USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 64
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ALDRO A. FRENCH-Prominently active in the industrial life of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and broadly 'interested in many realms of endeavor, Aldro A. French of Attleboro is a thoroughly rep- resentative man of the present day in Bristol county, and his activities are contributing to the general advance. Mr. French is a son of Amos French, who was born at Norway, Oxford county, Maine, and was a farmer by occupation. Descended from the pioneer settlers of that community, he was one of the leading citizens of Norway, a man of pro- gressive spirit and highly esteemed in the com- munity. He died in 1917. The mother, Levina (Dunn) French, was born at Poland, Maine, and died in 1913.
Aldro A. French was born at Norway, Maine,
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July 1, 1874. His education was begun in the local public schools and he later entered Bowdoin Col- lege, from which he was graduated in the class of 1897, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Com- ing to Attleboro shortly after his graduation, Mr. French taught school . for two years, then entered the office of David E. Makepeace, where he was active as an employee until the incorporation of the concern, which took place in 1902. At that time Mr. French was elected vice-president of the com- pany, and he filled this office until 1918, when he was also made treasurer.
In many lines of progressive effort Mr. French is actively interested. He is a member of the board of directors of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, a director of the Attleboro Loan As- sociation, and a director of the Community Chest. His public services include a number of years' ac- tivity on the School Committee, and for a time he served as secretary. He acted as a member of the City Building Committee during the year which saw the erection of the present high school. He was a member at large of the City Council, and chair- man of the Finance Committee. Mr. French's ac- tivities are not, however, confined to local interest. During the World War he devoted much time to the many drives and was especially active in the work of the Liberty Loan. He is broadly interested in all scientific or educational progress and is a promoter and one of the directors of the MacMillan Arctic explorations. Fraternally he is a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Attleboro; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and his clubs are the West Side of Attleboro, the Highland Country, of which he was one of the organizers and its president for four years, and the Metacomet Coun- try Club. Mr. French was very active in athletics while at Bowdoin College, being a member of the baseball, football and track teams. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.
Mr. French married, in 1902, Edna M. Makepeace of Attleboro, Massachusetts, daughter of David E. and Myra B. (Johnson) Makepeace. Mr. and Mrs. French are the parents of one child: Edgar A .. born May 18, 1905, now a student at Dean Academy, preparing for Bowdoin College.
ALBERT H. WAITE-As organized and man- ager of the A. H. Waite Company, dealers in auto supplies, Albert H. Waite has added to the long list of Taunton's business concerns a vigorous and rapidly growing enterprise. Mr. Waite has - been associated with the line of business activity in which he is now engaged from the beginning of his active career, and is well qualified to build a successful auto supply business.
Mr. Waite was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, May 17, 1894, son of Lucius M. Waite, a book- keeper who died in 1906, and of Alice E. (Dewey) Waite, who is now living in Providence, Rhode Island. He attended the public schools of Leices-
ter, and when his grammar school training was completed, entered the Technical High School in Providence, Rhode Island, from which he was graduated with the class of 1911. Upon the com- pletion of his school course, he began his business career in the employ of his brother, Edward D. Waite, who owned the Waite Auto Supply Com- pany, in Providence, at that time. That connection he maintained for a period of six years, at the end of which time the United States entered the World War and Mr. Waite promptly enlisted for service. He was sent to France almost immediately after his enlistment, and was on the firing line, with intervals of rest, for eighteen months. Just before he was discharged, in 1918, he was promoted to the rank of corporal in Battery C, 103rd Regiment, 26th Division. Upon his return to civilian life he went to Providence, Rhode Island, and resumed his connection with the business of his brother, as an employee of the Waite Auto Supply Company. After remaining with that concern for a period of seven months, he resolved to enter the auto supply business for himself. He formed an associa- tion with John W. Little, Jr., Leon N. Mckenzie, Frank Jeffers, Edward D. Waite, and Albert H. Waite, under the film name of the A. H. Waite Company, Inc. In addition to carrying a general line of auto supplies and accessories, the concern acted as a distributing station for the Presto-Lite Storage Battery, and also carried a full line of radio sets and parts. The enterprise was successful from the very beginning and the business is ex- panding very rapidly each year. The public, finding that it can depend upon the goods offered for sale by the A. H. Waite Company, and that it always receives prompt and courteous service, is doing much to increase the patrons of the business.
Mr. Waite is a member of Taunton Post, Ameri- can Legion; Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and protective Order of Elks; What Cheer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of. Providence; Provi- dence Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; Provi- dence Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar; and Palestine Temple, Ancient . Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Bristol Club, the Taunton Auto Club, and the Y. D. Club, of Rhode Island. Mr Waite has many friends in Taunton, and is widely known and highly esteemed not only as a successful business man but as an enterprising and loyal citizen and a good friend and comrade.
On April 21, 1919, Albert H. Waite married Mar- garet McMeekin, who was born in Providence, daughter of William McMeekin, who is now living in Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Waite are the parents of two children: Gertrude, who was born in June, 1921; and Albert H., Jr., who was born in Febru- ary, 1923.
THOMAS A. SMITH-Filing a broadly useful position in the mercantile activities of Taunton, Massachusetts, Thomas A. Smith is thereby achiev-
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ing marked success as the head of one of the leading drug stores in this part of the State, rep- resenting the interests of the Liggett Drug Com- pany in Taunton and vicinity. A native of this city, Mr. Smith was reared and educated here, and he is a son of Thomas and Melinda A. (Burke) Smith. His father, who was a well known mer- chant of Taunton for many years, died February 15, 1915.
Thomas A. Smith was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, February 25, 1885. His education was begun in the public schools of this city and he is a graduate of the Taunton High School, class of 1900. Upon the completion of his studies, Mr. Smith entered the employ of the Weir Drug Com- pany, with which he remained for three years, dur- ing this time making a close study of pharmacy. He then went to Brockton, Massachusetts, where he took charge of the Packard Pharmacy for a similar period, then went to Boston, where for ten years he served as prescription manager of the Riker-Jaynes Company of Boston. Mr. Smith then came to Taunton and opened his own interest here, locating first at No. 73 West Water street. For three years he carried forward this business at the same location, then in 1919, having an attractive op- portunity to sell, he disposed of this interest and formed his present affiliation with the Liggett Drug Company, locating at Nos. 1 and 3 Weir street, Taunton. Mr. Smith carries on a very comprehen- sive and up-to-date drug business, and aside from the products of the Liggett concern, everything is to be found in this store which the most complete drug store is expected to carry. This is one of the largest stores in a very wide region, and Mr. Smith, as the head and proprietor, is counted among the really prominent and definitely successful men of the day in Southeastern Massachusetts. He has few interests outside of his business, but supports the Republican party in political affairs. His fra- ternal affiliation is . with Lynn Lodge, No. 117, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and his religious affiliation is with the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.
FRED A. LEONARD-For thirty-seven years a member of the Taunton Fire Department, and for twenty-two years of that period chief engineer, Fred A. Leonard is a noteworthy figure in his chosen field of activity, being one of the oldest firemen in point of service in the State of Massa- chusetts. Gifted with administrative ability of a high order, and possessing the genial spirit which gives him a cordial welcome in any circle, Chief Leonard has brought the department to a high de- gree of efficiency, and is one of the honored figures of the city government. He is a son of Herbert A. Leonard, a teamster by occupation, highly re- spected in the community, who died July 30, 1898. The mother, Laura A. (Godfrey) Leonard, died No- vember 5, 1893.
Fred A. Leonard, son of these parents, was born
in Taunton, Massachusetts, July 25, 1864. His edu- cation was limited to the advantages of the public schools, and his first activity as a young man was in the capacity of teamster in the employ of Wil- bur Brothers. After two years in this connection he learned the trade of machinist at the Mason Machine Works, and remained for a time after mastering the trade, spending five years with this concern. Mr. Leonard became identified with the Taunton Permanent Fire Department as a driver in 1885, and from the first his usefulness to the de- partment was clearly evident. He was promoted to captain of the Chemical Company on August 1, 1891, and on July 1 of the following year he was appointed permanent engineer. In 1900 he was elected by the Common Council of the city as first assistant engineer, and was made chief of the de- partment on March 15, 1901. He has served faith- fully and well in this position of large responsi- bility, doing much for the constant improvement of conditions in the organization and for the con- tinual advance of the department as regards equip- ment. At the time of his enrollment in 1885, the entire force numbered only eighteen men, while at the present time (1923) the five stations of the city are manned with a total of fifty-five. The de- partment is completely motorized, the last of the old equipment having been discarded in 1921. Chief Leonard is popular among the men, and his influ- ence as a man and a citizen, as well as an execu- tive, counts for advance in every phase of civic interest. Since 1902 Chief Leonard has been active in the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs' Club, and is now serv- ing as a member of the board of directors, and at this writing is serving as chairman of the board. Since 1903 has been a member of the International Association of Fire Engineers. Fraternally he is affiliated with King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
Chief Leonard married, in 1894, Minnie G. Hood, of Lowell, Massachusetts, daughter of George W. K. and Deborah Hood, and they have two daugh- ters, both educated at the Framingham Normal School: Gladys A., wife of Carrall Clark; and Elsie. The young people are prominent in social circles in Taunton.
WILLIAM J. WATSON-One of the leading figures in insurance business in Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, is William J. Watson, whose previous activity in newspaper work gave him broad famil- iarity with business conditions and general progress, as well as extensive acquaintances in Bristol county. Mr. Watson is a practical man whose endeavors are counting in a definite way for the local advance. He is a son of Joseph Watson, who was born in Ireland and died in 1894, after a long and active career in the manufacture of machinery. Joseph Watson was a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted in the Second Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry, and having served throughout the period of the war. The mother, Sarah (Moore) Watson, was born in Ireland, and survived her husband for many years, passing away in 1920.
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William J. Watson was born at Providence, Rhode Island, September 17, 1869. Receiving a practical preparation for his career in the public schools of his native city, Mr. Watson associated himself with the Providence "Journal" as a young man and spent many years in the newspaper busi- ness. He was in Boston newspaper work until 1919, when he established his present insurance business in Attleboro, locating in the Sanford build- ing at No. 7 Park street. Mr. Watson handles all kinds of insurance, but specializes in life insurance, and, doing business under his own name, acts as the representative of many leading concerns of the day. His success has been remarkable and he now commands an extensive and rapidly growing clien- tele. A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Wat- son bears the part of a private citizen only in the general advance, never having accepted public honors. During the World War he devoted his time principally to the various home activities in support of the American Expeditionary Forces, serving on many boards and committees, and for his usefulness he received a certificate of recogni- tion from the United States Government. Fraternally he is a member of Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the National Underwriters As- sociation, the Chamber of Commerce, and the West Side Club. His religious affiliation is with the Universalist church.
Mr. Watson married, in 1897, Eugenia M. Leach of Attleboro, Massachusetts, daughter of Edwin and Letitia (Allen) Leach, her father a manufacturing jeweler.
EDWARD J. MORSE-As the head of a pros- perous and growing enterprise of Taunton, Massa- chusetts, Edward J. Morse is a well known figure in the industrial line of Bristol county. With broad experience in commercial and industrial activities, Mr. Morse brought to his position, as one of the organizers of Morse & Sprinkle, Inc., the practical qualities which would win success in any field. For the past four years this concern has been a part of the industrial life of Taunton, and is taking a very commendable place in the general progress. Mr. Morse is a son of Oscar E. and Etta M. (Higgins) Morse, both natives of Massachusetts, the father now retired from active business.
Edward J. Morse was born at West Medway, Massachusetts, November 5, 1887. Receiving his early education in the local public and high schools, he later prepared for his career at Comer's Com- mercial School at Boston. His first business ex- perience was as an employee of the Wellington, Pierce Company of Boston, where he was active for thirteen years, going through the various posi- tions of responsibility at their plant, up to and including the office of assistant manager. Resign- ing from this concern, Mr. Morse accepted a posi- tion as factory manager of the Titus-Blatter Com- pany, in which connection he remained until 1914. At that time he established, in connection with a
partner, the firm of Morse & Springle, Inc., their first location being at No. 505 State street, Brooklyn, New York. The purpose of this organization was the manufacture of novelty curtains, and the growth of the business was so marked that it was deter- mined to seek a location where greater possibility of expansion could be found. In June, 1919, the plant was removed to Taunton, Massachusetts, where it has since been located at No. 15 Maple street. They have built a handsome new struc- ture of the most approved factory construction, with about 14,000 square feet of floor space, and here employ about ninety hands. This number, however, is only a small fraction of the aggregate number of employees, for much of the work is placed out in the homes of the city, where about 300 people are now engaged in their employ. With modern machinery and the most up-to-date methods this company is attaining a national reputation, the quality of their work placing their goods among the finest to be found on the market. Mr. Morse is a member of the Associated Industries of Massa- chusetts and the Merchants' Association of New York City. His fraternal affiliation is with Con- tinental Lodge, No. 287, Free and Accepted Masons, of Brooklyn, New York. His clubs are the Win- throp and the Segregansett Country.
Mr. Morse married, in 1906, Florence R. Ahearn of Boston, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of three children: Evelyn, born in 1909; Edwin O., born in 1911; and Richard D., born in 1922.
FREDERICK SALISBURY CLARNER is con- ducting a prosperous automobile sales room and service station at No. 46 Turner street, Fall River. Though the concern is but four years old, it is already one of the well known and well established concerns of its kind in Bristol county and its repu- tation extends far beyond the limits of its immedi- ate neighborhood. Mr. Clarner is a son of Ernest J. and Fannie (Peck) Clarner, the former of whom is a dyer in the cotton mills, and the latter of whom is a descendant of an old Massachusetts family which settled in Swansea. He is one of three children.
Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, May 27, 1779, Frederick Salisbury Clarner removed to Swansea, Massachusetts, with his parents when a child and received his education in the public schools of that town. When school days were over he began his business career in the employ of the firm of W. G. Pearse, dealers in seeds and farm implements in Fall River. He began as a clerk and later became one of the partners, and remained with the firm for twenty years, during which time he not only ac- quired a thorough knowledge of the particular busi- ness in which he was engaged but also acquired a thorough acquaintance with "all sorts and condi- tions of men." After twenty years spent in that one line of business activity he decided to engage in the automobile business for himself, and in 1919 he opened a salesroom and service station at No 46 Turner street, in Fall River. He took over the
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agency for the Reo car and in addition to the dis- tribution of that make of car he also carries a full line of automobile accessories and supplies. He has met with encouraging success from the start and each year brings a large increase in his patronage. He also carries the Reo truck for which he finds sale not only in the cities in the vicinity of Fall River but in the farming districts as well. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party. He has always been willing to bear his share of the burden of local public service and for the last three years has served as a member of the school com- mittee of the town of Somerset, where he resides. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a mem- ber of all the bodies of both the Scottish and York Rites, holding the thirty-second degree and being a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is a member of the Fall River Chamber of Com- merce, and of the Kiwanis Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Methodist church.
Frederick Salisbury Clarner married, at Somerset, Massachusetts, May 29, 1902, Mabel L. Buffinton, who was born in Somerset, Massachusetts, daugh- ter of Thomas H. and Emma B. (Weaver) Buffin- ton, both natives of Bristol county. Mr. and Mrs. Clarner are the parents of one daughter, Doris B.
LEONARD I. LAMB -- In the field of industrial effort which has given the city of Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, world-wide celebrity, the manufacture of jewelry, Leonard I. Lamb has spent his entire career thus far, and although he is still a young man, he now fills the responsible position of assistant man- ager of the business carried forward under the title of the R. F. Simmons Company. Mr. Lamb is a man of broad interests and progressive spirit. In addition to his business interests he bears a con- structive part in many branches of progressive and benevolent advance. He comes of a long prominent family of Bristol county, Massachusetts, and is a son of Louis J. and Elizabeth T. (Becket) Lamb, of Attleboro, both now deceased. Louis J. Lamb was born at Charlton, Massachusetts, and died in 1906, at a comparatively early age, after spending his life- time in the manufacture of jewelry. The mother, who was born in Boston, died in the year 1920.
Leonard I. Lamb was born at Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, December 11, 1887. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he was graduated from the Attleboro High School in the class of 1905. Later entering Tufts College, he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Di- rectly from college Mr. Lamb associated himself with the R. F. Simmons Company, jewelry manu- facturers of Attleboro, and he has been with this concern continuously since. Beginning in a sub- ordinate capacity, he has risen through the various departments and grades of responsibility to his present position of assistant manager. He now has general supervision over the entire factory, and winning his way as he has done, wholly on the
merits of his work, he is in close touch with every branch of production. Mr. Lamb has shown ex- ceptional ability in securing the co-operation of the employees and in obtaining a maximum output. The company is producing more goods under his man- agement than ever before, and their standing in the trade is of the highest. Mr. Lamb is interested in another line of business progress as president of Bristol Farms, Inc., one of the largest milk dis- tributors in this section, which provides Attleboro with a large share of the milk locally consumed.
A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Lamb has served as a member of the Municipal Council from Ward Two for one term and is now in his second term of service, but he has never otherwise accepted public responsibilities. He was at one time a member of Company M, Massachusetts State Guard, in which he served for three years with the rank of corporal. He is a member and director of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, a director and vice-president for the past twelve years of the Young Men's Christian Association, and for seven years was a trustee of the Attleboro Public Library. He is affiliated with the Delta Epsilon fraternity; and is a popular member of the Highland Country Club. Interested in every branch of local and general advance, he is one of the most highly es- teemed and progressive men of the younger group of business executives in Attleboro. He is a mem- ber of the Universalist church, and for the past twelve years has been on the standing committee of the church.
Leonard I. Lamb married, on April 10, 1912, Gertrude E. Knapp of Franklin, Massachusetts, daughter of James H. and Lucy (Brackett) Knapp, her father treasurer of Elms Farms of Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have two children: Elizabeth H., born November 16, 1913; and Louis K., born November 17, 1916.
FREDERICK JAMES NORRIS, superintendent of the Barnard Manufacturing Company Cotton Mills, is an expert in the textile industry, who by long service in any mills, both in England and this country, has qualified himself to fill with notable efficiency important executive positions in the cotton weaving industry. Mr. Norris was, figuratively speaking, born into the textile industry, his father being Richard Norris, a skilled loom- fixer of England, who never came to this country, but with his wife, Ann (Lowe) Norris, resided in England throughout his entire life.
Frederick James Norris was born in Chorley, Lancashire, England, December 14, 1872, and re- ceived his school training in the grammar schools of his native district. As a young man he en- tered the employ of Brindles, Ltd., as a loom-fixer, and that connection he maintained for a period of five years. At the end of that time he was made manager of a cotton mill at Horwich, England, and in that capacity he rendered excellent service until 1907. In that year he came to this country and settled in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he
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entered the King Philip Mill, in the capacity of loom-fixer. His next position was with the Ark- wright Mills, where he served as second hand for six months. At the end of that time he severed his connection with the Arkwright Mills in order to widen his experience and better his condition by accepting a position as overseer of the Wampanoag Mills. That responsible executive position he effi- ciently filled for three years, when he again made a change, becoming overseer of the Davol Mill, where he remained for two years. His next posi- tion was with the Border City Mill, where he served as the efficient superintendent for nine years. He then resigned and accepted a position as super- intendent of the Barnard Manufacturing Company Cotton Mills, which were established in 1874, and that position he has held for the past five months. He is thoroughly skilled in all the departments of the textile industry, and his wide and varied ex- perience in different localities enables him to render invaluable service to the firm with which he is identified. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, holding membership in the local lodge with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of which he is a past grand master; and with the Knights of Pythias. His religious affilia- tion is with the Episcopal church.
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