A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 27

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

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 27

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Harry E. Hull was born at Sharon, Massachu- setts, August 31, 1874. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he made definite and comprehensive preparation for a commercial career at the Bryant and Stratton Business College, at Providence, Rhode Island. Following the comple- tion of his studies, Mr. Hull learned the trade of

jeweler in the employ of the H. D. Merrit Com- pany, where he was active for three years. There- after he was identified with T. I. Smith for five years, then accepted a position as foreman, in the employ of William H. Bell, where he continued for about five years. Then for three years Mr. Hull was employed by the J. F. Sturdy Company, after which he formed a partnership with Mr. Barden, under the firm name of Barden & Hull, and to- gether they conducted a thriving business in the manufacture of gold jewelry for about nine years. Disposing of his holdings in this enterprise, Mr. Hull then associated himself with Donald Le Stage in the founding of the Le Stage Manufacturing Company, of North Attleboro; this was in 1915 and the plant was at that time equipped only with the stock and tools just purchased from the B. S. Freeman Company. These progressive men de- veloped the interest rapidly, and in 1917 the busi- ness was removed to its present location, No. 11 Jay street, where they occupy an entire floor and employ about seventy-five hands. Entering the or- ganization, as he did, upon its inception, Mr. Hull has been an active factor in its progress, which has been very rapid and has attained a high level of achievement. The product of the concern com- prises chains, lockets, and bracelets, and the present personnel of the corporation is as follows: Donald Le Stage, president and treasurer; Harry A. Hull, vice-president; and Fred L. Jones, secretary. Mr. Hull is further affiliated with the business world of North Attleboro as vice-president of the North Attleboro Board of Trade, on which he has served for ten years, and as a director and a trustee of the Attleboro Savings Bank.

Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party, is a member of the Republican Town Com- mittee, but is not interested in political affairs ex- cept as a progressive citizen. He serves as vice- chairman of the local Red Cross, a director in the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a director of the Angle Tree Fish and Game Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with Bristol Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of North Attleboro; Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Mirimichi Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men. His religious affilia- tion is wtih the Episcopal church.

Mr. Hull married, August 16, 1896, Abbie D. Fol- lett, of North Attleboro, daughter of Napoleon B. and Abbie (Eggleston) Follett.

LOUIS ALEXANDER DRAPE-In 1875, Louis A. Drape, then a lad of fourteen, started business as a fish dealer, selling from a cart drawn by a horse, both the cart and the horse being his own property. Forty-eight years have since elapsed, and the boy peddler, by hard work and a devotion to business that would have been creditable in a man, has risen step by step until he owns and con- ducts the largest wholesale and retail fish business in Bristol county, Massachusetts, the founder, Louis A. Drape, being the executive head and guiding spirit. He is a son of Alexander and Lydia Ann (Davis) Drape, his father born at Valley Falls, his

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mother at Taunton, Massachusetts. Alexander Drape was a veteran of the Civil War, and for several years was an overseer at the Merchant Mills, Fall River. Both he and his wife are deceased.

Louis Alexander Drape was born at Taunton, Massachusetts, January 15, 1861, but in 1866 Fall River became the family home, and there he at- tended the public schools until about fourteen years of age. He then for a short time worked in the Troy Mill, but soon left and started in business as a fish dealer, peddling with a horse and cart all over the city. That was in 1875, and he has never abandoned the business he chose as a boy, that peddling cart having grown into a business that was incorporated, May 10, 1915, and requires the service of fifteen men to handle, the volume in 1922 having reached the amazing total of $275,000. The officials of the company are: Louis A. Drape, president; his son, Louis Vernon Drape, treasurer; Edward P. Downs, director. The Louis A. Drape Company, Incorporated, are located at No. 377 Second street, in the rear of which their wholesale receiving station is located. The retail business is very large and receives the daily personal atten- tion of its founder. In politics Mr. Drape is a Republican, in religious faith a Baptist, belonging to the First Church of Fall River. He is a member of Mount Hope Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Fall River Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Drape married, at Fall River, Isabel Brown, born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, daughter of An- drew and Elizabeth (Tripp) Brown, her parents born in Westport, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Drape are the parents of three children: Louis Vernon, born at Fall River in February, 1894, now treasurer of the Louis A. Drape Company, Incor- porated; Lillian Vernon, married Dr. Arthur G. Rand, of Fall River, a practicing dentist; Dorothy.

GEORGE HENRY TRIPP-In January, 1917, Mr. Tripp presented on behalf of the board of trustees of the Free Public Library of the city of New Bedford the sixty-fifth annual report of the board to the City Council. This report Mr. Tripp submitted as clerk of the board of trustees, but the leading feature of this was the report of George H. Tripp, librarian, to the trustees of the library. This report of the growth, activities and needs of the library shows that his position is not a sinecure, but one of responsibility that is receiving the closest attention, and the report breathes a spirit of loy- alty and devotion as well as a masterful grasp upon the duties of the position he so ably fills. At the opening of the new library building, December 11, 1910, Mr. Tripp delivered a most thoughtful and valuable address.

He descends from the ancient Tripp family found- ed in Rhode Island by John Tripp, and in the town of Dartmouth by his son, Joseph Tripp. Lemuel Tripp, grandfather of George Henry Tripp, . was a merchant, ship owner and sea captain, and in 1831 an incorporator of the Fairhaven Bank, which in 1864 became the Fairhaven National Bank.

Hiram Tripp, son of Lemuel Tripp, was a cooper by trade, a ship owner, and an important man in his day. He married Louisa Gifford, daughter of Bethuel and Susan (Clark) Gifford, she also a de- scendant of ancient and honorable families. Hiram and Louisa (Gifford) Tripp were the parents of George Henry Tripp, who as educator and principal in New Bedford public school, and as librarian of the Free Public Library, has been in the public service for the greater part of his mature years.

George Henry Tripp was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, in 1853. After public school and preparatory courses of study, he entered Dartmouth College, whence he was graduated, class of 1876. He chose pedagogy as his profession, and after five years' teaching in various high schools was elected, in 1881, principal of the Middle Street Grammar School, New Bedford. This school house was built in 1844-45, the first brick school house in the city, the upper floor being occupied by the high school. That building, costing $10,000, was outgrown, but in new, enlarged and improved form is now an important item of the city's system of buildings devoted to free public education. Between 1845, when the school was founded, and 1881, when Mr. Tripp was elected, the school had been under the care of eleven principals, Benjamin Evans, the first principal, being recalled as its fourth. Mr. Tripp continued as principal for twenty years, 1881-1901.

From the free public school to the free public library was but a change from one line of educa- tional work to another, and as earnestly as he labored in one he has labored in the other. In 1901 he succeeded Robert C. Ingraham, a librarian of the Free Public Library, Mr. Ingraham having been the first and only librarian since the founda- tion of the library until 1901, a period falling just short of the half century mark. Since that year (1901) Mr. Tripp has filled the post, the library in its entire life having had but these two librarians since the doors of the valuable institution first opened to the public on March 3, 1853; this (1924) being the seventy-second year of its existence. At the close of the historical address delivered by Mr. Tripp at the dedication of the new library building, an address largely quoted from in the historical volume of this work, he said:

In opening this building for the use of the city, everyone connected with the library feels with a deep sense of responsi- bility a wonderful quickening and a strong incentive for better work. The material is at hand; the surroundings are ample for many years; it has great resources for filling its shelves; it is for us who are in charge so to administer the trust that the greatest benefit shall reach the greatest number, and I feel that with a due sense of the seriousness of the words, I can thoroughly pledge the co-operation and willing labors of every- one connected with the library to further that purpose. To this end from time to time the library must expand the range of its activities so that the civilizing influence of such an in- stitution shall he felt hy everyone in the city.

These words show the spirit in which Mr. Tripp approaches his task and his ambition for the insti- tution over which he has presided as librarian for sixteen years. This spirit in the leader has in- spired the entire staff, and nowhere is a visitor extended greater courtesy and help in accomplishing

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the object of his visit than in the Free Public Library of the city of New Bedford. The entire professional life of Mr. Tripp, beginning in 1876, until the present, 1924, has been given to the service of New Bedford, twenty-five years in the public schools, and twenty-three years in the public library. He is a member of various organizations, educational and professional; is a writer and speaker, pleasing, entertaining and forceful; member of the Wamsutta Club, Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and politically an independent Republican.

Mr. Tripp married, April 15, 1885, Helen E. Covell, born in New Bedford in 1863, daughter of George A. (2) and Mary E. (Gibbs) Covell, of New Bed- ford. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp are the parents of a daughter and son; Grace Covcll, educated at Dana Hall and the Garland School, married Elwin L. Vinal, living in Bend, Oregon; Dr. Curtis Carver Tripp, a graduate of Dartmouth College, class of 1918, now a surgeon of New Bedford, Massa- chusetts.

RUSSELL WHEATON WHEELER-The name of Wheeler has for many generations been one of broad significance to the people of Mansfield, Massa- chusetts, for in every generation this family has given to the world men of progressive spirit and broadly useful activities, and their leadership both in public affairs and in private effort has been of direct benefit to the community. Russell Wheaton Wheeler, the present head of the family, is one of the widely known citizens of Mansfield, and is owner and proprietor of a general store of which his father was the founder.

James Arthur Wheeler, father of Russell W. Wheeler, was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Oc- tober 1, 1848, a son of Nathaniel Jackson and Eliza- beth (Stearns) Wheeler, his father a house painter, and from 1885 until his death a merchant. James Arthur Wheeler received his early education in the public schools of Mansfield, then had the advantage of a course at a private school. Entering the busi- ness world in 1866, he was active as a house painter and interior decorator for twenty-four years, doing business from the first under his own name. Mean- while, in 1885, Mr. Wheeler established the mer- cantile interest of which his son is now the head, dealing in paints, oils, crockery and various lines of merchandise, including also shoes and rubbers. He continued this activity for many years, follow- ing the same general line of merchandising until his death, which occurred August 24, 1918. Not only through his business activities, but as a citizen and public servant, James Arthur Wheeler was one of the leading men of the day in Mansfield during his career. He was for many years a stockholder in the Mansfield Co-Operative Bank, and held the important office of security committeeman and di- rector. He enjoyed the highest esteem of his fel- low-citizens, and every movement which counted for the public advance found a ready supporter in him. He supported the Republican party in politi- cal affairs, and in 1900 was elected town clerk and treasurer of Mansfield, an office which he filled with

the highest degree of efficiency until his death. He was also elected tax collector in 1904, and also filled this office until, death claimed him. Few names have meant more to local affairs or to the people of the community, and Mr. Wheeler's death was regretted by everyone who had enjoyed the privi- lege of his acquaintance. Always genial in spirit, and keenly alive to every phase of social and public advance, he was a member of the Winthrop Club from 1912 until his passing, and for many years had been identified with the New Jerusalem church. He was for many years a member of the prudential committee of the Mansfield Fire Department, and in every branch of local interest bore a constructive part.

James Arthur Wheeler married, at Mansfield, Massachusetts, December 20, 1877, Georgiana Fisher, of Mansfield, who still survives him. Mrs. Wheeler is a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Johnson) Fisher, her father a millwright and basket maker by occu- pation, and a native of Mansfield; her mother a native of Easton, Massachusetts. James Arthur and Georgiana (Fisher) Wheeler were the parents of four children: Mary Arthur, born December 29, 1878; Russell W., of further mention; James Ray- mond, born July 30. 1882; and Helen Madeleine, born August 3, 1887; and one grandchild, James Arthur Wheeler, 2na, born February 3, 1917.

Russell Wheaton Wheeler, second child and elder son of the above parents, was born at Mans- field, Massachusetts, January 2, 1880. His educa- tion was begun in the local public schools and he was graduated from the Mansfield High School in the class of 1896. Immediately following the com- pletion of his education, Mr. Wheeler associated himself with his father in business, and following the death of his father, Mr. Wheeler has carried the interest forward as the head, in association with his mother. This interest was established, as above noted, in 1885, and during his connection with it Mr. Wheeler has been a definite force for the progress and expansion of the interest. They now carry, in addition to a general line of paints, oils, crockery, etc., kitchen ware and novelties of various kinds, and their development of the department of shoes and rubbers has placed it among the largely important interests of the town. This is one of the oldest mercantile establishments in Mansfield, and has always served the people in such a manner as to contribute in a marked degree to the local prosperity and the economic security of the people. Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Mansfield Board of Trade, of which he is at this time (1923) presi- dent, but he has few interests which do not align more or less closely with his business activities.

A Republican by political affiliation, he has for a number of years served as a member of the town committee, but has otherwise never taken a leading part in public affairs thus far. During the World War, Mr. Wheeler served on various committees and advisory boards, devoting much of his time to the home activities of that trying period. He is a member of the Winthrop Club, which he serves on the board of directors, and a member of the Pa-

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trons of Husbandry, his religious affiliation being with the New Jerusalem church.

Mr. Wheeler married, October 1, 1917, Mabel W. Leavitt, of Mansfield, daughter of Gilmore P. and Fannie (Skinner) Leavitt, both natives of the State of Massachusetts.

HAROLD WINSLOW-One of the most active and progressive citizens of Bristol county is Harold Winslow, recently appointed postmaster of New Bedford. As a newspaper man and public official he has consistently stood for progress during more than a score of years.

Rear Admiral George Frederick Winslow, M. C. U. S. N., father of Harold Winslow, served for forty years as an active officer of the United States Navy, being commissioned first in 1864 by President Abraham Lincoln, and serving in the Navy during the remainder of .the Civil War and throughout the Spanish-American War. He is the only man in Bristol county who has reached the grade of rear admiral in the United States Navy.

Harold Winslow, son of Rear Admiral George Frederick Winslow and Virginia (Shearman) Wins- low, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, February 14, 1879. He received his early educa- tion in the private schools of his own home city. His later school training was received in the Friends' School, now known as the Moses Brown School, in Providence, Rhode Island, which he at- tended from 1891 to 1892. He then continued his studies in Allens School, at West Newton, Massa- chusetts, 1893-94, and St. Mark's School, at South- borough, Massachusetts, 1895-96-97, graduating from the last named institution in June 1897. The follow- ing fall he matriculated at Harvard University, where he continued his studies during the years 1897-98. In 1901 he became a member of the edi- torial staff of the New Bedford "Times," remaining with this newspaper in various editorial positions until 1917, in the spring of which year he enlisted for service in the World War.

He organized Battery D, 2nd Field Artillery, Massachusetts National Guard, at New Bedford, Massachusetts, and was commissioned a second lieu- tenant in this unit. The unit mobilized at Boxford, Massachusetts, in July, 1917, where it became Bat- tery D, 102nd Field Artillery, of the 26th (Yankee) Division, and on September 21, 1917, it sailed for overseas duties, being the first National Guard di- vision to arrive in France and the first to go to the fighting front. Upon arriving in France the division was trained at Coetquidan, France, until February 1, 1918, when it was sent to the front at Soissons, Chemin-des-Dames sector, where it re- mained during the months of February and March, 1918. In April and May, 1918, the division was on the Toul sector where the battles of Seicheprey and Zivran-Marvosin were fought, the former being the first battle fought by an American Division in France. In July, 1918, the division was first on the second line of defense at Picardy, and on July 6th it relieved the 2nd Division (Marines) at Cha-

teau-Thierry and took part in the first big Ameri- can offensive on July 18, 1918, which drove the Germans from behind Chateau-Thierry to the Vesle river, a distance of thirty kilometers. The division, after this drive, was sent to a rest area for re- placements in August, 1918, and while there Mr. Winslow was detached from the American Expedi- tionary Forces, promoted to first lieutenant, and sent back to the United States as an instructor in liason work and French maps. He was assigned as instructor at the Field Artillery Firing Center, West Point, Kentucky, and remained in that ca- pacity until discharged from the army, December 10, 1918. He was awarded a divisional citation for meritorious conduct displayed during the Chateau- Thierry offensive; and in 1919 was commissioned a captain of the Massachusetts Voluntary Militia. In 1920 he organized Battery D, 101st Field Artillery, Massachusetts National Guard, in New Bedford, and was commissioned captain and placed in command of this battery. Upon his return to civilian life, he became active in local public affairs. He had re- tained his connection with the New Bedford "Times" as a member of the board of directors from 1918 to 1919. In 1919 he was made Clerk of Committees and of the Common Council of New Bedford, and in that capacity he served from 1919 to 1923, being unanimously reelected annually by the New Bed- ford City Government. Meantime he had, previous to his enlistment, held other offical positions. He was a member of the New Bedford Board of Health from 1910 to 1916; secretary of the New Bedford Republican City Committee from 1910 to 1917 in- clusive; chairman of the New Bedford Republican City Committee from 1919 to 1921 inclusive; and in 1911 and 1912 he served as secretary of the Bristol County (Massachusetts) Republican Club. On September 1, 1923, he was appointed Acting Postmaster at New Bedford, and in December, 1923, he received his appointment as Postmaster, which position he now holds. Mr. Winslow is a member of Abraham H. Howland, Jr., Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of New Bedford; of Sippican Tribe, No. 77, Improved Order of Red Men; of Wamsutta Club; and of the Harvard Club of New Bedford. His religious affiliation is with the Episcopal church.

At New Bedford, Massachusetts, June 29, 1910, Harold Winslow married Florence M. Oesting, daughter of Frederick William and Violetta (Cor- nell) Oesting. Mr. and Mrs. Winslow have no children.

IRA C. GRAY-The financial world of Bristol county, Massachusetts, numbers in its ranks many progressive and efficient executives, and in this group Ira C. Gray, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is a noteworthy figure. Mr. Gray has been connected with financial advance for the past twenty-two years as cashier of the First National Bank, of Mansfield. He is a son of Ira C. and Ellen M. (Atwood) Gray, his father a native of Mendon, Massachusetts, and his mother of Boston. His father was a merchant by occupation, a man of un-

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impeachable integrity and broad public spirit. Both parents died in 1889.

Ira C. Gray was born at Reading, Massachusetts, October 18, 1873. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following the high school course he made special preparation for a career by a comprehensive business course. Mr. Gray's first experience was in the employ of the Corey Leather Company, of Boston, where he was active for ten years. He then associated himself with the Puritan Trust Company, of Boston, where he re- mained until the year 1921. At that time Mr. Gray came to Mansfield to accept the position of cashier of the First National Bank, which he has filled continuously since. He is also a director in this institution, and served as town auditor for eight years. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.

Mr. Gray married, June 10, 1910, Alice E. Crab- tree, of Hancock, Maine, daughter of Alfred and Alice Crabtree, her father a retired merchant of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Gray are the parents of two children: Alice, born June 7, 1911; and Ira C., Jr., born August 31, 1913.

JOSEPH KERKHOFF-Among the executives of the jewelry industry of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Joseph Kerkhoff has won large success in his chosen line of endeavor, and as a member of the firm of F. L. Torrey & Company is one of the largely successful men of the day in this city. Mr. Kerkhoff has been active in the jewelry industry since he was nineteen years of age, and his success is built upon the solid foundation of practical ex- perience. He is a man of broad interests, and gives to all worthy endeavors his aid and influence. He is a son of Thomas Fletcher Kerkhoff, who was born in England, and was active as a manufacturer of chandeliers until his death, which occurred in 1913. The mother, Ellen (Hands) Kerkhoff, was also born in England, and died at an early age in 1874.

Joseph Kerkhoff was born in Birmingham, Eng- land, May 10, 1868. His education was received in the public schools of his native city. At an early age he graduated from the London Art School and the Midland Institute. Coming to the United States alone, at the age of nineteen years, he located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, where he entered the employ of the Ladd Watch-Case Com- pany. In this connection he learned the trade of engraver and remained for three years. He then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he fol- lowed this trade until 1894. Coming to Attleboro, Massachusetts, in that year, he settled here perma- nently and was employed with various concerns until 1906, when he became a member of the firm of F. L. Torrey & Company, manufacturing jewel- ers, in which he has continued until the present time. This concern was established in that year and was first located on County street in the Wil- marth building. In 1906 the rapid development of the enterprise made it necessary to secure space

for expansion, and the company removed to its present location on Railroad street, at No. 2 Robin- son building, where it occupies an entire floor of about 4,000 square feet of space. Specializing in the manufacture of men's belt buckles in sterling silver and other metals, this concern holds leading rank in this field, in which it also is a pioneer. It sells only to the wholesale trade, but its product goes to all parts of the United States. Mr. Kerkhoff is further interested in the business world of Attle- boro as a director of the Attleboro Co-Operative Bank, and director and manager of the Robinson buildings.

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A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 27

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