USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 18
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The Newton family is one of the foremost in early New England history, and in Colonial days was thoroughly representative of that Quaker stock from which so many great men of subsequent years have sprung. Guy Stafford Newton, Mr. Newton's grandfather, was a leading farmer of Worcester county, influential in local and county affairs, and for a number of years a member of the Massa- chusetts State Legislature, where his activities counted much along progressive lines for the wel- fare and economic security of the State.
James Newton, son of Guy Stafford Newton and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, and came to Fall River as a young man, associating himself with the Card Clothing Company. His activities were
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of the greatest significance to the textile industry in Fall River, and as a public-spirited citizen he ex- erted a wide influence for progress entirely, how- ever, in an unofficial way. He died in 1879, at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years, his career closing when he was still in his prime. James Newton married Elizabeth S. Anthony, also of an early Colonial Quaker family, and a daughter of Joseph C. Anthony, who in association with Charles O. Shove was a leading figure in the cot- ton industry a generation or so ago. Elizabeth S. (Anthony) Newton died in 1915, at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
James Edward (J. Edward) Newton, son of James and Elizabeth S. (Anthony) Newton, was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, December 3, 1866. His education was begun in the public schools of his birthplace and he later attended the Moses Brown School of Providence, Rhode Island. Fol- lowing the completion of his studies, Mr. Newton secured a position in the King Philip Mills of Fall River and this comprised his first activities in the textile industry. After fourteen months of ex- perience in this connection Mr. Newton apprenticed himself to the carpenter's and pattern-maker's trade and for about five years was employed thus. This work, however, did not hold the appeal for him which he had anticipated, and he has sometimes been heard to remark that he "threw his hammer away." He next engaged in the bicycle and in- surance business, but with the rapid development of the popularity of the bicycle he discontinued the insurance activities as his commercial interest ex- panded. Adding a general line of sporting goods to his establishment, he was one of the first to take up the distribution of the automobile, and from 1900 until 1922 was one of the foremost figures in automobile circles as a dealer in Fall River, handling many of the leading makes of cars.
Mr. Newton's early interest in the textile indus- try, however, determined almost wholly the nature of his investment during these years. He bought heavily of stock in the various cotton mills of this section and is now considered one of the foremost textile executives of the day in New England. In 1915 he was elected treasurer of the Barnard Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of print . cloths and fancy weaves, and on February 6, 1923, he was made treasurer of the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory, producers of cotton print cloth. He is also a director of these two concerns, and is a director of the Weetamoe, Wampanoag, and American Linen Mills. Mr. Newton is a di- rector of the Fall River National Bank, and a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce. He is also a director of the Boys' Club and treas- urer of the Fall River Savings Bank.
Mr. Newton is widely known fraternally, holding membership in King Philip Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Fall River Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, No. 25, Knights Templar; Massachusetts Consistory, An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Aleppo Temple,
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and also of Azab Grotto. He is a member of the Quequechan Club, Fall River Country Club, Sa- konnet Golf Club, of Little Compton, Rhode Island; and of Acoaxet Club. Mr. Newton's benevolences are broad and he takes a deep interest in all wel- fare activities, serving as a member of the execu- tive and finance committee of the Aged People's Home and bearing a constructive part in all effort in this field. He is affiliated with the Society of Friends.
James Edward Newton married, on November 10, 1896, Hettie White, of Fall River, Massachusetts, daughter of Dr. White, for many years a leading physician of this city, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Newton have two children: Dorothy, wife of Dr. Clifton Leech, of Fall River; and Elizabeth A., still at home.
GODEFROY de TONNANCOUR-Through his newspaper, "L'Independant", Godefroy de Tonnan- cour is known to a greater part of the French- speaking people of the United States than perhaps any other man, as "L'Independant" is the fore- most daily in the country printed in French. In Fall River, Massachusetts, "L'Independant's" home, he is also known for the high quality of his citizen- ship, and his fine social qualities and pleasing per- sonality. He has always borne a public-spirited part in the upbuilding of Fall River and is now postmaster of the city. He is of French ancestry on both paternal and maternal lines, his forbears coming from Old France to New France among the earliest settlers of Quebec, Canada. They were people of importance in their day, one of the family being governor of Three Rivers, Quebec. He is a son of Leonard G. and Archange (Daneault) de Tonnancour, his parents born in the Province of Quebec. Leonard de Tonnancour came to the United States in 1869, settling in Manchester, New Hampshire, which was his home until his death in 1904.
Godefroy de Tonnancour was born in the Pro- vince of Quebec, Canada, March 18, 1864, but at the age of five years he was brought to the United States, Manchester, New Hampshire, becoming the family home in 1869. He returned to Canada to complete his education, attending St. James' Col- lege at Montreal for four years, following that course of classical study with two years in Mon- treal Business College. He completed the latter course of study with graduation, class of 1880, re- turning to Manchester in 1881. In that year he formed an association with "L'Echo," a weekly paper published in French, and until 1885 that as- sociation continued. He then formed a connection
with Ferdinand Gagnor, publisher of "Le Travail- leur," a semi-weekly French newspaper regarded as the leader of all other French papers in New England. Mr. de Tonnancour spent one year in association with Mr. Gagnor, as associate editor, but in April, 1886, the latter died and the associate became the chief editor, a position he held for one year.
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In 1887 Mr. de Tonnancour resigned his position and accepted the editorship of "Le 'Defenseur," a weekly French paper published in Holyoke, Massa- chusetts. Soon afterward the owners started a daily paper, "L'Annexionniste," of which he also was editor. The new paper advocated the annexa- tion of Canada to the United States, but the policy of the paper was not approved by the older French- Canadian papers and their wrath descended upon the youthful editor and his paper. But Editor de Tonnancour stood by his guns and taught the doc- trine of annexation for four years, resigning in 1891 to accept the editorial management of "L'Es- perance," a French paper founded at Central Falls, Rhode Island. He remained at Central Falls, Rhode Island, until September, 1894, when he located at Fall River, Massachusetts, which has ever since been his home. On coming to Fall River, Mr. de Tonnancour became editor of the French daily newspaper, "L'Independant," over which he had exercised editorial and managerial control during the more than twenty-eight years which have since intervened. "L'Independant" was then a four-page paper, and today its issues run from ten to twenty- four pages. The policy of the paper is Republican, that being also the personal politics of the editor.
In his editorial work Mr. de Tonnancour has urged strongly upon his countrymen the importance of becoming citizens, and in the cause of naturaliza- tion and Americanization he has wielded a force- ful pen and rendered valiant and valuable service.
From 1903 until 1905 Mr. de Tonnancour served Fall River as fire commissioner, acting throughout that entire period as secretary of the board. Dur- ing the World War he was appointed, by Governor Samuel W. McCall, a member of the Public Safety Committee of Massachusetts. In November, 1921, he was appointed an attaché of the government at Washington in attendance on the Conference for the Limitation of Armament, and spent five months in Washington on work connected with the con- ference. For the past thirty years he has sat in the State Republican conventions as a delegate and has been five times appointed a member of the Com- mittee on Resolutions. In 1916 he was elected an alternate to the National Republican Convention which sat in Chicago, Illinois, and finally nomi- nated Charles Evans Hughes, who had persistently declined to become a candidate. On March 3, 1923, he was appointed postmaster of Fall River, and on April 16th assumed the duties of the office.
In 1901 Mr. de Tonnancour was appointed Officer of Academy by the French Government. He is a member of the Calumet Club. He has been a frequent contributor to newspapers and to numer- ous magazines, and it is a safe assertion that he is one of the most widely-read writers in New England. In 1892 he substituted for the editor of the Pawtucket "Times" for two months while the editor was away on a European tour. He is a music lover, performing on several instruments with precision and skill, including the violin, cello and piano, and is also a talented vocalist. He is most
pleasing in personality, and possesses a wealth of friends.
Mr. de Tonnancour married, November 25, 1895, Marie Anna Davignon, born in St. Mathias, Pro- vince of Quebec, Canada, and to them four chil- dren have been born, two of whom are living: 1. René G., secretary of the Committee on Mer- chant Marine and Fisheries, House of Representa- tives, Washington, D. C. 2. Charlotte, who married Earl W. Heathcote, of the Fall River "News" staff.
The family home is at Fall River, the city to which Mr. de Tonnancour first came in 1894. His more than quarter of a century of life in the city has been a period of growth and prosperity for both Fall River and its progressive editor, while the future appears equally bright for both.
ALLSTON ESTES WILLIAMS-A record of thirty-four years of continuous service with the same financial institution is one in which any executive may well take pride, and this is the record of Allston E. Williams, treasurer of the Bristol County Trust Company, one of the most important institu- tions in the eastern part of the State of Massa- chusetts. An efficient and able executive, Mr. Will- iams has won his way to his present office from a subordinate position, building the steps by which he has risen with his own hands, by means of that industry and integrity which made him of permanent value to the organization.
The Williams family traces back, in Bristol county, Massachusetts, to Richard Williams, who in 1639 was one of the original settlers of that part of the county which later became the city of Taunton. Various eminent historians have termed Richard Williams the "Father of Taunton".
Allston E. Williams, whose name entitles this review, is a son of Philander and Amelia A. (Hall) Williams, both natives of Bristol county. The mother is a descendant of George Hall, one of the founders of the city of Taunton. Philander Will- iams, father of Allston E. Williams, was a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served with honor and distinction as a member of Company F, Fourth Massachusetts Volunteer . Regiment, and received a commission as second lieutenant. He was a wholesale grocer by occupation, being prominent in this field in Bristol county for more than forty years, and as a poultry fancier he gained an inter- national reputation. Both parents are now deceased.
Allston Estes Williams was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, September 27, 1870. His education was begun in the local public schools and com- pleted in Bristol Academy, and after finishing his studies Mr. Williams entered the world of men and affairs as a messenger in the employ of the Taunton National Bank. This was in the year 1888, and from that time forward his rise was steady, carrying him through the different grades of responsibility until he was made paying teller of that institution. In 1917 the Taunton National Bank was merged into the Bristol County Trust
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Company, of which Mr. Williams was made as- sistant treasurer, and in September, 1921, he was advanced to the position of treasurer, in which office he is still active. He is also a director of this institution, but outside of the affairs of the bank he has few interests except those of a social nature. He is a member of the Winthrop Club, the Segregansett Country Club, and the Young Men's Christian Association. Possessing a fine bass voice, he has served for many years as the director of the choir of the Trinitarian Congregational Church, of which he is a member and was for fifteen years its treasurer. Mr. Williams is also a member of the Old Colony Historical Society, now serving as its treasurer, and was a leading figure in the Taunton Choral Union, of which he is one of the founders and its first president.
Mr. Williams married, in 1897, Grace I. Bonner, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of William H. and Mary E. (Peck) Bonner.
FRANK E. WESTGATE is the son of Alonzo W. Westgate, who was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, July 21, 1842, and when about fourteen years of age sailed from New Bedford on his first whal- ing voyage. He followed the sea for several years, until about 1869, when he married Sarah E. Nye, who was born in Rochester, now Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. After giving up whaling, he was engineer and master mechanic in a saw mill and box factory in Mattapoisett. He later established a grocery and provision business in Fall River, re- tiring in 1915. He was a member of Mount Hope Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Alonzo W. Westgate died March 30, 1918, and his widow, Sarah E. Westgate, died December 26, 1918.
Frank E. Westgate was born December 9, 1872, in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, where he lived dur- ing his early boyhood. In 1888 the family located in Fall River, the father, Alonzo W. Westgate, having purchased a grocery and provision business there. The son, Frank E., worked in the store dur- ing vacations, and graduated from the B. M. C. Durfee High School, of Fall River, in the class of 1892. From high school he entered business life, his first position being in the office of the Pocasset Manufacturing Company, continuing with that com- pany about four or five years, and later was a clerk in the office of the Durfee Mills, remaining with that corporation about two years. In 1900 he became a clerk in the Massasoit National Bank. In 1903 the business of the Massasoit National Bank, the Pocasset National Bank, and the Na- tional Union Bank, was taken over by the Massa- soit-Pocasset National Bank, under a new charter. Mr. Westgate was then advanced to the rank of note teller, and later elected assistant cashier, Sep- tember 10, 1912. On May 9, 1906, Mr. Westgate was elected secretary and later treasurer of the Fall River Co-Operative Bank, but still retained his position with the Massasoit-Pocasset National Bank. He held this office until he was elected cashier of the Massasoit-Pocasset National Bank, May 31,
1921. He is a director of the Massasoit-Pocasset National Bank and also of the Fall River Co-Oper- ative Bank, a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the King Philip Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons. He is a member of the Lions Club, of Fall River, the Chamber of Commerce, the Quequechan Club, and the Fall River Yacht Club.
Mr. Westgate married, in 1901, Cora A. Creigh- ton, of Fall River, daughter of Thomas J. . Creigh- ton, proprietor of T. J. Creighton & Company, brass founders. She is a graduate of the B. M. C. Durfee High School, of the Fall River Training School, and for a time taught in the Fall River public schools. There are two sons of this mar- riage: Milton A. and Ray C.
RUFUS WATERMAN BASSETT-A native son of Taunton, Mr. Bassett further traces to a line of Bristol and Plymouth county ancestors, resident in Taunton, Westport and Rochester, Massachusetts, and other Plymouth county towns, from the coming of William Bassett, in the "Fortune" in 1621. The Bassetts cannot claim lineal descent from a "May- flower" passenger, it being the misfortune of William Bassett to sail from Leyden, in the "Speedwell," and again his misfortune not to be one of those taken on board the "Mayflower" from the leaky, unseaworthy "Speedwell," when the two ships parted company and the "Speedwell" returned to Dartmouth, Eng- land, for repairs.
Anselm Bassett, of the seventh generation of Bassetts, in New England, settled at Head of West- port, in Bristol county, about 1813, Taunton, next becoming the family home until the coming of Rufus W. Bassett, of the ninth generation, to Fall River, about 1870. There his son, Thomas Borden Bassett, treasurer of the Stafford Mills Corporation, was born.
The line of descent in this branch is thus traced: I. William Bassett and his third wife, Elizabeth Tilden.
II. William (2) Bassett and his wife, Mary Burt. III, William (3) Bassett and his wife, Rachel Willison.
IV. William (4) Bassett and his wife, Abigail Bourne.
V. John Bassett and his wife, Mary.
VI. Thomas Bassett and his wife, Lydia Mendall. VII. Anselm Bassett, lawyer (Brown University, 1803), and his wife, Rosalinda Holmes. VIII. Charles Jarvis Holmes Bassett (lawyer and banker) and his wife, Martha B. French.
IX. Rufus W. Bassett and his wife, Harriet Minerva Borden.
× Thomas Borden Bassett.
Rufus Waterman Bassett was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, July 22, 1853, and died at his home on High street, Fall River, Massachusetts, July 26, 1909. After completing school years, he entered business life as clerk in the office of the Eagle Cot- ton Company, Taunton, but a few years later, moved to Fall River, where, for several years, he was bookkeeper for the Troy Cotton and Woolen Mills. He then became a partner with Nathan Durfee,
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they operating as cotton and cloth brokers, under the firm name, Bassett & Durfee, they being the recognized representative of the American Printing Company. Mr. Bassett was a director of the Metacomet National Bank; Fall River Electric Light Company; and the Richard Borden Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Bassett was a member of the old Common Council, in 1887 and 1889; and was an alderman from the Eighth Ward of his city, 1890-91. He was member of the board of police commissioners, appointed by Governor Murray Crane, June 4, 1902, for a three year term; was named chairman of the board by Governor John L. Bates, June 19, 1903, and served until his term expired. On May 22, 1907, he was re-appointed by Governor Guild and was again made chairman. He was a trustee of the public library from 1891 until February 4, 1901, when he resigned to accept the office of police commissioner. He was a member of the Old Colony Historical Society; a Republican in politics; and a member of the First Congregational Church.
Rufus Waterman Bassett married, September 15, 1882, Harriet Minerva Borden, born June 15, 1856, died October 16, 1904, daughter of Colonel Thomas J. and Mary E. Hill Borden, of Fall River, her father a man whose efficient service in public office, high character in public life and large share in the development of Fall River's business interests placed him among the most valuable citizens of the city, county and State. Mrs. Bassett was a de- scendant in the eighth generation from Richard Borden, a settler in Portsmouth, Rhode Island; his son, John Borden, a Friend, of Quaker Hill, Rhode Island; his son, Richard (2) Borden, a large landowner; his son, Thomas Borden; his son, Richard (3) Borden, a patriot of the Revolution; his son, Thomas (2) Borden, of Fall River; his son, Colonel Richard Borden, a most prominent citizen and business man of Fall River, married Abby Walker Durfee; their son, Colonel Thomas James Borden, born at Fall River, March 1, 1832, died in the city of his birth, November 21, 1902; married February 20, 1855, Mary Elizabeth Hill, born August 5, 1833, died April 10, 1908, daughter of Ebenezer Allen and Ruth Howland (Slade) Hill, of Slatersville, Rhode Island; their daughter, Har- riet Minerva Bassett, married Rufus Waterman Bassett.
Five children were born to Rufus W. and Har- riet Minerva (Borden) Bassett: Thomas Borden, of further mention; Frederick Waterman, died, aged nineteen years; Margaret; Charles French, died in infancy; and Constance.
Thomas Borden Bassett, elder son of Rufus W. and Harriet M. (Borden) Bassett, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, August 24, 1883. He completed a full course of public school study with graduation from B. M. C. Durfee High School, in 1901, going thence to Harvard University, whence he was graduated, A. B., class of 1905. Immediately after graduation, he entered the employ of a Boston banking and brokerage house, continuing in clerical capacity with that firm for a period of four years.
In 1909 he entered the office employ of Nathan Durfee, a cotton and cloth broker of Fall River. That connection continued until Mr. Durfee became identified with the American Printing Company, when the partnership of Bassett & Albro, cotton and cloth brokers, was formed. This association was maintained until Mr. Bassett's withdrawal in 1918 in order to accept election to his present position, treasurer of the Stafford Mills. Mr. Bas- sett is a trustee of the Fall River Savings Bank; a director of the Metacomet National Bank; a director of the Richard Borden Manufacturing Com- pany; and a director of the Fall River Electric Light Company.
In matters of purely civic interest, Mr. Bassett is both interested and helpful. He is a trustee of the Fall River Public Library; a trustee of the Bradford-Durfee Textile School; trustee of the Home for the Aged; member of the Quequechan and Fall River Country clubs; and is a Republican in political affiliation.
HENRY D. WALDRON-The name of Mr. Waldron is well known in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, for while continuing the business of publishing the "Star" and carrying on the printing and publishing business since the death of his father, he has been connected with that paper since his boyhood, with the exception of a short period when he was asso- ciated with the Boston "Post."
Mr. Waldron was born in Fairhaven, Massachu- setts, on August 8, 1874, son of Charles Dean and Damaris (Urquhart) Waldron, his father a news- paper publisher and printer, who was the founder and owner of the "Star," and who had come from New Bedford, being a native of Fall River. The son was educated in Fairhaven, at the Tabor Acad- emy, Marion, and was graduated from the New Bedford High School with the class of 1894. While still a boy he was apprenticed. at the "Star" office, under his father, learning the business thoroughly. This association lasted until the death of his father in 1916, since which time .Mr. Waldron has carried on the business, the only break in the connection having occurred when, for six months, Mr. Waldron became associated with the Boston ."Post," being employed on that paper from October, 1898, until March, 1899. Mr. Waldron is a progressive citizen and takes an active part in the civic life of the
community. For the past twenty years he has been chairman of the Board of Registrars of Voters. Fraternally he is a member of George H. Tabor Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Fairhaven; Fairhaven Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, for twelve years having held offices in the former; he has served as secretary of the Fairhaven Improvement Association; and he is a member of the New Bed- ford Yacht Club, and Rod and Gun Club. He also belongs to the Fairhaven Masonic Club, and the Leighton Club of the same place as well as to other organizations and clubs. Mr. Waldron attends the Church of Christ (Scientist), his wife being a mem- ber and a director of the Congregational Church of Fairhaven.
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Henry D. Waldron married, at New Bedford, Massachusetts, on June 26, 1906, Elizabeth Clark Holmes, daughter of Ezra and Freelove Scott (Barden) Holmes. Mr. and Mrs. Waldron have no children.
CHARLES CAPRON WILMARTH-In the business life of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Charles Capron Wilmarth has for many years held a promi- nent position as an executive of the Walter E. Hay- ward Company, manufacturing jewelers of inter- national prominence. The foundation of his suc- cess in an executive capacity was laid upon a num- ber of years of practical experience in the produc- tion branches of the organization, and with his natural ability and this intimate familiarity with every detail of the plant, Mr. Wilmarth has achieved marked success. A member of a family long prominent in business circles in Attleboro, Mr. Wilmarth is a son of Palemon Capron and Har- riett Amanda (Robinson) Wilmarth. The father was a butcher and farmer by occupation, also a road surveyor and a prominent figure in the busi- ness life of his day in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
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