USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 52
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HARRY P. THOMAS-The mercantile interests of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, form a wide and lucrative field for the endeavors of a splendid group of progressive men, and in this group Harry P. Thomas is a thoroughly representative figure. As the head of one of the oldest and largest dry goods stores in Taunton, he is taking a very defi- nite and practical part in the general advance. Mr. Thomas is a son of Edwin A. and Lucy A. (Park- hurst) Thomas, and his father has been a mer- chant in Taunton for many years and is still actively identified with the concern of which his son is the head. The mother died in 1911.
Harry P. Thomas was born in Amherst, Massa-
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chusetts, March 4, 1878. His education was begun in the public schools of his native city, and after a course at Andover Academy, he made special preparation for a commercial .career. After the completion of his studies, Mr. Thomas entered a wholesale dry goods store in Boston, where he was active for about two years, thereby gaining large breadth of experience of great value to him in his subsequent career. The present business he established in 1900, first opening a store at No. 79 Main street, where he carried a full line of dry goods. The business has developed extensively with the passing of the years, and Mr. Thomas has carried it forward with the practical ability and ceaseless vigilance which are the surest aids to success. With modern methods and the many phases of commercial advance which have been brought within the province of dry goods activities, he has expanded its scope to meet the demands of the time, and this store is now one of the most up-to-date and well-stocked enterprises of its kind in Bristol county, and at all times is carried for- ward under the most progressive policies. Mr. Thomas is identified with the Taunton Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally holds membership in Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and his clubs are the Winthrow, the Segregansett Country, and the Taunton Automobile. By political affilia- tion Mr. Thomas is a Republican, and although never interested in public life beyond the support of a progressive citizen, he has done much for organized advance during recent years, especially in the Red Cross, of which he has been treasurer since the local organization was formed. He is a leading member and director of the Young Men's Christian Association, and a member of the Broad- way Trinitarian Church.
Mr. Thomas married Elizabeth G. Richardson, of Nashua, New Haven, daughter of Rev. Cyrus and Annie (Dearborn) Richardson. The father is still living, but the mother died in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the parents of one child: Lucy, who was born in 1915.
LOUIS GONZAGUE DESTREMPS - Notre Dame des Lourdes Church, Fall River, of Corin- thian architecture, is considered by authorities one of the truest works of its class in the United States, seats 2,200 people, and was built at a cost of $450,000. The church is 235 feet in length, the transept 100 feet in width, the main body of the church 85 feet wide, the stone work 120 feet high, the towers rising to a height of 300 feet from the ground. This church, which was sixteen years in building, was erected by Louis Gonzague Destremps, architect and builder, whose career is herein re- viewed. The ceiling representing the Judgment Day was done by Crimonini, who for ten years painted at the Vatican in Rome, he being engaged for three years on the great painting. In the church there is also one of the largest paintings on canvas in the world. The sculptor Castagnoli, a well known
artist in marble, also contributed his genius and skill to this wonderful house of worship.
Louis G. Destremps was born at St. Cuthbert, Berthier county, Province of Quebec, Canada, seven miles northwest of Berthier en Haut on the Can- adian Pacific railroad, in 1851, second of the twelve children (six sons and six daughters) of Gon- zague and Emma (Geuereaux) Destremps, his par- ents born in Berthier, his father a prosperous hay and grain merchant, land owner and farmer. After parochial school study he finished courses in the commercial school at Berthier, finishing in 1866, then for two years he was a student in the Trade School of the city of Montreal. In 1868 he came to the United States and worked for about seven years as a cabinet maker, finally in 1875 returning to Montreal, Canada, where he was employed in the engineering construction department of the Grand Trunk railroad, between Montreal and Quebec. He spent two years with the Grand Trunk system, then for eighteen months engaged as a contractor in Montreal.
In 1880 Mr. Destremps came again to the United States, locating in New York City, where he spent four years as a student at Columbia University, and as architect. He was graduated from the university, class of 1884, and the same year built the first apartment house in New York City, on Madison avenue. About 1885 he located in Fall River, Massa- chusetts, and for the second time he began business as architect and builder. Soon afterward, however, having secured the contract from the United States Government for the erection of the barracks and officers' quarters at Fort Warren, Kingston and Jamestown, he removed to Newport, but in 1886 again returned to Fall River. He continued his contracting and building business and gained high reputation as an architect of ability and integrity, the great contract of his life coming to him in 1889, when he secured the contract and began work on that great church, Notre Dame des Lourdes, previously mentioned. While he would be quite content to rest his fame as an architect upon that great work, he has other monuments to his skill along that line both in Fall River and New Bed- ford, these including many private residences, the New Lincoln School, Maple Street School, Wiley School, William S. Green School, the second Dis- trict Court House, and the Third District Court House, the last-named in New Bedford. In 1900 Mr. Destremps competed with architects and engineers in planning a bridge over the Moskva river, at Moscow, Russian, his designs being awarded sec- ond prize, $1,000. He also competed for the honor of furnishing the designs for a general hos- pital building in California, and secured one of the prizes offered.
Mr. Destremps is an Independent in politics and a member of the Roman Catholic church. He served a term of enlistment in the Canadian Militia, and is a member of Mt. Hope Lodge, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Destremps married, at Fall River, in 1874,
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Celina Mary Millet, born at St. Mary's Quebec, daughter of John B. and Margaret A. . (Hamel) Millet, also born at St. Mary's. Mr. and Mrs. Destremps are the parents of five children: Louis E., an architect, residing in New Bedford, Massa- chusetts; Phillis, living at Fall River; Henry A., a contractor of Fall River; Victor R., an architect, associated in business with his father; and Albert O., a contractor of Montreal, Canada. Mr. Des- tremps' offices are at No. 49 Borden Block, the business now being conducted under the firm name Louis G. Destremps & Son, architects and builders. The family home is at No. 49 McGowan street.
GEORGE L. CONNORS, LL.B .- In the legal profession in Bristol county, Massachusetts, George L. Connors holds a prominent position, and for more than eleven years has been active in the prac- tice of the law in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. He has won an assured position in his chosen field of endeavor and is considered one of the repre- sentative men of the day in this section. He is a son of George and Katherine (O'Neil) Connors, both natives of North Attleboro, the father a jeweler for many years and active as a worker in this business until his death, which occurred on January 14, 1920. The mother died in July, 1894.
George L. Connors was born at North Attle- boro, Massachusetts, February 21, 1888. His educa- tion was begun in the local public schools and he was graduated from the North Attleboro High School in the class of 1906. For his professional preparations Mr. Connors entered the University of Maine Law School, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1911 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Admitted to the bar of his native State, March 1, 1912, Mr. Connors opened his office at North Attleboro in the Badaracco building, where he has since been active. Follow- ing general lines from the beginning, he has achieved marked success, and has commanded the esteem of his contemporaries in this profession. He was ad- mitted to the bar in the State of Maine on July 17, 1916, and has been connected with various import- ant litigations in that State. Mr. Connors has served the people of North Attleboro as counsel for the town since his appointment to that office by the board of selectmen on October 22, 1913. He has never accepted other public responsibilities, however, although in political affairs he is a loyal supporter of the Republican party. During the World War Mr. Connors enlisted in the United States Navy in July, 1918, and served until his dis- charge, which was received February 27, 1919. Fra- ternally Mr. Connors is affiliated with North Attle- boro Lodge, No. 1011, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, T. P. McDonough Council, No. 330, Knights of Columbus and Phi Alpha Delta college fraternity. He is also a member of the Bar As- sociation of the Fourth District of Bristol county, and his religious affiliation is with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
H. STANLEY WOOD-In the distribution of grain and allied products, H. Stanley Wood of Taunton, Massachusetts, holds a leading position in Bristol county, and with interests centering at No. 15 Harrison avenue, he is doing a very extensive and constantly growing business. A man of broadly practical abilities and tireless energy, Mr. Wood has had long experience in his present field of commercial advance and his work is contributing to the public good in a marked degree. He is a son of Hamlet and Catherine J. (Withers) Wood, both natives of Prince Edward Island. The father, who was a farmer by occupation is deceased, but the mother is still living.
H. Stanley Wood was born at Prince Edward Island, January 9, 1875. He received his early edu- cation in the public schools, then entered the Bristol County Business School and gained a thorough preparation for his commercial career. First identi- fied with the Atlas Tack Company, Mr. Wood later associated himself with E. C. Paull, a noted grain dealer of this section, and was with him for about seven years. When Mr. Paull sold out to the Narragansett Milling Company of Rhode Island, Mr. Wood was appointed to close up the affairs of the Paull Company, and after this had been ac- complished, he was instrumental in organizing the Taunton Grain Company. He remained with this concern until 1912, when he established the present interest, which is known as the Stanley Wood Grain Company, and has become one of the fore- most commercial organizations in its field. As the leading spirit and still the head of this enterprise, Mr. Wood is counted among the really significant men of the day in Taunton. He has for some years been a stockholder and director of the Weir Co-operative Bank of Taunton, and is broadly in- terested in all general advance. His fraternal affilia- tions are with Alfred Baylies Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of which he served as master; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Taunton Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. Wood married, in September, 1899, Florence A. Crossman, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of Nathaniel J. and Ellen W. Crossman. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of five children: Lillian N., born in 1903, a graduate of high school and LaSalle; Louis H., born in 1906; Alice E., born in 1908, now (1923) in high school; Dorothy A., born in 1909; and Virginia, born in 1919.
MERLE TAFT BARKER, A. B .- The commer- cial life of Taunton, Massachusetts, commands the energies of many of the foremost executives of Bristol county, and in this general group, Merle Taft Barker holds a prominent position as treasurer and one of the active managers of the A. J. Barker Company, a leading drug store in Bristol county and one of the oldest concerns of its kind in Taun-
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ton. Mr. Barker is a man of wide interest, who has filled public responsibility with energy and marked devotion, and is internationally prominent as a leading member of the Knights of King Arthur. He is a son of Orville Anson Barker, who was born at Taunton, and died in 1912. Mr. Barker was a veteran of the Civil War, having en- listed in 1862 in the 39th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He served throughout the en- tire period of the war, receiving his discharge in 1865, with the rank of adjutant. He later became one of the foremost citizens of Taunton, a leading figure in all branches of civic welfare there, and was one of the founders of the Morton Hospital, which he served as treasurer for many years. He was active in the drug business throughout his lifetime, handling also an important stationery de- partment in connection with the pharmacy. He identified himself with religious advance with the Baptist church, of which he was clerk from 1877 until 1912. He married Emma Clark Eddy, who was born in Taunton, and was a descendant of Saul White Eddy, a member of a very old family of this city. She died in 1912.
Merle Taft Barker was born at Taunton, Massa- chusetts, June 26, 1880. His early education was acquired in the local public schools and he later entered Worcester Academy for his preparatory course, his graduation occurring with the class of 1899. For his course in the liberal arts he entered Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, and was graduated in the class of 1903 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For one year he was employed on the "Gazette," then became associ- ated with his father in the drug and stationery business and has been identified with this line of activity continuously since. This enterprise was established in 1849 by Anson J. Barker, Mr. Barker's grandfather, and it has borne the name of its founder ever since. Orville Anson Barker was the son and successor of the founder, and it was under his administration that the enterprise was incorporated in 1906. The original name was re- tained in this change of status, the indication of incorporation being the only addition. The store is located in one of the desirable sections of the city, at Nos. 17-19 Main street, and the present officers are as follows: Ralph E. Barker, president, Merle T. Barker, treasurer, and George H. Little- john, clerk. This is not only one of the oldest concerns in its field in Taunton, but is one of the finest and most attractive stores, always managed on the most liberal and up-to-date policies and re- flecting in its spaciousness and arrangement the high business ideals of the management. Its pre- scription department is presided over by the most highly skilled assistants, and in every department it is a thoroughly highclass enterprise. Mr. Barker is affiliated with various branches of commercial advance in Taunton. He has been a trustee of the Bristol County Savings Bank since 1919; served on the auditing committee of the Bristol County Trust Company, is president of the Taunton Retail Credit
Bureau, and also president of the Alkalol Company.
In those lines of endeavor which bring to the individual no reward, except the consciousness of usefulness, Mr. Barker has long been prominently identified with many organizations. He is a mem- ber of the Taunton Sinking Fund Committee; a director of the Social Welfare League, and also of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chil- dren. During the World War, Mr. Barker served as a member of the Public Safety Commission, also on the Massachusetts Food Administration, and was chairman of the Taunton Food Conservation Committee, also assistant chairman of the Bristol County Food Conservation Committee. He was appointed by Mayor William J. Flood a member of the Health Committee and the City Public Safety Commission; was treasurer of the Halifax Relief Fund, at the time of the disastrous explosion. He received from the United States Government a certificate in recognition of his services during the war period. He has for many years been an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association and is now a director of that organization.
Mr. Barker has been affiliated with the Knights of King Arthur since its organization in the city of Taunton and has been tireless in his endeavors to forward the welfare of the order and its use- fulness in this section. He has received many honors from the parent order and has not only filled local and State offices in this connection but has become an international figure in the order. He was made Merlin of Winthrop Castle, Knights of King Arthur, upon its organization in 1911, he served as viscount of Palatine Court in the years 1915-16, also 1920-21; and served as State scribe of Massachusetts in 1916-17, and as vice-regent since 1920. The third highest honor that can be bestowed upon any member of this organization, that of Duke and International Chamberlain, was bestowed upon Mr. Barker in 1918, and he still holds this honor. He is a member of the Taunton Chamber of Commerce; the University Club, of Taunton; the Winthrop Club; and the Segregansett Country Club, of which he is secretary and treas- urer, also a member of the board of governors. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon frater- nity, of Brown University, and is widely affiliated in the social world of Bristol county. He attends the Winthrop Street Baptist Church.
Mr. Barker married, on June 15, 1905, Helen Sanders Godfrey, of Taunton, daughter - of Charles and Sophia L. (Sanders) Godfrey, her father a leading banker in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have one daughter: Eleanor, born on September 22, 1906.
ALTON H. RILEY-Throughout his lifetime identified with the industrial world of North Attle- boro, Massachusetts, Alton H. Riley has long held an important position as the head of the firm of Riley & Franch, of which his father was one of the founders. Mr. Riley comes of a very old family of Bristol county, and is a grandson of William H.
F
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Riley, Sr., who was born in North Attleboro, was a prominent resident of this place throughout his lifetime, and married Rhoda Corbin of Webster, Massachusetts. William H. Riley, Jr., son of these parents, was born December 30, 1844, at North Attleboro, Massachusetts. He became one of the early manufacturers of jewelry in this community, establishing the firm of Riley & French in the year 1883, and continuing at its head throughout his active lifetime. He was a director of the North Attleboro Savings Bank and a stockholder in many of the business concerns of this community. He also was said to be the largest real estate owner in North Attleboro, owning ninety houses and much other property in addition, this alone placing him among the most influential men of this town. He was prominent in fraternal orders and a leader in all civic movements. He married, in May, 1864, Ellen M. Hall, who was born in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Alton H. Riley, only child of William H., Jr., and Ellen M. (Hall) Riley, was born at North Attle- boro, Massachusetts, March 25, 1873. Receiving his early education in the public schools of the com- munity, he later attended Goddard Seminary, then spent one year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Following the completion of his edu- cation, Mr. Riley associated himself with his father in the manufacture of jewelry, soon becoming a member of the firm of Riley & French, and with characteristic energy he familiarized himself with every detail of the business. As time passed he assumed larger responsibility, and when his father laid down the active management of the interest, Mr. Riley became the head. This concern has de- veloped largely in the forty years of its existence, and while the original location was on East street, at present they are located at No. 126 Broad street, where they have been active for a number of years. Occupying about 9,000 square feet of floor space, and employing 120 people, they manufacture a gen- eral line of plated jewelry, and their product is distributed to all parts of the United States. The history of the concern has been somewhat the same as many kindred enterprises, beginning on a small scale, but steadily expanding and developing until an influential position is attained. They are now ranked among the leaders in their field and are steadily going forward to even more success. Mr. Riley is affiliated with various other financial and industrial organizations, being treasurer of the A. L. Lindroth Company, manufacturing jewelers; trustee of the Attleborough Savings Bank; treasurer of the G. C. Hudson Company; treasurer of the C. Ray Randall Company, both the latter concerns also manufacturing jewelers. He is a member of the North Attleboro Board of Trade, and in political matters supports the Republican party, but has never taken a leading part in public affairs. Fra- ternally Mr. Riley is identified with Bristol Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar, and North Attleboro Lodge, No. 1001, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His clubs
are the Wannamoisett Golf and the Metacomet Golf, these revealing his choice of recreative interests. Mr. Riley is a member of the Universalist church.
Mr. Riley married, on April 13, 1898, Effie M. Blackinton of Attleboro, daughter of William Sum- ner Blackinton, founder of the W & S. Blackinton Company, manufacturing jewelers of Attleboro. The mother, Nellie M. (Thurber) Blackinton, was born at North Attleboro. Mr. and Mrs. Riley have two sons: William A., born January 1, 1904, now a student at Yale University, class of 1926; and Stuart B., born June 13, 1908, now a student at Andover Preparatory School.
JAMES CHARLES BRADY-A native son of Fall River, Mr. Brady has remained close to the old hearthstone, and amid the familiar scenes of the old town has compiled a record of usefulness and business success that he may review with sat- isfaction. He won his way upward in the drug business from a junior clerkship to the proprietor- ship of three drug stores in Fall River, and is counted among the progressive, liberal-minded, pub- lic-spirited business men of his city.
The name Brady has been evolved from O'Grady, Rt. Rev. Hugh Brady, Lord Bishop of Meath, hav- ing been the first of the family to make the change from O'Grady, he the fourth son of Sir Denis O'Grady (alias O'Brady) of County Clare, Ireland, who died in 1569.
James Charles Brady was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, July 5, 1862, son of James and Mary Brady, his parents both of ancient Irish fam- ilies, who came from County Longford, near County Clare. James Brady died in 1890, his wife surviving him until 1901, the mother of six children. James C. Brady was educated in the city public schools, fin- ishing the course of Morgan Street Grammar School in 1875. He then spent three years in high school, leaving in 1878 to become a clerk in the drug store of H. G. Webster in the Granite Block. He was then sixteen years of age, and when B. F. Riddell succeeded Mr. Webster as proprietor of the store he continued with the new owner until 1886. During those years Mr. Brady had gained an inti- mate knowledge of drugs and the drug business and had passed the State Board of Examiners, re- ceiving from that body the necessary licenses and registry. Being a registered pharmacist he de- cided to employ his talents and knowledge in es- tablishing a business of his own, believing his wide acquaintance and his own skill in pharmacy to be assets worth while employing in his own behalf. After careful planning Mr. Brady opened a drug store in Fall River and to that store added in time another and still another, being now the proprietor of three stores in his home city. One of these is in the Granite Block and there he makes his head- quarters, the Granite Block having been the scene of his first entrance into the business. That is his principal store, another being at the corner of Main and Spring streets, another on Pleasant street, corner of Flint street.
With his private business well established and
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prospering Mr. Brady became interested in other lines and has acquired outside interests of import- ance. He is a director of the United Drug Com- pany of Boston, serving on its executive commit- tee; a director of the Metacomet National Bank and the Lafayette Cooperative Bank of Fall River; trustee of the Citizens Saving Bank of Fall River; vice-president of the United Druggists Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and director of the Fall River Laundry Company. He was president of the Re- tail Merchants' Association of Fall River for two years, and. from 1894 until 1913 served his city as a member of the board of overseers of the poor. His clubs are the Quequechan and the Fall River Country. In religious connection he is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.
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