USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 59
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Mr. Anthony was interested in the purchase of the Magee Furnace Company. The company was moved to Taunton, where a new plant was erected for its accommodation, and the company renamed the Magee Furnace Company, Inc. Mr. Anthony served as its president until he sold his interest in 1920. He is also a director of the Bristol County Trust Company, and a trustee of the Bristol County Savings Bank, of Taunton; a director of the Weir Co-operative Bank, East Taunton Co-operative Bank, the Old Colony Co-operative Bank, all of Taunton; the Atherton Furniture Company, of Brockton, Massachusetts; the Atherton Furniture Company, of Lewiston, Maine; the Atherton Fur- niture Company, of Waterville, Maine; the Metro- politan Furniture Company, of Springfield, Mas- sachusetts; and the Fowler Furniture Company, of Worcester, Massachusetts. Since May, 1910, he has been a member of the Conference Committee of the Stove Founders' National Defense Associa- tion, and first vice-president of the same association since 1915; is a member of the General Executive Committee, and chairman of the First District Committee.
In politics Mr. Anthony is an Independent, and served two years under the new city charter as a member of the first single board. He was a mem- ber of the Municipal Electric Plant Commission, and aids in a public-spirited manner all movements for city betterment. He is a member of Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. John's Command- ery, Knights Templar, of Providence, Rhode Is- land; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. His clubs are the Rotary and Winthrop, of Taunton. He is a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church of Taun- ton, but also serves as a member of the board of trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of that city.
On February 22, 1886, Mr. Anthony married Fannie R. Carpenter, daughter of William B. and Abby J. (Robinson) Carpenter, of Taunton, Massa- chusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony are the parents of four children: 1. Luther J., now superintendent of the Weir Stove Company. 2. Bertha C., married William L. White, Jr. 3. William R., now foreman
of the Weir Stove Company's enameling plant. 4. John D., now shipper of the Weir Stove Com- pany.
JOHN TUTTLE SWIFT, LL. B .- The name of John Tuttle Swift is one of large significance to the city of Fall River and to the county of Bristol, and in the broader fields of financial advance he stands among the leading figures as treasurer of the Citi- zens' Savings Bank, of Fall River, one of the substantial and progressive institutions of the East. A member of one of the most prominent families of Fall River, Mr. Swift has won high rank pro- fessionally, as well as in the capacity of a successful business executive, and his public services are a rec- ord of eminent usefulness.
John T. Swift is a son of Marcus George Barker and Mary Duncan (Milne) Swift, his father one of the most noteworthy lawyers of this city a genera- tion ago, a man whose comparatively early death, on February 21, 1902, was one of the most re- grettable events of the early years of the present century in local circles.
John Tuttle Swift was born at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, November 15, 1877. His early education was received in the public schools of his birthplace, and he is a graduate of the B. M. C. Durfee High School, class of 1897. He attended Williams Col- lege as a member of the class of 1901, then spent several years in the business world before taking up his preparation for the profession of the law. First engaged in newspaper work, he was later em- ployed in the Pocasset National Bank and the Citi- zens' Savings Bank, then was successively identified with the banking and brokerage office of George N. Durfee, and the cotton and cloth brokerage house of Tuttle, Hurley & Company, of Fall River. In the year 1907 Mr. Swift entered George Washing- ton University, at Washington, District of Colum- bia, where he took up the study of law, and upon his graduation with the class of 1910 received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. Within the year Mr. Swift began practice in Fall River as a member of the firm of Swift, Grime & Swift, now Swift, Grime, Buffinton & Crossley, of which his brother, the Hon. James M. Swift, formerly attorney general of Massachusetts, was and still is the senior member. Mr. Swift enjoyed a very extensive law practice, and was particularly active in the trial of civil jury cases as counsel for strect railways, insurance companies and corporations throughout Bristol county. Dur- ing the period of his activity in the law Mr. Swift served as a trustee and counsel for the Citizens' Savings Bank, and upon the death of William F. Winter, former treasurer of this institution, Mr. Swift was requested by the board of trustees to succeed him as treasurer and executive head of the bank. Accepting this position, he withdrew from the active practice of the law in order to devote the necessary time and attention to the duties and responsibilities involved. The prosperity of the in- stitution under his guiding hand, and its constantly greater importance in its field, are facts which defin- itely appraise Mr. Swift's ability and his grasp of
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financial affairs. A man of the loftiest ideals, still possessing the broadly practical qualities which count for success in any endeavor, he commands the utmost esteem and confidence not only of his associates but of the people generally. He is other- wise affiliated in the business world with the Massa- soit Manufacturing Company, one of Fall River's largest textile corporations, of which he is president. He is also a director of the Massasoit-Pocasset National Bank.
The public services through which Mr. Swift has contributed to the advance of the city, the county and the Commonwealth, have followed along lines parallel with his private endeavors. While attend- ing law school in Washington he served as secre- tary of the committee on merchant marine and fisheries of the House of Representatives by ap- pointment of Congressman William S. Greene, of this district, who was at that time chairman of the committee. In the year 1913, by appointment of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, Mr. Swift served as one of three commissioners to hear evidence and assess damages to property owners, resulting from the building of the Larz Anderson or Stadium bridge, so-called, over the Charles river, from Bos- ton to Cambridge. In June of 1917 Mr. Swift was appointed by Governor Samuel W. McCall as a member of the Fall River Board of Police and License Commissioners, and after serving for a term of three years he was re-appointed in 1920 for a further term of similar length by Governor Calvin Coolidge. In June, 1923, he was re-appointed by Governor Channing H. Cox for a further term of three years. Mr. Swift's political convictions align with the principles and policies of the Re- publican party, but he has never accepted candidacy for an elective office.
In military circles Mr. Swift is well known as a former member of the 12th Company, Coast Artil- lery Corps, Massachusetts State Militia, in which he held the rank of first lieutenant until his resigna- tion in 1913. During the World War he served as first lieutenant of one of the local companies of the Massachusetts State Guard (infantry). Also, fol- lowing the intervention of the United States in European affairs, he was counsel for the custodian of alien property for the city of Fall River and vicinity, and was an associate member of the local legal advisory board. Mr. Swift is affiliated frater- nally with King Philip Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Fall River Lodge of Perfection; Samuel C. Lawrence Council, Princes of Jerusalem; St. An- drew's Chapter, Rose Croix; and Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the thirty-second degree. He is a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, the Fall River Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Bar Association. He is a director of the Quequechan Club and the Fall River Rotary Club, and is a member of the Acoaxet Country Club and the Mas- sachusetts Savings Bank Officers' Club, of this last named organization now (1923) being vice-president. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Fall River.
John T. Swift married, January 28, 1914, Julia Beaumont Gilroy, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and they are the parents of one son, John Beaumont, born April 28, 1915. The residence of the family is at No. 294 French street, Fall River, and their summer home is at Puncatest Neck, Tiverton, Rhode Island, on the shore of the' Seaconnet river. The Fall River home has been in the family since 1883.
CITIZENS' SAVINGS BANK OF FALL RIVER .- Few institutions of the East can boast a finer or more perfectly equipped building than that which stands at the corner of Main and Bedford streets, Fall River, and is known as the home of the Citizens' Savings Bank. Built entirely of gran- ite, this structure is unique in this city in this fea- ture, and its graceful, yet massive, design makes it a building in which the entire community may take pride.
The history of the Citizens' Savings Bank is a record of the high ideals of devoted executives, among whom should be mentioned Joseph Osborn, Weaver Osborn, John C. Milne, presidents, and Edward E. Hathaway and William F. Winter, treas- urers, all deceased, who have opened to the people of Fall River opportunities of economic security and independence such as form a vital factor in the life of every civic body. The recent opening of the institution in its new building, which took place on April 7, 1923, inaugurated a new epoch in its history and gave the people of Fall River a closer familiar- ity with its progress. Seventy-two years ago this institution was founded, in what was then a part of Tiverton, Rhode Island, its first corporate name being "The Savings Bank of Tiverton," the board of governors comprising: Oliver Chace, Jr .; Cook Borden; Thomas Borden; and Clark Manchester; their several associates completing the personnel of the enterprise. The amount of deposits receivable was at first limited to the sum of $400,000. The deposits now exceed $12,000,000.
The bank was definitely organized November 15, 1851, Joseph Osborn being elected president; Charles F. Searle, secretary; William H. Brackett, treasurer. A board of fifteen trustees was created, also a board of investment, the latter comprising Cook Borden; Oliver Chace, Jr .; Weaver Osborn; William C. Chapin; and Samuel Hathaway. Opened for business on December 1, 1851, the first deposit was received on the same day. The first location of this institution was at the corner of South Main and Rodman streets, and they removed to rooms in the same building theretofore occupied by the Po- casset Bank, in 1854. The division of the town of Tiverton ensued two years later, this location being within the portion which became Fall River, and on March 15, 1862, the change of the State boundary line made this a Massachusetts bank. It was at this time that the present name was adopted. Within the month the bank was removed to the City Hall building, then generally known as the Market build- ing, and there it remained until its removal to the structure recently vacated. The site of this building
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cost $15,000 at the time of purchase, more than a half century ago, and its present value cannot read- ily be computed. Additional property was acquired in the year 1920, and by an intensely interesting process of engineering the fine granite outside walls of the second and third floors were retained as a part of the new building, and determined the general style of architecture. The present new, modern building stands as a monument to the economic prosperity and advance of the city of Fall River, and the impetus given to the institution is most gratifying to the official personnel of the bank and to the community.
To the indomitable energy and progressive ideals of John T. Swift, the treasurer and active chief executive of the institution, the accomplishment of this end was largely due. Mr. Swift succeeded Mr. Winter as treasurer in February, 1919. And in its stately beauty it exemplifies the highest type of modern architecture, as applied to the banking sys- tem of today. Associated with the treasurer in this momentus undertaking was a building committee composed of President Henry H. Earl and members of the Board of Investment. From the Tavernelle marble from northern Italy, the delicate rose color of which is one of the most attractive features of the great counting room, to the massive, ingeniously devised vault, perfection has been held as the stand- ard. The comfort of the patrons has been amply provided for as well as the absolute safety of the funds entrusted to the care of the bank. The latter being the most vital consideration, the marvels of the devices which insure it are of the greatest interest to the history of the institution. No gener- alities, however, could give to the depositors the feeling of security gained from the technicalities on this point published in the Fall River "Evening News" of April 9, 1923, following the opening of the new building to the public, as follows:
Incorporated in the center of the concrete walls of this vault is a line of heavy steel railroad rails set vertically and spaced close together. On either side of these rails and about two inches inside the concrete walls is a row of three-quar- ters inch steel rods set six inches apart, and the exterior row is staggered with the interior row. These are crossed hori- zontally every six inches by three-quarters inch rods, which provide criss-cross gridiron of steel on either side of the cen- tral line of rails-all of which goes to make up an impreg- nable steel and concrete barrier-one that will resist the hest known methods of attack for many hours. The roof and floors of the vault are further protected by the introduction of heavy structural steel eye heams which would prevent the crushing in of the vault if, during a conflagration, the entire building were to fall in upon it.
Before the concrete was poured in and after the steel frame work was in place a net work of lead-covered cable was laid in by the Bankers' Electric Protective Association so that no space over six inches wide in floors, roof and walls re- mained unprotected. If in drilling through the wall one of these cables is severed it causes the burglar alarm to ring. In addition to this alarm system for the vaults there is a day raid system consisting of huttons located at tellers' wick- ets, also on the several desks throughout the bank, which pro- vide instant call in case of emergency of any kind, to the central police station, as well as to the hurglar alarm on the exterior. This feature is part of the communication system which is very complete, and includes telephone services, bells, buzzers, etc.
The entire vault is further protected by a steel lining cov- ering the floors, walls and ceiling, at either end of which are placed the two 12-inch burglar-proof doors, set in heavy
vestibules. One of the doors opens from the working space into the security section, which is separated from the safe deposit portion hy polisbed steel grille and gate. The other door opens into the vault from the safe deposit department. Each door and vestibule is made up of steel plates which will resist drilling . and also the oxy-acetylene hlow torch. These doors are bung on heavy Crane hinges wbich allow the door to swing to a position exactly in front of the opening, and then driven back into the steel vestibule by means of the pressure system, controlled hy a steel wheel and gears. This insures a perfect fit. Four jeweled time lock watch move- ments are included in each door. They govern the releas- ing mechanism of the door and are set to run to the re- quired number of hours-the door cannot be opened until at lease one of these four movements has completed its run as set by the officer in charge. It is, therefore, impossible for a lockout to occur unless all four movements in any one door fail to make the complete run.
These ponderous doors are so perfectly adjusted that very . little effort is required to open and close them. This is re- markable when one considers that each door, with its vesti- hule, weighs in the neighborhood of ten tons.
Yet it is true that all this mechanical perfection would be meaningless without the implicit confi- dence of the people in the men who govern it. The personnel of the Citizens' Savings Bank is and always has been made up of names long familiarly known in the business world of Fall River, men whose activities have created industries, developed prosperity throughout the community, and led the civic body ever forward. The present officers are Henry H. Earl, president; vice-presidents, James M. Swift and Samuel W. Hathaway; clerk of cor- poration, Joseph D. Milne; treasurer, John T. Swift; assistant treasurer, Robert C. Crapo; trustees, Samuel W. Hathaway, Henry H. Earl, James E. Osborn, Patrick J. Hurley, William B. M. Chace, Charles E. Mills, Joseph D. Milne, James M. Swift, Henry F. Grinnell, John T. Swift, James C. Brady, William P. Thomas, Henry Ashworth, William E. Fawcett, Judson C. Mackenzie, John H. Holt, Dan- forth H. Hathaway, Leeds Burchard, Benjamin Earl, Edward F. Hanify and Armel L. Audet; board of investment, Henry H. Earl, Samuel W. Hathaway, James M. Swift, P. J. Hurley, and William E. Fawcett; auditing committee, Henry F. Grinnell, James C. Brady, and William F. Thomas.
J. FRANK MASON .- As president and treasurer of the Mason Box Company, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, J. Frank Mason holds a broadly prominent position in the industrial world of this city. In every branch of civic and welfare endeavor he also takes a deep interest and lends his influence to all effort which counts for public advance. Mr. Mason comes of a very prominent family of the Attleboros, which settled in Bristol county in early Colonial days, and is a son of Thomas F. Mason, who was born in Attleboro, and was active as a jeweller until 1893, and then connected with his sons, J: Frank and Charles O. His death occurred in 1905. The mother, Harriet J. (Collins) Mason, was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and died in 1917.
J. Frank Mason was born at North Attleboro, Massachusetts, July 20, 1862. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he is a graduate of the Providence High School, class of 1877. Later preparing for a commercial career
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with a comprehensive course at the Bryant & Strat- ton Business College, at Providence, Mr. Mason began life as an employee of R. F. Simmons & Company, of North Attleboro, prominent manufac- turing jewellers of that day. He later identified him- self with Mason, Draper & Company in a similar line of activity, remaining for ten years as book- keeper and salesman. Thereafter for about two years Mr. Mason was affiliated with D. F. Briggs as foreman of his plant. With this excellent train- ing and practical experience, Mr. Mason then be- came interested with his brother, Charles O. Mason, in the founding of the present enterprise under the firm name of the Mason Box Company. They took up the manufacture of paper boxes in a small way, converting a little building in the rear of their home into a factory. A few girls were employed, and the scope of distribution was limited to the local trade. Upon this foundation the present great interest has been developed, the firm declaring as their inviolable policy "fair dealings with all customers, originality and quality." The splendid modern factory which they now own and occupy has a floor space of 55,000 square feet, and is equipped with the very latest machinery, many of their machines being of their own design and invention. They make all kinds and descriptions of jewelry boxes, paper dis- play cases of every sort for jewelry and silverware, express boxes, and so forth, one of their specialties being a superior and now widely popular mailing box. Aside from their regular lines they frequently bring out novelties to meet the display needs for a passing fad, in fact in every way meet all the requirements of the jewelry trade in the way of containers, display equipment and the like. They have a complete jewelry card department, and a very important branch is their display pad depart- ment, and they further produce leather novelties. Their printing plant is fully complete, also their steel die printing department. All these comprise the North Attleboro factory, where they employ about 300 people; they also have a branch factory at No. 69 Sprague street, Providence, Rhode Island, where 120 hands are employed; and they have an office in New York City, No. 6 Church street. Their products are sent to all parts of the United States, and they are one of the foremost American con- cerns in this field.
Mr. Mason is further affiliated with the business life of Bristol county as a director of the Manufac- turers' National Bank of North Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, also of the Attleboro Savings Bank. He is a member of the Manufacturing Jewellers' and Silversmiths' Association, the National Association of Paper Box Manufacturers, and the North Attle- boro Board of Trade. During the World War he served as chairman of the manufacturing jewellers division of the Liberty Loan cominittee, and in all branches of home war activity gave his best endeav- ors to promote the welfare of the various causes promoted. He was very active in the sale of Liberty Bonds and in Red Cross work, and his automobile was always at the disposal of the Four Minute speakers of that trying period, Mr. Mason person-
ally transporting these workers for the general good, introducing them in many cases to the assem- bled people, and doing everything in his power to . forward their work.
Mr. Mason has always stood for civic improve- ment and progress, and for every movement which counts for the welfare of the people. This is not with him an attitude merely, but he exemplifies, in his own relations with his employees, the true spirit of helpfulness. His liberal policy towards the workers in his factories endear him to them. He is always eager to reward efficient or faithful service, and many of the employees who have been with him a considerable length of time now fill im- portant positions in the organization and are stockholders in the company. Mr. Mason's more personal interests include wide fraternal connec- tions. He is a member of Bristol Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is also a mem- ber of the Improved Order of Red Men, and past sachem of Mirimishi Tribe.
HON. WILLIAM C. CROSSLEY, LL. B .- As a junior partner of the firm of Swift, Grime, Buffin- ton & Crossley, the Hon. William C. Crossley holds a noteworthy position in legal circles of Bristol county, Massachusetts. Mr. Crossley's public ser- vice has perhaps brought him even wider promi- nence than his professional activities, and he has done much in this connection which benefits his native city of Fall River, as well as the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. . Mr. Crossley is a son of William and Catherine M. (Brosnahan) Crossley.
William Crossley is a native of Blackburne, Lan- cashire, England, and came with his parents to the United States at the age of eight years, the family settling in Fall River, Massachusetts. His father, Luke Crossley, was a shoemaker by trade and was identified with this line of industrial endeavor throughout his lifetime. William Crossley has been active in the grocery business in Fall River for many years, and is one of the successful merchants of this city. The mother was born in Bridgewater, Massa- chusetts, and is also living.
William C. Crossley was born in Fall River, Mas- sachusetts, April 11, 1892. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he was graduated from B. M. C. Durfee High School in the class of 1910, after which he entered Jefferson Medical Col- lege at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before the ex- piration of his first year's study, however, the young man was compelled to go back to his native city on account of ill health and this eventuated in his change of plan for his future. In the year 1910 he took up the study of law at the offices of Swift, Grime & Swift, the predecessors of the present firm of which he is now a member. In the fall of the same year he entered Boston University School of Law and received his bachelor degree. in law from this institution upon his graduation in the class
William @ Crossley
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of 1914. Thereafter for a time he was active in a Boston law office, remaining until March, 1916, when he was admitted to the bar of Massachusetts, and immediately following this occasion he became a member of the firm of Clarkin & Crossley, forming a partnership with Harold E. Clarkin, as senior partner. This association continued until November, 1912, when Mr. Crossley became a member of the present firm, the name thereby becoming, Swift, Grime, Buffinton & Crossley. Messrs. Swift, Grime and Buffinton of this firm are leading figures in legal circles today in Fall River, and their lives are reviewed elsewhere in this work.
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