USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
Fall River, Massachusetts, May 17, 1860, and there yet resides, having just passed his sixty-third year of vigorous manhood, an active business man. He ob- tained his education in Fall River public schools, and then entered the clerical employ of the Clyde Steam- ship Company, spending the first three years of his business life with that company. He was next a local contractor of electrical work in connection with the Edison Company, so continuing until September, 1885, when he established in business as a cotton broker. He operated alone until 1888, when with his brother, William B. Hawes, he formed the firm of O. S. Hawes & Brother, which yet continues (1923) as yarn brokers.
The years which have since intervened have been years of growth and expansion for Fall River, and for the corporation of which Mr. Hawes has long been connected, and with his responsibilities he has corre- spondingly developed into a strong, self-reliant, re- sourceful and progressive, executive and a man of affairs. He now is and for years has been president of the Fall River National Bank; president of the King Philip Mills and the American Linen Company; ยท a director of the Fall River Electric Light Company; member of the Board of Investment of the Fall River Savings Bank, and a member of the firm of O. S. Hawes & Brother. Politically, Mr. Hawes is a Re- publican. He is a member of the First Congregational (Trinitarian) Church, the church of the faith of his ancestors.
Oliver S. (2) Hawes married, November 18, 1886, at Fall River, Massachusetts, Mary E. Tripp, born Sep- tember 27, 1861, daughter of Azariah S. and Elizabeth R. (Griffin) Tripp, her father a national bank cashier, savings bank president, and director of several cor- porations, manufacturing and public utilities. Mr. and Mrs. Hawes are the parents of four children: Richard Kingsley, born July 21, 1888; Lincoln Tripp, born March 18, 1895; Oliver Snow (3), born July 4, 1897; Philip Tripp, twin with Oliver S. (3).
HAROLD S. R. BUFFINTON-Holding a lead- ing position in the legal fraternity in Fall River, Massachusetts, Mr. Buffinton is a member of the firm of Swift, Grime, Buffinton & Crossley. In this group of progressive men of the day, Mr. Buffinton is win- ning large success in his chosen field of professional endeavor. He is a son of Charles D. and Sabrina M. (Davis) Buffinton, both natives of Fall River and both still living. The father has for many years been active as the manager of the widely known firm of S. R. Buffinton & Company, leading coal dealers of Fall River.
Harold S. R. Buffinton was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, December 18, 1887. He received his early education in the public schools of this city, and is a graduate of the B. M. C. Durfee High School, class of 1905. Thereafter entering Harvard University, he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1909 and with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1912. Mr. Buffinton began the practice of his profes- sion in the city of Boston, but after two years' ex- perience there, returned to Fall River to become asso- ciated with the law firm theretofore known as Swift, Grime & Swift. In 1915 he was made a member of
the firm, and the name thereby became Swift, Grime & Buffinton. William C. Crossley coming into the organization in November, 1920, the firm name as- sumed its present form, and these forward-looking men are handling a vry extensive and lucrative practice of a general nature. As a member of this firm, Mr. Buffinton is affiliated with the American Bar Associa- tion, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Bar Association of Fall River, serving on the executive committee of the two latter bodies.
In March, 1918, Mr. Buffinton entered the World War, after having been twice rejected. He was sta- tioned at Camp Hancock, Georgia, as a private in the ordnance department. He was subsequently transferred to Camp Fremont, Palo Alto, California, where he was made sergeant of ordnance, which non-commis- sioned office he held until January, 1919, when he received his honorable discharge from the service, and returning East, resumed his law practice. Mr. Buffin- ton is well known socially, being a member of the Quequechan, Fall River Country and the Acoaxet clubs. His religious affiliation is with the First Chris- tian Church, and he is a member of the church com- mittee.
WALTER M. LOWNEY-It would be difficult to find in the State of Massachusetts a name more universally known the world over than that of Walter M. Lowney, the pioneer of package chocolate bonbons, and that "name on every piece" carried around the world has become a synonym for sincerity and busi- ness integrity. From the connoisseur to the child who loves Lowney sweets because they are delicious to the last morsel, the world has capitulated to the charm of quality, and honors the name which is a household word in every country on the face of the globe. Thousands of consumers are probably unaware that the work of production is now being carried on by others, but the significance of the name will never change. No formal eulogy, however, could possibly carry the wealth of meaning which the name holds for the people of Mansfield, Massachusetts, who knew Walter M. Lowney as business executive, citizen and friend, and words of appreciation are more fittingly left for them.
William Lowney, Mr. Lowney's father, lived in the city of Bangor, Maine, a generation or two ago. He married Eliza Weston, of Maine, and both were mem- bers of old and honored families of that State.
Walter M. Lowney was born at Sebec, Maine, Sep- tember 2, 1855. His formal education was limited to the advantages of the Bangor public schools, but his mental capacity knew no limits, and the courage and boundless faith in himself and mankind which marked every step in his career were the strongst character- istics of the man. His career was begun in his native State, as for some years he was engaged as a tailor in Bangor but the blood of pioneers ran in his veins and his keen interest in life suggested wider oppor- tunities of achievement in other fields of endeavor. Mr. Lowney accordingly came to Boston, where he became associated with the Philadelphia Candy Com- pany, and was for about three years active in their New England interests. It was in 1879 that he formed this affiliation, and the three succeeding years gave
150
BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
Mr. Lowney the working basis upon which he founded the present great industry. His appraisal of conditions in the candy trade led him to a conviction that a package of fine chocolate bonbons at a reasonable price was the great lack of the time, for outside the large cities nothing could be found except cough drops, stick candies and perhaps a few kinds of confec- tionery. Furthermore, in all New England there was then no plant producing chocolates. Those who knew Mr. Lowney know that for him to decide was to act, and in February, 1883, he established himself inde- pendently at No. 89 South street, Boston, getting to- gether, by the greatest personal sacrifice, the equip- ment for the manufacture of a fine grade of chocolate bonbons. This first plant was a four-story structure, a fraction under thirty by thirty feet in ground dimen- sions. A phase of the enterprise broadly characteristic of all Mr. Lowney's activities was that even at the start he produced something a little different, intro- ducing the light chocolate covering. Thus he gave a more delicate consistency and flavor to his product, the excellence of materials and perfection of formulae compelling their popularity, notwithstanding the gloomy prophesies of the trade regarding the innovation.
The people gave to the Lowney chocolates the very practical commendation of a steadily increasing de- mand for more. With the man of the pioneer spirit the situation was resolved into a matter of staying power, and he stayed. The struggles and sacrifices incident to the establishing of any enterprise on a sure and permanent foundation he experienced in full measure, and it was early in January, 1886, that a larger building was secured on rental to meet the imperative need of expansion. This building was located at Nos. 101-103 Pearl street, in Boston, and machinery was installed and operations were in full swing on the 30th of the same month. The organiza- tion later looked back to the record sale of that year- nineteen cases, valued at $750, which were shipped on July 27, 1886, small, perhaps, beside the daily carloads of the present time, but a great achievement at that period. In those early years Walter M. Lowney was the entire executive force, often also taking a hand in production, particularly in instructing new employees. Right here is perhaps best brought out his attitude towards work. He demanded of himself the highest possible achievement, and he demanded the same of every employee and associate in the entire organiza- tion. Nothing short of perfection satisfied him, and there was no place in his factory for any one who was content with a less lofty standard. Yet in the most comradely way he worked with his people, striv- ing ever for his goal, expecting every worker to strive with and for him, but never asking of even the most unimportant subordinate a service which he would not willingly perform himself.
Steady growth marked the history of the enterprise. A lease was obtained on an adjoining property in 1887, and in 1890 a third building on Pearl street was taken over. Meanwhile, in 1888, the export business was founded, the first shipment of nineteen cases going to London, England, leaving the factory on January 19th. The concern was incorporated October 1, 1890, and on the 22nd of the same month the custom was estab- lished of employer and employee getting together on a
social footing. This occasion was a formal dinner at the Parker House, in Boston, and since that time many forms of social activity have cemented the happy relations between the workers and the man who directed and inspired their efforts. The comfort and health of the workers were always a paramount con- sideration with Mr. Lowney, and as early as February 24, 1891, he started work on a refrigeration plant for the cooling of the work rooms as well as the store- rooms.
Mr. Lowney's ideas for bringing his product before the attention of the people were from the first original and striking. One of the first internationally im- portant advertising projects was the exquisitely artistic building at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chi- cago, in 1893. This structure, which was a faithful reproduction and restitution of the ruined Temple of Vesta, in Rome, Italy, stood in the Court of Honor, and was at that time considered by many as an ex- travagant means of advertising. Close attention was given to costs, and the direct results were carefully computed. The financial returns were more than ade- quate reimbursement for the expenditure, to say noth- ing of the prestige gained and the pride of the workers in it. Lowney's product won the gold medal, the highest award there given to chocolate bonbons. Again, in 1901, Mr. Lowney exhibited at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, and he has since done the same at other leading fairs, winning the highest honors everywhere.
In the meantime the growth of the factory and its branches was a steady and continuous advance. The Chicago branch was opened March 11, 1891, and the present great building on Commercial street, in Boston, was erected in 1897, occupation being effected Feb- ruary 28, 1898. A noteworthy feature of this period was the shipment in 1900 of 42,000 pounds of Low- ney's chocolates to the United States Army in the Philippines, and this precedent has been followed up in both the army and the navy in all their expeditionary activities. When the limits of procurable land area in the city of Boston were exhausted, Mr. Lowney chose the town of Mansfield, Bristol county, Massachusetts, as the most desirable location for further expansion, and in 1903 the present splendid plant was erected here. Lowney's breakfast cocoa and chocolate cover- ings are produced in this factory. and it comprises one of the most important industrial interests of Bristol county. A subsidiary company was formed in Mont- real, Canada, in 1906, and subsequent activities have been established in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary and a fine branch in Toronto.
Mr. Lowney had extensive affiliations in the world of finance and among the organizations of the State for various progressive endeavors. He was a director of the Boston National Bank, served on the executive committee of the Associated Industries of Massachu- setts, and was chairman of the Americanization Com- mittee, this office being in closest alignment with his chief welfare interest. He was a member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics' Association, was a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, and from 1911 until 1915 served on the executive com- mittee of the board of directors of that body. Mr. Lowney was always very deeply interested and broadly -
151
BIOGRAPHICAL
active in all efforts for boys, was a director of the Boys' Club Federation of the United States, also of the Bunker Hill Boys' Club, of Charlestown. By political affiliation he was a staunch Republican, though never active in office, his multitudinous responsibilities commanding his time and strength too completely to admit of political interests. Fraternally he was affi- liated with St. Andrew's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Bangor, Maine, with various other Scot- tish Rite bodies, holding the thirty-second degree in this order, and was a member of Boston Commandery, Knights Templar, and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also of Boston.
Mr. Lowney, as a personality and a public-spirited citizen, meant much to the town of Mansfield, as well as in his activities as a leading manufacturer. The prosperity of the community is obviously increased by any enterprise which gives employment to the people, but he took a keen personal interest in the progress of the community. Within a period of five years he paid taxes, either individually or as the head of the concern, on about one-eighth of assessable property of Mansfield, and the valuation of this property has now reached about $750,000. In addition to the plant, he owns the Lowney stock farm, which he developed, and he built the "Tavern," which he made his resi- dence for more than a decade. He built the First National Bank building, and for fifteen years was a director of the institution, and he was president of the Mansfield Realty Association, also a director of the Mansfield Board of Trade. He purchased the for- lorn plot of ground known as the North Common, de- veloped there such a beauty spot as would be the pride of any community, and presented it to the town under the name of Lowney Park. The community honored him with a banquet in 1917, in grateful appreciation of this gift. It was principally through his influence that the legislation was brought about enabling the town to go forward under the present manager form of govern- ment, which is so highly commended by the practical business men of the town.
For many years Mr. Lowney has operated all his interests on the profit-sharing plan. This is only a concrete expression of the feeling of comradeship which has always been a marked feature of his attitude toward those associated with him in the capacity of employees. His death brought out countless expressions of appreciation from among them, as well as from his contemporaries in every walk .of life throughout the United States and from many foreign countries. An employee wrote for the "Lowney Messenger" of May, 1921 :
And how loyal to those who were loyal to him in turn! If "Bell was right," he was right, and that was the whole story. None of us knew how the burdens of our mistakes were as- sumed by "Mister" without comment or complaint because he believed in us, in our good intentions, straightforwardness and loyalty, nor how many times he came to our defense when it might have been necessary. Who could not and would not pull more than his load for such a man? These were the things that tied our people together.
Quotations might be multiplied, but the above ex- presses fully the bond of fellowship between employer and employee. The death of Walter M. Lowney was felt among them as the death of a father, a brother, a close friend. He passed away in Atlantic City, New
Jersey, April 4, 1921, heart failure being the cause. No one who has ever known him can forget the dynamic, still broadly benevolent personality for which that name stands. Great, even in little things, he is unspeakably missed, mourned alike by those linked by the ties of nature, and those who remember him as friend and benefactor. He no longer stands at the head of the great organization of which he was the founder and head -- no longer in the flesh, but the spirit which brought his enterprise into being and carried it to world-wide importance still leads the organization. His ideals are faithfully cherished. Every man, execu- tive and employee, still adheres to his principles, and the product which goes out with his "name on every piece" bears in its perfection, and will until the end of time, all honor to that name.
Walter M. Lowney married, January 25, 1877, Nettie Bolton, of Bangor, Maine, who still survives him. Mrs. Lowney is a daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel George A. Bolton, chief of police of Bangor for many years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served with the "nine-months" men in the 31st Regiment, Maine Volunteer Infantry, receiving a severe wound at the battle of Gettysburg. He received seven commissions in that struggle. The mother, Sarah (Smith) Bolton, was born at Palmyra, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Lowney's children numbered four: 1. Bessie W. 2. Harry Nelson, who died at the age of two and one-half years. 3. Louise B., wife of Russell Bickford. 4. Margery B., wife of Edson A. McRae, who had two children : Elizabeth Edson McRae, adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Bickford, of Glen Ridge; and Walter Lowney McRae, who died at the age of four years. The mem- bers of the family have always attended the Congre- gational church, and Mrs. Lowney now resides in the Mansfield camp, opposite the Lowney plant.
WILLIAM HENRY JENNINGS-His biographer of an earlier day wrote thus of William Henry Jen- nings, a native son of Fall River, Massachusetts :
His qualities of mind and character in which energy, indus- try, sagacity, perseverance and courage were tempered with that wise caution which restrained him within the limit of bis resources --- these early secured him an important position among his business associates and contributed largely to the origin and success of the important business enterprise in which he was engaged.
Reviewing his career and according him proper place in the present history of the district in which his active and fruitful career was passed, and witnessing the beneficial bearing of his labors upon the city of the present, there is found ample substantiation of this contemporary estimate. His name is justly written upon the roll of Massachusetts' sons of proud record.
The tradition is that John Jennings, the first of the family of whom there is authentic data, came to Massachusetts from England, he living at Sandwich, on Cape Cod, in 1667, and there died, an old man, June 18, 1722. He is thought to have been a member of the Society of Friends; at any rate he was friendly and owned "Quaker" books. By his second wife, Ra- humah, he had among other children a son, Isaac, through whom descent in this branch is traced. Further descent. is through John, Isaac (2), Isaac (3), Edward, to William Henry, of the seventh American genera-
.
152
BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
tion. Edward Jennings, of the sixth generation, mar- ried Betsey Palmer, and settled at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, where their son, William Henry, was born, February 20, 1831, and died June 13, 1885.
William H. Jennings attended public school until thirteen years of age, then began clerking in a grocery store, continuing for several years in that line. For a short time he was claim adjuster for the Old Col- ony Railroad Company, but becoming impressed with the advantages Fall River offered cotton manufacturers, in 1866 he organized the Merchants' Manufacturing Company, obtaining a stock subscription of $800,000 in two days. The company built what was the largest single mill in Fall River at the time, Mr. Jennings being elected clerk of the corporation and treasurer of the company, offices which he held until 1883, the con- dition of his health then causing his retirement. Dur- ing these years, 1866-1883, Mr. Jennings acquired other interests, becoming deeply interested in the Globe Street Railway Company, of which he was president, as he was of the Globe Yarn Mills and the Barnard Manu- facturing Company; a director of the Wampanoag Mills, the Crystal Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Com- pany, the Manufacturers' Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany, and the Metacomet National Bank. He achieved a remarkable success as a business man, and came to be recognized as a leader. He was very energetic and devoted to the duties of the offices voted him, and he shirked no public or private duty.
Mr. Jennings clearly visioned the future of Fall River real estate, investing extensively in lands west of Broadway. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of Fall River Common Council in 1857 and 1858. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist, a member of the Central Church of Fall River, a mem- ber of the building committee in charge of the erection of the present edifice, and active in all forms of church work.
William H. Jennings married, December 24, 1863, Annie Borden Chase, born January 10, 1840, in Ports- mouth, Rhode Island, who yet survives him (1923), daughter of Borden and Elizabeth A. (Thomas) Chase. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jennings : Edward Borden, who married Anne L. Francis; Annie Chase, who married Arthur Anthony; William Henry, (2), a sketch of whom follows; and Charles Joseph, who died in childhood.
The years that have elapsed since William Henry Jennings' passing have not served to remove his mem- ory from the minds and hearts of those of his con- temporaries to whom time has been kind, while those who were the younger business men of his day recall the example of his sturdy integrity and public spirit. The influence of a life righteously and effectively lived survives long after hands are stilled and voices hushed, a truth which gives double significance to this record of the career of William Henry Jennings.
WILLIAM HENRY (2) JENNINGS -- In a modern day, under conditions in which progress and improvement are the watch words, and personal worth the first standard of judgment in the choice of leaders in the world of affairs, William Henry Jennings has added a chapter of distinction to the
record of an honored family name. The active career of William Henry (2) Jennings, in the his- tory of his line in Fall Fiver, did not begin until death had closed that of his father, William H. Jennings (see preceding sketch), and his place of prominence in the business circles of the city lends additional strength to the family tradition of useful- ness in private and public life.
William Henry (2) Jennings, son of William Henry and Annie Borden (Chase) Jennings, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, July 15, 1868. He completed a full course of public school study with graduation from high school, class of 1887, and then became a student at Phillips-Exeter Academy, where he finished his formal education in 1888. In 1891 he was elected treasurer of the Webster Loom Harness Company, an office he still holds, and in 1897 he became treasurer of the Algonquin Print- ing Company, manufacturers of a general line of prints and percales. He has won an important position in the business life of the city and worthily bears his honored name. In addition to the fore- going offices Mr. Jennings is president of the Flint Mills, the Barnard Manufacturing Company, the . Luther Manufacturing Company, and is a director of the King Philip Mills, Wampanoag Mills, Ark- wright Mills, Tecumseh Mills, Laurel Lake Mills, Metacomet National Bank and the B. M. C. Durfee Trust Company, all of them Fall River corpora- tions.
Mr. Jennings is a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with King Philip Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Fall River Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Fall River Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters; Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar; and Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a member of many clubs and organizations, including the Fall River Country and the Quequechan.
JAMES EDWARD NEWTON-One of the most important names in industrial advance in Fall River, Massachusetts, is that of James Edward Newton, who is connected with no less than five of the foremost textile concerns of the day and is affiliated with various other financial and industrial organizations of Bristol county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.