USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 41
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temple about to he consecrated stands among the foremost of the many magnificent structures in the Fall River diocese.
Truly the Church of the Sacred Heart is a citadel of the . real faith, made strong and enduring hy the Christian practices of her children, and is now to he consecrated in all the beauty and glory befitting her power and worth. + +
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It is likewise a day of rejoicing for the Rev. John W. Mc- Carthy, the irremovahle rector, whose indefatigable zeal and un- tiring labors have made possible this day of glorification. The consecration of his church is the crowning reward for duty well done lahor well performed, of most worthy effort and of the cooperation of a generous, trusted and faithful people.
The church was consecrated at 5 a. m. by Rt. Rev. Bishop Feehan. The consecration was sol- emnized on October 12, 1922, at the Pontifical Mass at 11 a. m., celebrated by the Rt. Rev. George Car- uann, D. D., bishop of Porto Rico. At this won- derful event every parish of the diocese of Fall River was represented by its pastor and others of the laity. Many priests from the neighboring dio- cese of Providence were present, also from the arch-diocese of Boston, and many heads of Catholic institutions throughout New England. The event will never be forgotten by those whose privilege it was to witness the stately and solemn ceremonies, and their significance both to the church and to the community is one of lasting inspiration.
Sunday, the 15th of October, of the year of our Lord 1922, was devoted to the rejoicings of the Golden Jubilee services, in which every participant felt not only the happiness of the great good ac- complished by the church, but the solemn obliga- tion to go forward with even greater sacrifice and effort, which the recent consecration of the church had impressed upon them. In his leadership of this congregation Father McCarthy has not only led and taught his people, but through his ceaseless watchcare and his own tireless devotion to duty has inspired them to ever higher spiritual aspira- tions. Yet his humility as the servant of God makes him one with his people, and he is beloved among them. Unselfish, his constant thought is for others, his only ambition to uphold and advance the majesty of his adored church, Father McCarthy is going forward with the true spirit of consecration and Christian zeal.
WILLIAM M. SULLIVAN, A. B., A. M .- An outstanding figure in the younger legal group in Fall River, Massachusetts, is William M. Sullivan, whose educational preparations for his career were broadly comprehensive and included study abroad. Mr. Sullivan's name is far more widely known, however, through his services in the World War, and as Lieutenant Sullivan he is widely prominent and as widely popular. Mr. Sullivan is a son of Cornelius and Julia (Murphy) Sullivan, his father a native of County Cork, Ireland, coming to the United States as a youth of about eighteen years and settling in Fall River. He is still (1923) liv- ing at an advanced age, although now retired from business. The mother was also born in Ireland, coming to the United States as a small child with her parents. She died in 1919.
William M. Sullivan was born in Fall River,
Massachusetts, January 8, 1891. His education was begun in the local public schools and he is a graduate of the B. M. C. Durfee High School in the class of 1909. Thereafter entering Brown Uni- versity, Mr. Sullivan was graduated from that insti- tuitioin in the class of 1913, receiving both the Bachelor's and Master's degree in Arts. There- after entering Harvard University Law School, he won the Rhodes Scholarship at the end of the first year and in 1914 he went to England as a member of Hon. Herbert Hoover's commission for Belgian relief. In this capacity Mr. Sullivan was awarded a bronze medal by the Belgian Government, and while abroad he entered Oxford University, which institution he attended for two years and a half, studying for the advanced degree of Bachelor of Civil Law. The intervention of the United States in European affairs interrupted his studies, and re- turning to this country Mr. Sullivan enlisted in the United States Army in August, 1917. He was de- tailed to the Officers' Training School at Platts- burg, New York, where he received a commission as first lieutenant in the following November. In December, 1917, Lieutenant Sullivan sailed f France and was assigned after his arrival to the First Division, American Expeditionary Forces. For a time he served as acting-adjutant of the Third Battalion, but he later served with the 35th Di- vision, and still later was assigned to the judge ad- vocate's department of the Army. In July, 1919, he returned to the United States, landing in New York on July 15, and on the 15th of the following month received his honorable discharge from the service. Returning to his home in Fall River, Lieu- tenant Sullivan took the law examinations of his native State in January, 1920, and was admitted to the bar in March of the same year. He at once opened his office in the Waldorf building, where he is still actively engaged in practice, and in even this comparatively short time he has won marked distinction in his chosen field of endeavor. Always broadly interested in every phase of public ad- vance, Mr. Sullivan has been unofficially active in political affairs since attaining his majority, and in the elections of 1921 and again in 1922 he was brought forward as a candidate for mayor of Fall River. Mr. Sullivan is a member of the American Legion and is otherwise fraternally affiliated with Fall River Lodge, No. 118, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. He is considered one of the able and aggressive young attorneys of Fall River.
FRANK M. WILBUR-As a leader in the pro- fession of optometry in Taunton, Massachusetts, Frank M. Wilbur is bearing a very important and useful part in the public welfare, and at the same time is achieving a gratifying measure of success. A member of a family long identified with the in- dustrial and commercial life of this city, Mr. Wil- bur is a son of Francis M. Wilbur, who was born in Taunton and is a silversmith by trade. The elder man is the oldest employee in point of service of the Reed and Barton Silver Company of Taun-
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ton, holding this honored position by virtue of fifty-six years of continuous service with this con- cern. In his youth Francis M. Wilbur was a member of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. He married Adaline A. Elms, of North Lakeville, Massa- chusetts, who is also still living.
Frank M. Wilbur was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, August 6, 1887. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he later took a special course at the Bristol County Business School, after which he turned to his chosen line of profes- sional endeavor and entered the Foster School of Optometry in Boston. Thereafter, Mr. Wilbur at- tended Tufts Medical College, taking special work bearing upon his future activities in this field, and with such fine preparation for his life-work, he opened an office in Taunton, locating first at No. 18 Broadway. Continuing there until the United States intervened in war conditions in Europe, Mr. Wilbur then enlisted in the army. He was first assigned to the Depot Brigade and stationed at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, after which he at- tended the Non-Commissioned Officers' School, and was transferred to Camp Hancock, Georgia, to the Central Machine Gun Officers' Training Camp. He received his honorable discharge from the service with the rank of corporal, and returned to the ac- tivities of civilian life. Resuming the practice of his profession, with offices in the Taylor building, in Taunton, Mr. Wilbur has continued there since, with large and constantly increasing success. Always a close student of everything relevant to his work, Mr. Wilbur is always advancing in it, and he is recognized as an authority in his field.
Fraternally, Mr. Wilbur is affiliated with Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Orient Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Taunton Boat Club, of the Massa- chusetts Society of Optometrists, of the American Optometric Association, and of the American Le- gion. He has a baritone voice of unusually fine quality and range, and for some years has been a leader in local musical circles. He was for- merly bass soloist at the Winslow Congregational Church, but is now a member of the Unitarian church quartette.
WILLIAM L. KING-As manufacturers of gold jewelry for both men and women, the firm of E. D. Gilmore & Company, of Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, holds front rank in this center of jewelry manufacture, and as one of the executive heads of this enterprise, William L. King is a noteworthy figure in the industrial life of this city. Mr. King is a member of an old family of Massachusetts, prominent in Rehoboth for generations, and his father, William A. King, was born in Rehoboth. William A. King became one of the foremost citi- zens of Rehoboth and was active in business life as well as in the industrial world of that section. A machinist by trade, he was on the school com- mittee of the town of Rehoboth for many years,
and his influence for civic and social advance was one of the most noteworthy forces of his day and generation in local affairs. In 1868 he was a mem- ber of the General Court from his district. The mother, Mary L. (Peck) King, was also born in Rehoboth, and survived her husband for a number of years, passing away in 1905. The Peck family is also a very old and distinguished one of Bristol county.
William L. King was born at Rehoboth, Massa- chusetts, November 4, 1860. Receiving a practical training for his career in the public schools of his birthplace, Mr. King first entered the business world in the employ of Bliss Brothers & Everett, manufacturing jewelers of Attleboro, Massachusetts, where he learned the trade. After six years in this connection Mr. King went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he was active in the employ of Ar- nold & Steere, a leading jewelry firm, for about five years. Returning to Attleboro, Mr. King en- tered the employ of E. D. Gilmore & Company, manufacturing jewelers of this place, and in 1900 became a member of the firm. He has been con- nected with this enterprise continuously until the present time and has been a definite factor in the development and success of the enterprise. This concern was established in 1891 by Ernest D. Gil- more and Edwin T. Bright, their first location having been at No. 9 Maiden lane, Attleboro. They later removed to the old steam power building, then, in 1906, removed to their present location at No. 54 Union street. Here they occupy one en- tire floor, employing about forty people, and send their products to all parts of the United States and Canada. They manufacture gold jewelry only and are one of the best known concerns in this country in this field. Mr. King has risen in the organization to a position of large executive re- sponsibility. He is a member of the New England Jewelers' and Silversmiths' Association; the Asso- ciated Industries of Massachusetts; and the Jewel- ers' Board of Trade. He has further business affiliations which link his name with some of the most important institutions of Bristol county, be- ing a director of the First National Bank of Attle- boro; vice-president of the Attleborough Savings and Loan Association; trustee of the Attleborough Sav- ings Bank; and a director and formerly vice-presi- dent of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce.
In every phase of community and social advance Mr. King takes the deepest interest, and his long prominence in business and financial affairs very naturally led to his being sought as an executive in those interests which have more closely to do with the daily welfare of the people. A Republican by political affiliation, he has never sought political honors, but public responsibility has been entrusted to him on many occasions. He is secretary of the Associated Charities of Attleboro; is a trustee of the public library; also a trustee of the Richardson School Fund; and the Horton Fund. During the World War he gave largely of his time and ener- gies toward the success of the many home war
Thomas Chew.
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activities, and was a leader in Liberty Loan drives and Red Cross work throughout the entire period of the war. Fraternally Mr. King is widely known, being a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar: and Nava Grotto. Has been grand principal con- ductor of the work of the Grand Council of Massa- chusetts. He is a member of Orient Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Attleboro, and also a member of the G. M. Horton Encampment of this order. He is affiliated further with Attle- boro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and is a member and past secretary of the Company C Republican Club. Always in- terested in religious progress and a supporter of religious effort, he attends the Second Congrega- tional Church, which he serves as a trustee.
William L. King married, on June 24, 1890, An- nie E. Gilmore, of Wrentham, Massachusetts, daugh- ter of George R. and Emmeline L. (Barrows) Gil- more. The father, who was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, was a manufacturer of straw goods, and died in the prime of life in 1881. The mother, who was born at Foxboro, Massachusetts, died in 1891. The King residence is at No. 45 Holden street.
HON. THOMAS F. HIGGINS-A leader of professional advance in Fall River, Massachusetts, and no less prominent in public life, Hon. Thomas F. Higgins is one of those citizens whose activities in every realm contribute materially to the general welfare. Mr. Higgins has won a position of large success, and his ability as a lawyer has given him extensive influence. A progressive and forward looking citizen, the community, the State and in its degree the nation have benefited by his experi- ence and ability, and he is looked upon as broadly representative of the best type of American citizen- ship. Mr. Higgins is a son of John and Anne (Eagan) Higgins, both natives of Ireland, where they were reared and married. They came to the United States in the year 1866, locating in Rutland, Vermont, and some five or six years later they removed to Berkeley, Rhode Island, eventually in 1892 settling permanently in Fall River, where both died. The father, who was a marble cutter, lived to the age of about seventy-three years, but the mother passed away at the comparatively early age of forty-eight years.
Thomas F. Higgins was born at Berkeley, Rhode Island, October 2, 1880. His education was begun in the public schools of that community and he later attended the public schools of Fall River. In September, 1898, he took up his legal studies under the preceptorship of Frank A. Pease of this city and read law in his offices. He was admitted to the bar of Massachusetts in January. 1902, and directly afterward took up the practice of law in his present offices in the Granite Block. Going for- ward independently for five years, Mr. Higgins
formed a partnership with Judge Edward F. Hani- fy, which endured over a period of four years. Then, in 1911, Mr. Higgins was elected mayor of Fall River and appointed Mr. Hanify city solicitor. In the year 1912 Judge Hanify was elevated to the bench and Mr. Higgins served as chief executive of the city for two years, following which he was appointed police commissioner of Fall River by Governor David I. Walsh. Mr. Higgins' profes- sional advance and public endeavors have thus been parallel lines of progress and significant to the general welfare of the people. He served as police commissioner during the years 1914-1916 in- clusive, and his work in this office did much for the maintenance of law and order and for the per- manent security of the people. Meanwhile Mr. Higgins was elected, in the year 1906, to the Massa- chusetts State Legislature from the Ninth District of Bristol county, and served one term. He has since devoted his attention to the private prac- tice of law and his success well appraises his ability and his sincere endeavors. His gifts as an orator are of a very high order and he is counted a convincing and logical advocate. Possessing a profound knowledge of the law, his wisdom as a counsellor has carried him to success through many trying and deeply involved litigations. Mr. Hig- gins in his more personal interests is affiliated ·with Fall River Lodge, No. 118, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Fall River Council, No. 86, Knights of Columbus. His clubs are the Fall River Country and the Quequechan.
Mr. Higgins married. June 27, 1918, Nora E. Madden of Fall River. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins are the parents of two children: Nora Eileen, and Thomas F., Jr.
THOMAS CHEW-In a position of large social significance Thomas Chew is doing great work in Fall River, Massachusetts, as superintendent of the Boys' Club of this city. A native of England but for many years a resident of the United States, Mr. Chew is giving to his present activities not only the sincere endeavors of a progressive and broadly benevolent spirit, but the practical ability of the natural executive and the ceaseless vigilance of the man of affairs. Mr. Chew is a son of John and Jane (Longworth) Chew, who came to United States in the year 1873 as a family, locating in Fall River, Massachusetts. Here the father was identified with the textile industry until his death.
Thomas Chew was born in Lancashire, England, September 16, 1861, and was twelve years of age when he came to this country. His formal educa- tion was very limited and was acquired in the na- tional schools of his native land. From his eighth year, however, he was employed in the mills of Lancashire, England, working one-half day in the mills and attending school one-half day. He never attended school in America. Entering the mills at Fall River, Massachusetts, immediately after his arrival here, possessing the mind of a student and always alert to every phase of advance, Mr. Chew
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has accumulated large funds of practical informa- tion, and through discriminating reading has sup- plemented his early studies with a broadly prac- tical and really liberal education. Mr. Chew was identified with the textile industry in Fall River until his twenty-eighth year, when he left the mills to accept a position as janitor of the Young Men's Christian Association building. Upon the or- ganization of the Boys' Club of Fall River, which took place February 1, 1890, Mr. Chew was associated in that event with Rev. E. A. Buck, familiarly known as "Father Buck," who was chosen president of the club. Mr. Chew was made superintendent, and through his efforts in this posi- tion he has since become internationally known.
The history of the Fall River Boys' Club is a fascinating story. It was organized and estab- lished in a room in Third street, lighted by six reflection lights, the furnishings including the fol- lowing: a piano, twelve ordinary tables with benches scattered about them, a few mottoes on the walls, a little railing to form a library in one corner, where a bookcase contained 200 books and 65 games, a small partition forming a toilet room in another corner, this equipment furnished with two small basins and a roller towel. Such was the first meeting place of the Boys' Club and here it was carried forward for several years. Today two of the most modern club buildings in Fall River, Massachusetts, are devoted to the interests of this organization. The building on Anawan street cost $100,000 in the year 1897, when the expense of building operation was practically at its lowest ebb. The Pocasset street building, which was erected ten years later, cost $150,000. The club also owns a farm of two hundred and thirty acres in Free- town, Massachusetts, where the boys take their summer outings. The membership of the club to- day numbers about 3,500 and in the work, which has been the avowed purpose of the club since its inception, of training the boys of the mill districts to become useful members of society, it has ac- complished wonders. The organization has at- tracted the attention, not only of social workers throughout the United States, but in foreign coun- tries as well, and the name of Thomas Chew is a widely familiar one in all circles interested in club activities for boys. It is hardly necessary to say that Mr. Chew has given to his work in this con- nection the most earnest endeavors and the most devoted service. He is always in close personal touch with the members, and the problems and hardships of his own boyhood form a bond in common with the lads of today, who, through lack of advantages, find themselves handicapped in their start in life. Mr. Chew's personal friendship forms an influence for the establishing of courage and faith in the hearts of the young boys of the city, who might otherwise grow up to careless or vicious lives, and it is no more than a truism to state his influence has been great among them and has con- tributed in a large degree to the social uplift of the city. Outside of his work in this connection
Mr. Chew has scarcely any interests, but is a member of Mt. Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, with which he has been identified for thirty years, and he is a member and a deacon of the First Congregational Church of Fall River, Massachusetts.
Mr. Chew married, November 30, 1882, Janet Dougan of Fall River, Massachusetts and they are the parents of eight children: Ada, a trained nurse, now with the United States Navy in the Philippine Islands; Isabelle, wife of John Grady of Fall River; James, manager of the Boys' Club farm in Free- town; George, a book-binder of Norwood, Massa- chusetts; Alexander, a machinist of Fall River; Harriet, wife of James F. Sullivan and her father's assistant in this work; Ruth, wife of John L. Sher- log of Providence, Rhode Island; and Janet, a graduate of Brown University, class of 1923, degree of Bachelor of Arts, who is still at home, but a teacher at Bridgewater.
SAMUEL SANDLER, M. D .- The career of Dr. Samuel Sandler of Fall River, Massachusetts, has been marked by a rapid rise from obscurity to his present responsible position as city physician of Fall River, which, added to his extensive and constantly growing practice, places him among the leading physicians and surgeons of the day in Bristol county. Dr. Sandler is a son of Max and Hannah (Wheeler) Sandler, both natives of Rus- sia, who came to this country in 1891, locating in Fall River. The father was for a number of years active in business as a dry goods merchant in this city and is now retired, still residing in Fall River and enjoying the well earned leisure which should naturally follow a life of energy and thrift. The mother died in May, 1921.
Samuel Sandler was born in Kiev, Russia, Feb- ruary 19 1886. Coming directly to Fall River, Massa- chusetts, in March, 1891, with his parents in his early childhood, it was in the public schools there that his education was begun. He is a graduate of the N. B. Borden Grammar School, 1900, and the B. M. C. Durfee High School of Fall River, class of 1904. Although he was only eighteen years of age, Dr. Sandler entered Tufts College Medical School of Boston, from which he received his de- gree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1908. Following his graduation Dr. Sandler served an internship of one year in Hale Hospital at Haver- hill, Massachusetts. In the year 1909 he came to Fall River and entered private practice, quickly win- ning his way to a position of dignity in the com- munity, and commanding the esteem and confi- dence of the people. In 1913 he was appointed city physician of Fall River, in this appointment winning this distinction of being the youngest phy- sician ever appointed to this office in Fall River. His four successive reappointments have given him the further distinction of serving the longest con- tinuous period of any appointee. In his capacity as city physician Dr. Sandler is ex-officio chairman of the local board of health and his activities in this
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connection are broadly beneficial to the people. His close attention to the responsibilities placed in his charge has done much to control the diseases which creep insidiously into any municipality and which, unchecked, are such a fearful menace to the public health and security. He further serves on the staff of both local hospitals as urologist and also on the State Approved Venereal Clinic, of which at this time he is in charge. Dr. Sandler is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachu- setts State Medical Society, and the Fall River Medical Society, and is also interested in the busi- ness world of Fall River. He is treasurer of the Franklin Realty Company, owners of the Franklin Office building, and is president of the Rialto Amusement Company of Fall River. In political affairs he supports the Republican party, and fra- ternally is identified with Mt. Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Azab Grotto, B'Nai B'rith, and is a member of the Jewish synagogue.
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