USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 66
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and three months after he engaged in the business, he removed to the Taylor building, Room No. 78, where he remained for five years. He then re- moved to his present location at No. 2 Prescott street. During the nearly a quarter 'of a century which has passed since he first embarked in business life, Mr. Conant has been steadily increasing the number of his patrons, and also adding to the range of instruments sold. As new inventions have from time to time made changes in the musical world, he has been among the first to offer them for sale in Taunton His display rooms are always attractive, and the prompt and courteous service given attracts new patrons and holds the old ones. An interesting department of the business is the manufacturing branch, which requires much skill and care, and in which Mr. Conant has specialized. He makes violins and also repairs them. Mr. Conant has hosts of friends in Taunton, both among those of his own age and also among the older people, who knew his father and his grandfather before him. His religious connection is with the Methodist. Episcopal church of Taunton.
In November, 1890, Henry Leonard Conant mar- ried Mary L. Bowles, of Wareham, Massachusetts, daughter of Israel and Mary (Briggs) Bowles. Mr. and Mrs. Conant are the parents of four children: 1. Ida L., who was born in 1891. 2. Marjorie B., born in 1892. 3. Mildred G., who was born in 1894. 4. Earl L., who died in 1917.
WILLIAM FRANCIS HARTICON-While Will- iam F. Harticon, dealer in imported mill supplies is a native son of Fall River, Massachusetts, his parents, William Francis and Mary A. (Burke) Harticon, were born in Saratoga county, New York State. William Francis Harticon, Sr., a carpenter, died at Fall River in 1890, his widow yet surviving him (1923). The business of which William F. Harticon is now the head he founded in 1916 and removed to its present site, No. 28 Borden street, Fall River, in 1918. Mr. Harticon is an energetic young business man and has won success in his field of activity, a highly competitive one, it may be said.
William F. Harticon was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, August 3, 1889, and obtained a good commercial education in the city public schools. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Byron W. Anthony Company, continuing with that corporation for ten years as clerk, bookkeeper and outside salesman. In 1916 he resigned his position to engage in the mill supply business, his first loca- tion on Second street. He moved two years later to his present location and has built up a prosperous business. He specializes in textile machinery and imported mill supplies, maintaining an office at No. 29 Lancaster avenue, Manchester, England. He has a local representative at Greenville, South Caro- lina, and is interested in the Mt. Hope Electric Company, organized in 1920, that corporation deal- ing in electric supplies. A specialty with Mr. Harticon is the imported "Minimax" cone belts, made in England.
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In politics, Mr. Harticon maintains a strictly in- dependent attitude toward the parties, and in his religious faith he is a Roman Catholic. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Fall River, United States Chamber of Commerce, Fall River Country Club, the Quequechan Club, and the Patrons of Husbandry.
Mr. Harticon married, at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, May 7, 1918, Maude L. Gallagher, born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, daughter of Frank R. and Addie (Wrightmire) Gallagher, her parents both born in New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Harticon are the parents of a daughter, Janet Frances, born February 27, 1920, and of a son, William Francis (3), born April 29, 1922. The family home is at Central Village, Massachusetts, near Westport.
JOSEPH HENRY HINDLE-As superintendent of the print works division of the American Print- ing Company, Joseph Henry Hindle is identified with the largest cotton weaving and calico printing concern in Fall River. An Englishman by birth, and son of a cotton manufacturer, he attended school in Scotland, has had extended experience in South America and in Canada; and in this country is well known as an expert in the chemical depart- ment of the cotton manufacturing industry.
Mr. Hindle was born in Darwen, Lancashire, England, April 19, 1866, son of Haworth and Eliza- beth (Watson) Hindle, the former of whom was born in Church, England, and was proprietor of a large print works in Scotland, and the latter of whom was a native of Darwen, England. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools of Busby, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and after completing a high school course in Glasgow, Scotland, became
a student in Anderson's College of Chemistry in Glasgow. After completing a four-year course in the College of Chemistry he was connected with the Busby Print Works for a time as head chemist, and then went to Brazil, South America, where for three years he served as superintendent of the print works at Port Aleegre. When he severed that connection he accepted a position as superintendent of the Dominion Cotton Company, now the Do- minion Textile Company, at Magog, Province of Quebec, Canada, where he remained for a period of fifteen years. In 1912 he came to this country and was made superintendent of the American Printing Company of Fall River. The concern is the largest of its kind in New England, employing more than 3,500 employes, and it is Mr. Hindle's duty to inspect all dyes, chemicals, etc., used in the great manufactory. His thorough technical training, together with his unusually wide and varied ex- perience, have qualified him for expert service, and he is discharging the duties of his position with notable efficiency.
Mr. Hindle is a member of the Chemical Society of America; the Dyers' Association of England; the National Cotton Manufacturers' Association, which he serves as a member of the committee on
dye stuffs in the cotton section; and of the New England Textile Club. He is also identified with the Association of Textiles and Colors of America; and with the Textile Chemists of America. Politically he gives his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the Quequechan Club and the Fall River Country Club; and his religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church.
On September 15, 1896, at Glasgow, Scotland, Joseph Henry Hindle married Agnes Brown Mc- Cartney, daughter of William and Margaret (Mc- Cartney) McCartney. Mr. and Mrs. Hindle have no children.
WALLACE W. GIBSON-Taking a broadly practical part in the business life of Bristol county, Massachusetts, Wallace W. Gibson is achieving marked success in linotype composition for the trade, and in this field he is doing a very extensive and constantly growing business. Trained in a local printing office, and with wide experience in other sections, Mr. Gibson is highly skilled in his busi- ness, and is doing work of the finest class. He is a native of the State of Massachusetts, and a member of an old family noted in every generation from the pioneer of Colonial times until the present day for men of courage, energy and signal useful- ness. His father, George Gibson, died in his child- hood, but his mother, Jessie L. (Hawkins) Gibson, is still living.
Wallace W. Gibson was born in Grafton, Massa- chusetts, August 8, 1881. His education was re- ceived in the public schools of Ware, Massachusetts, and the Fall River High School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1897. Dependent upon his own exertions for a livelihood, the young man then secured a position with the Taunton "Gazette," where he spent four years, and in the course of that period learned the printer's trade. To gain breadth of experience he then went to New York City, and then for a time was employed in the magazine "Good Housekeeping." In the year 1912 Mr. Gibson returned to Taunton and opened a printing office at No. 40 Tremont street, in this city. For a few years he did all kinds of printing, but the great demand for linotype work, such as catalogs, books, pamphlets, etc., determined him upon making a specialty of this line, and thus for a number of years he has done practically nothing but linotype work for the trade. Making an un- deviating rule of fine quality and the best of service, Mr. Gibson has developed a very prosperous and steadily growing business, and is one of the leaders in his field in this part of the State. A Republican by political affiliation, he takes only the interest of the progressive citizen in public affairs, and his time is so fully commanded by his business that he has few outside interests.
Mr. Gibson married, on September 22, 1901, in Taunton, Alice Tinkham, daughter of Walter I. and Ella (Nickerson) Tinkham. They have two chil- dren: Edith, born in 1903; and Albert, born in 1910.
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HOWARD ALBERT GARDNER-In the line of manufacturing, for which North Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, has become widely and justly famous, Howard Albert Gardner holds a prominent posi- tion as treasurer of the Bugbee & Niles Company, jewelry manufacturers, of North Attleboro. Mr. Gardner has followed this general line of activity throughout his career, and has won prominence in his chosen field of endeavor. He is a son of George A. Gardner of Plainville, Massachusetts, the Gardner family being one of the oldest in that community and always prominent in progressive effort along various lines, the father having been a manufacturer of jewelry and is now retired. The mother, Cora L. (Cobb) Gardner, is also a native of this State.
Howard Albert Gardner was born at North At- tleboro, Massachusetts, June 5, 1885. His educa- tion was received in the public and high schools of this community, and his first business experience was in the employ of Codding Brothers & Heil- born, manufacturing jewelers of North Attleboro, in which connection he remained for one year. He then identified himself with the H. D. Merritt Com- pany, where he had full charge of the pressers, and remained in this connection for about four years. Mr. Gardner then established himself in business in a similar line of endeavor, locating in Plainville, Massachusetts, and for about six years he was in- creasingly successful, developing a really prosperous and thriving interest. The entire plant was then destroyed by fire and he removed to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1911, making a fresh start in the same general line. There he was active under the firm name of the Kohinoor Novelty Company, and he continued at the head of that concern until 1920. He then sold the interest to become affiliated with the present concern in North Attleboro, in the office of treasurer. The Bugbee & Niles Company was established in 1859 and from its inception has manufactured gold jewelry, producing general lines in great variety.
Their growth and development have been steady and continuous, and now they occupy an entire floor in a large building on Chest- nut street, employing about eighty hands. It is one of the oldest concerns in this part of the State and they also hold front rank in production. Mrs. Irma Chisholm is president of the company. Mr. Gardner is the active manager of the concern and he is a member of the New England Jewelers' and Silversmiths' Association. His further business affili- ations include a directorship in the Plainville Loan Association. He is a supporter of the Republican party in political matters, but has thus far never accepted the honors and responsibilities of public office. His religious connection is with the First Church of Christ (Scientist), of Attleboro.
Mr. Gardner married, in 1911, Marjorie Bishop of North Attleboro, daughter of Arthur S. and Harriett Bishop, Mr. Bishop, also a manufacturer of jewelry. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are the parents of three children: Jane Elizabeth, born March, 1912; Norman, born April, 1917; and Mary, born Novem- ber, 1919.
HAROLD D. BAKER-In the refining of gold and silver, Harold D. Baker is a leading executive of a prominent concern of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and through his long experience in and close famil- iarity with the business he has won an extensive reputation as an authority on the refining of these precious metals. Mr. Baker is a native of the State of Rhode Island, and a son of Edwin G. Baker, who died in 1919, and Margaret C. (Dean) Baker, who died in 1921. The elder Mr. Baker, who was born at Rehoboth, Massachusetts, was a dealer in hides and tallow, and a prominent citizen of Provi- dence, Rhode Island, for many years. The mother was born at Lowell, Massachusetts.
Harold D. Baker was born at Providence, Rhode Island, June 22, 1872. His education was begun in the public schools of his birthplace, and he was graduated from the Providence High School in the class of 1890. Upon the completion of his studies Mr. Baker entered the employ of an elder brother, George M. Baker, who was active in the refining of gold and silver, and became superintendent of the plant. In 1899, forming a partnership with his brother, they established another business in the same line under the firm name of the Attleboro Refining Company, and for eighteen years the brothers were associated, then in 1918 George W. withdrew from the firm. Harold D. Baker has since been sole owner of the interest, and under his judicious, yet fearless management, the business has increased very extensively, until now this is not only the oldest concern in its line in Attleboro but the largest. During his long experience in this special field of endeavor Mr. Baker has applied many original ideas to the work of refining the precious metals, and the various devices or methods which he has originated are now not only in constant use in his own plant, but have been widely adopted and are considered vitally pro- gressive. Mr. Baker is a member of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce, but has few interests which do not more or less closely concern his business affairs. He is a Republican by political faith, but has never been an office seeker. He was at one time a member of Company I, National Guard, of the State of Massachusetts, in which he served for a period of two years. Always affiliated with re- ligious advance, he had been a member of the standing committee of the Second Congregational Church for a number of years.
Harold D. Baker married, on April 9, 1901, Nancy C. Packer of Providence, Rhode Island, daughter of James C. and Jennie (McLaughlin) Packer, the father born in Providence and the mother in Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of two sons: Harold D., Jr., born May 3, 1902, a graduate of Dartmouth College, class of 1923; and Royal P., born October 8, 1904, now a student at the same institution. These sons are counted among the promising young men of Bristol county.
GEORGE H. LANE-One of the most note- worthy business enterprises in Taunton, Massa-
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chusetts, is the boiler and machine works conducted by George H. Lane, located at No. 62 Weir street. Mr. Lane, as the sole owner of this business which he himself established some thirteen years ago, has won success in a broadly practical field of en- deavor despite handicaps which would have dis- couraged most men and he commands the highest esteem and confidence of the people of Taunton. Mr. Lane is a son of Mathew T. Lane, deceased, who was a boiler-maker of Taunton, and Ellen W. (O'Brien) Lane, who survives her husband.
George H. Lane was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, October 30, 1873. His education was lim- ited to the advantages of the public schools, but gifted with the practical ability and a facility for acquiring information from every source, Mr. Lane has gone forward to marked success. His first ex- perience was in the same general field in which he is now engaged, and after mastering the trade of boiler-maker and machinist, he followed that trade until 1910, when he established his present business. In this center of industrial activity he has developed a large and prosperous business, making or repair- ing boilers for every purpose, and all kinds of machinery. Highly skilled in his trade, Mr. Lane is the sole owner of the present enterprise and is constantly going forward to larger success. He is a Republican by political affiliation and is a . worker in the party, although never a leader in public affairs. Fraternally he is identified with Taunton Lodge, No. 82, Knights of Columbus; and he attends St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Lane married, at Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1911, Joanna V. Fahey, daughter of John and Katherine (Scanlon) Fahey. Her father was puddler at the East Taunton Rolling Mill, and died about 1883. The mother died in 1921. Mr. and Mrs.' Lane are the parents of six children: Priscilla, who was born in 1912; Patricia, born in 1914; George, born in 1916; John, born in 1917; Eleanor, born in 1918; and Mathew, born in 1922.
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WILLIAM H. McKENNEY-The rapid increase of the number of those who own and operate au- tomobiles is dotting the country and crowding the cities with service stations, repair shops, and stor- age garages, and still the demand is not fully met. Among those who are successfully managing an enterprise which performs all of the above named services and also sells cars is William H. McKen- ney, owner and proprietor of the McKenney Gar- age. If you wish to have your car well taken care of, kept clean and in good repair, whether it be a Ford roadster or a Rolls-Royce touring car, Mr. McKenney will furnish just the service you need, unless you come too late and find the entire space of his garage occupied and all his men working at top speed. That is its normal condition these days, and if you wish service you had better speak early.
Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, September 16, 1889, Mr. McKenney is a son of Anthony D. Mc- Kenney, a successful carpenter of Nova Scotia, and
of Agnes N. (Nickerson) McKenney. His parents removed to Kennebunkport, Maine, when he was nine years of age, and he received his early and preparatory education in the public schools of that city, graduating from the high school in 1904. He then became a student in the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, where he won honors as pitcher on the college team. Upon the completion of his educa- tion, he entered the employ of the Presbrey Field Company, as electrician, and later became a mem- ber of the firm of the Mowrey Electric Company. In 1913 he opened a garage and repair shop in Taunton, taking an agency for the Saxon car, but due to unsettled conditions of the country at that time he was forced to give up his business. In 1917, after being drafted and exempted at Fort Greble, he went to Squantum, Massachusetts, where he entered the employ of the Fore River Ship Build- ing Company, engaged in war work under govern- ment supervision. During this time he spent two years in the evening school of Lowell Institute, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, studying electrical engineering work. Later he entered the employ of the G. S. Whitman, automotive engineer, of Boston, and built a new garage on Jefferson avenue, in Taunton, and when the garage was completed he gave up his position in Boston and came to Taunton, where he engaged in automobile repair work, specializing in the electrical part. Later he took an agency for the Oakland car in this ter- ritory, and he is still successfully engaged in selling that car. In 1922 he made an addition to his estab- lishment, which doubled its capacity, and the busi- ness is still rapidly growing. He carries a full line of accessories and supplies, and does all kinds of repairing. The garage is provided with the best modern equipment, and is up-to-date in every par- ticular. Excellent workmanship and prompt and courteous service are steadily bringing new patrons to the McKenney Garage, which is located at Jef- ferson avenue. In addition to his business activities, Mr. Mckinney has found time to take an active interest in Young Men's Christian Association work, especially in the war work. When he first came to Taunton he lived at the Young Men's Christian Association Dormitory and became popular in the athletic activities of the association, often assisting the physical director. For more than two years he served as assistant superintendent of the Boys' Club. He is a member of the Taunton Chamber of Commerce, and of the Taunton Auto Club, and is always ready to contribute his share to any project which he believes to be well planned for the advancement of the public interest.
On October 16, 1912, William H. McKenney married Alma Rankin, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of Daniel and Martha J. (Purchase) Rankin. Mr. and Mrs. McKenney have no chil- dren.
JAMES T. CLAFFY-The real estate and insur- ance business of which James T. Claffy is the head comprises one of the broadly significant and im-
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portant enterprises of its kind in the city of Taun- ton, Massachusetts. With long experience in the business world and the assured position of the successful man-of-affairs, Mr. Claffy is taking a constructive and progressive part in present day activities, and his name is one to which the people refer with confidence and pride.
James T. Claffy was born in the city of Taun- ton, Massachusetts, June 28, 1858, and is a son of James and Mary (Kilroy) Claffy, both natives of Ireland. Both died in Mr. Claffy's early child- hood, the mother in 1860 and the father in 1862. In the public and high schools of his native city of Taunton, Mr. Claffy received a practical educa- tion, and his first business experience was in the employ of the Whittenton Manufacturing Company, in the capacity of invoice clerk. He remained with this concern for a period of twelve years, rising to the position of bookkeeper, then to the respon- sibilities of paymaster. He next became identified with the Cohannet Mills, in which connection he was active for twelve years as paymaster, then, in 1900, he entered his present general field. For about fifteen years Mr. Claffy was associated with E. T. Jackson & Company, at that time a leading firm of real estate and insurance brokers, then, in 1915, he entered the organization of C. H. Earl & Com- pany. This concern was founded in 1902 by C. H. Earl, who received as a partner John H. Eldridge. After five years Mr. Eldridge withdrew from the firm and Mr. Earl went forward independently until his death, which occurred January 1, 1917. Mrs. Earl conducted the business for one year, but on January 1, 1918, she received Edward I. Fannon into partnership, and this arrangement continued until June 1, 1920. On that date James T. Claffy purchased the interest and was sole owner until .July 1, 1922, when he received as a partner Harry H. Townsend. The firm name of C. H. Earl & Company has remained unchanged, and with offices in the Union Block building, at No. 5 Main street, they are doing a very extensive and constantly growing business in real estate and general in- surance. In the public life of the municipality Mr. Claffy has long taken a deep interest, but has never accepted public responsibility of any kind until his election to the City Council from his ward (the eighth) and in this body he has served for only one year. Fraternally he is a charter member and financial secretary of the Massachusetts Cath- olic Order of Foresters in Taunton, and he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Im- maculate Conception.
Mr. Claffy married, in 1885, Margaret T. Browne, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, daughter of John and Mary Browne, old residents of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Claffy have two children: John M., a graduate of the University of Vermont, degree of Doctor of Medicine, who served as lieutenant of the Thirty-second Engineers during the World War; and Marguerite M., a graduate of the Perry Kinder- garten Normal School of Boston, and now a teacher at the Fuller School, of Taunton.
HIRAM B. BUFFINTON-The name of Buffin- ton has for two generations been identified with the profession of undertaking and funeral directing, and for upwards of half a century in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts it has held an honored place in this field of endeavor. The father in Rhode Island and the son in Massachusetts have both won large prominence in this exacting profession, and the son is still active as the head of his own interest in Taunton. Philip Buffinton, who was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, established undertaking parlors in Warren, Rhode Island, in the year 1875, and con- tinued there for many years. He is still (1923) liv- ing at the great age of ninety-five years, and al- though he has been practically retired for a consid- erable time, he is one of the oldest living men in this profession. The mother, Lydia A. (Gardner) Buffinton, was born at Somerset, Massachusetts, and is still living at the age of eighty-seven.
Hiram B. Buffinton was born at Swansea, Massa- chusetts, December 24, 1857. His education was begun in the local public schools and he later attended the Friends' School at Providence, Rhode Island, after which he took a practical commercial course at the Bryant & Stratton Business School at Providence. His first experience was in associa- tion with his father in Warren, Rhode Island, where Philip Buffinton was then one of the leading under- takers of the time, and Hiram B. Buffinton re- mained with his father from 1875 to 1888. He then went to Fall River, where he bought out the under- taking business of E. S. Raymond and conducted the interest under his own name until 1891, after which he sold out and went to Brockton, Massa- chusetts, where he acted as head embalmer for Howard Clark & Company for about one year. Next going to Providence, Rhode Island, and en- tering the furniture business with a partner, he went forward under' the name of Eames & Buffin- ton for a short time. In 1895 Mr. Buffinton settled permanently in Taunton, opening a funeral directing and undertaking business at Nos. 11 and 13 Broad- way. For a full quarter of a century he continued under his own name; then, in 1920, he received as a partner William L. Ripley, and the interest was incorporated under the name of Buffinton & Ripley. With headquarters at No. 32 Barnum street, they have a thoroughly modern and up-to-date equip- ment, and are commanding the patronage of the leading families of Taunton and vicinity. Mr. Buf- finton is probably the oldest undertaker in point of active consecutive service in Taunton, and he is counted among the broadly representative citizens of the day. Supporting the Republican party in political affairs, he gives his influence to all worthy advance, but has never accepted public office. Fra- ternally he is a member of King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Bristol Commandery, Knights Tem- plar, and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is further a mem- ber of Sabbatia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Malta; Taunton Lodge, Knights
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