USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 2 > Part 60
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In the year 1917 Mr. Crossley was elected to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, being one of the youngest members ever sitting in that body. Representing the Eleventh Bristol District, he served as a member of the convention during the years 1917, 1918 and 1919 inclusive. In the latter year, after the conclusion of the deliberations of this body, he was elected to the Massachusetts State Legislature from the same district, and it also is noteworthy that under the biennial amendment to the State constitution this election placed him in office for a period of two years. His local public service has also been a matter of significance, and he was appointed special counsel under Mayor Kay, then was reappointed to the same position under Mayor Talbot. Following his reappointment he did special work in association with ex-Mayor Higgins, of Fall River, and Philip Nichols, of Boston, de- fending the suits of the various mills of Fall River seeking abatement of taxes. The stand taken by these eminent attorneys was that the privileges and advantages of the industrial plants of the city en- titled the municipality to collect taxes at reasonable ratio from them, rather than to throw the burden of public costs more heavily in proportion on the smaller taxpayers. Fraternally Mr. Crossley is identified with King Philip Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Fall River Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston; Azab Grotto, of Fall River. He is also a member of Fall River Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Fall River Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His clubs are the Fall River Country and the Lamawansett Tennis. His religious affiliation is with the Summerfield Method- ist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the famous Dr. E. C. Herrick's First Baptist Bible Class, which comprises more than 1,000 members of all denominations.
Mr. Crossley married, in 1918, Martha Edward Smith, a direct descendant of the "Mayflower" Pil- grims, who was born and reared in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Mrs. Crossley is a graduate nurse of the Truesdale Hospital, and took post-graduate work at Bellevue Hospital in New York City, also at the Providence City Hos- pital. She volunteered her services in the World War in July, 1918, and was sent to Camp Dix, New Jersey, where she had charge of a surgical ward.
Mr. and Mrs. Crossley are the parents of three children: Marjorie C. and Marion F., twins; and William C., Jr.
HERBERT HARTWELL SHUMWAY, in vari- ous branches of the cotton textile industry, has handled great interests, and as an executive has won the highest rank in this field. For the past fifteen years he has been active in Taunton as an independent manufacturer, and specializing in the manufacture of materials for the making of ladies' hats, has developed a nationally important enter- prise in this line of production. Mr. Shumway's large ability and extensive experience have also found scope for progressive effort in various other commercial and general interests, and his name is one of the most familiar names of the day in Bristol county, Massachusetts. He is a son of Harrison H. Shumway, a native of this State and a wheel- wright by trade, who died in 1903, forty-three years after the death of the wife and mother, Nancy (Wellman) Shumway, who was also a native of Massachusetts, and passed away in the year 1860, at an early age.
Herbert Hartwell Shumway was born at Hamp- den, Massachusetts, March 23, 1857. He received his early education in the public schools of Palmer, in this State, then gained a practical foundation for a business career at the Utica Commercial College, at Utica, New York. Following the completion of his education, Mr. Shumway entered the employ of the Dwight Manufacturing Company, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, with which concern he remained for a period of six years. He then went to Utica, New York, to accept a position as overseer of the Capron Mill, of that city, where he remained for two years. Coming to Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1880, Mr. Shumway became identified with the Elizabeth Poole Mill, as overseer of the carding room, and was active in this connection for three years. He then went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he started operations in a new mill in that city, as overseer of carding, and was promoted to superin- tendent of carding and spinning, and at the end of three years left it a prosperous and thoroughly efficient enterprise. His next experience was with the St. Croix Mills, at Milltown, New Brunswick, Canada, as superintendent of the carding, spinning and weaving departments. There Mr. Shumway had under his supervision about two hundred and fifty employees, but this position proved only a stepping stone to one of far larger responsibilities. After five years with the St. Croix Mills, he came to Fall River, Massachusetts, to become superintendent of the Richard Borden Mills of that city, where he had under his supervision between five and six hundred employees, 86,000 spindles, and 2,100 looms. His success in this plant was a noteworthy chapter in the annals of the organization, and his stay with the concern covered a period of five years. He then became general manager of the B. B. & R. Knight Company, generally conceded to be the largest cot- ton manufacturers in the world, and in this connec- tion Mr. Shumway had entire charge of thirteen
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plants and 10,000 operatives. The great responsi- bilities of this position he filled for a period of two years, doing constructive work in every department, increasing the efficiency of the organization and the quality of the output. He then resigned to become the head of another interest. He built the plant of the Corr Manufacturing Company, in East Taun- ton, and as one of the organizers of the concern, became treasurer of the company and agent in charge of the mills. This enterprise was started for the purpose of manufacturing cotton piece goods, and bringing the plant to a profitable basis, Mr. Shumway remained with the concern for twelve years as treasurer and agent. This was a well established organization when he resigned his offices and withdrew from the concern, in 1908. At this time Mr. Shumway established his present interest, organizing the Atlas Buckram Company, Inc., for the purpose of manufacturing buckram, netting and the various fabrics used in the manufacture of ladies' hat frames. They also produce large quantities of these fabrics for the general trade, and have done a constantly increasing business from the time of the founding of the enterprise. Located at No. 19 Spring street, Taunton, Massachusetts, the scope of their operations extends all over the United States and Canada, and they are ranked among the three largest concerns in this special field in this country. They have about 30,000 square feet of floor space and employ about sixty hands. Mr. Shumway is still president of this concern, and although his eldest son is associated with him, and has assumed many responsibilities, the founder is the leading spirit in the enterprise, and is carrying it forward to ever larger success. Mr. Shumway is also affili- ated with other industrial and commercial organiza- tions and movements. He is president of the Palo Blanco Fruit Company, of Porto Rico; a director of the Palo Alto Fruit Company, of Porto Rico; and for three years has been president of the Board of Trade of Taunton. He is a director of the At- lantic Deeper Waterways Commission, and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to national and world progress. During the World War he served, by appointment of the United States Labor Bureau, as industrial advisor of the Sixth District, and he is now the possessor of a certificate from the United States Government in appreciation of his usefulness in the work placed in his hands. In local advance Mr. Shumway is always equally ready to bear a share in constructive effort along any line. He is chairman of the local playground committee ,and is a director of the Boys' Club of Taunton. Frat- ernally he is prominent, being a member of King .David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons;, Mount Olivet Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. Stephen's Commandery, Knights Templar; Boston Lodge of Perfection, Princes of Jerusalem; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and
Herbert Hartwell Shumway married, in 1882,
Flora Frances Palmer, who was born in Norway, Maine, and is a daughter of Alonzo S. and Phylena (Godfrey) Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Shumway are the parents of three sons: Alonzo H., of further men- tion; Herbert H., who served with the Coast Artil- lery Corps during the World War; and Walter P., who was active on a submarine chaser in the United States Navy during the war, holding the rank of chief electrician.
Alonzo H. Shumway, the eldest son of this family, is now active with his father in the Atlas Buckram Company, and is counted among the progressive and really significant executives of Taunton. He was born at Charleston, South Carolina, October 20, 1883. The family returning North in his childhood, his education was begun in the public schools of Fall River, Massachusetts, and continued in the pub- lic schools of Taunton. Purposing to enter the industry in which his father was engaged, Mr. Shumway took a course at the Lowell Textile School, then started life as a manufacturer of cur- tains, in Taunton. He was active along this line for about three years, then, with the dissolution of the concern, he accepted a responsible position with the Columbia Shade Company, of West Pullman, as manager of their lace curtain department. After four years in this connection Mr. Shumway returned to Taunton to become associated with his father in the Atlas Buckram Company, of which he has since been treasurer, still filling this responsible office. Alonzo H. Shumway is taking a broadly progressive part in the affairs of the company, and his compre- hensive grasp of the various phases relevant to this branch of the textile industry places him among the efficient and able executives of the day in Bris- tol county. His further business affiliations include his offices as treasurer and a director of the Robin- son Company, Inc., of this city, auto dealers. He was for several years a member of Company D, National Guard of the State of Massachusetts, and in all public interests lends his influence to every progressive movement. His more personal interests include membership in King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and he is identined with all the Masonic bodies, also Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is further a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His clubs are the Winthrop and the Segregansett Country, and he is a leading member of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of the Universalist church.
Alonzo H. Shumway married, in 1916, Mabel J. Strange, of Taunton, daughter of Edward F. and Phoebe Strange, of this city.
OSCAR G. THOMAS .- Few names have meant more to the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, and to the industrial prosperity of Bristol county, than that of Oscar G. Thomas, whose life was devoted to the Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of . manufacture of stoves and ranges, and in whose the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religi- ous affiliation is with the Universalist church. death the world lost not only a great industrial executive, but a man of rare worth and a forward- looking, public-spirited citizen. His death, which occurred on December 10, 1920, caused widespread
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regret, both in the city which practically throughout his lifetime was his residence and in the trade in which he was so widely known. But it was to those with whom he was most closely associated that his loss brought the deepest sorrow. His constant thoughtfulness for others, and his personal interest in every worker in his foundry, made him the head of the organization in a peculiarly happy sense, and made his loss the more keenly felt when he was suddenly taken away. Sampson Perkins, Oscar G. Thomas' maternal grandfather, was one of the founders of the above foundry, inaugurating its activities under the firm name of Eddy & Perkins.
Oscar G. Thomas was born in North Dighton, Massachusetts, May 1, 1851, and was a son of Gustavus and Hannah (Perkins) Thomas. Born on the famous Joseph Hathaway homestead of North Dighton, he gained his early education in Taunton, later attending Pierce Academy; at Middleboro, Mas- sachusetts, for two winter terms, gaining the oppor- tunity for this advanced study through his own efforts. He then associated himself with his grand- father in the enterprise which became the scene of his life-work, and which still bears his name. This industry was founded many years prior to the Civil War, on the site which it now occupies, by Eddy & Perkins, who carried it forward for some years, Sampson Perkins becoming sole owner in 1867. He carried it forward until the year 1873, when Oscar G. Thomas assumed the management of its affairs. This concern, the history of which forms an inter- esting part of the industrial pages of this work, has been devoted to iron founding and stove manufac- ture from its inception, and with the various changes of personnel during the passing years, the standards of the organization have ever been held high. They have led the way in the manufacture of parlor stoves and ranges under the trademark "Herald," the growth of the plant having taken place during the period in which Oscar G. Thomas guided its for- tunes. The plant came to a period of large pros- perity under his fostering care and fearless advance, two generations of Taunton men finding their means of livelihood under its roofs. Mr. Thomas enlarged its capacity from time to time, and one of his latest acts, although he was advanced in years, was the purchase of the Crucible plant adjoining for the development of plans stretching far into the future. His health had been uniformly good for many years, and nothing could have been more shocking to the people than the news that he was gone. It was after a day of alert activity, spent between the West Water street and the Rehoboth plants, that he sat down to supper with his family shortly before six o'clock, and without even sufficient warning for a farewell word to his loved ones, stepped from a useful and benevolent life into another world . where it seems such a man could only go 'to further, wider usefulness. The Taunton "Daily Gazette," a leading evening daily of this city, commented upon this sad event in the following issue (December 11, 1920), in these lines of esteem and appreciation :
The announcement comes as a shock to this community, and it will be heard with regret by a large circle of friends
and business associates outside the city, as Mr. Thomas was everywhere accounted not only a man of most upright busi- ness principles, but one whose word and personality in all matters, business, social and religious, were those of a citizen on all occasions to be fully depended upon. He was known among those whom he employed as a man sympathetic and kindly, always preferring the humblest before himself, and seeking to do good without publishment of the matter at any and all seasons of the year. The general word of all in his employ always has been one of honest praise and commenda- tion both of the business methods and the friendliness of Mr. Thomas. Those intimate with him at his office and in his church and social relations freely declare their respect for the worth of the man.
The attention of Mr. Thomas was not wholly cen- tered in the stove industry, but he was a stockholder in various concerns of Boston, Massachusetts; Provi- dence, Rhode Island; and Nashua, New Hampshire; active in the sale of furniture. He was treasurer for a long period of the Dighton Stove Lining Com- pany, and served on the board of directors of the Weir Co-operative Bank of Taunton. His advice and judgment were considered constructive factors in the development of these concerns and their present importance. All worthy effort found in him a sympathizing friend and able champion. He was one of the most loyal workers for the progress and support of the Young Men's Christian Association and served for years on the industrial committee of that organization. He was a devout Christian, a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Weir Village, and for many years held office in the Methodist Social Union.
Oscar G. Thomas married, on November 19, 1873, Annie J. Wright, daughter of Joseph Wright, an early iron founder of Taunton, who for years owned the Union Foundry, later merged with the Thomas interests. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born four children: Howard W., a sketch of whom follows; Josephine S., wife of Howard Milton Poole, of Taunton, their children numbering two: Madel- ine Thomas and Virginia Sampson; Helen P .; and Laura G., these two daughters still residing at home. The wife, children and grandchildren still survive Mr. Thomas, also his sister, Mrs. Frank R. Washburn.
In such a life as that of Oscar G. Thomas are exemplified those standards of thought, and those goals of purpose which contribute in the most prac- tical and constructive way to the prosperity of the community and the welfare of the people. In his passing Taunton lost not only a man of high achievement, but of lofty ideals; and in his life history the city is honored, and in his memory, blest.
HOWARD W. THOMAS :- At the head of an. important and long established industrial concern of Taunton, Massachusetts, Howard W. Thomas stands among the broadly noteworthy figures of Bristol county, and his activities are promoting the progress of the stove industry throughout the country. The firm of Oscar G. Thomas & Company, of Taunton, is one of international fame as manufacturers of "Herald " ranges, and Howard W. Thomas is the fourth generation to stand in the leading executive position of the enterprise. Through some changes
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of name and the many vicissitudes incidental to all business organizations, the plant, which is now one of the significant features of this center of stove production, has been devoted to similar activities for upwards of a century. A grandson of Gustavus and Hannah (Perkins) Thomas, he is descended from Sampson Perkins, of the original firm of Eddy & Perkins, which was succeeded by Gustavus Thomas, son-in-law of the founder, and in his turn, by Oscar G. Thomas, whose name it still bears, and whose life is reviewed at length on preceding pages.
Howard W. Thomas, son of Oscar G. and Annie J. (Wright) Thomas, was born in the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, March 1, 1876. His educa- tion was begun in the local public schools, and he was graduated from the Taunton High School in the class of 1894. With this practical preparation for his life-work, Mr. Thomas entered upon the activities of the plant of which his father was then the owner and the active head, and was associated with him until the death of the older man, becom- ing a member of the firm on January 1, 1911, upon its incorporation. Upon the death of his father he was elected to the office of president of the company, and in this connection still ably serves. Howard W. Thomas has further business affiliations in Taunton, acting as a director of the Dighton Stove Lining Company, Inc. Interested in a general way in all that pertains to civic and social advance, Mr. Thomas has few connections outside the busi- ness world, his time being wholly commanded therein.
Howard W. Thomas married, in 1910, Emma L. Mason, of Taunton, and they have one daughter, Jean M., born in 1911.
GEORGE W. CHEEVER has for forty-three years been a leading jewelry manufacturer in Bristol county. Winning his way on his merits in his earlier years, Mr. Cheever took counsel of his cour- age at an early age and struck out for himself in the present enterprise, which has become one of the really important concerns in jewelry manufacture in this section.
Mr. Cheever is a son of William M. Cheever, who was born at Wrentham, Massachusetts, and died in 1883; he was a jeweler by trade. The mother, Frances J. (Allen) Cheever, was born at Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and was a daughter of Hon. Isaiah Allen, for many years representative of that town in the Massachusetts Legislature.
George W. Cheever was born at North Attleboro, February 22, 1846. His education was limited to the public school course, but gifted with the ability to win useful knowledge from every experience, he has supplemented his formal education with a broadly comprehensive fund of learning. His early business experience was in the capacity of clerk in mercantile activities at both North Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. Returning from Providence to North Attleboro he learned the trade of jeweler and was active in the employ of various concerns until the year 1880. At this time
Mr. Cheever established himself as a manufacturing jeweler. His enterprise attracted considerable at- tention, and with the energy and initiative of the thoroughly progressive business executive, Mr. Cheever developed a considerably important interest. He has followed those policies which give success in any field of endeavor, and with the constant ex- pansion of the business has won ever higher promi- nence. The firm was known under the name of G. W. Cheever & Company until its incorporation, which occurred January 1, 1897, John E. Tweedy becoming a member of the firm at that time. The firm name thereby became Cheever, Tweedy & Com- pany, which is the form still retained. The plant has remained at its original location in the Company building on Elm street, where they occupy an entire floor of more than 5,000 square feet of floor space, employing 80 hands. They manufacture a general line of jewelry, specializing in designs for ladies' wear, and their products go to all parts of the United States and Canada. This is one of the lead- ing enterprises of its kind at the present time, as well as one of the oldest in this field, and its pres- ent importance has been developed from the original quota of only six employees.
Mr. Cheever is also interested in the financial world of North Attleboro as vice-president and a director of the North Attleboro Savings Bank. He supports the Republican party in political affairs, and is a member of the finance committee of that party, although otherwise he has never accepted public responsibility. He is a charter member of the North Attleboro Board of Trade, and has for- merly been identified with the Manufacturing Jewel- ers' Association. Fraternally Mr. Cheever is affili- ated with Bristol Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; and Palestine Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Providence, Rhode Island. Socially he is affiliated with the Pomham Club, of Rhode Island. Interested as he is in many phases of community advance, Mr. Cheever is broadly repre- sentative of all that counts for enduring progress in civic, social and industrial affairs. He is a mem- ber of the Universalist parish.
Mr. Cheever married, in 1873, Harriett O. Rich- ards, who was born at North Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, a daughter of Francis P. Richards, who was a leading manufacturing jeweler of North Attleboro, and a member of a very old and honored family of this community. Mrs. Cheever's mother, Julia (Peck) Richards, was born at Rehoboth, Mas- sachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Cheever are the parents of one daughter, Annie F., now the wife of Edward T. Upham.
HON. GEORGE GRIME, A. B., A. M., LL. B .---- As a leading member of the law firm of Swift, Grime, Buffinton & Crossley, one of the foremost groups of attorneys in Fall River, Massachusetts, the Hon. George Grime is closely identified with the progress of the city, and as a public servant and at one time mayor of Fall River, Judge Grime is a
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leader in civic advance. Judge Grime is a son of William E. and Ruth E. (Mellor) Grime, both natives of England, who came to the United States in 1869, locating in Fall River. The father, who was a machinist by occupation, was a man of a deep public spirit and lofty ideals, and early became a citizen of this country, supporting her institutions and contributing to her prosperity. Both parents are now deceased and lying in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River.
George Grime was born in Manchester, England, September 7, 1859. He was about ten years of age when he came to this country with his parents, and his education, which was begun in his native land, was continued in the grammar and high schools of Fall River. He later entered Brown University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1886, at that time receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the same insti- tution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts, but in the meanwhile he had entered Harvard University School of Law, from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws, and from which he graduated in the class of 1890. Admitted to the bar in his native State, Judge Grime took up the prac- tice of his chosen profession in the fall of the same year, and in the following year formed a partner- ship with M. G. B. Swift, under the firm name of Swift & Grime. This firm succeeded Brayley & Swift, Mr. Swift's former partner having been ele- vated to the bench of the Superior Court. Judge Brayley is now a member of the Supreme Judicial Court and is the oldest practicing judge in the Mas- sachusetts Courts. The death of Mr. Swift occur- red in 1902, but the firm still chose to do him the honor of retaining his name, his son, James M. Swift, being then in the firm. Later James M. Swift was elected assistant district attorney, still later district attorney, and eventually attorney-gen- eral of Massachusetts. Another son of Judge Swift, John Tuttle Swift, became affiliated with the firm and continued therein for a number of years. John Tuttle Swift was considered one of the most active and successful trial lawyers of Fall River, but re- signed to become treasurer and executive head of the Citizens' Savings Bank. James M. Swift is senior partner of this firm, and the younger mem- bers of the firm are Harold S. R. Buffinton and William C. Crossley, both having come into the organization within recent years, reviews of their lives appearing elsewhere in this work. The firm handles principally real estate and banking practice, and they now occupy the entire second floor of the new Citizens' Savings Bank building, one of the finest structures in the city.
The public service of Judge George Grime is a record of eminent and commendable usefulness. He was first brought forward as city solicitor of Fall River in 1892 and served for three years. He was then appointed associate justice of the Second Dis- trict Court of Bristol County, and served for seven years. His work on the bench was distinguished by the fairmindedness and broad vision which have made Judge Grime one of the significant forces
for progress in Bristol county, and although he served in this position so many years ago he is still remembered as one of the most thoroughly estim- able men who have ever graced the bench of Massa- chusetts. In the year 1901 Judge Grime was elected to the highest local office in the gift of the people, that of Mayor of the city of Fall River, and on this occasion his popularity was clearly demonstrated, for he carried every precinct in the city at the elections in December of that year. He served as the last mayor under the old charter and the first mayor under the new one, his administration having covered the date of change. Later Judge Grime again received the appointment of city solicitor, and from 1912 until the present time his activities in this office have continued, contributing in a marked de- gree to the prosperity and economic security of the municipality. During the World War he served, by appointment from the governor of the State, as chairman of the legal advisory board of the city of Fall River. Judge Grime is affiliated with the world of finance of Fall River as a member of the corporation of the Fall River Savings Bank and attorney for the Troy Co-operative Bank and of the Citizens' Savings Bank. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Troy Co-operative Bank.
Fraternally he is widely prominent, being a mem- ber of Mt. Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Fall River Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar; Fall River Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Fall River Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is trustee; and Mt. Vernon Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He was active in or- ganizing the Fall River Historical Society, and is one of the board of directors thereof. His clubs are the Quequechan and the King Philip Boat; he is a member of the First Baptist Church of Fall River, with which he has been identified since the year 1876.
Judge Grime married, in October, 1899, at the Judson Memorial Church, New York City, Helen A. Arnold, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, who died March 9, 1923.
JAMES THOMAS MILNE .- A venerable figure in the cotton textile industry in Fall River, Massa- chusetts, still active and keenly alert to the move- ments of the times, although past the age of three score and ten, James Thomas Milne has for many years taken a definitely constructive part in the industrial advance of Fall River. Mr. Milne's long experience as a capable and efficient executive has meant much to the prosperity of the Osborn Mills, of which for fifteen years he has been treasurer.
Rev. John Milne, grandfather of James T. Milne, was an eminent divine of Scotland, and his influ- ence not only in his own generation and country, but through his son in America, was the source of much good.
Alexander Milne, son of Rev. John Milne, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in the year 1811, and was educated for the ministry under his father's
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able tutoring. At the age of about eighteen years he crossed the Atlantic, landing In Nova Scotia, and shortly after coming to the United States he settled in Fall River, Massachusetts. Here he found employment in the machine shop of Hawes, Marvel & Davol, where he worked for a number of years. He later became interested in Sunday school work, this leading to his eventual activity in the ministry. While still employed in the factory he was associ- ated with Deacon Peckham, familiarly and affec- tionately known as "Father Peckham" in mission- ary work. Mr. Milne then entered the ministry, his first charge being as pastor of the Central Bap- tist Church of Tiverton, Rhode Island. He was later transferred, successively, to Pocasset, Massa- chusetts, Middleboro, Massachusetts, Schodack and Sand Lake, New York, subsequently being sent to Thornhill, Onondago county, New York, thence to Macedon, New York, thence to Alden, New York, where his last active years were spent. He re- signed from the ministry in the year 1865 and re- turned to Fall River, Massachusetts, where his death occurred in the autumn of 1866. He is re- membered still by some of the older residents of this city as one of the old time clergymen who preached Christianity because he loved it and felt that it was his mission in life to make life brighter for his fellowmen. The inscription on his gravestone is: "His mission was to preach Christ and he was faith- ful to his trust." Alexander Milne married Eliza A. Osborn, who survived him for about eleven years, passing away in 1877. She was a worthy helpmate and a faithful co-worker in his religious activities.
James Thomas Milne was born at Schodack, New York, October 26, 1846. His early education was acquired in the public schools of the various towns to which his father's work as a minister called him, the family residence necessarily changing many times. He later had the advantage of a course at the Cottage Seminary at Alden, New York, but his formal school attendance closed at the age of six- teen years. His early business experience was in the employ of a photographer of Buffalo, New York, one of the pioneers in the art of photography, and while in this connection Mr. Milne attended the evening courses at the Bryant & Stratton Business College in Buffalo. In October, 1863, Mr. Milne entered the employ of an older brother, who conducted a photograph gallery in Fall River, then in the following year he accepted a position as clerk in the Pocasset Bank, Mr. Milne was active in this institution for about five years, then in the fall of 1868 he became the junior partner in the private banking firm of Easton & Milne, which house later became prominent in the real estate business and was identified extensively with the erection of many of the prominent textile plants of this city and vicinity. In January, 1876, with the gradual shrinking of values brought about by a period of overproduction and subsequent financial panic, the firm of Easton & Milne went down in the general crash. Meanwhile, in the year 1872, the Osborn Mill was organized in the banking house
of Easton & Milne, the capitalization being $500,000. and the entire amount fully subscribed in one day. Weaver Osborn, an uncle of Mr. Milne, and one of the largely prominent figures in the early financial progress of Fall River, was made first president of this corporation, and Joseph Healy was made the first treasurer. This concern has gone forward to a point where the present capitalization is $750,000, and Mr. Milne became associated with the organiza- tion in the year 1908.
Meanwhile, in February, 1876, Mr. Milne founded the firm of . Tuttle, Milne & Company, receiving into partnership a brother, George A. Milne, who re- mained with the firm until his retirement in 1880, when he went West. In 1878 P. J. Hurley came into the firm and was associated with J. T. Milne until the year 1900, when the firm was dissolved, and for about eight years Mr. Milne was retired from business activity. His holdings in the textile plants of this section kept his interest alive in this branch of industrial activity, however, and in the year 1908 he was elected treasurer of the Osborn Mills. In this capacity he has since ably served, and in this connection it is relevant to state that since his election to the treasurership of the concern the Osborn Mills have never failed to pay a quarterly dividend to their stockholders. Mr. Milne's duties as treasurer still command his attention, and his ability and seasoned judgment are active forces for progress in the organization. Mr. Milne is a direc- tor of the Metacomet National Bank of Fall River, and also a member of the corporation of the Citi- zens' Savings Bank, a review of which institution is published on other pages of this work. His time has always been largely devoted to his work, but he is fraternally affiliated with King Philip Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, is a charter member of the Quequechan Club, and also of the Fall River Country Club. Since early life he has affiliated him- self with religious advance and worships at the First Baptist Church of Fall River.
James Thomas Milne married (first), in January, 1869, Abbie L. Slade, daughter of William L. and Mary Slade, of Somerset, Massachusetts. Mrs. Milne died in November, 1872. Mr. Milne married (second), in February, 1876, Mattie J. Gardner, daughter of Samuel Borden and Louise (Keith) Gardner, of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of one son, Keith, born in August, 1878, died in July, 1879. The Milne town residence is at No. 254 French street, Fall River, and the summer home is at Martha's Vineyard.
DAVID E. MAKEPEACE .- With a record of thirty-six years continuous, independent activity in his present field of industrial effort, David E. Make- peace, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, has won his way to a preeminent position in the production of jew- elers' stock. The D. E. Makepeace Company, In- corporated, is the largest concern in the world in the manufacture of seamless wire and tubing, rolled plate and so forth for the jewelers' trade.
Mr. Makepeace is a son D. W. Makepeace, who was born at Norton, Massachusetts, and died in the
HECKMAN
BINDERY, INC. Bound-To-Please"
JULY 03
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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