USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 39
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Mr. Sullivan married, in 1891, Mary Taylor of Fall River, and they are the parents of eight children, of whom five are now living. These children are as fol- lows : Julia W., a graduate of Trinity College, class of 1914, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, who has taught for five years in Fall River high schools; Jane M., a graduate of the Sacred Heart Convent and Hyannis State Normal School; Louis J., a graduate of Yale University, class of 1921, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, now associated with his father in the shoe business; Francis E., a graduate of George- town University, of Washington, D. C., class of 1922, degree of Bachelor of Arts, also associated with his father; and Mary A., a graduate of Trinity College in the class of 1923, degree of Bachelor of Arts. Of the children who are deceased, Daniel J. was the only one who grew to maturity, and his loss was one of the saddest events in the younger social group in Fall River in recent years. He was in his junior year at Yale University when he left home to enlist for overseas service in the World War. He went to France witlı Ambulance Unit No. 64, and was with the French Army for six months before America entered the war. As soon as that step was taken he returned to the United States to enlist in the army of his native land, and became a member of the air service, with the com- mission of lieutenant, just before the armistice was signed. In October, 1920, he was appointed vice-consul to Danzig, which at that time was made a free state by the League of Nations. Lieutenant Sullivan was at that time only twenty-three years of age, and was thus one of the youngest men ever appointed to a consulate by the United States Government. In January, 1922, Lieutenant Sullivan returned to the United States on a leave of absence, his purpose being to take the ex- aminations at Washington for the diplomatic service, and on March 12, 1922, he was killed in an automobile accident while returning from Boston to Fall River. Lieutenant Sullivan was considered one of the most promising young men of Bristol county, and the brilliant start he had already made in his career was an assur- ance that whatever responsibility of life he should take up would be discharged with fidelity and efficiency. The unspeakably sad close of such a bright and promising career cast a shadow of deepest regret over every circle in which the young man had been known, and the only comfort which could be derived from his pass- ing was that at the time of his country's need he had given his best to her service.
HOWARD PIERCE SAWYER, A. B., M. D .- Among the professional men who have come into promi- nence since the World War and who gained breadth of experience in that struggle Dr. Sawyer is a note- worthy figure. A native of the State of Massachu- setts, he is a direct descendant on the maternal side of Mary Allerton, also of Robert Cushman, who was the financial agent of the sailing of the "Mayflower." He is a son of Judge William H. and Caroline (Lane) Sawyer, his father a native of Littleton, New Hamp- shire, and his mother of Whitefield, New Hampshire. Both are now living and residing in Concord. Judge Sawyer is one of the outstanding figures of his native State, having been elevated to the bench of the Supe- rior Court of New Hampshire some ten years ago. His
long record of success as a lawyer and his distinguished position on the bench place him high in the current affairs of New Hampshire.
Howard Pierce Sawyer was born at Concord, New Hampshire, August 13, 1892. He is a graduate of the Concord High School, class of 1911, and of Dartmouth College, class of 1915, from which institution he re- ceived his degree of Bachelor of Arts. He took up his medical studies at Yale University Medical School, but his last year in Dartmouth he had devoted to medicine, and for a short time, while in New Haven, he did medical service at the New Haven Hospital. In August, 1917, prior to the completion of his medical course, Dr. Sawyer volunteered for service in the Medical Corps of the United States Army and sailed for France within the month. He was assigned to duty in the Mobile Hospital Service, this being the original projection of the idea of Mobile Hospital activities in the American Army. Dr. Sawyer was graduated and awarded his diploma in France, his commanding officer being professor of surgery at Yale Medical School. His diploma was granted on the recommendation of this superior officer. Dr. Sawyer was commissioned first lieutenant of the Medical Corps, September 5, 1918, and served for some seventeen months in the hospitals of France. Returning to the United States in January, 1918, he received his honorable discharge from the ser- vice on March 28 of the same year, and was thereafter active in the New. Haven Hospital for the time, then served in the Boston Lying-In Hospital until January, 1920. At that time Dr. Sawyer came to Fall River to become associated with the Truesdale Clinic, and for about eighteen months was a member of the staff of the Truesdale Hospital (q. v.). He severed his connec- tion with this institution in May, 1921, and at that time opened his office for independent practice at No. 122 Purchase street. Here he has since devoted his atten- tion to obstetrics, in which he has gained a very high reputation, and is coming to be looked upon as an authority. Dr. Sawyer is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts State Medical Society, and the Fall River Medical Society, and acts as assistant obstetrician at the Fall River General Hos- pital. Fraternally he is affiliated with King Philip Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Sigma Phi Epsilon, college fraternity; Alpha Kappa Kappa, medical frater- nity; and Gamma Alpha Scientific Society. The inter- ests of his leisure follow the line of outdoor activities, and he is a member of the Fall River Country Club.
Dr. Sawyer married, November 6, 1920, Mary Ger- rish Willard of Detroit, Michigan, and they have one son, Howard Pierce, Jr.
HON. ALFRED R. CROSBY-The recent death of Alfred R. Crosby, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, re- moved from the city another member of that interest- ing group of men who toward the close of long and useful lives at once recall the past in their daily con- versation and give good counsel to the younger men of the present. Out of their rich experiences they have won wisdom and crystalized judgment, and their use- fulness to the community is by no means to be meas- ured by their present activities, for from the wise men of any country the men in the thick of the struggle
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may well seek wisdom, whatever their ultimate end in view.
Alfred R. Crosby was born at Glover, Orleans county, Vermont, August 31, 1838, and died April 1, 1923. He was a son of Hezekiah and Phila (Richard- son) Crosby, esteemed farming people of that section. His education was begun in the district schools of the farm community, and he later attended the academy at Barton, Vermont. As a youth he assisted his father on the home farm, and at the age of twenty-two years enlisted in Company M, First Battalion, New Hamp- shire Field Artillery, at Manchester, New Hampshire. This occasion took place on September 26, 1861, and at the close of his three-year enlistment he reenlisted, serving until the close of the war. He received his honorable discharge from the service on July 8, 1865, and on his return North located in Attleboro, Massa- chusetts. Here he established himself in the harness business on Park street, and was active along that line of endeavor for a number of years with success. He later entered the field of jewelry manufacture, forming a partnership with William H. and Stephen Smith, the enterprise going forward for several years under the title of Smith, Crosby & Smith, later becoming Smith & Crosby, as at present. His ceaseless energy and excellent business ability were the foundations upon which was built the great success of that firm in recent years. He was a man of most pleasing personality and of the strictest integrity, and until his retirement was the central figure, as well as the leading executive, of this organization. He was one of the best known of the jewelry executives of Attleboro, and his general popularity was well attested by the appreciations brought out by his death in the various newspapers of this sec- tion, one leading daily referring to his passing as follows :
Of unquestioned integrity and unusual business ability, Mr. Crosby for many years was a great force for good in the city, and the community owes much to him for his splendid influence. Possessed of high ideals, and with a character unimpeachable, he was generally respected and revered by all with whom he came in contact. His friends, and they are numberless, are the best evidence of the esteem in which he was held.
Mr. Crosby was affiliated with many other branches of worthy effort. For many years he served as a direc- tor of the Attleborough Savings Bankand as a member of the investment committee of that institution. In civic affairs he was a man of broad influence and lofty pur- poses. He was chairman of the finance committee of the town of Attleboro before the adoption of the city charter. He was representative from Attleboro district to the General Assembly, and during his period of service in this connection he acted as chairman and member of several important committees. Previously he had served for several years on the local school com- mittee and was always influential on the problems of the educational department of the civic body. Frater- nally Mr. Crosby was a charter member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and was the second master of this lodge. He was also affiliated with King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attle- boro Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he held the highest offices. He was district deputy grand master of the Twenty-third Masonic District in the years 1887-
1888. In religious advance Mr. Crosby always felt the deepest interest, and his personal beliefs were profound, while of the greatest breadth and charity. He was affiliated with the Universalist church, and from the time of the erection of the Murray Church he held a pew in that edifice.
Hon. Alfred R. Crosby married, on December 28, 1869, Frances E. Dean, daughter of Bradford and Maria Dean, and they were the parents of four children, three of whom still survive them: Mrs. L. C. Luther; Alfred D., a sketch of whom follows; and George H., a sketch of whom appears on following pages. A third son, Arthur N. Crosby, died at Camp Devens during the World War.
ALFRED D. CROSBY-Widely prominent in the jewelry trade as the leading executive of the Smith & Crosby Company, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Alfred D. Crosby is a broadly representative figure in the business life of Bristol county. Interested in his pres- ent line of endeavor from childhood, his educational preparations were made with the view of succeeding his father in the present business, and with his practi- cal ability and his progressive spirit he has won a high position in the business life of the day. Mr. Crosby is a son of the late Hon. Alfred R. and Frances E. (Dean) Crosby, a review of the father's life appearing in the preceding sketch.
Alfred D. Crosby was born at Attleboro, Massachu- setts, February 12, 1871. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he is a graduate of the Attleboro High School, class of 1890. Later entering Bryant & Stratton Business College, at Providence, Rhode Island, he made practical preparations for his future, and shortly after the completion of his course entered the business world. To acquire breadth of ex- perience, Mr. Crosby associated himself with various concerns in the jewelry business until the year 1908, when with his brother, George H. Crosby, he became a member of the firm since known as Smith & Crosby, of which his honored father was at the time the head. Several years later a third son was admitted into the co-partnership, Arthur N. Crosby, who enlisted in the United States Army in the late World War, and who died at Camp Devens on September 25, 1918. His interest was purchased by the remaining two sons. The late Hon. Arthur R. Crosby retiring soon after, left the entire ownership of the business with Mr. Crosby and his brother, George H. This business was estab- lished in the year 1874, and the first location was in the Robinson buildings, on Railroad avenue, where it was carried forward for thirty-five years. The firm then removed to the present location, at No. 94 County street, where they now occupy one entire floor, com- prising some 7,000 square feet of floor space. Employ- ing some sixty people, they produce a special line of jewelry known as the "gold front" jewelry, holding a leading position in this line. Their market is the entire United States, and, as the head of this important business, Mr. Crosby holds a prominent position in the trade. For a number of years the Crosby name has been the principal one in this organization, Stephen Smith having retired early in its history, in 1878, and William H. Smith in 1908. Mr. Crosby's other affilia- tions with the business world in Attleboro include a
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directorship of the Attleboro Trust Bank. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce,. of the New England Jewelers' & Silversmiths' Association, the As- sociated Industries of Massachusetts, and the Manu- facturing Jewelers' Board of Trade, of Providence, Rhode Island. He is also a member of all the Ma- sonic bodies. Mr. Crosby has few interests which do not more or less closely concern his field of business endeavor, but in public life supports the Republican party, although never accepting public responsibilities of any kind. During the World War he served on various boards and committees of the period, and re- ceived from the United States Government a certificate recognizing the value of his services. He is a member of the parish of the Universalist church.
Mr. Crosby married, on April 12, 1899, Irene Tobitt, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, daughter of John L. Tobitt, of Mansfield, Massachusetts, and Martha (Moore) Tobitt, of Holroyd, England, and they are the parents of one son, Alfred T., born July 10, 1901, now a stu- dent at Boston University.
GEORGE H. CROSBY-In the manufacture of jewelry in Attleboro, Massachusetts, George H. Crosby stands among the leading executives of the day as a member of the Smith & Crosby Company. Interested in this concern from boyhood, since his father was for many years at the head, Mr. Crosby looked forward to his activities in this connection from his youth, and his entire career has been spent in advancing the interests of the enterprise. Mr. Crosby is a son of Alfred R. and Frances E. (Dean) Crosby (q. v.) He was born at Attleboro, Massachusetts, April 24, 1875. Receiving a practical education in the public schools of this city, he entered the employ of Smith & Crosby, as the firm was then known, as soon as his studies were completed. Beginning in a minor capacity and familiarizing him- self with the details of the business by experience in every department, he rose through his own merits, be- coming first foreman, then superintendent, and in 1908, with his brother, Alfred D. Crosby (see preceding sketch), he was made a member of the firm.
George H. Crosby is a member of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, and in political affairs is a supporter of the Republican party, although he has never accepted official responsibility in public life. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served throughout the full period of that war with the rank of sergeant, during part of the time as color- sergeant. Prior to this service he was a member of Company I, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, for five years with the rank of corporal. Mr. Crosby holds the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order, being a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Attleboro; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; and Boston Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. His religious affiliation is with the Sec- ond Congregational Church.
Mr. Crosby married, October 4, 1914, Julia Marsh Angeline, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, daughter of John and Mary Eunice (Marsh) Angeline, her father a farmer of New Preston, Connecticut.
WILLIS K. HODGMAN was born at Warren Maine, May 1, 1861, and was a son of Samuel and
Mary (Thorndike) Hodgman, both these families being direct lines from early settlers of Maine and Massachusetts. Educated in his native State, Willis K. Hodgman came to Taunton in August, 1880, and at that time entered the employ of the Mason Ma- chine Works, where he learned the machinist's trade, making a specialty of locomotives, Three years later, in association with Berthold Huber, he founded the concern which later became known as the Huber-Hodgman Printing Press Company, at the beginning having their manufacturing done at the Taunton Locomotive Works. In 1902-3 a new plant was erected for the concern, and this was oc- cupied by it from the latter year until the business was sold, Mr. Hodgman acting as treasurer and manager during the period. In 1913, upon the retirement of Mr. Hodgman, the Miehle Printing Press and Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois, absorbed the interest, but Mr. Hodgman was retained as consulting engineer until his death. Meantime, for many years, Willis K. Hodgman, Sr., brought out many valuable inventions con- tributing to the development of the printing busi- ness and the perfection of the work done in this field. His inventive genius was also directed towards other fields, notably fire prevention. He invented and developed the Hodgman automatic sprinkler for fire protection. For its manufacture a partnership formed with his son in 1919 began operations in a specially built factory on Washington street, of which Willis K. Hodgman, Jr., is now the head. In other business interests the father was also prominent, being affiliated with the Bristol County Savings Bank Corporation, a director and former president of the Bay State Crucible Company, and president of the Bristol County Agricultural So- ciety. At one time he held the office of second lieutenant in Company F, 1st Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia, and he was more or less active in the civic advance, serving as councilman from Ward Four (1889-90) and as alderman (1891- 93) from the same ward. He was elected mayor of Taunton in the fall of 1893, and served in that highest office of a local nature in the gift of the people with honor and distinction. He was also active for some years on the Board of Water Com- missioners, served on the local Committee of Safety during the World War, and was one of the trustees of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Fraternally he was a member of Charles H. Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; he was a life-member of the Old Colony Historical Society, and his clubs were the Winthrop, of which he was a charter member, the Taunton Yacht and the Taunton Boat. His was a well-rounded life, full of usefulness. Actuated by high purposes, tireless in his endeavors to benefit his day and generation, his loss was heavily felt in every circle in which he had been known. His death occurred March 28, 1923, and all Taunton mourned the passing of a man whose richly beneficent life forms a splendid page in the annals of the city.
Willis K. Hodgman, Sr., married (first) Louisa Black, daughter of Captain William Black; and
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(second) Emma A. Watts, daughter of the late George Watts, who survives him. A daughter, Mildred, and a son, Willis K., Jr., also survive him.
Willis K. Hodgman, Jr., was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, August 13, 1890. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he was graduated from the Taunton High School in the class of 1907. Thereafter. he entered the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, from which he was graduated in the class of 1911, with the de- grees of Bachelor of Science in mechanical engi- neering. Mr. Hodgman's first business experience was in association with his father in the manufac- ture of the Huber-Hodgman printing presses in Taunton. Having acquired a thorough working knowledge of this business, he went to Chicago for breadth of experience, and there was active in the employ of the Miehle Printing Press Manu- facturing Company for about two years, when he returned to Taunton in connection with the manu- facture of high explosive shells by the same com- pany for the Russian government.
During the World War Willis K. Hodgman, Jr., served with the American Expeditionary Forces, but this was his second enlistment in the military service. In 1911 he enlisted in the 9th Company, Coast Artillery Corps, Massachusetts National Guard, serving for a period of three years. Re- enlisting in 1917, he went with the 9th Company to Boston Harbor and was a little later commissioned second lieutenant, transferred to the ordnance de- partment, was assigned to duty at Camp Dodge, Iowa, sent thence to Camp Hancock, Georgia, and eventually went overseas. Following his return to this country, he received his honorable discharge from the active service in February, 1919, but is now captain in the 101st Regiment Field Artillery, Massachusetts National Guard. Mr. Hodgman is a member of the American Legion, and prominent in the work of the organization in Bristol county He has for some years identified himself with civic advance in an unobtrusive way, and is now serving his second term as a member of the city council. Otherwise he has few interests outside of his business, but retains his membership in the Theta Chi fraternity, and is a leading member of the Taunton Boat Club. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational church.
Mr. Hodgman married, in March, 1919, Barbara R. Stone, of Providence, Rhode Island, daughter of William Sydney and the late Mary E. (Russell) Stonc, both of Providence.
REV. GEORGE O'CALLAGHAN-The leader and spiritual guide of one of the finest and largest parishes of the Roman Catholic church in Bristol county, Massachusetts, is Rev. George O'Callaghan. Father O'Callaghan has had a very extensive min- istry, the duties of his vocation having carried him to various parts of the world and placing him among the different classes of people. Enriched by this experience, his ministry in Fall River as pastor of the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church has been fruitful of great good both to the church and
to those lines of civic and general advance which contribute to the welfare of all the people. Father O'Callaghan is a son of Dennis O. and Esther (Fitzgerald) O'Callaghan. His father, who was born at Cork, Ireland, came to the United States as a young man just prior to the Civil War. Thor- oughly in sympathy with the cause of the Union, and a man of large courage and boundless faith in the triumph of right, he enlisted in the Massa- chusetts Cavalry and fought with this command until the surrender of General Lee. Mr. O'Cal- laghan was wounded in the last battle in Virginia just prior to the surrender. Soon after the close of hostilities he returned to Massachusetts and, locating in Boston, married and secured a position with a leading coal dealer in that city. He later re- moved to Toronto, Canada, where he was engaged in the coal business for some years, then even- tually went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and thence returned to Ireland, where the family was living at the time of his death. He died in England in the year 1898 while visiting in that country, but the mother still (1923) survives him and resides in Ireland at an advanced age.
Father George O'Callaghan was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 6, 1873. His education was begun in the schools of that section, and as a young man he entered St. Patrick's College in northern Italy, then took up his studies in philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. From that institution he was ordained to the priesthood in March, 1901, by Cardinal Bourne of Westminster, England. His first appointment was as assistant priest of the Church of Our Lady Star of the East at Hastings, England. He later acted as assistant in London, England, at St. Peter's Church, then, in 1904, came to the United States, and was ap- pointed assistant at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Brooklyn, New York. In 1905 Father O'Cal- laghan was sent to Rome, Italy, as vice-rector to San Silvestre in Capite, a church for English-speak- ing people. This honor was succeeded by a similar appointment as rector of St. Joseph's Church in Florence, Italy, this also being a church for English- speaking people. Returning to the United States in the year 1913, Father O'Callaghan was appointed assistant pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New York City. He was then made assistant pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Hamilton, in 1914, and remained in that capacity until 1918, when he was appointed chaplain of Camp Funston at Fort Riley, Kansas, and later was transferred to the Wissahickon barracks at Cape May, New Jersey. He was later with the United States marines at Camp Quantico in Vir- ginia and was active in army work until 1920. He was then sent to Fall River in the Fall River Diocese as pastor of the Church of the Holy Rosary. Taking up the duties of his parish, Father O'Callaghan has gone forward with the same de- voted effort and the same tireless energy which have made him a power for good in these previous appointments. This is one of the largest and most important churches of Worcester county, having a
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