USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 33
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JOIN IN THE PLEASURES OF PROGRESS.
Colonel Durfee mill was built one hundred years ago, Little acorn and great oak, how small beginnings grow. To this eotton industry our great success we owe. Weave, weave the fabric of progress. Hurrah! hurrah! we praise the cotton mill. Hurrah! hurrah! our hearts with rapture fill. Feeble strains of infancy have chorused with a will, Join in the carol of progress.
Joy there is in spreading joy, let all men' lend a hand. Make a laudable success of everything that's planned, A carnival remarkable builds favor in the land. Help swell the plaudits of progress. Hurrah! hurrah! mill goods in pride displayed. Hurrah! hurrahl regatta and parade, Fireworks, airships, concerts, sports-come rally to our aid,
Join in the pleasures of progress.
INVITATION ODE. One hundred years ago, To crude machines we owe A tribute grand. Unfailing progress came, Weaving both cloth and fame, Wafting Fall River's name Through every land.
Fall River bids you come, Four million spindles hum Your welcome here. Join us in rosy June, Come morning, night or noon, Come with your hearts atune With festal cheer.
WELCOME TO PRESIDENT TAFT.
Sweet is the rose that blooms in balmy June, Dear are the strains of love's familiar tune. Joy fills each heart and dominates the day, Garlands of greetings spangle love's highway; Carnival grand enjoys its chief event In the kind presence of our President.
Notes of warmest greeting waft upon the air. Treasure we the meeting, joy is everywhere, And the loom and spindle honored are today By a visit royal in love we say, Welcome President!
Four million spindles in our mills resound, Deep chorused by the busy shuttle's sound; Fibre and fabric, capital and toil, Have made a record Time eannot despoil. Thanks, thanks to thee, our worthy President, For thy good visit of encouragement.
J. Edmund Estes is more widely famed, however, for his patriotic verse, and for contextural excel- lence his work is extraordinary, there probably be- ing no writer of similar attainments in the field of contemporary American poetry. Patriotic organiza- tions over all these United States have sung his inspiring lyrics at their private and public meetings, armies have marched to their cadence, and battle- ships have echoed the noble phrases. Mr. Estes' "National Memorial Hymn" was perhaps his chief vehicle to fame, and is declared by some of the foremost educators in the country to be the greatest contribution to patriotic hymnology ever written. Memorial Day committees, woman's relief corps, school teachers and superintendents, Sons of Vet- erans, and the Grand Army of the Republic (to) which organization it is dedicated)-all recommend it unqualifiedly and enthusiastically. The hymn, which is sung to the tune of "America," is included in its beautiful and sonorous entirety :
NATIONAL MEMORIAL HYMN God bless the soldiers brave, Who did our Union save From thraldom's wrongs! They dearly loved the land Where Freedom's glories stand, And praise on every hand To them belongs.
May angels deck each mound That was not by us found, With choicest flowers; Long may the page of fame Preserve each hero's name, Who freed from slavery's shame This land of ours.
Like leaves in autumn blost Their ranks are thinning fast ---- We miss them all; But "Sons" will take their place, March with their measured pace, All battle dangers face, Should duty call.
We thank thee that today The clangor of the fray Is heard no more; May "Peace and Union" be The watchword of the free, And all our land agree From shore to shore.
Long may "Old Glory" wave Over the land these brave Old comrades won; Long may Columbia stand Firm as a rock-bound strand, A guide to every land Beneath the sun.
The exigencies of his business and literary life leave Mr. Estes little time for recreation or public
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service, yet he takes a deep and active interest in all public welfare and charitable movements. For a period of five years he served as a director of the local Young Men's Christian Association, and for three years was a valued member of the Boy Scouts Council. He is also a member of the ex- ecutive committee of the Fall River Burns Club, and a member of the Barrington Yacht Club. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist Temple, of which body he has been a devoted member since 1885.
J. Edmund Estes, industrialist, corporation execu- tive, financier and poet of American ideals and patriotism, was married at Fall River, December 15, 1892, to Abbie P. Bronson, born July 26, 1870, in Fall River, a daughter of George W. and Sarah C. (Peckham) Bronson, and granddaughter of the Rev. Asa Bronson, first pastor of the Bap- tist Temple. Her father was a well-known edu- cator, having been principal for many years of the Borden School at Fall River. Mr. and Mrs. J. Edmund Estes have one child, a son, Alden Estes, born on May 12, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Estes and their son are prominent members of Fall River and Barrington society, and are valued citizens of their community, county and State.
PETER MURRAY, one of the most prominent business men and florists in Bristol county, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on October 15, 1874, a son of Peter and Flora Murray. The senior Mr. Murray was for many years a respected tailor of Aberdeen. Peter Murray's early education was ob- tained in the public schools of his birthplace, fol- lowing which he learned the florist's trade. In the year 1893 he came to America and settled first at Dedham, Massachusetts, where he followed his vocation. He then removed to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he accepted the position as man- ager of the well-known nurseries of the Hon. Frank Jones. He remained in this capacity at Portsmouth until the year 1896, when he removed to Fair Haven to become a manages of the estates of Walter P. Winsor. In 1906 he started in business for himself, and due to his natural ability and indus- try, he soon became known as one of the most suc- cessful florists and horticulturists in the vicinity, his business having been a growing one from the very start, and at the present time being in a very flourishing condition. In addition to the many duties of his occupation Mr. Murray finds time to serve as a trustee of the Fairhaven Institute of Savings; and as Tree Warden; and he gives his hearty support and cooperation to all movements for the welfare of the community.
Fraternally, Mr. Murray has been especially active in Masonic circles, and is Past Master of George H. Taber Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Past Patron of the Eastern Star; Past Master of Cale- donia Lodge, No. 320, Free and Accepted Masons; and is a member of Allegro Temple of Boston. He also holds membership in the Masonic Club and the Wamsutta Club.
Peter Murray was married at Surrey, Massa- chusetts, to Mary Ann Reynolds, whose death oc- curred on January 8, 1922. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Fairhaven, Massachu- setts, and is a sincere and indefatigable worker both in the church and in any phase of public service.
CLARENCE F. DELANO, well known and prominent merchant of Bristol county, was born at Fairhaven, Massachusetts, on July 11, 1869, son of William Baxter and Mercy A. (Caswell) De- lano. William Baxter Delano was connected for many years with the Charles Tabor Picture Frame Company. He was a son of Charles and Sally (Blossom) Delano. Charles Delano, the grandfather of Clarence F. Delano, of whom this record, mar- ried as his second wife in the year 1819, Miss Desire Wrightington. Mercy A. (Caswell) Delano, mother of Clarence F. Delano, was a daughter of Harvey and Lydia (Eldridge) Caswell; Harvey Caswell having been born in the year 1786. From the above it is seen that Clarence F. Delano, the subject of this biographical sketch, is descended from old and prominent New England stock, both on his father's and mother's side.
Clarence F. Delano was educated in the public schools of his birthplace, following which he ap- prenticed himself to the Wood-Brightman Company for a period of eight years. After completing his apprenticeship he entered the employ of S. C. Lowe of New Bedford, Massachusetts, in the capacity of a plumber, and here remained for two and one-half years, gaining additional experience in his chosen vocation. In the spring of 1897 he went into business for himself and established a hardware store at No. 72 Main street, Fairhaven, in a build- ing that was known as the "old shore factory". Here, in addition to a general hardware business, Mr. Delano conducts a plumbing, heating, tin and sheet metal work establishment. The venture has been successful from the very start, and has grown steadily and surely, until today it ranks as one of the best of its kind in Fairhaven and throughout Bristol county.
Outside of his business, Mr. Delano has taken a true citizen's interest in public and civic affairs. For a period of four and one-half years he ably and creditably served as a member of the Sewer Commission. During the late World War he served as a member of the National Guard of the State of Massachusetts, and was also active in the many drives for funds coincident with the war. Frater- nally, he has been especially active in Masonic. circles, being a member in good standing of the George H. Taber Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Adoniram Royal Arch Chapter of New Bedford; Royal Arch Masons, of Fairhaven; New Bedford Council, Royal and Select Masters; Gifford Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; and the Masonic Club of Fairhaven. He is also a member of the Sconti- cut Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men; and of the Leighton Club, Fairhaven, Massachusetts.
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Clarence F. Delano married at Fairhaven, Massa- chusetts, September 14, 1895, Miss Mary Jane Dunn, a daughter of Benjamin T. and Adeliza (Paine) Dunn. Mr. and Mrs. Delano are the par- ents of one son: Richard F. Delano, who was born October 16, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Delano and their son are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and are active both in the work of the church and in the social circles of their community. They also give their financial aid and personal support to any worthy movement that has as its design the promotion of interest in public welfare, or the betterment of public or county conditions.
FRANK W. SANFORD, whose active career has been diverse in its ramifications, was born and reared in the State of New York, acquired his business experience there, but attained prominence in his line of endeavor and achieved success in the State of Massachusetts. He was born at Auburn, New York, on October 15, 1885, son of Charles L. and Mary (Durbin) Sanford, respected residents of that place.
He attended the public and grammar schools of his birthplace, and having received a solid founda- tion of the fundamentals of education, he left school and entered the employ of Foster, Ross & Baucus, dry-goods merchants of Auburn. Mr. Sanford re- mained with this firm for a period of ten years, learning the business thoroughly in all its depart- ments and from all angles. At the end of this time he removed to Buffalo, New York, to accept the positions of buyer and of department manager for the Wilson Company, which he filled cred- itably during the years 1910 and 1911. During the last two months of 1911 he was associated with the firm of Keens & Kelly, also dry-goods merchants of Buffalo. On November 11, 1911, Mr. Sanford came to Fall River, Massachusetts, where he be- came identified as departmental buyer and manager, discharging the duties devolving upon these two of- fices with his usual ability and efficiency until July, 1918, when he severed his connections with the R. A. McWhirr Company in order to take a part in the World War. He went over-seas with the Young Men's Christian Association War Work Council and for nearly four years served with great useful- ness and distinction with this humanitarian or- ganization. He then returned to the United States, and again affiliated himself with the R. A. McWhirr Company on June 27, 1922, this time in the ca- pacity of general store superintendent. In this posi- tion with "Fall River's largest store," Mr. Sanford at the present time (1924) is still identified, his able and sincere work forming a definite asset to the progress and advancement of the firm. In addition to the war work already touched upon, Mr. San- ford was active in the maneuvers of the National Guard of the State of Massachusetts from June, 1917, to July, 1918.
Mr. Sanford has limited his fraternal relations to membership in the ancient Masonic body, but in
Masonic circles he has been very active. He is a member of King Philip's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Migel Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Council, Royal and Select Masters; and of the God- frey De Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar. He also has the distinct honor of being president of the International Young Men's Christian Associa- tion Club.
Mr. Frank W. Sanford married at Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1914, Miss Madeleine Kirby, daugh- ter of Charles and Laura Kirby. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are active in the social circles of their community.
THOMAS H. ARDEN-The interests of one of the most important life insurance companies in the world are in the hands of Thomas H. Arden in the Taunton district, and Mr. Arden has the distinction of being the oldest manager of this company now active in New England, ranking first in length of service in their employ. This is the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and with offices in the Crocker building, Mr. Arden has developed the business of this district to a very important and prosperous interest. An efficient executive, with many years of experience in the business world behind him, Mr. Arden has filled his present posi- tion for thirty-three years and has been identified with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for thirty-seven years. He comes of an old English family, and his father, William Arden, was born in England. Coming to America in 1847 as a young boy, William Arden espoused the cause of union and liberty at the time of the Civil War, joining the 12th Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteer Infan- try. He had three other brothers in the Civil War. He later became a noteworthy cotton operator, continuing in this general field of activity until his death, which occurred in 1918. He married Sarah J. Hill, who was born at Belfast, Ireland, and who died in 1920.
Thomas H. Arden was born at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, February 16, 1861. His education was begun in the public schools of his birthplace, and he prepared for his business career with a practical course at the Holmes Commercial College at Fall River. His first experience was as a clothing salesman in the employ of an internationally known concern of Fall River, and after four years in this connection he became identified with the Durfee Mills at Fall River, where he continued until 1886. Mr. Arden then accepted a position in the employ of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- pany in the capacity of agent. The work placed in his hands proved to be congenial, and he developed not only a taste, but large adaptability to this branch of endeavor with the result that promotion in the ranks of the company came early. He was made assistant manager in 1888, and in 1890 was established in Taunton as manager for this district. For a number of years the offices of the company were located in the Manheim block, but in 1906 their headquarters were removed to the present location
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in the Crocker building. The wonderful growth and development of the interests of the Metropolitan in this district have been principally due to the un- tiring energy and unfailing tact of Mr. Arden. Minutely and exhaustively versed in life insurance at all itmes, and possessing the ability to present a proposition in logical form, Mr. Arden has won great success in his chosen field and stands among the really important men of New England in this branch of economic advance. In the various inter- ests of the municipality in the responsibilities of the citizen to the land of his nativity and in fraternal and social endeavor, Mr. Arden has for many years been a familiar figure in Taunton. He has for three years been treasurer of the Social Welfare League of Taunton, and during the World War was very active in the sale of War Savings Certifi- cates, receiving commendation from the United States Government in recognition of his tireless en- deavors along this line. He has never accepted the honors and responsibilities of public office, but is now serving as a member of the Taunton Sewer Commission which he has served for eight years. Fraternally he is a member of King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Fall River Council, Royal and Select Masons; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is further a member of Sabbatia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he has served as treasurer of the building committee for the past seven years; Orient Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Fall River Lodge, Knights of Malta, of which he is past commander; and the Young Men's Protective and Benevolent Society. His clubs are the Winthrop, the Bristol, and the Segregansett Country. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Veterans' In- surance Society, of which he is president. His re- ligious affiliation is with St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.
Mr. Arden married, in 1884, Jennie E. Bayley, of Fall River, Massachusetts, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ellseon) Bayley. Mr. and Mrs. Arden are the parents of two children: 1. Thomas H., Jr., born in 1887, a graduate of Roger Allen Commer- cial School of Fall River; he served as treasurer of the War Stamp drive in Taunton during the World War; for ten years he was assistant manager under his father in the insurance business at Taunton, and since 1921 has been manager for E. J. Goudy Com- pany, box toe manufacturers, of Brockton, Massa- chusetts. 2. Ella Myrtle, born in 1891, graduate of the Taunton High School, the wife of Edmund Newton, now living in Taunton.
WILLIAM COOK GRAY, A. B., LL. B .- As a leading lawyer of Bristol county, Massachusetts, and register of deeds for the Fall River district of the county, William Cook Gray is a noteworthy figure, and in his professional activities, which center in Fall River, he is bearing a leading part in the advance of his time. Mr. Gray is a member of an old family of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and is a
son of Wanton H. and Phoebe A. (Durfee) Gray, both natives of Tiverton. The father was a captain of whaling vessels until his fortieth year, when he married and settled in Fall River. Here for some years he was engaged in the fish business, then later in the distribution of ice as a member of the firm of Gray & Young. He died at the compara- tively early age of fifty-two years, and the mother passed away in 1891.
William Cook Gray was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, August 9, 1873. His education was begun in the schools of Fall River and when still a young lad he determined upon a professional career. Entering Harvard College, he covered the usual course . in the liberal arts at that institution, and was graduated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His higher education, however, was principally in his own hands, and as a means of furthering its advance he then associated himself with the newspaper business. He first served as a proofreader on the Fall River "News," then later was active on the Fall River "Herald" as telegraph editor and reporter. In 1902 Mr. Gray again took up his studies, entering Harvard Law School, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1905. He took up the practice of his chosen profes- sion in the offices of Judge Hugo A. Dubuque, then after two years formed a law partnership with Wil- liam E. Fuller, Jr., under the firm name of Fuller & Gray. This affiliation continued until Mr. Fuller's death, which occurred in 1917; just prior to that event Mr. Gray was appointed register of deeds by the county commissioners to succeed Mr. Mills, re- signed. . At the November election he was chosen to fill out the unexpired term, and in 1922 was elected for another term, both times without opposi- tion. He is now serving in this office efficiently and well, in connection with his general practice. A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Gray is a strong party man, but considers the welfare of the people the paramount object in all party advance. Fraternally he is identified with Massasoit Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and his religious affilia- tion is with the Unitarian Society of Fall River.
Mr. Gray married, October 1, 1918, Blanche R. Amiot of Fall River.
EDWARD D. TOOHILL-As managing editor of the Fall River "Evening Herald" Mr. Toohill has become well known to the Fall River public, and they have learned to value his editorial utter- ances very highly. He is a native son of the Em- pire State, born in Auburn, New York, son of . David S. and Agnes (Bump) Toohill, his father also born in Auburn, his mother in Alden, New York. David S. Toohill was for some years engaged in the wholesale business, but later was connected with the Department of Public Works of the State of New York, and was concerned in the construction of the Barge Canal. For several years he served as a member of the Cayuga County Board of Super- visors, but later moved to Rochester, New York, where he died in 1913. Mrs. Agnes Toothill died in Rochester in 1918.
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Edward D. Toohill was born in Auburn, New York, December 29, 1879, and there began his education in the public schools. He thoroughly prepared for college and entered Cornell University, where, at the age of twenty-two he was graduated A. B., class of 1902. He entered newspaper work at once following graduation, his first position that of telegraph editor on the Auburn "Bulletin," a post he followed for two years. From the "Bulletin" Mr. Toohill went to the Ithaca (New York) "News," remaining with that paper three years as city editor. He was next with the Erie (Pennsylvania) "Dispatch" as a feature writer and later as managing editor. He remained in Erie with the "Dispatch" for three years, leaving in 1910 to accept a position as managing editor of the "Evening Herald" of Fall River, Massachusetts, and in that position he has ever since remained, 1910-1923. He has made many warm friends in Fall River and he is highly regarded as one of the strongest of the local editorial writers. He thoroughly trained for the position he holds and is a newspaper man of the best class, alert and resourceful, holding all else subordinate to the interests of the journal he serves. He is classed as a Republican in his personal poli- tics, but there is a strong vein of independence in his nature, and he has perhaps strayed off the reservation at times. He is a member of the Cornell Club of New England, Lions Club of Fall River, Chamber of Commerce, and is connected with the First Congregational Church.
Mr. Toohill married, April 19, 1905, Alice Stokes of Watertown, South Dakota, and they are the parents of a daughter, Beatrice A.
HERBERT E. DODGE-Thirty-three years ago (1890) Mr. Dodge began his career as a Young Men's Christian Association worker, and during those years has been continuously on the "firing line," serving many of the associations of the country either as physical director in earlier years, or as general secretary as at Fall River, to which association he came in 1910. While the Young Men's Christian Association has for its object, pri- marily, the religious and moral development of men, and is a strong ally of the church, it goes further and provides for the development of the physical man and his material welfare. Hence its educational and industrial branches and varied activities have made the Young Men's Christian Association a great university, an industrial training school, and an entertainment centre; in fact a great business in which the spiritual and the physical are so nicely balanced that there is no more important office than that of general secretary of this association. It is his duty to maintain a high spiritual atmosphere, make his educational department worth while, have the entertainment features attractive, and provide the all important ways and means. In fact he must be a platform speaker, lay and religious, a business man and a financier. That there are such men the multitude of buildings of the association all over the land attest, and Fall River is prepared to put forth a claim that in Mr. Dodge reposes every
qualification that goes to make the valuable, suc- cessful Young Men's Christian Association general secretary.
Herbert E. Dodge was born in a home built half of logs in the town of Flint, New York, October 2, 1866, son of Allen and Eliza (Garripe) Dodge, his father also born in Flint, his mother in Rensselaer county, New York. They were married in Flint and there the father engaged all his life as a farmer. The lad Herbert attended the district public school and later was a student at Canandaigua Academy four terms, but from his thirteenth year until his twenty-first he was a worker in a factory and on the farm. After reaching man's estate he taught school for one year, then for two years traveled, selling nursery stock (1888-1890). In September, 1890, he began his work in the Young Men's Christian Association as a paid employe, going with the Dan- ville, Pennsylvania, association as physical director, a position he had prepared himself for through years of personal gymnasium and athletic work.
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