USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 44
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educator is contributing not only to the welfare of the community at the moment but to the permanent good and continuous progress of this city. The mother, Isabelle (Turner) McCreery, was born in England and came to the. United States as a girl of twelve years with her parents, the family settling in Fall River.
Clarence Charles McCreery was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, October 20, 1889. His edu- cation was begun in the local public schools and he is a graduate of the B. M. C. Durfee High School of the class of 1907. His choice of a profession early made, he entered the Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, New York, from which he was graduated in the class of 1911 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Returning to his native city of Fall River, Dr. McCreery served his intern- ship at Union Hospital of this city, then in April, 1912, established himself in practice in Somerset, Massachusetts, just across the river from Fall River. For four years he went forward along general lines, then in 1916 went to Boston, where he took special post-graduate work in orthopedic surgery at Carney Hospital, spending a full year in this con- nection. In 1917 he was made assistant orthopedic surgeon of Union Hospital at Fall River, and the following year he joined the widely famed body known as Truesdale Clinic. The clinic is, of course, a branch of the work of the Truesdale Hospital of Fall River, the work of which institution is reviewed at length in the sketch of Dr. Truesdale's life which appears elsewhere in this work. In 1923 he was appointed assistant orthopedic surgeon to the Fall River General Hospital. Dr. McCreery's large success in his special line of endeavor has attracted the attention of the profession generally, as well as in local circles, and he is considered one of the most promising young surgeons of the day. In 1913 Dr. McCreery acted as examining physician for the Fall River Anti-Tuberculosis Society. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts State Medical Society, the Fall River Medical Society, also serves on the medical staff of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a member of the medical staff of the Boy Scouts. His more personal affiliations include membership in Pioneer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Somerset; Fall River Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Fall River Council, Royal and Select Masters ;- Com- mandery, Knights Templar; Fall River Lodge of Perfection; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite; Azab Grotto of Fall River; and he is a charter member of Somerset Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. He is affiliated with Elysian Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Somerset; and his clubs are the Lions and Fall River Country. He attends Union Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Dr. McCreery married, June 17, 1916, Bessie F. Brownell of Fall River, and they are the parents of two children: Barbara Franklin, and Janice.
WALTER EVERETT PECKHAM-One of the interesting and widely patronized business enter-
prises of Fall River, Massachusetts, is the ice cream plant conducted under the firm name of the Peck- ham-Davis Company, of which Walter Everett Peck- ham is now sole owner and the active manager. It was Mr. Peckham who developed this interest, and by hard work and sound common sense he has carried it to a leading position in this special field in southeastern Massachusetts. Mr. Peck- ham is a son of Albert Peckham, who was born at Middletown, Rhode Island, March 1, 1840, and died January 2, 1906. He was active as a farmer at Little Compton, Rhode Island, during the greater part of his career, and was highly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. The mother, Char- lotte F. (Brightman) Peckham, was born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, September 28, 1842, and died January 28, 1908.
Walter Everett Peckham was born at Little Compton, Rhode Island, on his father's farm, Oc- tober 22, 1874. As a lad he enjoyed only the ad- vantages of a common school education, and he was early made useful in the work of the farm. Re- maining on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, he then came to Fall River to assist his father in extending the activities of the farm, peddling milk from his father's dairy in this city. He began with a route of about seventy quarts of milk, and won the distinction of having been the first man in Fall River to pasteurize milk for the trade, a method of preparation then universally considered a safeguard to the public health. Mr. Peckham continued active in this connection until about the close of the year 1908, then early in the following year he opened a business for the manu- facture of ice cream. Beginning in a small way, Mr. Peckham received two partners in the person of C. P. and J. Davis, but remained personally at the head of the business. Periods of discouragement were plentifully interspersed between the seasons of prosperity during the early years of their history, but Mr. Peckham carried the interest ever forward, and eventually won out to a position where he was able to meet the inevitable vicissitudes of an enter- prise of this nature with confidence and fortitude. Mr. Peckham is now sole owner, but still retains the name which has become a household word in Bristol county. The product is sold at all the beaches for a considerable distance, and throughout this vicinity it is in demand the year round. The plant handles more than 5,000 quarts of milk per day, a good part being distributed to the local milk trade, and the remainder being utilized in the manufacture of ice cream. Of this product Mr. Peckham makes about 160,000 gallons per year, and although still at the same location, he had largely expanded his plant, and now employs about sixty people. From the first he has made healthfulness, purity and excellence his inviolable rules of progress, aiming always at perfection, and the universal ver- dict of the people seems to me one of commendation, for his product is everywhere popular. He keeps in the closest touch with all advance in his field, being a member of the National Association of Ice Cream Manufacturers, also of the New England branch of
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this organization, attending all the national conven- tions and watching the trend of the times in his field. Mr. Peckham is a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, and politically supports the Republican party, although the exactions of his business have prevented him from taking any active part in public affairs. For the same reason he has been obliged to deny himself many affiliations with organized endeavor in which he feels the most com- plete sympathy. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Peckham married, in Fall River, June 8, 1898, Carrie E. B. Rogers, daughter of George H. and Sophia S. L. (Brown) Rogers, and they reside in Fall River. Mrs. Peckham is a member of the Mayflower Descendants (No. 19-5566), ninth in de- scent from John Alden; a member of the Daughters of the Colonial Wars (No. 51) through Third Lieu- tenant Thomas Loring; and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (No. 89,981), with five ancestors who took part as lieutenant sergeant and privates.
ALBERT S. INGRAHAM-Broadly practical and eminently progressive in his chosen line of pro- ductive activity, Albert S. Ingraham, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, is doing much to forward the various industries of this city, but his work is by no means limited to its local phase, for his products are dis- tributed throughout the United States, going to industrial concerns active in many fields of advance. Mr. Ingraham has won his way to his present suc- cess wholly through his own endeavors, for his father, J. S. Ingraham, who was born in England, and came to Nova Scotia in his youth, spent his entire career in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1890. The mother, Eliza J. (Sellon) Ingraham, was also born in England, and survived her husband for only a comparatively short time, passing away the following year.
Albert S. Ingraham was born at Sydney, Nova Scotia, February 12, 1863. His education was re- ceived in the local schools and at Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and was completed with the academy course. As a young man Mr. Ingraham followed the sea for about six years, and won the distinction of the rank of second mate at the age of eighteen years, serving with this rank on the merchant ship "Bengal." Upon resuming his residence on land, he located in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and was employed by var- ious concerns, serving as assistant foreman at the Watch Case Factory for a period of eight years. Here Mr. Ingraham introduced the system of elec- tro-plating of alloy gold with cyanide solution, while prior to that time other chemicals had been used for this purpose, entailing greater expense and less durable results. This is probably the first time the formula had been used in America, although it had been previously used in France. Upon severing his connection with this concern Mr. Ingraham bought the electro-plating business theretofore con- ducted by C. S. Smith, and carried it forward under his own name. He remained at the old location on Railroad avenue until the buildings were destroyed
by fire, then erected a fine modern structure which he owns on Union street, where he is still located. The concern was incorporated in 1905, under the name of the A. S. Ingraham Company, and they are now leaders in their field. They do a very exten- sive business in electro-plating and metallurgy, and are also dealers in a very large way in acids, chemi- cals, paint and mill supplies, meeting the special needs of foundries and manufacturers. In this con- nection it is interesting to note that Mr. Ingraham was the first to produce in America what is known to the trade as French Gray Coloring, this also, as the name indicates, having had its origin in France. This plant occupies one extensive floor in their building, and employs about twenty hands.
In various other lines of advance, in the realms of business, finance, patriotism and fraternal en- deavor, Mr. Ingraham is a well known figure in At- tleboro. He has taken a deep interest and an active part in the development of the city of Attleboro, and is a member of the Bronson Building Commit- tee, which he serves as president. Since 1910 he has been president of the Attleboro Trust Company, which institution was the first in the United States to assist in underwriting the bonds of the Anglo- French edition, this example in patriotism and inter- national good feeling honoring the city, county and State in which it was displayed. Mr. Ingraham is also a director of the Attleborough Savings and Loan Association. He was a charter member of Company I, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, serv- ing for three years, and during the World War he was a leader in all Liberty Loan and Red Cross activities, the United States Government recognizing his services by a certificate of appreciation. He is a member of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is affiliated with Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Provi- dence, Rhode Island. He is also a member of Orient Lodge, No. 165, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Gideon M. Horton Encampment, No. 80, and is a past noble grand of his lodge; and a mem- ber of Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a leading member of the Highland Club, and is affiliated with various. other organizations of minor importance. He at- tends the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Ingraham married, on June 19, 1885, Henri- etta J. Brooks, who was born on Prince Edward Island, and their only child, Irma B., is the wife of Randolph E. Bell, of North Attleboro.
JOSEPH E. BOSTOCK-As the head of a prom- inent furniture business in the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, Joseph E. Bostock has attained marked success, and in distributing the daily neces- sities of life in the way of home furnishings, Mr. Bostock is carrying forward a broadly constructive line of mercantile endeavor. A native of Taunton, reared and educated in this city, Mr. Bostock has
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cast in his lot with the people whom he has always known, and in his endeavors has attained gratifying results. He is a son of Samuel Bostock, who was born in Stockford, England, and came to the United States as a young man. He was one of the many young men of his day who took up arms in defense of the Union, and as a member of the 7th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, served with honor and distinction in the Civil War, receiving a serious wound in the battle of St. Mary's Heights. His later life as a citizen of Taunton was one of un- blemished reputation and broad usefulness in the textile industry and closed with his death, at a com- paratively early age, in 1887. The mother, Mary (Carr) Bostock, was born in Manchester, England, and survived her husband for many years, passing away in 1914.
Joseph E. Bostock was born at Taunton, Massa- chusetts, April 8, 1872. He gained a practical edu- cation in the public schools of the city and learned the trade of tool-maker in the factory of the A. Field & Son Tack Company. Remaining with this concern for a time after mastering his trade, Mr. Bostock was with the firm for about five years in all, then entered the employ of L. W. Williams, a prominent grocer of that time, remaining for about four years. Thereafter, for about two years, he was identified with P. Williams in a grocery store, after which he became a salesman for the Grand Union Tea Company. This activity continued for a period of four years, after which Mr. Bostock entered an independent business along the line of tea and coffee. This he developed to a very prosperous and exten- sive interest, indeed to one of the largest in this section, with headquarters at. No. 29 Kilton street, which is still one of the foremost in this section. In 1916, Mr. Bostock purchased the property at No. 12 Trescott street and branched out in another line of commercial endeavor, establishing the Bostock Furniture Company, of which for three years he was the sole owner. The growth of this enterprise was little short of marvelous, and in 1919 it became necessary to augment the executive force. Accord- ingly, Mr. Bostock increased the concern and has since gone forward as a corporation, Mr. Bostock being the principal owner, and holding the offices of treasurer and general manager. They handle every variety of household furniture and with a very complete and attractive stock, always displayed to the best advantage, they command a very extensive patronage in Bristol county and vicinity. They now occupy the entire building at Nos. 10 and 12 Tres- cott street, and have about 10,000 square feet of floor space. They are now erecting an addition, which will add about 7,000 square feet of floor space and their present working' force of about fifteen people will be increased to handle the growth of the business.
Mr. Bostock is interested in various other activi- ties, principally as president of the Sherwood Cur- tain Company. He is chairman and on the board of directors of the Merchant's Department of the Chamber of Commerce. His fraternal affiliations are with Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons;
St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and Sabbatia Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand. He is also a member of the Winthrop Club, and the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is a director. His religious affiliation is with the Broadway Congregational Church.
Mr. Bostock married, in 1892, Gertrude I. Pond, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of Charles E. and Florence I. (Little) Pond. Mr. and Mrs. Bos- tock are the parents of three children: Marian P., a graduate of Simmons College, now the wife of Wilfred A. Hathaway; Florence G., formerly a student at Simmons College, and a graduate of the Deaconess Hospital of Boston, Massachusetts; and Mary E., who is now (1923) attending Taunton High School.
DANIEL JAMES DENNIS-When a young man of nineteen Daniel J. Dennis came to Fall River, Massachusetts, and there has since been con- tinuously connected with the business interests of that city, although more than three decades have since elapsed, 1892-1923. He is a native son of the Dominion of Canada, born in the maritime province of New Brunswick, his parents, Daniel and Mary A. Mullen, also of New Brunswick birth. Daniel Den- nis born in 1839, died at Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1914, his wife, born in 1839, passing away in 1907. Daniel Dennis was a lumber merchant of New Cas- tle, New Brunswick, until 1897, when he retired and joined his son at Fall River. He was a prosperous business man and held an influential place in the business life of New Castle.
Daniel James Dennis was born in New Castle, New Brunswick, Canada, May 7, 1873, and there was educated in the public schools including high school. On September 1, 1892, he came to Fall River, where he accepted a clerical position with J. Powers, who was operating a grocery and meat market at the corner of Fifth and Branch streets. He remained with Mr. Powers five years, until 1897, then engaged in the same business at Fourth and Morgan streets in association with his brother, Joseph A. Dennis, then operating as Dennis Brothers. In 1901 Daniel Dennis sold his interest to Joseph A. Dennis and bought out an established business at No. 119 Staf- ford road, where he conducted a market until 1905. In that year he again sold out and bought the property at the corner of Fifth and Branch streets, which he completely remodeled. There he opened a large general market, giving it his entire personal attentions until 1909, when he bought his brother's store and business, operating both markets until 1916, when he sold his entire interest and retired from mercantile life to engage exclusively in the automobile business.
Mr. Dennis first became interested in the auto- mobile as a business proposition in 1915, when, at No. 543 South Main street, he opened salesrooms and service station as distributor for the Mitchell car. A year later he decided the business was of sufficient importance to deserve his full time, and
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for the past seven years he has given himself en- tirely to the automobile and its distribution. In 1919 he bought the Homer Skinner lumber yard property on Sixth street and erected thereon a one- story white brick building, 124 by 87 feet, which he occupies as a garage, salesrooms and service station. In 1922 he surrendered the Mitchell agency and now handles the Chevrolet and Auburn cars. He has been very successful since coming to Fall River and particularly so in the automobile business.
In politics Mr. Dennis is a Democrat, and he has served in the city government. For five years, 1906-1911, he was president of the Grocer's Associa- tion of Fall River, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Dennis married (first) at Fall River, October 26, 1897, Isabella Hastie, daughter of John and Cath- erine (O'Neill) Hastie. Mrs. Dennis died in 1920, leaving four children: Mary C., born August 18, 1898, now her father's office assistant and secretary; D. Harold, born December 15, 1899, now engaged in the liability insurance business in Fall River; Wil- liam J., born August 28, 1901, now associated in business with his father; Isabella C., born July 11, 1904, now a student at Massachusetts State Normal School, in training for the teaching profession. Mr. Dennis married (second), October 24, 1922, Sarah A. V. Corrigan, of Fall River.
No. 72 Snell street, Fall River, was the Dennis home until 1922, when Mr. Dennis bought one of the old estates in Tiverton, Rhode Island, one of New England's most beautiful localities.
CHARLES EDWARD WALDRON-Successful in his chosen field of commercial endeavor, and prominent in fraternal circles, Charles Edward Wal- dron, of Taunton, Massachusetts, is thoroughly rep- resentative of the citizenship which is holding Bris- tol county in the front line of progress. With long experience in his present field, and the practical business ability which is a vital element of success, Mr. Waldron is going forward to ever larger achievement. He is descended from early settlers of Taunton, and is a son of Edward M. and Hattie G. (Horr) Waldron. His father, who was a moulder by occupation, died in 1905, but the mother, who is also a native of Taunton, is still living.
Charles Edward Waldron was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, December 15, 1885. His education was limited to the advantages of the public schools, but his gift for winning knowledge from every source has supplemented his formal education and has given him a practical equipment for life and its responsibilities. As a lad he filled several minor positions temporarily, then, in 1900, entered the employ of Franklin D. Williams, a well known hardware dealer of Taunton, with whom he re- mained for a period of twenty years. During the greater part of this time Mr. Waldron acted as general manager for Mr. Williams, and thereby gained invaluable experience. Thus, when he struck out for himself in 1920, it was with an equipment which insured his success. He opened a store at No. 44 Weir street, where he carries one of the
finest and most complete stocks to be found in this section of the State. On January 1, 1923, the concern was incorporated under the firm name of the Waldron Hardware Company, and its growth and development are making history in the trade in Bristol county. Their main building comprises three floors, with about 7,000 square feet of floor space; a storage building stands in the railway side track, with about 9,000 feet of floor space; while two new buildings now (1923) in course of construc- tion will add no less than 2,000 feet. The concern employs about fifteen people, and their operations are principally within a radius of fifteen miles of Taunton. Mr. Waldron is a member of the Taun- ton Chamber of Commerce, and takes a deep inter- est in the general advance.
Fraternally Mr. Waldron is identified with Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Sabbatia Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men; and Orient Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is a prominent member of the Bristol Club, and is active in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.
Mr. Waldron married, in 1912, Ruth E. Roun- devell, of Acushnet, Massachusetts, daughter of Wal- ter and Jane (White) Roundevell, prominent people of that community. Mr. and Mrs. Waldron have . two daughters: Eleanor F., born in 1913; and Mar- jory, born in 1915.
THOMAS STEWART LANG-Holding a lead- ing position in the world of production in Fall River, Massachusetts, Thomas Stewart Lang stands at the head of the old and widely known firm of N. R. Earl & Son, of which he is now the sole owner. Mr. Lang has been identified with this or- ganization for the past thirty years, beginning life in the employ of the former owner, and continuing in the same connection throughout his career. A broadly practical man of recognized ability, Mr. Lang takes a definite part in the civic and indus- trial advance of Fall River, and is one of the highly esteemed business men of the day in this city. He is a son of John and Jane (Stewart) Lang. His father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and is an iron molder by trade, now being a resident of Fall River and retired from industrial activity. The mother, who was also born in Glasgow, died in Fall River, in 1909.
Thomas Stewart Lang was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, March 28, 1878. His education was limited to the advantages of the local public schools and as a lad he was employed in a dry goods store for about one year. In 1893 Mr. Lang entered the employ of N. R. Earl, a leading manufacturer of blank books, with whom he was active until the retirement of Mr. Earl. This firm was founded in the year 1860 and has enjoyed steady and continu- ous growth since that date, Mr. Earl being at the head until 1920, when Mr. Lang purchased the interest. Mr. Lang began in a subordinate capacity
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and through the early years of his activity in this connection he was identified with different depart- ments of the plant. Rising from one position to another, each of greater responsibility, he eventually filled an executive office, becoming a member of the firm upon its incorporation under the present title. The interest has been located at No. 70 Bedford street, Fall River, since the year 1883 and with its continued growth has taken a leading position in its special field of manufacture in Bristol county. In the year 1920 Mr. Lang became sole owner of the interest, but he retained the firm name of N. R. Earl & Son, while he still continues as the head and owner. This interest is rated among the leaders in Southeastern Massachusetts and is con- stantly increasing in output and in importance. Mr. Lang is broadly interested in the affairs of the day, both local and national, and politically supports the Republican party. During the World War Mr. Lang was very active in the Red Cross and even prior to America's intervention into European af- fairs devoted largely of his time and means to the advancement of their interests and activities. Mrs. Lang has in her possession a commendation signed by the Queen of England, acknowledging the work of Mr. and Mrs. Lang in the Red Cross. Mr. Lang is fraternally affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons; the Royal Arch Masons; the Royal and Select Masters and the Knights Templar, also the Order of Scottish Clans. He attends the Congrega- tional church.
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