USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 67
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of Pythias; and the Order of the Eastern Star. His religious affiliation is with Grace Methodist Episco- pal Church.
Mr. Buffinton married, in 1878, at Warren, Rhode Island, Cora H. Surgens, of Warren, Rhode Island, daughter of William H. Surgens of Warren, Rhode Island, who died in 1865. He was a carpenter by trade .and was a veteran of the Civil War, having organized and drilled a company of Rhode Island men. He was discharged with the rank of first lieutenant. The mother, Isabella M. (Peck) Sur- gens, of Bristol, Rhode Island, was a member of an old family of that town, and died in 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Buffinton are the parents of one child: Mary Howard, a graduate of the high school and of East Greenwich Academy, now the wife of William L. Ripley, Jr.
MANUEL A. DUPONT-A successful operator in automobile activities in Bristol county, Massa- chusetts, Manuel A. Dupont is widely known as a prominent garage man of East Taunton, Massa- chusetts, also being active as a sales agent for this territory of the Chevrolet car. Mr. Dupont's prac- tical business ability has placed him in a position of independence, and has given to the public a thor- oughly efficient automobile service and sales sta- tion. Mr. Dupont is a son of Manuel M. Dupont, who throughout his lifetime was active as a farmer in the suburbs of Taunton, Massachusetts, and his death, which occurred in 1917, removed from the community a useful and estimable citizen. The mother, Johanna (Sylveria) Dupont, was also born in Taunton, Massachusetts, and her death occurred in the same year as that of her husband.
Manuel A. Dupont was born in East Taunton, Massachusetts, March 16, 1889. His education was received in the local public schools and Taunton High School. After leaving high school Mr. Dupont took a special course of three years in the Bristol County School of Business, this covering very com- prehensively the many phases of commercial prac- tice in constant use today, also telegraphy. His first experience was as telegraph operator in the Taunton railroad depot, but he later entered the employ of the Colby Company, where for ten years he was active as a salesman in their department store in Taunton, Massachusetts. Upon resigning from this position he became identified with the General Elec- tric Company, and remained with that concern for two years. Mr. Dupont then established himself in business with a partner under the title of the D. & M. Garage of East Taunton, Massachusetts. This enterprise was successful from the first, and has developed to be a largely prosperous and widely significant interest. L. J. Munise, Mr. Dupont's as- sociate, is also a practical mechanic and business man, and they have developed one of the important garages in this section, located at the corner of Middleboro and Old Colony avenues, East Taun- ton, Massachusetts. They have a complete and modern garage equipment, and with efficient assist- ants they furnish the motoring public of this vicinity
with thoroughly satisfactory service. As representa- tives of the Chevrolet car in this district, these progressive men hold a position of dignity and in- fluence in automobile circles, and their sales are constantly mounting higher. Mr. Dupont is a Demo- crat by political affiliation, but has never been in- terested in public affairs beyond his duty as a pro- gressive citizen. He has few interests outside of his business, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family.
Mr. Dupont married, in Taunton, Massachusetts, March 31, 1913, Armand Blain, of Taunton, Massa- chusetts, and they have two children: Irene J., born in 1919; and James G., born in 1920.
JAMES M. WESTGATE of Taunton, Massa- chusetts, stands behind the foundry industries of the United States in a special line of manufacture, the plant of which he is a leading exective producing graphite crucibles and retorts. In the manufacture of these special pieces of foundry equipment the Bay State Crucible Company is counted one of the most important on this continent and their product is accepted as standard throughout the trade. Mr. Westgate is a member of an old Massachusetts family and a son of James Edward and Eliza Jane (Terry) Westgate, both natives of Berkely, Massa- chusetts. His father was active as a brick manufac- turer, and is now associated with his son, James M. His mother died in 1884.
James M. Westgate was born at Berkely, Massa- chusetts, May 1, 1874. Receiving a practical educa- tion in the public schools, he learned the trade of machinist in the factory of N. R. Davis & Son, where he was active for five years. For about ten years thereafter he was engaged in the field of steam engineering at various points, then in 1907, in association with E. D. Paige, established the Paige Retort and Crucible Company, which, for about five years, enjoyed a remarkable growth, and in the course of that time became one of the fore- most concerns of its kind in this section. The death of Mr. Paige in 1912 made necessary reorgan- ization, and the business has since continued under the name of the Bay State Crucible Com- pany. Mr. Westgate was with the organization from its inception. F. D. Williams is president of the concern, and Mr. Westgate acts as treasurer and general manager, and this completes the personnel of the corporation, these progressive and forward looking men having carried this enterprise to a very high mark of achievement. The plant is lo- cated on Presbry court and consists of about 57,000 square feet of floor space. This is fitted out with the most modern and approved equipment, and they make graphite crucibles and retorts from the very smallest to those having a capacity of 1,500 pounds of metal. They employ twenty skilled hands and their product goes to all parts of the United States. Mr. Westgate's activities have been largely respon- sible for the steady development and present import- ance of this enterprise, and he is counted among the really significant men of the day in the city of
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Taunton. He is affiliated with the world of finance of Bristol county as a director of the Old Colony Cooperative Bank. His fraternal affiliations are with Alfred Baylies Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Knights of Malta. He is a member of the Methodist church.
Mr. Westgate married, in 1897, Lucy K. Benton, of Bristol county, Massachusetts, daughter of Will- iam and Lizzie (Pierce) Benton. Mr. and Mrs. Westgate are the parents of two children: Faustina M., and Lucy May, the latter deceased.
LOUIS M. THEROUX-An interesting and largely prosperous industrial plant of Taunton, Massachusetts, is the one conducted by Louis M. Theroux at No. 16 Howard street, this enterprise being a leading one in Bristol county in the manu- facture and distribution of ice cream. Established fourteen years ago in Taunton, this business has developed rapidly until it holds a leading position in this section. Mr. Theroux is a son of Oliver and Josephine (Nadeau) Theroux, both natives of the Province of Quebec, Canada. The father, who was a laborer by occupation, died in 1922, the mother having passed away in 1915.
Louis M. Theroux was born in Canada, November 29, 1880. Receiving a practical educational training in the public schools, he entered the business world in connection with the summer resorts in the vi- cinity of Fall River, Massachusetts. This line of endeavor he found congenial, and possessing marked business ability he was very successful. It was not long before he was placed in charge of the many concessions of these resorts, and he continued along this line for a period of nine years. Thereafter for about six years he was employed by the Middleboro Electric Railroad, after which he came to East Taunton and established himself in the bakery busi- ness. There he carried on a prosperous wholesale and retail interest for three years, and in the course of that time gained a thorough insight into the opportunities in this and allied fields. Mr. Theroux was led thereby to establish the present enterprise in Taunton, and his great success has proved his wisdom in entering this field of endeavor. His sole product is ice cream, and, occupying the entire building at No. 16 Howard street, he supplies the most exclusive trade within a radius of fifteen miles, this business ranking as one of the largest and most important in this part of the city. From a very small beginning Mr. Theroux has carried this enter- prise to a point where it commands the admiration and respect of all, building up his business wholly by his own energy and practical ability. To achieve the results now so clearly apparent, he has worked early and late, devoting himself unstintedly to the development of his business. His plant is up-to- date in every particular, fitted out with the most modern and approved equipment, with every atten- tion given to absolutely perfect sanitary conditions. The product of the Theroux plant is not only a delicious delicacy but a very healthful food. Mr.
. Theroux supports the Republican party in political affairs, but has always been too busy to accept pub- lic responsibility of any kind. Fraternally he is well known, being a member of Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Knights of Columbus; Nemasket Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, in which he holds various of- fices; Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Catholic Total Abstinence Association. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
RALPH M. TUCKER-A leading figure in the automobile business of Bristol county, Massachu- setts, is Ralph M. Tucker, who for the past five years has represented the Studebaker cars in this section, and as a progressive and forward-looking executive he is commanding the esteem and confi- dence not only of his contemporaries in automobile activities, but among the people generally. Mr. Tucker has been identified with motor car interests since the completion of his education, and is thor- oughly familiar with cars from the mechanical as well as the mercantile standpoint. A native of the State of Massachusetts, he is a son of Frederick A. and Alice (Chase) Tucker, his father for many years a leading furniture dealer of Lynn, Massachu- setts, later of Taunton.
Ralph M. Tucker was born in Lynn, Massachu- setts, July 19, 1887. His education was begun in the public schools of his birthplace, and after attend- ing the Taunton schools for one year, he spent two years at Dean Academy. His first business ex- perience was with the Robinson Motor Car Com- pany, of Taunton, where he was active for a period of four years. He then accepted a position in the employ of the Perry Automobile Company, Inc., of Taunton, and in this affiliation he continued until 1914. Thereafter for four years he was with the firm of Brownell & Burt, then formed his present connection. With headquarters at No. 35 Weir street, Mr. Tucker has since 1918 distributed Stude- baker cars over an unrestricted territory, and his success forms an interesting chapter in the annals of motor car advance in Bristol county. His rise has been a matter of close attention to business added to natural ability, which counts for success in any field, and the force and initiative which have carried him to his present position have contributed much to the general welfare. A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Tucker has been too busy to accept public duties, but gives his aid and sup- port to all worthy advance. Fraternally he is identi- fied with Alfred Baylies Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Sabbatia Lodge, No. 225, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows; and Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Winthrop and Bristol clubs, and at- tends the Unitarian church.
Mr. Tucker married, in Taunton, Massachusetts, in 1915, Mary Florence Robinson, daughter of James and Ellen Robinson, and they have three children: Robinson N., born in 1916; Emily, born in 1920;
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and Frank A., born in 1922. Mr. Tucker and his family reside at No. 73 Summer street, Taunton.
GEORGE PARLEY GILMORE-From a drafts- man in 1890, George P. Gilmore has risen to his present responsible position, plant engineer of the American Printing Company of Fall River, the largest of all Fall River's cotton manufacturing plants, one entire floor of one building being de- voted to the drafting department under his direc- tion. He is a son of John R. Gilmore, a veteran of the Civil War, whose service was performed with the Forty-sixth Regiment, Massachusetts Vol- unteer Infantry. He married Nellie Hitchcock, and at the time of the birth of their son, George, the family home was in Springfield, Massachusetts.
George P. Gilmore was born in Springfield, Massa- chusetts, May 1, 1872, but soon afterward, Holyoke became the family residence, and there he was edu- cated in the public schools. He prepared himself for a professional career in the textile manufactur- ing and became a draftsman and engineer, begin- ning in 1890, a young man of eighteen years, with Samuel M. Green & Company. He became thor- oughly conversant with mill engineering and in 1900, after ten years with Samuel M. Green & Com- pany, he became mechanical engineer with the American Thread Company, remaining with that corporation until 1909. From that year until 1912 he was located at Fall River as a consulting engi- neer, coming in 1912 to his present position, plant engineer with the American Printing Company. He stands high among his contemporaries of the textile field and is one of the capable, efficient men of the business.
Mr. Gilmore is a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with all bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; is a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; member of the Mystic Order, Knights of the Enchanted Realm; the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Ameri- can Society of Mechanical Engineers; the Rotary Club; the Burns Club; the Quequechan Club, and the Baptist church.
In North Stonington, Connecticut, August 6, 1903, Mr. Gilmore married Effiejen Palmer, daughter of Thomas P. and Martha (Larkin) Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore are the parents of a daughter: Effie Eleanor Gilmore, born March 11, 1916. The family home is at No. 46 Dudley street, Fall River, Massachusetts.
CLARENCE E. GREENE-In the graphic arts Clarence E. Greene holds a leading position in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, and specializing in the work required by the jewelry trade, the scope of his activities extends throughout the East and Middle West. Mr. Greene is a son of Arthur Greene of Auburn, Rhode Island. The mother, Har- riet L. (Greene) Greene, is also a native of Rhode Island, and a member of the old family of that
name descended from Nathanael Greene of Revo- lutionary fame, and in every generation prominent in that State.
Clarence E. Greene, second son of these parents, was born at Auburn, Rhode Island, August 4, 1889. His education was begun in the North Attleboro public schools, and he was graduated from the high school of this town in the class of 1908. Only two years thereafter Mr. Greene, in association with his brother, Jesse E., and his father, founded the present printing business under the title of the Commercial Press. Their first location was in the Boyle Block, now called the Burt building. They remained there, however, for only a short time, after which they removed to their present location at No. 100 North Washington street. Having gained practical preparation in this line of endeavor, Clar- ence E. Greene and his brother, Jesse E. Greene, heads of the enterprise, have carried it forward to large success, and they now occupy two floors, employing about twelve people. Doing a general line of job and commercial printing, they specialize in the former line and catalog work. Their begin- ning was very small, having only one press for a time and that operated by foot power, but their growth and development have been very rapid and they now are considered leaders in the line of their specialty, the scope of their operations covering the entire territory east of Chicago. . Their present plant is fully equipped with modern labor-saving de- vices and the most approved machinery. Mr. Greene is a member of the North Attleboro Board of Trade and the Boston Typothetae, and in political affilia- tion is a supporter of the Republican party, although never thus far an office holder. Fraternally he is a member of Bristol Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Aurora Lodge, No. 107, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past warden; and Tribe No. 110, Improved Order of Red Men. His religious af- filiation is with the Congregational church.
Mr. Greene married, November 26, 1920, Ruth A. Robinson, of Oldtown, Massachusetts, daughter of Daniel Robinson of North Attleboro, a manufactur- ing jeweler, and a descendant of Obed Robinson, one of the pioneer jewelers of this secton. The mother, Clara (Ellis) Robinson, was a native of North Attleboro.
Jesse E. Greene, younger son of Arthur and Harriet L. (Greene) Greene, was born at Auburn, Rhode Island, December 8, 1891. His education was received in the public and high schools of North Attleboro, and immediately following his high school education he became associated with his brother in the present enterprise under the title of the Commercial Press. He has been a definite fac- tor in the development and progress of the business, and is now numbered among the leading young men in the printing business in Bristol county. Po- litically he supports the Republican party, and he is active as a member of the local Board of Trade. Fraternally he is affiliated with North Attleboro Lodge, No. 1011, Benevolent and Protective Order
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of Elks, and Providence Council, United Commer- cial Travelers Association. He is unmarried.
HAROLD BENJAMIN JOHNSTON-In one of the most important industrial organizations of Bris- tol county, Massachusetts, Mr. Johnston holds the responsible position of paymaster, this concern be- ing the Whittenton Manufacturing Company, where about 1,500 employees are engaged in the manufac- ture of cotton goods, blankets, etc. Mr. Johnston is a member of a very old family of Bristol county, and his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Johnston, was one of the first to establish a business at Whittenton, a suburb of Taunton, which has been built up around the great mills of the Whittenton Manu- facturing Company. Mrs. Johnston conducted a general store for the sale of all kinds of mer- chandise and was the active and sole head of the business for many years. W. A. Johnston, Mr. Johnston's father, was born in Taunton and spent his active lifetime in railroad interests, his death occurring in 1916, at a comparatively early age. The mother, Caroline P. (Newson) Johnston, was born at Kingston, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and is still living.
Harold Benjamin Johnston was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, August 12, 1894. His educa- tion was begun in the public schools of Taunton, where the family removed in his childhood, and he was graduated from Taunton High School in the class of 1913. Later attending Burdette Business College of Boston, Massachusetts, he was graduated from that institution in due course, then later took up a special course in accountancy at a Young Men's Christian Association School in New York City. On the completion of this course, Mr. Johns- ton returned to his native State and entered the employ of C. Reckard, 'of Whittenton, Massachu- setts, as clerk in a drug store, and continued in that connection during different periods of a space of twelve years. During that time, however, he acted as bookkeeper for the Bristol County National Bank for one year and at the end of that period he entered the employ of the Whittenton Manufactur- ing Company. . It was in April, 1916, that Mr. Johnston entered the employ of the Whittenton Manufacturing Company, accepting the position of paymaster, and in this connection it is well worthy of remark, that he is probably one of the youngest paymasters in a wide region for such an important corporation as this one. Mr. Johnston has been with this concern continuously since, with the ex- ception of his military service, and he has few in- terests outside of his work.
Always interested in military affairs, Mr. Johns- ton held the rank of first sergeant of the High School Cadets in Taunton High School. On July 8, 1918, he enlisted for service in the World War as sergeant of the 22nd Company, Coast Artillery Corps, and was assigned to duty, first, at Fort Slocum, then was later transferred to Fort Ham- ilton. The division to which he was assigned was known as the Coast Defense of Southern New
York, and he served in that connection until his discharge, which was received on December 25, 1918. In political affairs, Mr. Johnston supports the Republican party, but has never thus far sought nor desired public office. Fraternally he is identified with Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and he is a member of the American Legion. His re- ligious affiliation is with the Broadway Congrega- tional Church.
Mr. Johnston married, January 25, 1915, Elsa G. Miller, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of August Charles and Margaret (Peatlandt) Miller, her father a designer by trade.
ALBERT RAYMOND TAYLOR, who for the past six years has been identified with the New England Brass Company, of Taunton, Massachu- setts, is counted among the foremost executives of the younger group in Taunton, his activities as sales manager for this organization aligning his work closely with local progress, and also bringing him in touch with the trade throughout many States. Mr. Taylor is a native of Bristol county, Massa- chusetts, and is a son of Albert Taylor, who was born at Stackhead, Lancashire, England, and came to the United States as a young man. Settling in Fall River, Massachusetts, he became identified with the Webb Oil Company, with which concern he was active until his death, which occurred in 1920. He was a man of progressive spirit, and highly esteemed by all who knew him. The mother, Emma (Holmes) Taylor, who was born in Bolton, England, still survives the husband and father.
Albert Raymond Taylor was born in the city of Fall River, Massachusetts, July 23, 1894. His education was begun in the public schools of his birthplace, and he prepared for his career at Rogers & Allen's Commercial School of Fall River, of which he is a graduate. His first business experi- ence was in the employ of the Kerr Mill, at Fall River, where he remained for three years. Then coming to Taunton, Mr. Taylor entered the employ of the Whittenton Manufacturing Company, in which connection he was active for three years. There- after, for one year, he was with the American Print Works, then in January, 1917, he formed his present association with the New England Brass Company, as sales manager. This concern was founded in 1916, for the rolling of various metals and their preparation for and distribution among the silver and jewelry industries. The growth of the enterprise has been remarkable, and now they employ about eighty people and occupy about 17,000 square feet of floor space, this being the largest in- terest of its kind outside of the great brass centers of Connecticut. Mr. Taylor is one of the popular young men of the day in Bristol county, and is affiliated fraternally with Charles H. Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Taunton Council, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar, of Providence, Rhode Island; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic
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Shrine, of Boston. He is also a member of Star Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of Malta. He is a member of the Bristol Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Episcopal church. Mr. Taylor married, in May, 1920, Florence Han- ford, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Peck) Hanford, of Taunton, and they have one daughter, Alberta, born in September, 1921.
ALBERT A. HALL In the garage business in Taunton, Massachusetts, Albert A. Hall has dis- tinguished himself as a broadly capable executive, and the enterprise of which he has been the man- aging head for the past four years is giving the strongest evidence of his energy and ability. Mr. Hall has had other experience in the business world, and with breadth of interests and the resourceful- ness of the thoroughly wide-awake business man, he has taken a leading position in automobile service in this vicinity. Mr. Hall is a son of Anthony F. and Frances (Staples) Hall, and his father, who was a molder by trade, died in 1917, while the mother is still (1923) living.
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