USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 63
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Tracing his ancestry back to early pioneer days in New England, old records name William Chase the founder of this family in America. William Chase came with his wife, Mary, and his son, William, to the new world west of the Atlantic, with Governor Winthrop and his little colony of courageous men and women in 1630. Settling with this colony at Roxbury, William Chase later re- moved to Yarmouth, Massachusetts, where his death finally occurred. The various families of Chase and Chace whose activities have meant much to New England and to States farther westward as well, trace back to this sturdy, God-fearing pioneer. Leonard Chace, in direct line from William Chase (I). settled in Somerset, Massachusetts, becoming one of the founders of the B. G. & L. Chace Pot- tery of that place. Benjamin C. Chace, son of Leonard Chace, learned the manufacture of pottery from his father, and during the earlier years of his career operated a pottery in Norwich, Connecticut. He later returned to Somerset, and eventually be- came a resident of the city of Fall River, his busi- ness interests centering in Bristol county during the greater part of his lifetime. He married Sarah L. Sanford, also a member of a prominent Bristol county family, who, since his death, which oc- curred in 1916, still resides at the Chace home in Fall River.
Richard Borden Chace, younger son of these parents, was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, De- cember 4, 1883. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following his completion of the grammar course he entered B. M. C. Durfee High School, from which he was graduated. Later Mr. Chace took up special preparations for the career upon which he had decided early in life, and attended the Fall River Textile School until the year 1902. He then entered upon his career as an employee of the Cohannet Mills of Taunton, Massachusetts, and there gained the practical ex- perience which has been of use to him in his sub- sequent activities as an executive. After some three years with the Cohannet Mills Mr. Chace became identified with the Whitin interests at Whitinsville, Massachusetts, manufacturers of textile machinery, and there gained broad familiarity with the funda-
Eng by E G Williams & Bre NY
Michael J. Orpero
Lemos Historical Pub Co.
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mentals of mechanical advance as applied to the textile industry. Devoting a period of twelve years to this activity, he then returned to Fall River to participate in the organization of the Shawmut Mills, which concern was incorporated May 21, 1917. With the beginning of operations under the present name Mr. Chace was made treasurer and general manager of the company, and he still (1923) ably serves in both these offices.
The mills now occupied by this concern were originally a part of the plant of the Barnaby Manu- facturing Company, manufacturers of high grade ginghams, and for many years one of the leading textile concerns of Fall River. That company was founded in the fall of 1881, and enjoyed not only prosperity, but the highest standing in the textile industry. The year 1916, which was one of ter- rific tension in the textile industry, saw their suspension on account of financial reverses, and in 1917 the property was sold at auction. The present corporation, the Slawmut Mills, became the pur- chasers, buying the ground and the two mill build- ings which now comprise the plant. Under the management of Richard B. Chace the Shawmut Mills have become one of the successful industrial enterprises of Fall River. As one of the leading ex- ecutives of this organization Mr. Chace holds fore- most rank in industrial progress in Bristol county, and is esteemed by all who know him. He is other- wise affiliated with business advance as a member of the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and as a member of the corporation of the Citizens Savings Bank of Fall River.
Fraternally Mr. Chace is a member of Granite Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Whitinsville, Massachusetts; and Fall River Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His social affilia- tions include membership in the Quequechan Club of Fall River, the Fall River Country Club, and the Tokalon Club of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
CHARLES T. ALGER-The construction world of Bristol county, Massachusetts, is commanding the energies of some of the most capable execu- tives of this section, and Charles T. Alger is thor- oughly representative of this group of progressive men. Mr. Alger is a son of William H. and Louise (Cushman) Alger, and his father, who was a butcher of Taunton for many years, died in 1904, while the mother survived him for a number of years, passing away in 1917.
Charles T. Alger was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, February 4, 1881. Receiving a practical grounding in the essentials of education in the local public schools, he began life in the meat business in his father's employ. After eight years along this line of endeavor Mr. Alger established himself in business in Taunton as a contractor, with head- quarters at No. 125 Bay street. This venture proved largely successful, and with the necessity for ex- pansion he found a more suitable location at No.
40 West Brittania street. Here he has since gone forward with ever increasing success, and now holds a leading position in construction circles in Bristol county. He engages principally in concrete work, such as foundations, paving and granolithic work, also deals in cement, gravel and crushed stone, further doing excavation of every kind, and doing much in the way of road building. In this practical field Mr. Alger is bearing a definite part in local and nearby advance, and the quality and excellence of his work form permanent improvements of more than passing significance. Mr. Alger is a member of the New England Road Builders' Association, the Massachusetts Highway Association, both of which interests have headquarters in Boston, and of the Taunton Chamber of Commerce. He sup- ports the Republican party in political affairs, and fraternally is a member of Charles H. Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; also Lodge No. 79, Order of the Eastern Star, and Good Samaritan Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Taunton, Massachusetts. He is a member of the . Chamber of Commerce, and his clubs are the Bristol and Winthrop. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.
Mr. Alger married, at Roxbury, Massachusetts, November 18, 1918, Frances Keefe, daughter of William H. Keefe, who died in 1916. The mother, Catherine (Murphy) Keefe, is still (1923) living.
CHARLES THOMPSON CUSHMAN - The name of Cushman in Taunton, Massachusetts, has been synonymous for high quality in ice cream for well over half a century, the F. H. Cushman Ice Cream Company having been established prior to the year 1870. Charles Thompson Cushman, now head of the organization, is the third generation of this family to be interested in the enterprise. He is a son of Fred Howe Cushman, and a grandson of the founder, Ephriam Cushman. Fred Howe Cushman was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, and entered the organization as a young man, continu- ing at its head until his death, which occurred April 1, 1922. The mother, Henrietta W. (Bush- nell) Cushman, was born in Norwich, Connecticut.
Charles Thompson Cushman was born in Taun- ton, Massachusetts, September 19, 1892. His edu- cation was acquired in the local public schools, where he gained a thorough grounding in the es- sentials of learning, and at an early age he became interested with his father in the present enterprise. This is one of the oldest concerns of its kind in Bristol county, Massachusetts, the founder, Eph- riam Cushman, having been one of the progressive and enterprising business men of the middle nine- teenth century period. With a vision of what ice cream would mean to the people, both as a deli- cacy and from the commercial standpoint, Ephriam Cushman builded for permanence when he estab- lished the Cushman tradition of quality with his founding of the present business. Receiving into partnership his son, Fred Howe Cushman, when he became of an age to take an interest in business
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affairs, the interest was inherited by the younger man, who in turn left it to his son, Charles Thomp- son Cushman, the present head of the organization. The second and third generation have adhered strictly to the policy of the founder in placing quality as the first consideration in their product. They have branched out in various directions and meet the popular fancies of the passing years with specialties of various kinds, always, however, giv- ing to the public a product of delicious consistency and the highest quality. With plant at No. 23 Trescott street, they have about 15,000 square feet of floor space, equipped in the most modern man- ner and employ about fifteen hands, their product being distributed within a radius of fifteen miles of Taunton. Charles Thompson Cushman has been identified with this business ever since completing his studies, and familiarized himself with its de- tails through the very practical method of experi- ence in each department. Thus he fitted himself for success as the leading executive of the firm, and under his management the enterprise continues in prosperity and growth. Mr. Cushman is a member of the Taunton Chamber of Commerce, and in fraternal and club circles is one of the popular and universally esteemed young men of the day. Fraternally he is a member of Alfred Baylies Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Com- mandery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Orient Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and Sabbatia Lodge, Naomi Encampment No. 14, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His clubs are the Taunton Kennel Club and Taunton Auto Club He attends the Church of Christ (Scientist).
Mr. Cushman married, in November, 1915, Cath- erine K. Willard, of Taunton, daughter of Frank O. and Mary (Knight) Willard, both natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Cushman are the parents of one child: Charlotte K., born in 1918.
FRED E. BRIGGS-In legal circles in Bristol county, Massachusetts, Fred E. Briggs of Attle- boro holds a largely prominent position, and aside from his importance as a professional man he stands at the head of a real estate and insurance business which is one of the rapidly growing enter- prises of this city. He is a leader also in fraternal circles and is broadly interested in civic advance. Mr. Briggs is a son of Stephen A. Briggs, who was born in Attleboro, where he spent his entire lifetime, and died December 13, 1914. Stephen A. Briggs was a manufacturing jeweler of prominence and was widely affiliated with business affairs in Attleboro and throughout Bristol county. For many years he was a director and trustee of the Attle- borough Savings and Loan Association. He was prominently identified with civic affairs in Attle- boro for a long period of time, and was a force for advance in every line of endeavor in which he
participated. The mother, Sarah M. (Lincoln) Briggs, who was born in Norton, Massachusetts, is still living.
Fred E. Briggs was born at Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, March 14, 1875. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following a partial term in the Attleboro High School he entered Berkeley School of Boston. Thereafter taking up the course in liberal arts at Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island, he was graduated with the class of 1897, receiving his Bachelor's degree in the Arts. Subsequently entering Harvard Uni- versity, School of Law, he was graduated from that institution in 1901, receiving his Bachelor's degree in the Law. Admitted to the bar in 1901, Mr. Briggs took up the practice of his profession at Attleboro under his own name, and was located first at No. 48 Park street, later removing to his present location at No. 15 Academy street. He has followed general lines of practice and has won large success. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Briggs also maintains an office for real estate and insurance brokerage, and in this field he is doing a large and constantly increasing business. His activities in real estate are contributing definitely to the development and growth of the community, and handling a general line of insurance he meets the needs of the business men of Attleboro, as well as individuals. His further business affiliations include a directorship of the First National Bank of Attleboro, and he is a member of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce. A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Briggs takes a deep interest in all local advance, but is active in an official capacity only as a member-at-large of the municipal Council, in which he serves on various committees. Fra- ternally Mr. Briggs is affiliated with Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Attleboro; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attle- boro Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Boston; and Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and is also a member of the Highland Country Club. His religious affiliation is with Murray Universalist Church.
J. DOUGLASS ROBERTSON-The work of J. Douglass Robertson is contributing directly to the industrial advance of Bristol county, Massachusetts, in forwarding the activities of the stove industry, and in the manufacture of stove bolts he stands be- hind the many factories in this section which are engaged in this branch of production. Although one of the younger men of the day in Taunton, Mr. Robertson is bearing executive responsibility and taking a significant place in the community. He is a son of Charles J. and Margaret W. (Isaac) Rob- ertson, both natives of Montreal, Canada, but for some years residents of Taunton, the father active as a mechanical engineer.
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J. Douglass Robertson was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, September 5, 1894. The family remov- ing to Taunton in his childhood, it was in this city that he received his early education at the public schools, and he was graduated from the Taunton High School in the class of 1912. Later entering the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1916, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. His first experience was with the Winchester Repeating Arms Company of New Haven, Connecticut, and he was active in that connection until the year 1917, when, with thousands of America's young men, he responded to the call of humanity. He was commissioned in the Ordnance Department of the United States Army and was assigned to duty in the 6th Corps, 1st Army and was sent overseas. He served during the full period of the war, and was promoted to the rank of captain, with which rank he received his honorable discharge from the service. Upon his return to civilian life Mr. Rob- ertson resumed his former position with the Win- chester Repeating Arms Company, where he re- mained until May 1, 1921. On that date he par- ticipated in the organization of the present firm of Robertson & Brabrook Manufacturing Company, of which he became president, and of which Herbert Gfroerer is secretary. Taking up the manufacture of stove bolts, for which there is an ever insistent local demand, these young men have gone forward with courage and faith in the future, and although no great space of time has since elapsed, they have already won a position of assured success. With plant at No. 15 East Water street, occupying the entire building, they have rapidly expanded the business, particularly during the past year, and now send their product to all parts of the United States. Mr. Robertson is numbered among the thoroughly representative young men of Bristol county, is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, finds the interests of his leisure in the activities of the Segregansett Country Club, enjoys motoring, and keeps in touch with the general advance along all lines. He is a mem- ber of the Broadway Congregational Church.
Mr. Robertson married, June 6, 1923, Vivian E. Hughes, daughter of William Hughes of Taunton, Massachusetts, and they reside at No. 34 Prospect street.
FRANK R. SWEET-In the manufacture of a special type of watch and neck chains, Frank R. Sweet of Attleboro, Massachusetts, is a pioneer, and is also one of the leading successful executives of the day. He is a son of William O. Sweet, who was born at West Mansfield, Massachusetts, and was descended from an old family of that place. William O. Sweet became a leading nurseryman of this section and was active in that line of en- deavor until his death, which occurred in 1912. The mother, Sarah F. (Hood) Sweet, was born at Somerset, Massachusetts, and died in 1913.
Frank R. Sweet was born at Somerset, Bristol
county, Massachusetts, October 3, 1880. His educa- tion was begun in the public schools of West Mansfield and he is a graduate of the Mansfield High School, class of 1897. As a young man Mr. Sweet entered the employ of A. H. Bliss of North Attleboro, where he learned the trade of tool-maker, then later became identified with J. O. Copeland & Company, where he was active at his trade. Still later he was connected with the Globe Jewelry Company as tool-maker, and he remained with this concern until 1900, when he became one of the founders of a business enterprise. At that time, in partnership with Thomas Bennett and Harry Allen, Mr. Sweet formed the Electric Chain Company for the purpose of manufacturing chains with automatic machinery.
In 1904 Mr. Sweet withdrew from this firm to establish the present business under the name of the Sweet Manufac- turing Company. The first location of this in-
terest was on Forrest street, but it was only a short period before he was obliged to secure a more spacious plant. Accordingly, he built the present fine modern structure at No. 84 Dunham street, and he now occupies the entire building, comprising about 9,000 square feet of floor space, and employing some twenty-five hands. He pro- duces in great quantities, by special automatic machinery designed for the purpose, a very at- tractive line of chains. Mr. Sweet is personally the inventor of many devices and improvements for the manufacture of this product and the designer of many of the numbers in his catalogue. He was one of the first in this center of jewelry production to adopt automatic machinery for its manufacture, and by this means he is able to turn out an ex- ceedingly large output with a minimum force of employees. He is sole owner of the business and as such is widely known in the trade. He is a director of the Attleboro Trust Company and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, but while a loyal Republican by political affiliation, he has never accepted official responsibility of any kind. 'Fraternally Mr. Sweet is affiliated with St. James Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Mansfield, Massachusetts; Keystone Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Foxboro, Massachusetts; Bristol Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Attleboro, Massa- chusetts; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Providence, Rhode Island. He is also a member of Orient Lodge, No. 165, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Attleboro, and is socially identi- fied with the West Side Club. Since his boyhood Mr. Sweet has been deeply interested in the breed- ing of fancy poultry and choice bird dogs, and for a number of years he has been the owner of a fine farm at West Mansfield, known as the Glenwood Farm, where he has some of the choicest stock in New England. His poultry is principally the Rhode Island Red Breed, and he secured a record price of $1,000 for a Rhode Island Red cockerel and hen, Andrew Allbright, a New Jersey fancier, hav-
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ing been the purchaser. This farm is one of the exceptionally fine properties of Bristol county, and comprises 200 acres of excellent farming land. These well-rounded and wide-reaching activities place Frank R. Sweet among the broadly representative citizens of Attleboro, and he is well known as one of the leading citizens of this community. His religious affiliation is with the Universality church.
Frank R. Sweet married, on December 14, 1904, Harriet E. Pitman of West Mansfield, Massachu- setts, and they are the parents of three children: Herman R., born November 3, 1909; Geraldine, born November 11, 1911; and William O., born March 11, 1919.
MICHAEL McNALLY -- One of the most note- worthy business enterprises of Bristol county, Massa- chusetts, is the McNally Construction Company, which is the life achievement of Michael McNally, and has figured very prominently in the more im- portant building activities of recent years in Fall River and vicinity. Mr. McNally is broadly promi- nent also in the public service as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and although this is the only official responsibility which he has ever accepted, he has done much for the success of the fire prevention campaign, which has been such an important part of the recent history of Fall River. Mr. McNally is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Killcourse) McNally, both natives of Ireland, who migrated to England after their marriage and di- rectly after the Civil War came to the United States. They located in Providence, Rhode Island, where they remained until the year 1872, when they removed to Fall River and here spent the remain- ing years of their lives. The father was a brick and stone mason by trade and followed this line of activity continuously until his death, which occurred when he was about fifty-nine years of age. The mother lived until the year 1921, very nearly rounding out a century of life.
Michael McNally was born in Derbyshire, Eng- land, September 14, 1860. His education, he has many times been heard to remark, was principally in the "School of Hard Knocks," his attendance at the common schools of his time having covered only a short period and having ended at the age of ten years. At this early age he entered the world of men and affairs, securing a position in the print works. A short time later he was asso- ciated with his father on a construction job, work- ing as water boy and general utility boy. He took a keen interest in the construction activities that were being accomplished and from that time for- ward continued in this general field. He served a regular apprenticeship as a brick and stone mason, then for some years worked as a journeyman mason, gradually drifting into the general building line. In the late nineties Mr. McNally engaged in building contracting for himself, doing business un- der his own name, and, with his energy and initia- tive added to the practical experience which he had acquired, his success was assured from the
first. The business grew and developed rapidly and in 1910 was incorporated as the McNally Construc- tion Company, Mr. McNally being president of the concern. This corporation has taken a definite and noteworthy part in subsequent building activities, erecting the mills of the American Printing Com- pany and many other industrial plants. Various other contracts which they have filled are Cherry & Webb's cloak store at Providence, Rhode Island, McWhirr's department store, and many commer- cial establishments of Fall River and other cities in southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island. He has done a great deal of mill recon- struction and addition work and is widely noted for the excellence of every piece of work which comes under his hand. A Republican by political convictions, Mr. McNally has for many years taken an active part in civic affairs and also has been deeply interested in national affairs, but he has never been an office seeker, and beyond his present position as a member of the Board of Fire Com- missioners he has never accepted public responsi- bility. He has served on this board for nearly fif- teen years and has done much to encourage the fire prevention in which Fall River has been a leader in recent years. He is a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Fire Chief Club of Boston, the Boston City Club, the Fall River. Club, the Quequechan Club of Fall River, and fra- ternally is identified with Fall River Lodge, No. 118, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. McNally married, June 29, 1879, Alice Ann O'Mara of Fall River, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. McNally are the parents of six children, of whom three daughters survive: Anna G., a graduate of Fall River High School, who took a kindergarten course in Boston, and taught in Fall River schools, now the wife of Dr. Joseph Donnelly, a leading dentist of Fall River; Agnes G., a graduate of Fall River High School and Emerson College of Ora- tory in Boston, who taught in the Fall River schools, now the wife of D. G. Bolduc, a leading physician of Bayonne, New Jersey; and Alice T., a graduate of Sacred Heart College, who took a commercial course, 110w at home.
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