A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 65

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 528

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 65

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On June 1, 1893, in Chorley, England, Frederick James Norris married Helen Catterall, daughter of John and Ellen (Ditchfield) Catterall. Mr. and Mrs. Norris are the parents of one son: Richard, who was born in England, and is now engaged in busi- ness as an electrical contractor in Fall River.

FREDERICK E. BEMIS, as cashier of the Fall River National Bank, of Fall River, Massachusetts, is efficiently filling a position of trust which has been won by ability, faithfulness, and steadfast ad- herence to the highest ideals of business honor. Throughout the entire period of his active career Mr. Bemis has been identified with the Fall River National Bank and it is safe to say that no other individual knows so thoroughly both the bank and its patrons as does Mr. Bemis.

Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, May 9, 1869, Frederick E. Bemis is a son of James W. and Hannah E. (Macomber) Bemis, the former of whom is a son of Ezekiel Bemis. After attending the public schools of Fall River, including the high school, he began his connection with the Fall River National Bank as a messenger boy at the age of seventeen. From the beginning he gave close and thorough attention to his work and recognition came in the form of promotion. He was appointed teller, then assistant cashier, and finally, in January, 1923, he was appointed to the important position which he now so efficiently fills, that of cashier of the Fall River National Bank, of which he is also a member of the board of directors. He is a member of Massasoit Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and of Quequechan Club, and his religious interest is with the First Baptist Church, of Fall River, of which he is a member.

Frederick E. Bemis married, on September 30, 1903, at Somerville, New Jersey, Minerva L. Mills, daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Eldred) Mills, and they are the parents of two children: Eldred W., born September 17, 1904, now a student in Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Mar- garet, born May 24, 1910.

WILLIAM E. SWEENEY-Bringing to his duties as superintendent of the D. E. Makepeace Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts, the large natural ability and the breadth of experience which count so definitely for success, William E. Sweeney is bearing a practical part in the local industrial advance, and among his associates is well known as a thoroughly progressive and efficient executive. Mr. Sweeney has spent his entire career thus far in the jewelry industry, and has won prominence in his chosen field of endeavor. He is a son of Edward A. Sweeney, who was born in Boston, and came to Attleboro as a young man, where he was active in the manufacture of jewelry until his death, which occurred February 15, 1922. The mother, Hannah (Ellis) Sweeney, was born in Nova Scotia, and died in the year 1904.

William E. Sweeney was born at Attleboro, Massachusetts, March 25, 1883. His early educa- tion was received in the public schools of his native city, and he was graduated from the Attleboro High School in the class of 1902. Thereafter entering Amherst College in the class of 1907, he spent two years and a half at that institution, but cir- cumstances making it advisable for him to associate himself with business advance, he did not complete the course. Mr. Sweeney's first business experience was in the employ of the R. F. Simmons Com- pany, manufacturing jewelers of Attleboro, where he was active in the shipping and packing room, also gaining a broad familiarity with other depart- ments. Remaining with this concern for a period of six years, he then became identified with the M. S. Company, also in the same general field, where he continued for two years and a half. In the year 1918 Mr. Sweeney became affiliated with the D. E. Makepeace Company of Attleboro, as assistant manager and superintendent of the factory, and through his ability and interest in the progress of the organization was made secretary of the con- cern on January 1, 1923. Mr. Sweeney's rise to this important office was wholly on the merits of his activities in the industry of which he has been a part for upwards of eighteen years, and he is taking a definite position of leadership in the organiza- tion. The D. E. Makepeace Company was founded in the year 1887, the first headquarters being only bench room in the old Steam Power building. Its growth, however, was healthy and permanent under the hand of David E. Makepeace, who was the founder and is still the head. After a few changes incident to the necessity for expansion, the enter- prise was permanently settled in its own four-story wooden structure at the corner of Pine and Dunham streets, a building containing some 32,000 square

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feet of floor space. In the year 1904 a plot of ground adjoining was secured and another building of equal space was erected. The development of the interest again requiring expansion, in 1913 a hand- some four-story brick building with about 35,000 square feet of floor space was erected, and the concern is now acknowledged among the largest in the world producing seamless gold and silver tubing and other stocks and materials for the jewelry trade. They devote 100,000 square feet of floor space to these activities, also handle an extensive business in gold and silver plating. This concern started with two employees, and in the present splendid plant employ 510 skilled hands. The offi- cers of the company at present (1923) are: David E. Makepeace, president; Aldro A. French, treas- urer; William E. Sweeney, secretary.

A member of the Attleboro Chamber of Com- merce, Mr. Sweeney has for some years borne a share in the civic and welfare activities of the time, principally in an entirely unofficial way. From 1912 until 1918, inclusive, he served as assistant chief of the Attleboro Fire Department, under Chief Packard. He is a Republican by political affilia- tion, and during the World War he served as a member of the Massachusetts State Guard (Com- pany M) as supply sergeant, later being transferred to Headquarters Company at Quincy, Massachusetts. He received his discharge from the service with the rank of regimental supply sergeant of Head- quarters Company. Fraternally Mr. Sweeney holds membership in Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Attleboro; 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 Providence, Rhode Island. He is also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and of Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious affiliation is with the Universalist church.

Mr. Sweeney married, on April 3, 1909, Leonilda Orup, daughter of Elmer N. and Anna C. (Ander- son) Orup, her father a master mechanic by occu- pation. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney are prominent in social and welfare activities in this city.

NELSON W. GURNEY, for the past three years, has been successfully engaged in the business of selling motorcycles, bicycles and automobile supplies and accessories. He carries a full line of the many articles needed by autoists and motorcyclists.

Born in Templeton, Massachusetts, September 19, 1890, Nelson W. Gurney was the son of Jonathan R. Gurney, of Templeton, Massachusetts, who throughout his active career was engaged as an engineer, and of Gertrude (Rownesville) Gurney, of East Freetown, Massachusetts. Mr. Gurney re- ceived a practical education in the public schools of Freetown, and there, when schooldays were over, he began his business career, engaging in business for himself as a teamster. He did a general line of teaming until 1907, when he entered the Federal

employ, in the post office department, as carrier of the rural free delivery mail route out of Clif- ford, Massachusetts, and that position he held for a period of five years. In 1920 he decided to again engage in business for himself. Opening an estab- lishment at No. 44 Cohannet street, he engaged in the motorcycle business, as sales agent, and as dealer in accessories and supplies. The business grew, and at the end of two years he found that larger quarters were necessary. He then removed to his present location at No. 5 Tremond street, where he has greatly increased his patronage and added to the volume of business transacted. He has added to the sale of bicycles and motorcycle acces- sories an auto supply and accessory department, which is exceedingly prosperous and steadily grow- ing. During the World War he was a member of the Motorcycle Corps, 330th Company, and was assigned to duty at Camp Upton, Long Island, from which he was discharged June 30, 1919, with the rank of sergeant. He is a member of New Bed- ford Post, American Legion; of the Sons of Veter- ans; and of East Freetown Grange. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Associa- tion, and of the New England Harley Davidson Dealers' Association. His religious affiliation is with the East Freetown First Christian Church. Mr. Gurney is very well known and highly respected in Taunton, both as a successful business man and as a public spirited citizen. He has many personal friends, and is known as one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Taunton.

On July 12, 1922, at Taunton, Nelson W. Gurney married Elva Staples, of Lakeville, Massachusetts, daughter of Edwin A. and Abbie (Washburn) Staples. Mr. and Mrs. Gurney reside in Taunton.

ALFRED THOMAS TOWNLEY-When five years of age, Alfred T. Townley was brought to the United States by his parents, Fall River, Massa- chusetts, becoming the family home. Henry Edward Townley, father of Alfred T. Townley, was born in Lancastershire, England, in 1841, and came to the United States in 1873, settled at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, there acting as janitor of the Citizens' Sav- ings Bank for twenty-three years and as sexton of the First Baptist Church for a long term. He married Agnes Pemberton, also born in Lancaster- shire, England, in 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Townley are now deceased.

Alfred T. Townley, son of Henry E. and Agnes (Pemberton) Townley, was born in Lancashire, England, April 18, 1868, and there spent the first five years of his life. In 1873 he was brought to the United States by his parents, and from that year he has been a resident of Fall River, his con- nection with the mercantile life of the city begin- ning in 1901. He attended Fall River public school, finishing grammar school courses, then be- came a worker in the cotton mills, continuing until 1901, when he established a milk route in the West- port section of Bristol county, four miles from Fall River. He began in a small way, distributing about

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100 quarts daily over his route, but business in- creased and he prospered, until 1916, when he de- termined to greatly extend his borders. In that year he bought the property at No. 394 Coggeshall street, Fall River, and upon it erected a modern dairy plant, equipped for pasteurizing, refrigerating and separating. His business has grown, until now he disposes of 3,500 quarts daily, being one of three largest milk dealers in the city, and in some of its equipment his plant is not duplicated in New Eng- land outside of Boston. Mr. Townley is a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce and of the First Baptist Church; his political faith is Re- publican.

He married, at Fall River, December 7, 1891, Alice Walsh of Fall River, daughter of George and Alice Walsh, her parents born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Townley are the parents of two children: Charles P., born in Fall River, in 1892; Alfred Thomas, Jr., born in Westport, in 1901. Both sons are now associated in business with their father in the operation of Townley's Dairy.

GEORGE SHEFFIELD BLIVEN-In electrical engineering and the merchandising of electrical equipment and supplies, George Sheffield Bliven of Attleboro, Massachusetts, holds a noteworthy posi- tion in Bristol county. With an unusually compre- hensive training and a number of years of prac- tical experience, Mr. Bliven took over the present interest with splendid personal equipment and is going forward to large success. He is a son of John S. Bliven, who was born in Rhode Island and died in the year 1892. John S. Bliven was the sixth generation of this family to live in the old homestead in Exeter, Rhode Island, and he con- ducted the farm throughout his lifetime, his com- paratively early death closing a worthy career and removing from the community one of the most estimable citizens. The mother, Harriet Elizabeth (Gage) Bliven, was born at Charleston, Rhode Island, and still survives her husband.

George Sheffield Bliven was born at Exeter, Rhode Island, August 31, 1882. His education was received in the local public schools and this was the limit of his formal school attendance, but im- mediately after completing the grammar course the young man began his technical preparations for his career. He mastered three trades before coming to Attleboro, which he did in 1908. At that time en- tering the employ of H. C. Barden as an electrical engineer, Mr. Bliven continued in his employ for about a decade, then in 1918 purchased the business of Mr. Barden, and has since continued as the sole owner of the interest, going forward under the name of the Electric Shop. Located at No. 7 County street, this enterprise occupies two floors and employs about twelve experienced men. Mr. Bliven does electrical engineering of every kind and handles a very comprehensive stock of electrical equipment and supplies. Since taking over the business Mr. Bliven has greatly extended the scope of its operations and it now holds a leading posi-

tion in Attleboro. Mr. Bliven supports the Re- publican party in political affairs, but has never accepted official responsibility, although during the World War he bore a prominent part on various local boards in the many home war activities. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is on the board of directors. His fra- ternal affiliations are with Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Commandery, Knights Temp- lar; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Boston; Lodge of Perfection, Princes of Jerusalem; Mt. Olivet Chapter, Rose Croix; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston; Orient Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand; Gideon Horton Encampment and the Canton; Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is on the board of directors. His clubs are the Highland Country and the West Side Club of Attleboro. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church.

Mr. Bliven married, June 10, 1904, Bertha F. Green, of Davisville, Rhode Island, who is a lineal descendant of General Nathanael Green of Revolu- tionary fame. She is a daughter of Oscar I. Green of Rhode Island, for many years at the head of an organization of a porgie fishing fleet, her mother, Mary Austin, a native of Rhode Island.

ISAIE LAPLANTE-In 1893 Isaie Laplante lo- cated in Fall River, where he has since conducted a prosperous wholesale hay and grain business and acquired a fortune through his well-directed, untir- ing efforts. He is a native son of Canada; his parents, Xavier and Julienne Laplante, of French ancestry, located on a farm at St. Rosalie in the Province of Quebec at the time of the birth of their son. In addition to his private mercantile business at Fall River Isaie Laplante has large in- terests elsewhere, and is now (1923) interested in the erection of a large cement factory at Montreal, an enterprise he is giving his personal attention, making frequent trips to the plant under construc- tion, several hundred men now being employed under the direction of Richard K. Mead of Balti- more, Maryland.

Isaie Laplante was born at St. Rosalie, Province of Quebec, Canada, April 8, 1866, and there he ob- tained his education. He aided in the operation of the home farm, but later served for three years as a blacksmith apprentice, then for two years worked as a journeyman blacksmith in his native province. He subsequently came to the United States and for about four years was in business in Waterbury, Connecticut, after which he returned to Canada. There he located in St. Simon, a vil- lage of the Province of Quebec, there being in the employ of his cousin, a hay and grain merchant, with whom he remained six months, becoming favorably impressed with the merits of that busi-

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ness. In 1893 Mr. Laplante located at Fall River, here establishing the wholesale hay and grain busi- ness with which he has since been connected as owner and head. For the last nine years his ware house has been located at No. 168 Plymouth Rail- road Siding, and the business has grown to one of large proportions. During five years of this period of thirty years, throughout which he has been in business at Fall River, Mr. Laplante handled country produce, but hay, straw, grain, etc., are his standard lines. Fortune has come to him in a legitimate, honorable way, and he is highly re- garded in his city.

In politics Mr. Laplante is a Democrat, and in 1905, 1908, 1911, and 1914, he served as a member of the Board of Assessors, and since 1914 he has served continuously as one of the three members of the Board of Police Commissioners of Fall River. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and Fall River Lodge, No. 118, Benevolent and Pro- · tective Order of Elks, also a member of the Boston Fruit Exchange, but his business is his chief in- terest.

Mr. Laplante married, in Upton, Massachusetts, in 1888, Emilie Bernard, daughter of Camile and Mary Bernard. Mr. and Mrs. Laplante are the parents of seven children: Donalda, Aurora, and Lucienne (who married Lorenzo E. Savard, a sketch of whom follows), all graduates of the Con- vent of Jesus-Mary of Fall River; Orient, a gradu- ate of Holy Cross College, now a student in Har- vard Law School; Laurette, a graduate of Domi- nican Convent and Academy of Fall . River; Agathe, a graduate of the same institution as her sister Laurette;and Irene.

LORENZO EDMUND SAVARD-Taking a lead- ing place in the real estate and insurance activities of Fall River, Massachusetts, Lorenzo Edmund Savard is bearing a very largely significant part in the general advance of the city of Fall River and the county of Bristol. Progressive in spirit and deeply interested in all that pertains to the local progress, Mr. Savard is numbered among the really noteworthy young men of the city. He is a member of a family of prominence in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and is a son of George Savard, who was born in that province in the year 1857, but has for many years been a resident of Fall River, and has been active as a fireman in the textile plants of this city for more than a quarter of a century. The mother, Marie (Tremblay) Savard, was also born in the Province of Quebec, and is now a resi- dent of Fall River.

Lorenzo Edmund Savard was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, August 14, 1893. His early educa- tion was received in the local parochial schools, and he later had the advantage of a two years' course at the Rogers & Allen Business School of this city. His first experience in the business world was in the capacity of clerk, but he soon filled the position of bookkeeper, and was employed by lead- ing Fall River concerns. On October 1, 1915, Mr.

Savard established his present interest in the real estate and insurance field, securing offices at No. 103 Pleasant street, Fall River. The following year he removed to more desirable quarters at Suite No. 217, Granite Block, where he is still located. He handles a general line of insurance, representing the Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut, and other leading insurance companies, and his aggressive activities in encouraging and promoting the insurance idea in this section has thus far been an influence in the right direction as far as the economic security of the people is con- cerned. His position in the real estate world has become one of importance, and he is considered one of the very successful operators of the day, handling real estate on a brokerage basis largely, and making a specialty of mortgages. He is a member of the Fall River Board of Underwriters, and is affiliated with the world of finance as treas- urer of the Bowenville Loan Association. He is a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, and gives his best endeavors to the forwarding of every movement which has for its object the civic advance of the people's welfare. During the World War Mr. Savard enlisted in the United States Army as a member of a casualty company, and was in France for three months, being as- signed to construction activities there. He was in the service altogether for about five months, then upon receiving his honorable discharge from the service returned to Fall River and resumed the interests of civilian life. A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Savard has never thus far accepted the honors or responsibilities of elective office, but is an enthusiastic advocate of the principles of his party. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 118; and he is past dictator of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 456. He has recently repre- sented his lodge in the latter order at the national convention of Moose. He is a member of the local post of the American Legion, in which he has served on the executive council. He is a member of L'Union St. Jean Baptiste d'Amerique; his social affiliations include membership in the Calumet Club; and he attends the Roman Catholic church.

Lorenzo E. Savard married, in Fall River, on June 12, 1923, Lucienne Laplante, who was born in Fall River, and is a daughter of Isaie Laplante (a sketch of whom precedes), and Emilie (Bernard) Laplants, both natives of the Province of Quebec, Canada.

FORREST M. HARRIMAN-In an industrial city like Taunton, Massachusetts, the activities of Forrest M. Harriman bear large significance to the general prosperity and advance, for as the pro- prietor of the Taunton Machine Company, he meets one of the daily needs of the production concern in every line of endeavor. With extensive experience behind him, Mr. Harriman is winning his own suc- cess and contributing to the forward movement of

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the community. Mr. Harriman comes of old New England stock, and is a son of Moses C. Harriman, an early photographer, highly skilled in his art, whose activities took him to many parts of the country-a man whose influence for the advance of photography in the early years of its development was very wide and in a high degree constructive. The mother, Mary (Couch) Harriman, was born in New Hampshire. The father died in 1899 and the mother in 1887.

Forrest M. Harriman was born at Warner, New Hampshire, August 25, 1879. His education was received in the public schools, and from the time of completing his education he has been active in the world of men and affairs. His first experience was in the employ of his father in the realm of photography, but the young man was of a highly mechanical turn of mind, and after two years he was interested with the Union Manufacturing Com- pany, of Taunton, as construction man, and he associated with this concern for a period of twelve years. Then, in 1916, he established his present business, locating at No. 9 Tremont street, Taunton, and going forward under the title of the Taunton Machine Company. He does a general line of machine jobbing, and from the start has done a constantly growing business. He is now counted among the definitely successful men of the day in Bristol county, and with his attitude toward the daily progress of the community, and his unques- tioned integrity as a business man, he may well be numbered among the foremost men of this city. Politically he supports the Republican party, but his time is filled to the exclusion of any public service, although he bears an unobtrusive part in every worthy movement. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Harriman married, in Taunton, in 1903, Olive H. Turner, daughter of William and Esther S. Turner, and they have one son: Fred L., born in 1905.

HENRY LEONARD CONANT-A native of Taunton, Massachusetts, and son of natives of Taunton, Henry Leonard Conant has spent prac- tically his entire life to the present time (1923) in that city. His business is both a manufacturing and a mercantile concern, as he sells all sorts of musical instruments and also makes a specialty of violin making and repairing.

Mr. Conant, son of Henry B. Conant, a pattern maker of Taunton, and of Rebecca J. (Woodward) Conant, was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 15, 1867. He received his early education in the public school of his native city and attended Bristol Academy. Upon the completion of his academic course he went with his father, with whom he learned the trade of the patternmaker and with whom he remained until 1900, at which time he established himself in business for himself. He opened a store in the Wilbur block, on Main street, where he began selling musical instruments. The enterprise proved successful from the beginning,

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A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 65

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor Publication date: 1924 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 528

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 528