USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 50
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Joseph Abraham Bowen, only son of Abraham (2) and Sarah Ann (Read) Bowen, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, October 10, 1832, and died at his summer home in Warren, Rhode Island, September 30, 1914. He lies buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, in Fall River. As a young man, Mr. Bowen attended both the public and private schools of his native city, but from his eighth year spent much time in his father's printing office, where he was employed when not engaged with his studies. In the year 1849 he became a student at the Fall River High School, thereby entering the first class to pass through the courses of that institution. In 1856 Mr. Bowen engaged in an independent busi- ness as a coal dealer. He first leased Morgan's Wharf, at the foot of Walnut street, then later bought Slade's Wharf, still later purchased a half interest in Morgan's Wharf, using both in his business operations. His energy and ability, together with his policy of personally supervising all his own affairs, carried him to large prosperity, and for fifty-three years he directed successfully the devel- opment and growth of an enterprise which became one of the most important in this city. In this connection Mr. Bowen's fearless spirit is clearly ap- parent, also his ingenuity in overcoming difficulties and at the same time bending his achievement to the widest possible use. He built and managed a fleet of sea-going vessels, and in order that he might bring coal direct by ship to his own yards in Fall River, he had extensive harbor dredging done at his own expense. That was the initial movement which resulted in harbor improvement at Fall River, the immediate and also the permanent benefit de- rived from his efforts counting largely in the recog- nition of this city as a progressive and enterprising civic center. In 1883 Mr. Bowen began shipping Pocahontas Coal from the mines at Bluefield, West Virginia, and until his death he handled coal from that district. His 'first cargo was shipped from Norfolk, Virginia, and was the earliest shipment of Pocahontas coal received in New England from that port. It was distributed among the cotton mills of Fall River.
In addition to his many and important business responsibilities Mr. Bowen found time for notably efficient and valuable local public service. He was elected a member of the Common Council in 1862- 63, and of the Board of Aldermen in 1869-70. As chairman of the committee to consider the advisa- bility of establishing a city water system, he ren- dered service which is still benefiting the com- munity. He not only "reported favorably" and used his energy and his ability to arouse the in- terest and cooperation of others in securing an ade-
quate water supply, but when this measure was adopted, served as a member of the first board of water commissioners, in which capacity he took an active and efficient part in the construction of the city water supply system. For two years Mr. Bowen was president of the Fall River Board of Trade, and in addition to the development of his prosperous coal business he was also interested in a number of industrial enterprises, chiefly along the line of cotton manufacture, which contributed largely to the economic prosperity of the city. Thus his part in the development and growth of this city was an important one from his early life to the close of his long career, and to all who were closely associated with him it was great source of gratification that he was spared to see his hopes for the city realized. Mr. Bowen's acquaintance was wide, both within and without the city, and he was sought for leadership and counsel as long as he lived. Energetic, clear-sighted, benevolent and kindly in spirit, his friends were legion and his influence for good unbounded. His pleasing person- ality and his sterling qualities of character won and held the regard of all who were associated with him in his varied activities. During the greater part of his lifetime he was identified with the Cen- tral Congregational Church, and he gave his hearty support to its work.
Joseph Abraham Bowen married, on January 19, 1865, at Fall River, Massachusetts, Fanny Maria Corey, who was born in Fall River, August 21, 1840, daughter of Jonathan and Clarissa (Bennett) Corey. Mrs. Bowen is a direct descendant of William Corey, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, a deputy to the General Court, a captain of Militia, and a man of importance in his town, who died in 1682. The line of descent was through his son, John (1); his son, John (2); his son, Thomas; his son, Benjamin; and his son, Jonathan, Mrs. Bowen's father .. In every generation the members of this family bore a worthy part in the progressive ac- tivities of the time. Two children were born to Joseph A. and Fanny M. (Corey) Bowen: Joseph Henry, of further mention; and Fanny Corey, born in the old house built by Abraham Bowen, a gradu- ate of Fall River High School and of Smith Col- lege, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities.
Joseph Henry Bowen, only son of Joseph A. and Fanny Maria (Corey) Bowen, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, March 18, 1866, and died April 16, 1918. He was a graduate of Fall River High School (1883), Phillips-Exeter Academy (1884), and Harvard University (1888), receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts cum laude from the university. Following the completion of his educa- tion Mr. Bowen became associated with his father in the coal business, and upon the death of the founder assumed executive responsibility, remaining as head of the enterprise until his death. He was also a member of the board of directors for several corporate interests in Fall River. A man of sound judgment and signal ability, highly esteemed by his
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contemporaries, Mr. Bowen willingly bore his share of the burden of public service, not only in official capacity as a member of the municipal council, but as an active promoter of all projects which seemed to him to be wisely planned for the ad- vancement of the general welfare. He was deeply interested in, and to the end of his career gave considerable time and attention to all sorts of out- door sports. He was also a home-loving man and much of his leisure was devoted to the interests of his family. He married, on June 19, 1890, Mary S. Whitney, a daughter of Edward H., and Jennie (Hooper) Whitney, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Three children were born to Joseph H. and Mary S. (Whitney) Bowen: 1. Joseph Whitney, born May 18, 1891, was educated in the Fall River pub- lic schools, grade and high; Phillips-Exeter Acad- emy, class of 1908; and Harvard University, degree of Bachelor of Arts, class of 1912. He was associ- ated with his father in the coal business until the death of the latter, then succeeded him, and is now the third in direct line to be identified with. the enterprise founded by Joseph A. Bowen in 1856. He is now president of the Joseph A. Bowen Coal Company, also treasurer of the Laurel Lake Mills, manufacturers of cotton print cloth, a director of the Fall River National Bank, and trustee of the Five Cent Savings Bank. He married, November 16, 1915, Florence Horton, daughter of Melvin Borden Horton, of Fall River. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are the parents of two children: Joseph Horton, and Richard. 2. Harold Corey, born May 26, 1896, educated in the Fall River public schools, grade and high, and Phillips-Exeter Academy, now treas- urer of the Joseph A. Bowen Coal Company. He married Edith M. Kidd, daughter of Dr. F. O. Kidd, of Fall River. 3. Edward Hooper, born Oc- tober 14, 1899, educated in the Fall River schools and Phillips-Exeter Academy, now engaged in the cotton business as a member of the firm of Gifford & Bowen. He married Isabel Carpenter, daughter of Frank L. Carpenter, of Fall River. Mrs. Fanny Maria (Corey) Bowen survives her husband; her home is the old Bowen residence in Fall River, where also her daughter, Fanny C. Bowen, resides. Mrs. Bowen is a charter member of the Queque- chan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and has been for more than fifty years a very devoted member of the Central Congrega- tional Church. The summer home is "Juniper Farm,". Warren, Rhode Island.
JAMES G. MORAN, LL.B .- A distinguished figure in Bristol county, Massachusetts, and, indeed, in the State of Massachusetts, is Senator James G. .Moran, of Mansfield, whose professional achieve- ments have been won by his own efforts, his degree of Bachelor of Laws having been gained after he was active for some years in the business world. Mr. Moran is one of those men whose activities contribute in a large degree to the general welfare, and whose lives bear out in consistent advance the theories and principles of which they are the ex- ponents. Senator Moran's public service, which has
covered a period of some thirteen or fourteen years, is a record of broad usefulness, and those who are most familiar with his activities are the most cordial in commendation of the man, both in his profes- sional capacity and as a progressive citizen. He is well appraised by the slogan which contributed largely to his popularity during his campaign for senator, "Ask the man who knows him."
William N. Moran, father of Senator Moran, was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, and for many years was active as ticket agent at the local office of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. A man of the highest integrity and public spirit, he was for many years active in the civic affairs of the community, and while he did much for local advance in an unofficial way, he served also for some years as a member of the Board of Registrars. He was widely known in fraternal circles as a leading member of Saint James Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which for a long period he was secretary. He died in Mans- field, in the year 1894. The mother, Marion T. (Tobit) Moran, was also born in Mansfield, Massa- chusetts, and survived her husband for many years, passing away at an advanced age in the year 1921.
James G. Morgan, son of these parents, was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, May 2, 1870. His edu- cation was begun in the local public schools, and he was graduated from the Mansfield High School in the class of 1887. Thereafter having the ad- vantage of a course at Lawrence Academy, Groton, Massachusetts, he was graduated from that institu- tion in the class of 1892. In the year 1893 Mr. Moran entered the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, but on account of the death of his father, he was obliged to leave the institution at the end of his first year of study. He then entered the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, in the capacity of fireman, and after two years in this work he was made a tower- man, at Boston, where he was active for ten years in the same capacity. Mr. Moran was employed during the night, and his early evenings were spent at the Young Men's Christian Association Law School, at Boston, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Then fol- lowed Mr. Moran's appointment as postmaster of Mansfield, which office he received from President Taft, and in this responsible office he served for a period of four years. In the year 1916 he was ad- mitted to the bar of his native State, and has since been active in the practice of law in Boston with a branch office at Mansfield, where he receives his clients in the evening. He handles a general line of practice in an independent way, and has won large success.
Widely known as he is in both Boston and Bris- tol county, James G. Moran was very naturally brought forward in the public service, and in the year 1910 was a member of the Republican State committee, serving for two years. He has also for several years been a member of the Bristol county committee, and chairman of the Republican town committee. His ability and his broad famil-
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iarity with current conditions and affairs lcd thc people of this section to look to him for higher service than that of a local nature, and in 1917 he was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature, as representative of the second Bristol district. He served three successive ycars in this capacity, and during his activity in the House was appointed to the committee of legal affairs, upon which he served for one year, and was later appointed to the ju- diciary committee, serving for two years. The ex- cellent record of Representative Moran and his broad usefulness in the House of Assembly, both in the service of his constituents and in forwarding the general good of the commonwealth, placed him very high in the estimation of the people. It was only in logical sequence of events that he was elected senator of Bristol county in the year 1922, and is now serving in the Upper House of the Statc Legislature, as the successor of Silas D. Rced, of Taunton, Massachusetts. No morc concise and dig- nified statement can be made of the significance to Mansfield of this election than was printed in the election folders scattered broadcast at the time. The pride of the people in the elevation of their towns- man to this position of dignity and honor is therein well expressed:
Mansfield had not named a candidate for Senator since 1866- a period of fifty-six years. She presents a self-made man and one who can and will serve the district with honesty and in- tegrity, free from any and all entangling alliances, and one who by political experience is well able to care for the dis- trict's interests.
During the World War, Senator Moran was active as a member of the Legal Advisory Board, and his natural ability as a spcaker found largc breadth of uscfulness in his constant activity as a "four-minute" man. He received a certificate from the United States Government for services ren- dered during that trying time. Interested in every phase of community and general advance, Senator Moran stands among the leaders of wholesome thought and progressive sentiment, and the work that he is doing is a part of the beneficent and formative influences of today, which will count more and more definitely for the public welfare as the years pass on. He is a director of the Mans- field Credit Union, and fraternally is affiliated with Saint James Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Mansfield. He is one of the leading members of the Winthrop Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Congregational church.
Senator Moran married, in 1903, Jane E. Chase, of Mansfield, daughter of Albert and Elizabeth (Goward) Chase, her father a blacksmith of Mans- field, Massachusetts.
WALTER PELLINGTON WINSOR-Our na- tional prosperity depends upon the solid business men of the country. The story of their success is our best text-book for the inspiration of the young. As president of the First National Bank of New Bedford, Walter P. Winsor held a position of im- portance in his community, one to which he had risen through a quarter of a century in the scarcely
less responsible position of cashier. Mr. Winsor was a Fairhaven boy, belonging to a family of sea cap- tains and mariners, his father, Captain Alexander Winsor, and his grandfather, Captain Zenas Winsor, were thoroughly representative of a class of hardy, upright men who would have graced any station in life.
The first Winsor of record in this branch is William Winsor, who is said to have come to Boston from Devonshire, England. The line of descent is traced through his son Samuel, to his son Pcter. Pcter Winsor was born August 21, 1761, at Duxbury, rcmoved to Kingston, Massachusetts, and there died April 19, 1845. His son, Captain Zenas Winsor, was a sea captain of Duxbury, Massachusetts, whose eldest son was Captain Alexander Winsor, born in Duxbury, Massachusetts, August 11, 1810, who be- gan his seafaring life at the age of fourteen years, making his first voyage on the vessel of which his father was captain. He continued as seaman and mate until his twenty-fifth year, when he was ap- pointed to command the new ship "Molo." His first voyage as master was to Stockholm, Sweden, a voyage made in safety, but after delivering his ship over to the pilot, through some error in judg- ment or calculation, the "Molo" was wrecked upon Gotland, a large island in the Baltic Sea, belonging to Sweden, and both ship and cargo were lost. He returned to the United States feeling that his career as master was ended, but when he met the owner, Thatcher Magoun, in Boston, he was surprised and delighted to find that another ship, loaded and ready for sea, awaitcd him. With this ship, the "Timo- lean," he made many voyages, and in turn com- manded the merchantmen (some of them clipper ships of renown) "Susan Drew," "Audubon," "Ger- trude," "Hussar," "Sea Nymph," "Flying Cloud," "Sea Serpent," and. "Herald of the Morning." The last ship, which he commanded until his retirement in 1872, was owned by Thatcher Magoun, who was also owner of the "Molo," the first ship he commanded. Captain Winsor belonged to that olden school of clipper ship masters of whom no finer ever tread a quarter deck. He married Sarah Pell- ington Allen, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and there made his home. They were the parents of: Alex- ander (2), born April 27, 1845; Walter Pellington, of further mention; Sarah Frances, born June 1, 1851, married Thomas B. Fuller.
Captain Alexander (2) Winsor was a commander of ships in the China trade, and for half a dozen years was captain of one of the largest steamships running between Hong-Kong and Shanghai, then for twenty-two years sailed under the flag of the China Merchant Steam Navigation Company. Dur- ing the war between China and Japan his steamer was used by the government. In recognition of daring and gallant service in rescuing a fleet of Chinese steamers from a perilous situation during a naval battle, the Chinese government, through Li Hung Chang, prime minister, presented Captain Winsor with the emblem of the Chinese Double Dragon. He married Carrie I. Bailey, and died in Fairhaven, June 7, 1899.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Walter Pellington Winsor, second son of Captain Alexander (1) and Sarah Pellington (Allen) Win- sor, was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, October 12, 1846, and died there December 8, 1911. He was educated in the public schools of Fairhaven, and in the John Boadle private school in New Bed. ford, continuing his studies until seventeen years of age. He then began as bookkeeper for a Broad- way firm in New York City, but six months later returned to New Bedford, taking a position in a grocery store as bookkeeper. At the age of eighteen he became junior clerk in the First National Bank of New Bedford, and for two years retained that position. At the age of twenty he accepted a clerk's position with the Union Mutual Marine In- surance Company of New Bedford, continuing with that company eight years until 1874, having risen to the position of secretary-treasurer. The heavy loss of ships in the Arctic Ocean in 1871, and the lack of business through the death of the whaling in- dustry, caused the company to liquidate in 1874. This brought Mr. Winsor to the next and by far the most important phase of his career, his connec- tion with the First National Bank. He was elected cashier of that bank in June, 1874, and for twenty- five years he held that important post, gaining ex- pert knowledge of the laws governing natioral finance, and the practical knowledge to make his learning effective. He won the confidence of the public, and the high regard of the bank officials to a degree which made him their unanimous choice for the presidency upon the death of Edward S. Taber, in March, 1899. In the executive position his long training and preeminent ability were dem- onstrated, and for twelve years until his death, De- cember 8, 1911, he was the ideal financier and bank president.
Mr. Winsor was a Republican, and was one of the selectmen of Fairhaven for thirteen years. He was a member of the Unitarian church of Fair- haven, and was closely identified with its work and interests, to which he was very devoted. A close friend of the late Henry H. Rogers from boyhood, he represented Mr. Rogers in his Fairhaven under- takings. Upon the death of Mr. Rogers, he be- came one of the executors of the vast estate; was a director of the Virginian Railway Company, whose road was built by Mr. Rogers; vice-president of the Atlas Tack Company; director of the Wam- sutta Mills; director of the Union Street Railway Company; and treasurer of the Millicent Library at Fairhaven. An estimate of the worth of Mr. Winsor's life appeared editorially in the New Bed- ford "Mercury," under date of December 11, 1911:
In the death of Walter P. Winsor there passes out one who has been for nearly forty years a prominent figure in the large financial affairs of this community. Mr. Winsor was a son of one of that splendid race of captains who controlled the destinies of the great clipper ships that were once the glory of the seas. From that inheritance a type of man was devel- oped, of commanding figure and bearing, impressive in a physi- cal sense of resourcefulness and reliability. Throughout his long business career no act of Winsor's was ever at variance with that first impression which his noble appearance inspired. His ability as an accomplished banker and financier was high, hut the surpassing trait was his exalted honor and trustworthi-
ness, and his judicious conservation in handling the important affairs and the responsibilities entrusted to his management and care. That the late Henry H. Rogers selected him as an executor of his vast estates and interests indicates that one of the greatest and most discerning of the financiers of this age regarded Mr. Winsor's endowments as uncommon.
He was the executor of many estates and entrusted with many affairs of business outside of those in his regular line of duties as a banker, and he was faithful in all. Outside of his business career he lived the life of a gentleman of quiet and refined taste, one who loved flowers and simple pleasures and his home above all.
Of soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honor clear, Who broke no promise, served no private end, Who gained no title and who lost no friend.
Mr. Winsor married Mary G. Bancroft, daughter of Joseph B. and Sylvia W. (Thwing) Bancroft, of Hopedale, Massachusetts. Mrs. Winsor survives her husband, continuing her residence at Fairhaven. Mr. and Mrs. Winsor were the parents of a daughter and three sons: 1. Walter Pellington (2), born April 20, 1879, died June 29, 1911; a graduate of Harvard University and Law School. 2. Anna Bancroft, born May 22, 1881; married Carl Clapp Shippee, and removed to Red Bank, New Jersey. Mr. Shippee is a member of the firm of Shippee & Raw- son, brokers, of New York City, members of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. and Mrs. Shippee are the parents of three sons: Winsor, born January 18, 1908; Robert, July 3, 1910; Donald, born Decem- ber 1, 1915. 3. Bancroft, born June 26, 1889; gradu- ate of the Fairhaven High School, and attended Worcester Polytechnic and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He married Beatrice Dunham, daughter of Crawford L. and Anna Dunham, of Fairhaven. They are the parents of two children: Sylvia, born in May, 1914, and Philip, born in Nc- vember, 1915. Bancroft Winsor is now operating the Winsor farm at Acushnet, Massachusetts. 4. Allen Pellington, born February 12, 1892; gradu- ated Harvard University, Bachelor of Arts, 1914; Harvard Medical School, Doctor of Medicine, 1918; has enlisted in United States Medical Corps. He married Vira Holcomb, daughter of Clarke W. Hol- comb, of New Bedford, and resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
RANDALL NELSON DURFEE-In 1660 Thom- as Durfee migrated to America, settling in Rhode Is- land, and thus founding the family in this country. Randall Nelson Durfee was of the sixth generation of that family, tracing his descent through. Walter Chaloner Durfee and his wife, Jane Frances Alden; Samuel Durfee and his wife, Hannah Anthony; Thomas Durfee and his wife, Patience Borden; Benjamin Durfee and his wife, Prudence Earle, to Thomas Durfee, the founder, and his first wife. Both Thomas Durfee and his son, Benjamin, ac- quired considerable land, so that Thomas Durfee, of the third generation, inherited a large landed estate, including the farm upon which he lived and died, and where all his children were born. That farm consisted of all that part of the present city of Fall River which lies north of Elm street and south of Turner street, extending from the shore
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to Watuppa lake. He owned other large tracts, and lived in a manner befitting his wealth. It is interesting to note that he was the host to Lafay- ette at the time of his visit to this vicinity, and during the Revolution spent a large portion of his fortune to aid the cause of Independence. He died July 9, 1796, in his seventy-fifth year.
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