An organization known as the Mechanics' Association was formed, with Thomas Almy and John C. Milne as two of its members. Mr. Almy and two others were appointed a publishing committee, and on Saturday, April 27,. 1844, Mr. Almy published the first issue of the "Mechanic," a weekly devoted almost entirely to the cause of the workingman and the agitation of the ten-hour day. Upon Milne, twenty years old at this time, devolved the greater part of the work of setting the type for the paper. Young Milne retained his interest in the labor question through the months that followed, and when the Bristol County Charitable Mechanics' Association was. formed early in 1845, he was elected its secretary. This organization had fifty mechanics enrolled at its start. Its purposes were "union and benevo- lence."
During all this time Milne had been pursuing his studies, still in the hope of eventually entering Brown University, but in the fall of 1844, finding himself . still without means, he abandoned this cher- ished purpose. The town was resuming its normal condition. Houses and business buildings had been rebuilt, and with the reconstruction of the burned portion of the village masons and carpenters left for their homes in other places. With their de- parture the enthusiasm in the ten-hour day agita- tion suffered a corresponding decrease. Interest in the Mechanics' Association waned, and the "Me -. chanic" felt the reaction in the loss of subscribers. A debt of about one hundred dollars assumed gi- gantic proportions in the face of the paper's re -- stricted finances. On April 2, 1845, its publication ceased.
Mr. Milne resolved to go to New York, where.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
there were greater opportunities, and on August 27, 1844, he left Fall River on the sloop "Rollo" of Somerset, which carried him as far as Flushing, Long Island. In New York he chanced to meet Rev. Asa Bronson, his pastor, a clergyman whose impress upon Fall River remained for many years, a friend of the working people, and a staunch sup- porter of the "Mechanic" and the Mechanics' Asso- ciation. He told Mr. Bronson of his hope of finding employment in one of the New York print- ing offices and received a proffer of the clergyman's help. Mr. Bronson took him to the home of Mayor James Harper, founder of the great publishing house of Harper Brothers. Mayor Harper received them kindly but could give the lad no employment at that time, as many of his old employes were tem- porarily without work.
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