USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 47
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Mr. Borden married, in New York City, January 23, 1896, Mary Lavinia Owen, daughter of William H. and Mary Lavinia (Brooks) Owen, of New York City. In winter he resides at No. 48 East Sixty- eighth street, New York City.
GENERAL HOWARD SEYMOUR BORDEN, son of Matthew C. D. and Harriet M. (Durfee) Borden, was born in New York City, April 27, 1876. He prepared in private schools, then entered Yale University, whence he was graduated A. B., class of '98. The same year he became associated with his father in the American Printing Company, and in 1910, when the firm of M. C. D. Borden & Sons was founded, was admitted to that firm as a partner. Upon the death of Matthew C. D. Bor- den in 1912, his large business interests devolved upon the sons who had been trained by their father for that responsibility, Bertram H. Borden becoming president of both the American Printing Company and the Fall River Iron Works Com- pany, and Howard S. Borden being chosen as vice- president and treasurer of the first-named company and treasurer of the last-named. These positions of responsibility are ably filled by the incumbents, and the name of Borden, so long and honorably known in the textile world, never was more prominent than today. Howard S. Borden, in addition to the offices named, is a director of the Lawyers' Mort- gage Company, and of the Lincoln Safe Deposit Company, of New York.
On the outbreak of the war now known as the "World War," 1914-18, General Borden, in com- mon with all men of large business interests, saw the need of active cooperation with the government, and on the declaration of war between the United States and Germany he took immediate steps to support his country in every way possible. He was appointed chairman, by the President, of the Local Exemption Board at Red Bank, New Jersey. Through his efforts two companies of Coast Artil- lery were enlisted, and on August 17, 1917, Howard S. Borden was commissioned captain of the First Machine Gun Company of the New Jersey National Guard. On October 4, 1917, he was commissioned major of the Third Battalion of the Guard, and later
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·he was aide-de-camp by detail on the staff of Gov- ernor Edge, of New Jersey, with headquarters at Red Bank, New Jersey. He was commissioned colonel of the Second Regiment, Field Artillery, of the National Guard, August 19, 1918, to October, 1918, then served on the governor's staff; and from November 12, 1919, until December 21, 1920, was colonel of the 6th Regiment of the New Jersey National Guard, and from December 21, 1920, until February 4, 1922, was commander of the 57th Brigade, ranking as brigadier-general. On July 13, 1921, he was commissioned brigadier-general of the Officers' Reserve Corps of the United States Army, and shortly after assigned to command the 212th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, with headquarters in the Army building, at No. 39 Whitehall street, New York.
General Borden is a rare sportsman, interested in all out-of-door recreations, particularly polo, yachting and aviation. "Old Oaks" stock farm is one of his keen delights and there he breeds the best strains of polo ponies; Dalmatian dogs; Irish setters, the "Old Oaks" kennels being famous. He was, for some years, master of the Monmouth county hounds, and is greatly interested in pho- tography, amateur theatricals, hunting and music. In fact, his range of interests reveal a man of ex- tremely versatile tastes, a list of his clubs showing how broad are his recreation pleasures and tastes. He is a member of the New York, Atlantic and Columbia Yacht clubs; Aero Club of America; Rumson Hunting and Steeplechase Association; the Amateur Comedy Club; Motor Boat Club of Ameri- ca; Sea Bright Tennis Club; Sea Bright Beach Club; Mendelssohn Glee Club; Yale Club; Union League Club; Merchants' Club; Army and Navy Club of New York; founder and chairman of the finance committee; Rumson Country Club, of Rumson, New Jersey, of which he was a founder; Delta Kappa Epsilon Club; University Club; Graduate Club, of New Haven; Society of American Officers; and the Quequechan Club, of Fall River. His church con- nection is with St. George's Parish (Protestant Episcopal), Rumson, New Jersey.
In Orange, New Jersey, February 1, 1900, Howard S. Borden married Edith C. Curtis, born September 9, 1876, daughter of George Curtis, of Hartford, Connecticut, and Ellen (Bradley) Curtis. General and Mrs. Borden have had five children: 1. John. Chaloner, born October 26, 1900, Yale A. B., 1923, now associated with M. C. D. Borden & Sons, Inc., New York City. 2. Jeanette, born January 17, 1903, died January 14, 1906. 3. Arthur Bradley, born November 4, 1906, a student at Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Connecticut. 4. Doris, born May 21, 1909. 5. William Howard, born October 22, 1915. The family home is "Old Oaks," Rumson, New Jersey; the New York home at No. 280 Park avenue.
JEFFERSON (3) BORDEN-For three genera- tions the name of Jefferson Borden has been one of large significance to the textile industry in Fall River, Massachusetts, and the present head of the family, Jefferson (3) Borden, is one of the widely
prominent business executives of Bristol county at the present time. His lifelong interest in the tex- tile advance of Fall River has won his way to a largely responsible position as vice-president, in charge of manufacture, of the Fall River Bleachery. Mr. Borden is broadly interested in all community advance in civic affairs, fraternal interests, and all that pertains to the welfare of the people.
Jefferson (1) Borden, was an early pioneer of the textile industry in Fall River, a man of broad vision and great natural ability, and from the beginnings which he instituted great industries have been de- veloped. He was for a number of years treasurer of the American Printing Company, and held a large responsibility over various subsidiary con- cerns of that great corporation. He was a man of wide influence in public affairs, both locally and in this section of the State, and his name is one of the honored ones in the annals of Fall River. He married Susan Elizabeth Easton, also a member of an old and influential Bristol county family. Of their children, Colonel Spencer Borden and Jefferson (2) Borden became leading textile executives of this city.
Jefferson (2) Borden was born at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, June 2, 1844, and died August 20, 1918. His education was begun in the local public schools and he later entered Brown University, at Provi- dence, Rhode Island, from which he was graduated in the class of 1866. He took a special course in chemistry in its relation to the textile industry, and upon the completion of his education he entered the employ of the American Printing Company, of which his father was at that time treasurer. He later became agent of the Mt. Hope Mill, now known as the Conanicut Mill, which was then controlled by the American Printing Company. After a time he became associated with the Aquid- neck Mills, of Providence, Rhode Island, in the capacity of superintendent, forming this connection at a time when electricity was first being introduced into the textile industry in a tentative way. Mr. Borden was principally responsible for the adoption of this motive power in the textile plants of Provi- dence and Fall River through his influence as an executive in the industry, bringing about a thor- ough trial of electrical equipment in the mills with which he was connected. Later, Mr. Borden be- came active as a broker in yachts, as an executive of the Yacht Brokerage and Designing Company, of Boston, Massachusetts. He won international fame in this field, having been the first to design the composition board of wood and metal, which was named "composite," used in the manufacture of yachts. He was the designer of the "R. D.," but probably the best known racing craft which he designed was the "Varda." The "Maybelle Swift," which was especially constructed for the owner, Charles W. Anthony, of. Fall River, Massachusetts, was also his work. Power boats and sailing ves- sels in large numbers were built from his plans and he was considered one of the influential forces of the day in this field of sport. Still retaining his interest, however, in the textile industry, Mr. Bor-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
den eventually entered the mill supply business in partnership with his son, John Westall Borden, founding the present important firm of Jefferson Borden & Son. He remained at the head of this concern until about four years prior to his decease, when his broken health compelled him to retire. and John Westall Borden took over the interest. Mr. Borden's many other affiliations included the Fall River Bleachery of which Jefferson (3) Borden is vice-president at the present time. The civic ad- vance always commanded the influence and aid of Jefferson (2) Borden, and he was particularly active in the fire department, having served as captain of the first chemical engine in this district, also as district engineer. He was a well-remembered figure of the yacht clubs of Boston, New Bedford, and Fall River.
Jefferson (2) Borden married, on February 4. 1869, Ellen Westall, daughter of Rev. John Westall, of Fall River. Mrs. Borden died about 1914, leaving three children: Jefferson (3), of further mention; John Westall, a sketch of whom follows; and Eliza- beth E., wife of Walter I. Nichols.
Jefferson (3) Borden, son of Jefferson (2) and Ellen (Westall) Borden, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, November 16, 1869. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he was graduated from the B. M. C. Durfee High School with the class of 1888. A week after graduation he became associated with his uncle in the Fall River Bleachery, remaining a part of the organization for about one year, during which time he was active in the office of the establishment. He then went into the manufacturing departments of the concern, and learned every branch of its activities by ex- perience. Three years after entering the plant, Mr. Borden was made its superintendent and continued in that capacity until his election to the office of vice-president, in charge of the manufacturing. which took place November 17, 1921. He is a member of the Church of the New Jerusalem.
JOHN WESTALL BORDEN-A leading in- dustrial executive of Bristol county, Massachusetts, and, indeed, a leader in his special field in this part of the country, John Westall Borden has been en- gaged in the mill supply business for many years, and is now the sole proprietor of the enterprise long known under the title of Jefferson Borden & Son. Mr. Borden has largely achieved his own success, uniting forces with his father only after he had attained a noteworthy position in his own responsibility. The resulting enterprise gives to Fall River the distinction of being a center of mill supply activities, particularly in the field of transmission, in which this concern specializes.
John Westall (J. Westall) Borden, son of Jeffer- son (2) and Ellen (Westall) Borden (q. v.), was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, September 28, 1872. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he is a graduate of the B. M. C. Durfee High School, class of 1890. His early business experience was as a member of the office force of the Mechanics Mill, where he was active
for some six years.
During this period Mr. Bor- den handled various individual interests on the outside, and at the expiration of the time men- tioned he determined to resign in order to develop this business which he had already built up to a considerable importance. Accordingly, he severed his connection with the Mechanics Mill and founded an interest under his own name. His father, Jeffer- son (2) Borden, was deeply interested in his activi- ties, and with long experience in textile affairs and wide influence among textile executives, his name was considered to be of distinctive significance and of special value in connection with any enterprise of this kind. Thus, father and son became affiliated in the enterprise and the title became Jefferson Borden & Son. The influence of the older man on the progress of the business was definite and- per- manent, although for only a comparatively few years was he active in it. John Westall Borden has been the head of the organization since about 1914, and with his breadth of experience and large execu- tive ability he has developed a business of interna- tional importance. The house has been known since it was established as a mill supply house, but their principal activity is in the line of transmission. In the distribution of power throughout the mill, Mr. Borden has developed various ideas of his own, which have been accepted as distinctively original and of the greatest value, and this concern is now the leading transmission house in Southern Massa- chusetts.
Mr. Borden is affiliated with various industrial organizations in this section, but his time is largely occupied by his business activities. Fraternally he is identified with Massasoit Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and his clubs are the Rotary, Que- quechan, Fall River Yacht, and Arctic. He is a member of the Church of the New Jerusalem, which he serves as treasurer.
John Westall Borden married, September 4, 1906, Jessie Stewart, daughter of David C. Stewart, for many years a leading merchant of Fall River, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Borden are the parents of two children: John Westall, Jr., a student at the B. M. C. Durfee High School; and Eleanor S.
SPENCER BORDEN, JR .- As the head of the long established firm known as the Fall River Bleachery, Spencer Borden, Jr., holds a foremost position in the business world of this city and is widely affiliated with the textile industry through- out the East. A man of broadly practical ability, trained for the special field in which he has always been engaged, Mr. Borden has for nearly thirty years been a definite force for progress in his branch of the textile industry. He comes of a very old and prominent family of Bristol county, a family whose men have been identified with indus- trial advance in New England for many genera- tions, and whose constructive efforts have done much for the State of Massachusetts.
Colonel Spencer Borden, Mr. Borden's father, was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, June 10, . 1849, and :is a son of Jefferson (1) and Susan
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BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Elizabeth (Easton) Borden. Following his early
studies, he became a student at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, of Brooklyn, New York, from which he was graduated in the class of 1868. This course was followed by advance study at the Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers, from which he was graduated at the Sorbonne in 1870. Colonel Borden first entered the employ of the American Printing Company, and was active as a chemist in that connection until the year 1872, when he established the Fall River Bleachery. Even in its early beginnings this enterprise was one of the most important of its kind in the United States
and its plant one of the largest. With Colonel Borden's extensive technical training and his deep interest in his work the development of the business was a matter of large and rapid expansion. He became affiliated with many of the older and more important textile corporations of Bristol county, and also held stock in many other branches of industrial activity. Colonel Borden was even more widely known through his interest in fine horses. From the year 1873 practically throughout his lifetime he was a breeder of horses, first Hamiltonians, later Morgans and Clays, and in 1890 he began breeding polo ponies. At this time he headed the stables with the famous and "unbeaten" Kismet, well known to the racing public in 1883 and 1881. At his beautiful estate at Interlachen, on the borders of North Watappa Lake, he continued breeding Arabians throughout his lifetime, becoming an au- thority on this breed. His many monographs, treating the subject of horse breeding, won the highest esteem among horsemen, and have since been considered authoritative. He was tireless in his efforts to improve the breeds in which he was interested and also to uphold the highest standards of ethics in this interest. Mr. Borden was broadly interested in all scientific advance and kept in close touch with electricity in its early development, in- venting many appliances, mechanical, electrical and chemical, some in the field of textile production and others of a general nature. Poliitcally Colonel Bor- den was a leader in Fall River, and from 1890 until 1893 served as a member of W. E. Russell's staff, in which connection he received his military rank. This full and well-rounded life was closed on October 17, 1921, at Woodstock, Vermont, where Colonel Borden had gone for a few days of leisure. His significance to the community of which he had been a lifelong resident was on every side revealed by the countless expressions of good will and admiration which were brought out by his decease. His is one of the names which in the annals of Fall River will always remain among the brightest.
Colonel Spencer Borden married Effie Brooks, and they were the parents of four children: Spencer, Jr., of further mention; Lenora B .; the wife of Bernard W. Trafford, of Boston; Alfred B .; and Florence, wife of William Darrach.
Spencer Borden, Jr., was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, September 8, 1872. His education was begun in the local public schools, and, later
entering Harvard University, he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1894. Interest- ed from boyhood in the enterprise of which his father was the founder and the head, the trend of his educational preparations, as well as his youth- ful interest, was toward his future as a part of this organization. He became identified with the busi- ness shortly following his graduation from Harvard University, and familiarized himself with its details by the very practical method of experience in all departments. Rising from one position to another, each of greater responsibility on the merits of his attainments in the organization, Mr. Borden was received into the firm in due course, and, eventu- ally, upon the death of his father, became president of the corporation. His energy and efficiency have for many years been vital factors in the growth and development of the enterprise, and it was as a broadly capable executive that he took over the duties of his present position. His plans for the future include definite lines of expansion and de- velopment, and the history of more than half a century which lies behind him is only an augur of the future of this great interest. Mr. Borden is affiliated with the world of finance of his native State as a director of the Shawmut National Bank of Boston and vice-president and director of the Fall River National Bank. In the public affairs of his native city, Mr. Borden takes a deep and con- structive interest, but has never permitted his name to be brought forward as a candidate for elective office. He has served as a member of the School Board and the Planning Board. During the World War, he enlisted in the Massachusetts State Guard, and now holds the rang of lieutenant-colonel of the 17th Infantry Regiment. He is a member of the Quequechan Club of Fall River, the University Club of New York, the New York Yacht Club, and the Eastern Yacht Club, these latter organizations revealing his chief leisure interest. He is affiliated with the Baptist church.
Spencer Borden, Jr., married, at Lowell, Massa- chusetts, June 1, 1901, Sarah Hidreth Ames, daugh- ter of General Adelbert and Blanche (Butler) Ames, and they are the parents of four children: Blanche Butler, Joan, Ames, and Richard.
BRAYTON FAMILY-For over two hundred years the name of Brayton has been associated with the growth of Massachusetts, yet we must turn to the annals of Rhode Island for the earlier records of this family. There we find that Francis Brayton was received as an inhabitant of Ports- mouth, Rhode Island, as early as 1643, and to him the majority, if not all, of the Braytons in this country trace their origin. The names of his de- scendants have long been prominent in our civic, commercial, judicial, and military history, and a brief outline of that branch of the family, closely allied with growth of Bristol county, is given below.
(I) Francis Brayton, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and his wife Mary had six children: Francis, Mary; Stephen, of further mention; Martha, Eliz- abeth, and Sarah.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
(II) Stephen Brayton married, March 8, 1679, Ann Tallman, daughter of Peter and Ann Tallman. Their children were: Mary; Elizabeth; Ann; Pre- served, of further mention; Stephen; and Israel.
(III) Preserved Brayton, who became the founder of the family in Bristol county, Massachusetts, was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, March 8, 1685, and married Content Coggeshall, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Timberlake) Coggeshall. Their children were: John, Stephen, David, Baul- ston, Ann, Content, and Israel, the first two of whom were born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
In 1714, Preserved Brayton purchased of William Little, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, one hundred thirty-eight acres of land lying in the Great Neck of the Shawomet Lands; in 1724 he enlarged the farm, and these acres, having been in possession of the family through succeeding generations, have long been known as the Brayton Homestead. Today their location may be described as on the west side of Taunton river, between the two bridges, directly opposite the north section of the city of Fall River. As the first owners of the land were residents of Plymouth, we infer that Preserved Brayton, his wife, and two oldest children, were the pioneer settlers on this land, yet not the first settlers on the Great Neck, as other families had previously come over from Rhode Island, among whom was the sister of Content (Cogge- shall) Brayton with her husband. Their farm purchased in 1700, was located on the east side of Lee's river, west of the Brayton Homestead, and this "Anthony Homestead" is still owned by a descendant of William and Mary (Coggeshall) Anthony. Preserved Brayton did not limit the purchase of his lands to those acquired in the Great Neck, for we learn from his will that he gave "a certain piece of land lying in Freetown" to his granddaughter Elizabeth Robinson; "a certain farm" in Rehoboth to his grandson Preserved Bray- ton; and "a certain piece of land" in another part of Swansea to his grandson Stephen. Thus we know that the family scattered to different parts of Bristol county, while one son inherited a large tract of land in Smithfield, Rhode Island. His daughter, Content, married Samuel Gardner, Jr., and their descendants have also been prominent in this section of Massachusetts. Swansea did not annex the Shawomet Lands until after 1724, but in later records the name of Preserved Brayton is connected with its public offices and various town affairs, and thus we have evidence that his interests extended beyond those of his family and farm to the broader life of the community. Pre- served Brayton died in 1761, leaving his Home- stead farm to his son Israel, of whom further.
(IV) Israel Brayton was born October 13, 1727, and was twice married; first to Mary Perry, and their children were: Israel; Preserved; Content, who married Captain Nathan Reed; David; John of whom further; Bethany, who married Dr. John Winslow; Mary, who married Philip Bowers; Perry; and Baulston, who married Mercy Slade. Thus the name of Brayton was again united with names
of other families prominent in the growth of Bristol county. Israel Brayton married (second) Mrs. Mary Read Bowers and their children were: Nancy; Perry Bowers and Nathan Read (twins), neither of whom lived to maturity.
Although Israel Brayton had a large family, he was able to extend his holdings, and purchased a large tract of land in Tiverton, which he left by will to his son Baulston, while to his son John he left the Homestead Farm.
(V) John Brayton was born in Swansea, April 12, 1762, and died in Somerset, May 12, 1829. His life covered a span of years when the com- munity was filled with anxiety, conflict, privation, financial depression, scarcity of food, great loss of life during the war, and then the unsettled times connected with the re-organization and the forming of a new government. Too young to serve through- out the war, John Brayton enlisted, on August 2, 1780, in Captain Peleg Peck's company of Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment. John Brayton mar- ried, on September 21, 1782, Sarah Bowers, daugh- ter of Philip and Mary (Read) Bowers, a descend- ant of three of the passengers of the first voyage of the "Mayflower." Their children were: Mary, who became the second wife of Dr. John Wins- low; Sarah, who married Benjamin Clark Cornell; William Bowers, who was drowned at sea when seventeen years old; Nancy Jarrett Bowers, who became the second wife of David Anthony; Israel, of whom further; Content, who died in her seventy- fifth year, unmarried; Stephen, who married (first) Mary H. Gray, (second) Abby Gray; Almira, who married Captain Jesse Chace; Betsey; John, Jr., and Caroline, none of whom lived to maturity.
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