A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 22

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 528

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split the Republican vote and Walsh was elected. Mr. McCall was persuaded to reenter the race in 1915, and Mr. Thurston, by dint of untiring work, reconciled many of the progressives and Mr. Mc- Call was elected. Mr. McCall defeated Governor Walsh by a plurality of 6,313. . The victory gave Chairman Thurston wide prestige, and he was hailed as the savior of the Republican party in the State. . Again the next year under Mr. Thurston's management of the campaign, Governor McCall was reelected by 46,240 plurality over Mansfield, Democrat. In 1917 Mr. Thurston declined reëlec- tion to the State committee. Mr. Thurston was several times a delegate to the Republican National conventions and in 1920 was one of the four State delegates-at-large to the convention that nominated President Harding and Vice-President Coolidge. He was a forceful speaker and natural leader, and his four-minute speeches during the war with Ger- many, attracted wide attention. At the National Convention of 1916 he was an active worker in the interest of John W. Weeks as a candidate for the Presidential nomination, and he and Secretary Weeks were always warm personal friends. Mr. Thurston also enjoyed the friendship of Senator Lodge and of Charles Sumner Bird who was at one time the Progressive candidate for governor. He had a wide acquaintance among political leaders in Massa- chusetts and other States. Mr. Thurston in 1901 rejoined the regiment in which he had served dur- ing the war with Spain and was appointed on the staff of Colonel James A. Frye as second lieutenant, and later served on the staff of Colonel Charles P. Nutter. He was a member of the local post of Spanish War Veterans and each year he marched with the post in the Memorial Day parade. He was a member of King Philip Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Fall River Royal Arch Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Godfrey de Bouillon Com- mandery, Knights Templar; the Fall River Country Club, Quequechan Club, Fall River Bowling Green Club, New Boston Road Social Club, Brown Uni- versity Alumni Association, Harvard Law School Alumni Association; the Racquet and University club of Washington, the Harvard Club, of New York; was president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Club, of Rhode Island; and a member of the First Congregational Church, of Fall River.

The political fighting instinct, so strong in Mr. Thurston that he seemed to glory in battle, was not indicative of his character, but a case of standing by the party principle under all circum- stances. Personally he was of a jovial disposition and made friends everywhere. He was fond of books, his library large and carefully selected. His summer home was maintained at Craigville, on Cape Cod, where he spent much of his leisure time during the heated term. He never married, but resided with his widowed mother, Mrs. Sarah How- land (Anthony) Thurston, at the Fall River home.

ROY F. WHITNEY, president of the Fall River Electric Light Company, before coming to Fall River, Massachusetts had a broad experience in general en-

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gineering and in hydro-eleetrie developments, his work having taken him to various parts of the country in connection with many kinds of construction and devel- opment work.

Roy F. Whitney was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on July 23, 1880, son of Lorenzo P. and Elizabeth J. (Foxwell) Whitney, his father a business man of Boston. His early education was received in the public and high schools of Boston, followed by special courses in electrical engineering in the plants of the General Eleetrie Company and other eleetrieal utilities. From 1901 until 1906 he was employed in general engineer- ing and construction work in various parts of the country in connection with hydro-eleetrie developments. From 1906 to 1918 he was with the Charles H. Ten- ney Company, of Boston, in the engineering, operation and management of publie utilities in various eities, and this brought him in contaet with electric railway, power plant, and gas plant work. In 1918 he became general manager and later president of the Fall River Electric Light Company, which offiees he continues to hold at the present time, his eonneetion with this eom- pany having been instrumental in the rapid expansion and development of the business of the company. Mr. Whitney is also general manager of the Montaup Elec- trie Company, of Somerset, Massachusetts, and is iden- tified with the construction of its new power plant. He is superintendent and director of the Tiverton Electric Company ; director of the Metaeomet National Bank of Fall River, and is well known in business circles throughout this eity. He is keenly interested in the improvement and development of his community, and is active in all civic matters that have a trend in that direction. Mr. Whitney is a member of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; the American So- eiety of Mechanical Engineers; Illuminating Engin- eering Society; the Fall River Chamber of Commerce; the Rotary Club, of Fall River; Engineers' and Ex- change elubs, of Boston; and the Quequechan and the Fall River Country elubs of Fall River. In his politi- eal belief he is a Republican, and his religious affiliation is as a member of the Church of the Ascension, of Fall River.

Mr. Whitney married, in Somerville, Massachusetts, on November 9, 1907, Louise A. Pitman, daughter of James R. and Josephine A. (Kemp) Pitman, her father a well known business man of Boston in his time. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of a daughter, Dorothy L., born on September 29, 1909.

HERBERT E. KING-In the world of finance and also in the publie service, Herbert E. King, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is a noteworthy figure, and with long experience added to his praetical ability he is bearing a definitely progressive part in the local advance. Mr. King comes of a long prominent family in this section of Bristol county, and is a son of La Roy King, of Mansfield, who for many years was owner and proprietor of a sales and livery stable, and died in the year 1916. The mother, Mary C. (White) King, died at an early age, in 1876.

Herbert E. King was born at Mansfield, Massa- chusetts, April 1, 1862. His education was begun

in the local publie schools and he was graduated from the Mansfield High School in the class of 1879. Thereafter entering Comer's Commercial College, he was graduated from that institution in due course and his first business experience was in the employ of a Providence (Rhode Island) mer- chant. Later becoming associated with his father in the livery business, he was instrumental in in- creasing the seope of the business and adding to its equipment until it was the largest enterprise of its kind in Mansfield. Mr. King was active with his father for about fifteen years, then, in 1900, went into business for himself, opening a hard- ware store in Mansfield. In 1902 he became asso- eiated with A. B. Day in the real estate and in- suranee business and this interest so far outstripped the hardware store in importanee that he has now, for many years, confined his attention to this en- terprise, so far as his personal interests are con- cerned. Meanwhile, Mr. King's ability and suecess as a business executive led to his being sought for activity in the service of the people, and he has now been associated with the Mansfield Co-Oper- ative Bank for nearly twenty-three years, and until the death of Mr. Day, in 1913, he served in various

minor capacities. He then succeeded Mr. Day as treasurer of the institution, which office he still ably fills. Mr. King still retains his interest in the real estate and insurance business and this enter- prise is a leading one in its field in this part of Bristol county. In addition to his activity as treas- urer and also a director of the Mansfield Co-Oper- ative Bank, Mr. King is chairman of the Sinking Fund Commission of Mansfield. A Republican by politieal affiliation, Mr. King was elected chief of the Mansfield Fire Department in 1897 and under his leadership the department has been developed from one of the old hand-reel organizations to the present modernized motor-equipped department, which is the pride of the community. He has been a delegate to numerous State and National con- ventions of organizations having to do with the promotion of advanee in fire protection. He is a member of the National Association of Fire En- gineers and the New England Association of Fire Chiefs. Mr. King has been a member of the local Board of Trade for many years, and for twelve years served on the executive committee, aeting as its secretary for three years and its president for five years. During the World War he served as treasurer of the various Red Cross drives and gave broadly constructive aid and cooperation to all the home activities. Fraternally he is affiliated with St. James Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Mansfield; Keystone Chapter, Royal Areh Masons; and Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Winthrop Club, and is affiliated with the Congregational church.

Mr. King married, in 1885, Mabel A. Day, of Mansfield, daughter of Alfred B. and Eliza (Tobitt) Day, Mr. Day being one of the organizers of the First National Bank, of Mansfield. Mr. and Mrs. King are the parents of one daughter: Marion I., a

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graduate of Framingham College, now a teacher of domestic science, at Brockton, Massachusetts.

STUART M. RHODES -- One of the well known business men of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, is Stuart M. Rhodes, president of the T. C. Frothing- ham & Company concern. Mr. Rhodes has been identified with that enterprise since 1880, and has been its executive head since 1915.

Mr. Rhodes was born in Nova Scotia, February 6, 1856, son of William H. Rhodes, a shipbuilder, who died in 1884, and of Mary C. (Farnsworth) Rhodes, who died in 1888, both parents being natives of Nova Scotia. After attending the public schools of his native district until he was thirteen years of age he came to the United States, in 1869, and found his first employment with a shoe manu- facturing concern of Lynn, Massachusetts. For nearly ten years he continued in this line of busi- ness activity, serving as foreman during the later years of that period. In 1880, however, he re- solved to make a change. He removed to North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and entered the employ of T. C. Frothingham & Company. That con- nection he has maintained to the present time.

The firm which operates under the corporate name of T. C. Frothingham & Company was estab- lished in 1878 by T. C. Frothingham and W. S. Smith for the purpose of manufacturing a general line of jewelry. Its first location was on Broad street, but by 1901 the business had so expanded that larger quarters were needed, and they then removed to their present location in the Richards building, at No. 82 Elm street, where they occupy about 4,000 square feet of floor space and require the services of sixty employees. In 1915 the firm was incorporated under its orignal name and it was at that time that Mr. Rhodes was made presi- dent. During the early years of its existence the firm was engaged in the manufacture of a general line of jewelry, but gradually it has devoted more and more time and attention to the manufacture of gold rings until at the present time (1923) it manu- factures that article almost exclusively. It makes all kinds of gold rings, from the eight-karet cheap- er grades to those of the finest quality, and sends its product to all parts of the United States. The firm is affiliated with various jewelers' organizations and is recognized as one of the throughly well established and reliable business concerns of the State. Its growth has been very rapid since the close of the World War. Mr. Rhodes is an at- tendant of the Baptist church of North Attleboro.

On January 18, 1876, Stuart M. Rhodes married Alvira Waite, of Lynn, Massachusetts, daughter of Joel Waite, a shoeworker of Lynn, Massachusetts, and of Helen Waite. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes are the parents of eight children: Bessie; William S .; Ralph E .; Nettie; Stuart M. Jr .; Henry A .; and Edith and Ethel (twins).

WILLIAM C. WINTER-A name which meant much to the community of Mansfield, Massachu-

setts, and which in its significance still lives al- though the figure which bore it has passed on, is that of William C. Winter, who was a resident of this place for fifty-seven years and whose activ- ities contributed to every phase of civic and gener- al advance. Mr. Winter's passing, in the early spring of 1920, removed from the community a man whom the people loved and revered and who, at nearly eighty-two years of age, was still interested in all that goes to make up the daily life of the people.

William C. Winter was born in Perthshire, Scot- land, in 1838, and was one of five brothers, finally living to be the last survivor of the family. As a young man, Mr. Winter came to the United States, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, April 18, 1861, and going at once to Dorchester, Massachu- setts. This was just at that period when Civil War was precipitated between the North and South and he did all in his power for the preservation of the Union. Mr. Winter came to Mansfield in 1863, and securing a position as gardener, in the employ of Gardener Chilson, he remained with Mr. Chilson a period of twenty five years, or until his death, when the Chilson estate was sold. During the latter part of that period Mr. Winter's two brothers, Charles and P. Murray Winter, established a greenhouse business, Mr. Winter himself being interested financially in the enterprise. P. Murray Winter carried the interest forward, Charles also being interested in a financial way. Following the death of his employer, Mr. Chilson, William C. Winter became actively interested in this business, and Charles Winter, not long thereafter, resigned from a position as gardener at Fishkill, New York, which he had filled for some years, to enter the business also as an active partner. The partner- ship was later dissolved and William C. Winter took up an independent enterprise, as florist. The partners had been active in growing grapes and tomatoes, while Mr. Winter personally developed a business in the growing of flowers. Mr. Winter had previously, while still engaged as gardener for Mr. Chilson, became interested in the coal business in partnership with P. A. Drew, this partnership continuing until 1905, when Mr. Drew retired and Mr. Winter's oldest son, William Lewis Winter, became associated with his father, and active as manager. Meanwhile Mr. Winter also had acquired considerable property in the vicinity of Mansfield, purchasing land as early as 1871. The original purpose of the three brothers was to establish a nursery, but the enterprise never eventuated, and when Mr. Winter and his son became associated in the coal business they determined upon develop- ing such of this property as William C. Winter held. They built fully thirty houses on various at- tractive sites on this property, and some of the most delightful homes of Mansfield now stand upon the property then owned by Mr. Winter. In all branches of civic advance Mr. Winter was deeply interested. He was a member of the se- curity committee of the Co-operative Bank and at

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the time of his death was president of that institu- tion. He never accepted public responsibilities of a political nature, but his influence was always strongly felt in any movement which counted for the welfare of the people or the prosperity of the community. He was particularly active in religious work, and was a member of the Baptist church from the early months of his residence in Mans- field, and until his death did much for its pros- perity, also with rare breadth of spirit contributed largely to religious activities among other denom- inations. A review of his life appearing in the Mansfield "News," under the date of March 12, 1920, reads as follows, in part:

He leaves a rich heritage to his family, for he was always found faithful to every trust that was reposed in him, and in his long life many people had turned to him as a safe coun- sellor and faithful friend. "Diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

Mr. Winter died suddenly of heart trouble at his home on Pleasant street, Mansfield, at the age of eighty-one years and eight months. His loss was one of great significance to the town, the only comfort to his sorrowing friends having been the fact that for so many years he had been spared to share their burdens and their sorrows, his name will long be remembered by all whose privilege it was to know him.

William C. Winter married, in 1873, Mary C. Brown, of Randolph, Massachusetts, and their children numbered three: William Lewis, a sketch of whom follows; Hattie Bruce; and Alfred Robin- son, who was formerly a teacher of Boston, Mass- achusetts, and died in 1915.

WILLIAM LEWIS WINTER-One of the lead- ing figures in business advance in Mansfield, Massa- chusetts, is William Lewis Winter, who is a native of this community and has been active in its com- mercial progress since the completion of his edu- cation. Mr. Winter's ability has carried him to a noteworthy position in the local progress, and while at the head of the long prominent firm of W. C. & W. L. Winter, he took a leading position in local commercial affairs. He is a son of William C. and Mary C. (Brown) Winter, his father formerly a well known merchant and florist of this community, a review of William C. Winter's life apearing in the preceding sketch.

William Lewis Winter was born at Mansfield, Massachusetts, May 23, 1874. His education was begun in the public schools of this town and he was graduated from the Mansfield High School in the class of 1890. Thereafter entering Comer's Business School, of Boston, he made special prepara- tions for a career along commercial lines of ac- tivity. Mr. Winter's first business experience was in the employ of J. A. Wheeler, of Mansfield, as clerk in his store, and he was thus engaged for a period of fifteen years. Mr. Winter then became associated with his father, the late William C. Win- ter, in the coal business, becoming sole owner of the interest after the death of his father. This

enterprise was established about 1883, under the firm name of P. A. Drew & Company, William C. Winter being an equal partner with Mr. Drew. The first location of the business was on Chauncey street, nearly at the site of the present Thomas House, the coal pockets at that time being on North Main street. The enterprise was removed to the present location, at Nos. 1-9 West Church street, in 1905, and the storage pockets are now at the end of this street, having a capacity of 1,200 tons. In the same year, Mr. Drew resigned from member- ship in the firm and the elder Mr. Winter received into partnership his son, William Lewis Winter, who from that time on held executive responsi- bility in the organization. Within recent years, William Lewis Winter has also been active in the ice business and has ranked as the leading dealer in ice in Mansfield, being the only one maintaining his own ice houses. On November 22, 1923, Mr. Winter sold his coal and ice business to W. T. Kirley, of the Roxbury Coal Company, and is now giving his whole time to real estate. Mr. Winter was also associated with his father in the building of homes for the people, and since his father's death has carried this interest forward to a considerable extent. He is a director of the Co-Operative Bank of Mansfield, and secretary and treasurer of the Mansfield Housing Corporation. Mr. Winter sup- ports the Republican party in political affairs, but has never accepted the honors or responsibilities of office. During the World War both he and Mrs. Winter were very active in the work of the Red Cross. Mr. Winter is a member of the Mans- field Board of Trade and of the Winthrop Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Baptist church.

Mr. Winter married, on June 20, 1900, Grace Parker, of Cambridge, daughter of William K. and Emily (Cottle) Parker, both natives of Massa- chusetts, the father a carriage-maker by occupa- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Winter are the parents of two daughters: Martha B., a graduate of the Mansfield High School and Rhode Island State College, and now the wife of Webster D. Tibbetts; and Doris P., a graduate of Mansfield High School and of the Rhode Island State College, and now the wife of Ralph W. Elliot.

BENJAMIN BRAYTON (2) READ-A native son and from youth identified with the textile in- dustry, Benjamin B. (2) Read, although well within the half-century of life, was rated one of the suc- cessful cotton manufacturers of the Fall River dis- trict. He was a man of large interests and an au- thority on textile manufacturing, but had not de- veloped one side of his nature at the expense of another; on the contrary he was evenly balanced, taking a keen interest in public, civic and social life. He was of the ninth generation of the family founded in New England by John Read, son of William and Lucy (Henange) Read, who, born in England in 1598, is believed to have come to New England in 1630. He is of record in Weymouth

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in 1637; was in Dorchester in 1638; and in 1643 or 1644 he accompanied Rev. Mr. Newman to Re- hoboth, where he became a large property owner and held the then important office of constable. He died September 7, 1685, leaving sons and daugh- ters. The line is traced from John Read and his wife, Sarah, to (II) their son, John (2) Read (killed in an Indian fight) and his wife, Rachel; (III) their son, Thomas Read, and his second wife, Mar- tha; (IV) their son, Noah Read, and his wife, Anna Hunt; (V) their son, Thomas Read, and his wife, Hannah Bourne; (VI) their son, William Read, and his wife, Sarah Rogers; (VII) their son, Francis Bourne Read, and his wife, Mary Amy Brayton; (VIII) their son, Benjamin Brayton Read, and his wife, Lucy Sherman Manchester; (IX) their son, Benjamin Brayton (2) Read, to whose memory this review is dedicated.

Four of these generations lived and live at Fall River, William Read, of the sixth generation com- ing late in life. Francis Bourne Read, although born in Somerset, Massachusetts, resided at Fall River nearly all his life, while Benjamin Brayton Read, senior and junior, were born in the city, the senior on March 21, 1852, and there resided until his passing, April 8, 1909. He followed in his fathers' "footsteps" in choosing an occupation, both men being skilled carpenters and reliable builders. Lucy Sherman Manchester, wife of Ben- jamin B. Read, was born at Fall River, a daugh- ter of Silas and Mary Ann (Downing) Manchester, her parents old settlers there. She survives her husband and son, and is a resident of Fall River.

Benjamin Brayton (2) Read, only child of Ben- jamin Brayton and Lucy Sherman (Manchester) Read, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 28, 1874, received his education there, and at- tained an honorable, abundant business success, and won high reputation as a public-spirited, progressive citizen, and there died, August 1, 1923. He was educated in Fall River public schools, finishing in the B. M. C. Durfee High School with the graduat- ing class of 1892. In 1893 he began his business career as an office boy in the employ of The Davol Mills, later going to the Stevens Manufacturing Company as assistant superintendent, and remain- ing there until 1906. During the last seven years of his conection with the latter corporation he de- voted his energies to the mastering of the manu- facturing end of the business. He gained valuable experience in textile accounting, became familiar with the methods of manufacture, and, being a keen observer, in time was recognized as an expert in the textile industry. Finally he came to a point where he felt capable of larger things and went among investors and manufacturers with the propo- sition which resulted in the organization of the Lincoln Manufacturing Corporation, his reputation proving sufficient guarantee to enable him to form a strong company. The incorporation was effected in 1906, Mr. Read being chosen a director and treasurer; he was at that time but thirty-two years of age, and was the youngest mill treasurer in the

State. Under his financial guidance the Lincoln Mills attained high standing and rating. The first building erected in 1907-1908 was soon too small, and a second was added, the plant finally being equipped in a manner second to none. The capital stock of the corporation was increased to $2,250,000 and its 150,000 spindles produce a superior grade of product, Mr. Read serving the corporation both as treasurer and as agent. While the promotion of the Lincoln Mills, which were managed by Mr. Read, no doubt presented many difficulties which he met and overcame, probably his greatest ac- complishment in the local textile field was his re- organization of the Parker and Hargrave Mills whose fortunes were at the lowest possible ebb, when he assumed the responsibility that other men had hesitated to accept, and won a success that had appeared impossible. At a special meeting of the Parker Mills' stockholders on May 9, 1921, Mr. Read was unanimously elected treasurer to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Seth A. Bor- den. A report of certified public accountants showed total current liabilities of $1,,250,057.55, a total net debt of $951,330.60, and a total equity of $615,728.48 for the stockholders. At the same time a report on the Hargraves mill showed an excess of liabilities over all assets of $160,766.27.

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A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 22

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor Publication date: 1924 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 528

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 528