USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 35
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In the public life of the city, State and nation Mr. Collis takes an interest, but while supporting the Republican party in political affairs he has never sought nor desired public honors of an official nature. He is especially interested in all that per- tains to the historic records of the nation and its people. Fraternally Mr. Collis is a member of Charles H.Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and is a member of the higher bodies of this order up to and including the thirty-second degree. He is a member of the Winthrop Club of Taunton.
Mr. Collis married, in September, 1903, A. Jennie Walker, of Taunton, daughter of the late Benja- min and Elizabeth (Wright) Walker, both natives of Taunton. Mr. and Mrs. Collis have three chil- dren: Henry Walker, born in 1904; George Benja- min, born in 1911; and Charles Albert, born in 1915; the younger children now attending the Taun- ton schools.
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EDGAR L. CROSSMAN-A long career of eminent usefulness, both in personal endeavor and in public service, is that of Edgar L. Crossman, who for many years was identified with the indus- trial world of Taunton, Massachusetts. He has served the people in various public offices, includ- ing the mayoralty of the city, to which honor he was elected fifteen years ago, and in which ca- pacity he served for two years, having been the last mayor under the old charter.
· Mr. Crossman is descended, on both paternal and maternal sides, from some of the early settlers of Massachusetts, who came at once to Bristol county, and since about 1650 have been identified continu- ously through the centuries with the progress of Taunton as village, town and city. Robert Cross- man, Mr. Crossman's father, was born in Taunton, and was throughout his lifetime active as a tailor, passing away in the year 1893. The mother, Martha L. (Hall) Crossman, is still living, at the great age of ninety-four years.
Edgar L. Crossman was born in the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, March 2, 1859. His edu- cation was gained in the local institutions, and he was graduated from the Taunton High School in the class of 1877. His first employment was in the public service, in the office of the water com- missioner, in which connection he was active for one year, after which he entered the employ of the Taunton Locomotive Works. Continuing with this great concern for a full quarter of a century, Mr. Crossman was during the greater part of that time chief clerk. He then associated himself with the Taunton Oilcloth Company, in which connection he remained for three years, thereafter holding the position of office manager with the White & War- ner Company, which he filled efficiently for a period of seven years. He then took up the duties of his present office as county treasurer.
During this long period of activity in the indus- tries Mr. Crossman served at one time or another in various positions of public trust and responsi- bility, first being elected to the old Common Coun- cil. He was also at various times a member of the Board of Aldermen, representing first Ward One, and other service included membership in the Park Commission, also the office of registrar of voters. Thus it was with the spirit of the true servant of the people, and the practical experience of the long active public executive, that Mr. Cross- man came to the duties of the mayoralty, to which he was elected in the year 1908, serving during that and the following year. As the last mayor under the old charter he found many exacting duties hav- ing to do with the change of regime, and his long and constructive familiarity with office practice, to- gether with his thorough administrative ability, made him an outstanding figure in the annals of the municipality. Mr. Crossman's election to the office of county treasurer of Bristol county oc- curred in 1912, and his faithful and efficient handling of the important duties of this position has amply justified the people in having placed the trust in
his hands. Mr. Crossman is counted among the really significant men of the day, and is honored equally for his devotion to public duty and his estimable qualities as a man and a citizen. His more personal interests include membership in Charles H. Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is treasurer, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Royal Arcanum. He is a prominent member of the Winthrop Club, and his choice of recreative in- terests taking him into the great out-door world, a well known figure at the Segregansett Country Club, of which he is a member, and a trustee of the Taunton Public Library. His re- ligious connection is with the Unitarian church. He is deeply interested in all charitable and benevolent advance, and for many years has served as treasurer of the Bristol County Hospital.
Mr. Crossman married, in 1885, Sarah S. Bab- bitt, of Taunton, daughter of George H. and Sera- phina (Sandford) Babbitt. Mrs. Crossman enjoys an honor and distinction which it would be rare indeed to find duplicated, in the fact that her father, her brother and her husband have all been mayors of their native city-Taunton. The Babbitt family, as well as Mr. Crossman's ancestral lines, Crossman and Hall, also dates back to about 1650 in Bristol county, Massachusetts, and the Sandford family has been in this country many years, having originated in Westmoreland, England. Mr. and Mrs. Crossman have one daughter, Ruth A. The family have long been members of the Old Colony Historical Society, and are deeply interested in the work of that organization in preserving the records of the past.
CHARLES EDWARD BRADY-Largely suc- cessful as an executive in the textile industry ini Fall River, Massachusetts, Charles Edward Brady is representative of the spirit of progress which has inspired the pioneers in this field of endeavor, and has contributed toward the present eminence of this city as a center of that industry.
The Brady family for generations has been identi- fied with mill activities, John Brady, Mr. Brady's grandfather, coming from Ireland to the United States with his parents as a child of seven years, and entering the mill industry in early life He was one of the first Irish-Americans to settle in Fall River, and became very prominent in the affairs of the community before the days of the city government. He was a man of progressive spirit, who appreciated the importance in advance in every branch of community interest, and for some years served as a member of the school board, bearing a constructive part in the early development of the local educational system. John Brady, Jr., a son, and Mr. Brady's father, was born in Fall River in the year 1855, and has spent his entire career in the activities of the local cotton mills. He is still active as an overseer of the Parker Mill. He married Mary L. Cunneen, a
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daughter of James E. Cunneen, who also was prominently connected with the development of the mill industry in Fall River. Mr. Cunneen built the Laurel Lake Mills, the Seaconnet Mills, and various other mill structures in Fall River. John Brady, Jr., and Mary L. (Cunneen) Brady were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters.
Charles Edward Brady was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, February 7, 1887, and was the sec- ond in order of birth in this family of children. Fol- lowing the public school course he attended the B. M. C. Durfee High School for two years, and then entering the mills covered the evening course of four years at the Durfee Textile School. Mr. Brady's first experience in the world of industry was in the carding department of the Wetamoe Mills, and he was active there for about ten years, rising to the position of second hand. He then went to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to learn cot- ton grading and classing, and spent the seasons of 1909 and 1910 in mastering the intricacies of that work. Returning to Fall River Mr. Brady entered the employ of the Nonquitt Mills in New Bedford, Massachusetts, acting in this connection as second hand. In December, 1913, Mr. Brady became identi- fied with the Lincoln Manufacturing Company, a leading cotton manufacturing concern of Fall River, as overseer of the carding department, and this position he filled until September, 1916. He then resigned to accept the office of superintendent of the Foster Spinning Company's plant in Fall River and remained in that connection until April, 1918. Subsequently he returned to the Lincoln Mill, as superintendent, which position he still ably fills. He is further active as superintendent of the Parker Mills of Fall River since the reorganization of that concern, which took place early in the year 1922. Mr. Brady personally was given the responsibility of this physical reorganization, and the present effi- ciency of the plant is largely due to his breadth of experience and administrative ability. He has won an enviable position in his chosen field of activity and is numbered among the really significant citi- zens of Fall River. A Republican by political affili- · ation, he is a prominent member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, and bears a part in all advance effort which concerns the civic or indus- trial welfare. He is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, in which he holds the fourth degree, the Kiwanis Club, the Quequechan Club, and Fall River Yacht Club, and attends the Roman Catholic church.
Charles Edward Brady married in Fall River. Massachusetts, in 1915, Mary F. Gallagher, who until her marriage had for several years been a teacher in the local high schools. Mrs. Brady is a daughter of Patrick F. and Margaret E. (Rowan) Gallagher, esteemed residents of Somersworth, New Hampshire.
JOHN HENRY SULLIVAN-Standing among the successful professional men of Bristol county,
Massachusetts, John Henry Sullivan has won his way to a noteworthy position in his chosen field of the law, and with offices at No. 5 Main street, is handling a large and constantly extending prac- tice. Mr. Sullivan is a native of the State of Massachusetts, and is a son of Daniel J. Sullivan, who was born at Dursey Island, County Cork, Ireland, and died in 1911. The father came to this country as a young man and was for many years active in business as a tailor in Taunton, Massa- chusetts. The mother, Ellen (Sullivan) Sullivan, was born at Bantry, County Cork, Ireland, and died in 1916, in Taunton, Massachusetts.
John Henry Sullivan was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, May 10, 1882. He is a graduate of the Taunton High School, class of 1901, of which class he was president, and an orator at commencement. His classical education was re- ceived at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massa- chusetts, where he was very active in athletics, being assistant manager of the football team in 1905. He was also orator of his class at Holy Cross College. Later taking an advanced course at Ford- ham University, he took up his professional studies at Boston University Law School and was gradu- ated in the class of 1911, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Admitted to the bar within the year, Mr. Sullivan began practice in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, opening offices in his present location at No. 5 Main street. He has won his way to a posi- tion of large prominence in his chosen field of endeavor and is counted among the broadly pro- gressive and really noteworthy men of the pro- fession in Bristol county. He has always felt a deep interest in military affairs, and during his school days was for four years a member of the Taunton High School cadets, the last two years of which he served as an officer. During the World War he served as an associate member of the Legal Advisory Board. Mr. Sullivan is prominent fraternally, being a life-member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is also past exalted ruler; the Knights of Columbus; the Taunton Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Bar Association, of which he was secretary during 1913-14-15. His religious affiliation is with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Sullivan married, in 1916, Emma L. McDon- ough, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of James and Mary McDonough.
REGINALD P. DAKIN, D. D. S .- In profes- sional circles in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Dr. Dakin holds a widely prominent position, and his success in dental surgery has carried him to the highest rang in his chosen field of endeavor. He is a son of Edward J. and Lucy A. (Holsworth) Dakin, both of Digby, Nova Scotia. The father, who was a mechanic by occupation, died in the year 1894, but the mother survived him for many years, pass- ing away in 1922.
Reginald P. Dakin was born at Skowhegan, Maine, March 27, 1876. His education was begun
Bristol-2-15
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in the local public schools and he was graduated from the Oakland High School in the class of 1893. Thereafter entering Westbrook Seminary, Portland, Maine, he was graduated from that insti- tution in the class of 1895, then took up his pro- fessional studies at Boston Dental College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1899 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Entering upon the practice of his chosen profession at Win- chester, Massachusetts, where he was active for two years, he was then persuaded to remove to Attleboro. His first location in this city was in the Bronson building, but after a time he removed to his present location at No. 30 South Main street, and is taking a leading position in this part of Bristol county. Thoroughly familiar with mod- ern methods in dental surgery, Dr. Dakin has de -. veloped an extensive practice, and he is progressive in spirit and of large ability, which makes him an outstanding figure in the profession. A Re- publican by political affiliation, Dr. Dakin has served as a member of the school committee during a long period of time and has been secretary of the com- mittee for fifteen years. During the World War he was chairman of the Dental Bureau, his territory covering both the Attleboros, and the efficient service which he rendered at that time brought to him from Dr. Proctor, who was in charge of the State Dental Bureau, a certificate in recognition of his services. Fraternally he is a member of Orient Lodge, No. 165, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Attleboro; and Lodge No. 1014, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, of Attleboro. His clubs are the Highland Country and the Interna- tional Lions. He religious affiliation is with the Universalist church.
LEWIS A. HODGES-For many years identified with the industrial progress of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, Lewis A. Hodges has for the past decade been prominent in the city government in the very responsible offices of city treasurer and collector. Gifted with those characteristics which command the esteem and goodwill of his associates and contemporaries, Mr. Hodges is eminently well fitted for his work, and his efforts are contributing largely to the progress and prosperity of the city. He is a son of Lewis B. Hodges, who was born at Norton, Massachusetts, and died in 1904. Lewis B. Hodges was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company G, 4th Regiment, Massachusetts Voluntcer Infantry, with the rank of sergeant. He was by trade a molder, spending his lifetime in the activities of the foundry. The mother, Elizabeth H. (Godfrey) Hodges, who was born at Norton, Massa- chusetts, now resides at No. 31 Prospect street.
Lewis A. Hodges was born at Providence, Rhode Island, October 9, 1864. His education was ac- quired in the public and high schools of Somer- set, Fall River and Taunton, Massachusetts, where the family resided at different times, and he was graduated from the Taunton High School in 1884. His first business experience was in Taunton, Massa-
chusetts, in the employ of the Reed & Barton Sil- ver Works, in which connection he remained until January, 1913. Meanwhile, he was active in various branches of civic and welfare work and became a prominent figure in the affairs of the city govern- ment. Elected to the office of city treasurer, he took up the duties of this office in January, 1913, also acting as collector, and has handled the duties of these offices ably and efficiently. Mr. Hodges is a man of courteous bearing and genuine kindliness which is good will toward all with whom he comes in contact, having its basis in a genuine spirit of brotherhood and this fact more than any other accounts for the innumerable friends whom he has won in Taunton and vicinity. His absolute devo- tion to duty and his capacity for detail makes his service broadly useful to the civic body, and he is counted among the really significant executives of the municipal government. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans and the Royal Arcanum, also of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Hodges married, in 1894, Florence S. Mon- roe, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of Charles E. and Helen O. (Briggs) Monroe. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges are the parents of six children: Lewis Carlton, born in 1895, a graduate of the high school; Helen Monroe, born in 1896, a graduate of the high school; Kenneth Crawford, born in 1897, who attended Wentworth School for two years; Kathryn E., born in 1899, a graduate of the high school and the Normal School; Mirian G., born in 1902, a graduate of the high school; and Sheldon B., born in 1909.
FRANK MOSSBERG-In the present day of mechanical perfection in every branch of industrial advance the significance of any really noteworthy addition to the machinery and tools which go to make up the equipment of a modern plant is worthy of the highest praise, and such praise is due Frank Mossberg, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, through whose mechanical genius many useful devices and tools have found a place on the market and are now accepted as standard. Mr. Mossberg is one of the inventors of the present generation whose work has been specially constructive in character and has indeed revolutionized many phases of factory shop practice. He is a son of Nils Mossberg, who was born in Sweden, and spent his lifetime in agricultural pursuits in his native country until his death, which occurred in 1910. The mother, Sarah (Pearson) Mossberg, was born in Sweden and died in 1905.
Frank Mossberg was born in Sweden, November 8, 1858. His education was obtained. in the schools of his native land, and following his preliminary and classical studies he entered the Chalmers Insti- tute of Technology at Gothenburg, Sweden, where he prepared for a career in mechanics. Coming to the United States in 1882, Mr. Mossberg stayed for a time in New York City, then went to Woon- socket, Rhode Island, where he was employed as
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a machinist for one year. Thereafter he was in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, going thence to Provi- dence, where he was employed as draftsman in the plant of the Brown & Sharpe Company. Mr. Mossberg then became identified with the Granger Foundry & Machine Company of Providence, and during his connection with that corporation he be- came associated with ex-Governor Howard in the development and perfection of fog signals and various other devices, to be used in lighthouses and on board ships, and when this work was accom- plished the patent was registered under Mr. Moss- berg's name. Mr. Mossberg was made a citizen of the United States in 1886 and in 1889 he came to Attleboro, purchased a small machinery manu- facturing plant, and carried the business forward independently under the title of the Mossberg Manufacturing Company. He developed this in- terest successfully, and through numerous patents and improvements on the machinery used in the jewelry trade did a great work in simplifying the manufacture of jewelry and speeding up plant pro- duction. Many of the modern machines now used in the jewelry trade are the product of his in- ventive genius, especially rolling-mill presses of many kinds and various other inventions which made revolutionary changes in this field of manu- facture. In 1896 Mr. Mossberg removed his busi- ness to Providence, Rhode Island, and with associ- ates continued under the name of the Mossberg & Granville Company, with headquarters in the Kent & Stanley building. In the year 1898 he withdrew from that firm and established himself under his own name, then in the following year returned to Attleboro. There his business was incorporated under the name of the Frank Mossberg Company, the principal products of his plant being bicycle wrenches and other patented tools, all of his own invention. Mr. Mossberg now ranks as the leading manufacturer of wrenches in the world. Their first location was on South Main street, at the corner of Mill street, and on that plot of ground they later erected a new building and eventually extend- ed their operations to include the manufacture of practically all kinds of automobile tools and ac- cessories. In 1909 the Attleboro Chamber of Com- merce erected a fine building in Lamb street for the Frank Mossberg Company, and as president of that company Mr. Mossberg led the interest forward to a high degree of importance, then, in the year 1919, disposing of his stock in the concern, he withdrew, and in the fall of the same year organ- ized the Mossberg Pressed Steel Corporation, of which he is president and general manager. This corporation manufactures pressed 'metal loom beam heads, spools, drop wires, carriers and bobbins for braiding machines, also a full line of spools, reels and appliances used in the manufacture of wire, a new departure in textile production, superseding the old method of cast iron and wood. Mr. Moss- berg was the inventor of this idea of applying wrought steel to such uses. It is interesting to note in connection with Mr. Mossberg's success that
every branch of his effort is founded on the policy expressed in the motto: "To Deserve Your Busi- ness." Mr. Mossberg is a director of the Standard Machinery Company and a director of the American Shell and Tube Company, both of Providence, Rhode Island, and is interested further in the busi- ness world as president of the Captain John Eric- son Memorial Society of Engineers of New York, of which he had been vice-president for a number of years prior to his election to the presidency in 1922. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Engineers Club of New York, the Swedish Engineers Club of New York, the Swedish Engineers Club of Chicago, West Side Club of Attleboro, Boston Dining Club, and the Lions Club of Attleboro. Mr. Mossberg is also a member of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce. He is considered one of the mnost noteworthy of New England inventors, and has been granted over one hundred American patents and more than thirty-five patents in foreign countries. He now has more than thirty patents pending, and it is consid- ered in Attleboro that Mr. Mossberg is inseparably connected with the growth and development of Bristol county and with the general advance in the world of mechanics. Mr. Mossberg was president of the Chamber of Commerce for two years, and during his term was instrumental in securing the adoption of a city charter by Attleboro. During the years . 1900-1903 Mr. Mossberg aided in the de- velopment of the automobile industry by building several cars, one of them an electric car, the first practical car in Massachusetts to run twenty miles an hour over the roads, or to run sixty miles on a single battery charge. He also built several gaso- line cars during that period. Mr. Mossberg con- siders the roller bearing patent which he secured about 1893 the most important of all his inventions. It is largely used by the United States Government on gun carriages. These bearings are also used on locks at the Panama Canal.
In politics Mr. Mossberg has long been a sup- porter of the Republican party, but with progres- sive tendencies that carried him ardently into the Roosevelt campaign in 1912. He has served for some years as a member of the Municipal Council, and before the city charter came into effect was chairman of the Republican Town Committee. During the World War he was identified with se- curing equipment and munitions through manufac- turers in various parts of this country, and his ac- tivities were divided between Attleboro, New York and Washington. Fraternally he is a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attle- boro Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Providence, Rhode Island; Massachusetts Con- sistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Boston. He is a member of Lodge No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the West Side, Highland Country, Wannamoisett
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