USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 68
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Albert A. Hall was born in Taunton, Massachu- setts, August 8, 1880. His education was begun in the public schools of this city and he was gradu- ated from Bristol Academy in the class of 1897. After the completion of his education Mr. Hall entered the employ of the Weir Stove Company, where he continued for a period of fifteen years. Thereafter, in partnership with his present asso- ciates, Mr. Hall purchased the Central Garage of Taunton, an enterprise which had been active for a number of years, but had up to that time been a rather small interest. Mr. Hall, as the active man- ager of the new organization, took up the affairs of the business with the large energy and far-sight- ed judgment that have since characterized his ad- vance, with the result that this is now one of the most prominent garages in Bristol county, carrying a large amount of patronage. The business was incorporated in October, 1922, the officers being as follows: Fred L. Bostock, president; J. C. Hall, vice-president; and Albert A. Hall, treasurer. The growth of the business under the present administra- tion has been remarkable, and this is now one of the largest single floor garages in this section. They are exclusively active in the sale of the Star and Durant machines, and have a complete and up-to-date service equipment. As a successful and leading business inan of Taunton, Mr. Hall is prominently known throughout the city, and in political affairs he supports the Republican party, but has never desired nor accepted public office. Fraternally he is a member of Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Sabbatia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and his clubs are the Bris- tol and Taunton Auto.
Mr. Hall married, at Taunton, in 1900, Grace Davis, daughter of Royal C. and Annie (Cushing) Davis, both now living, her father a brick mason by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are the parents of two children: Everett, born in 1902; and Maxine, born in 1906.
FREEMONT W. LEONARD-The purveying of the luxuries and delicacies of life is an art as well as a business, and in the manufacture and distribu- tion of confectionery and ice cream Freemont W. Leonard, of Taunton, Massachusetts, is placing be- fore the people the means of enjoying delicacies amid attractive surroundings, and' at the same time of the highest quality. A thoroughgoing business man, Mr. Leonard appreciates the value of every phase of his activity, and Taunton is fortunate that the integrity on which his business is built is the watchword which governs every step, every opera- tion in the production of these food luxuries. Mr. Leonard is a son of Philo Freemont Leonard, the founder of the present enterprise, a man of large ability and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Taunton, who died in 1908.
Freemont W. Leonard was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, January 14, 1883. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he was gradu- ated from the Taunton High School in the class of 1902. His earliest business experience was in the employ of his father in the manufacture of con- fectionery, and in this field he has been active un- interruptedly since. Mastering the business in its every detail, Mr. Leonard took over the manage- ment of the enterprise upon his father's death, and has since stood at the head, carrying it forward to ever larger success. With an advantageous location at No. 35 Main street, unchanged since the found- ing of the business by Philo F. Leonard in 1885, this store caters to the most exclusive trade, and is considered one of the finest of its kind in South- eastern Massachusetts. Mr. Leonard makes his own products, both confectionery and ice cream, and is a leader in his field in a wide district. Al- ways in touch with the movement of the times, Mr. Leonard supports the Republican party in political issues, but has never permitted his name to be brought into public prominence in a political way. Fraternally he is identified with Sabbatia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Winthrop, Rotary, and Automobile clubs of Taunton. He has for years been a mem- ber of the Winslow Congregational Church.
Mr. Leonard married, in Taunton, in 1907, Olive Leavitt, daughter of Gilman and Sarah (Lee) Lea- vitt. Her father, who was a machinist by trade, and well known in this city, died in 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have three children: Merrill, born . in 1910; Gilman, born in 1912; and Gladys, born in 1915.
ARTHUR E. POOLE-In one of the special lines of industrial advance in which Taunton, Massachusetts, as a municipality, takes a special pride, Arthur E. Poole has won marked success and fills a noteworthy position as manager of the Poole Silver Company, Inc., producers of silver- plated hollow-ware. With natural business ability and a broadly comprehensive education in special preparation for his present activities, Mr. Poole came into the organization of which his father was formerly the head well equipped to make his mark
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in the world. Executive responsibility fell upon him long before the possibility was even anticipated, but he was able to meet the emergency and has risen to marked prominence in his field of indus- trial advance. Mr. Poole is a son of George Poole, who was born on Prince Edward Island, and for a number of years was a successful silver manu- facturer of Taunton. He was the founder of the present enterprise, and carried it forward as the leading executive until his death, which occurred in the year 1907. The mother, Minnie L. (Craswell) Poole, was also born on Prince Edward Island and still survives her husband. Since his death she has taken an active part in the progress of the business and is president of the company.
Arthur E. Poole was born at Taunton, Massa- chusetts, May 4, 1888. His education was begun in the local public schools and he is a graduate of the Taunton High School, class of 1906. He later took a special business course with the Alexander Hamilton Institute and a further course at the American Business School of Chicago, Illinois. From his boyhood he was interested in the progress of the present enterprise, and upon the completion of his education came into the concern as a leading member. This business was organized in the year 1892, under the name of Poole & Roach, and their plant was located at Whittenton, Massachusetts, a suburb of Taunton. The business was carried for- ward under the personal management of George Poole until the time of his death, and from a small beginning he developed a very considerable enter- prise. Cut down in the prime of life, George Poole left to his wife and son the growing interest of the firm which in 1895 had been incorporated as the Poole Silver Company, Inc. Following the death of the founder, Mrs. Minnie L. (Craswell) Poole became president of the concern and Arthur E. Poole, treasurer. The young man went forward as business manager, having full control of the affairs of the concern from the time of his father's death, and under his hands it has become a significant and largely prosperous interest. They manufacture silver-plated hollow-ware, and with about 12,000 square feet of floor space, and about one hundred hands in their employ, make a specialty of rare and choice designs. Their product is appreciated by the trade and they ship to all parts of the United States and Canada. In his position as treasurer and manager of this concern, Mr. Poole holds a leading place in the younger group of industrial executives in Taunton. During the World War he served as a member of the 301st Field Artillery, and after a period at Camp Devens he was sent to France and was eventually discharged with the rank of sergeant major. His fraternal affiliations are with Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Good Samaritan Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and Orient Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the Rotary Club and the Young Men's Christian Association, and he attends the Unitarian church.
Mr. Poole married, in July, 1922, Gertrude E.
Crane, of Avon, daughter of Harry and Minnie (Randall) Crane.
HOWARD F. WOODWARD-In these days when an auto service station and repair shop or one or more automobile sales rooms may be found on almost every block in the average city, it is interesting to find now and then a concern which is still making a success of the bicycle business. One of the business men of Taunton who has suc- cessfully met and weathered the onslaught of the automobile army is Howard F. Woodward, whose bicycle and bicycle accessory business is not only a prosperous concern but a steadily growing enter- prise.
Born at Norton, Massachusetts, December 8, 1883, Howard F. Woodward is the son of George F. Woodward, who was engaged in truck farming throughout his active career in Norton, 'Massachu- setts, and of Mary (Peck) Woodward, who died in 1919. After receiving a good, practical education in the grammar school of Norton, Mr. Woodward entered the high school of that town, but left before graduation in order to take a course in accounting in the Bristol County Business School. When his business training was completed, he found his first employment with the firm of Reed & Barton, sil- versmiths, with whom he remained for a period of five years. At the end of that time, his health having failed, it became necessary for him to seek out-of-door employment, and for a number of years he was engaged in various lines of automobile work. In February, 1919, he purchased the business of Everett E. Willey, a bicycle dealer of Taunton, and since that time he has been continuously and suc- cessfully developing that business. He sells the Iver-Johnson, the Columbia, and the Ranger bicycles, and also carries a full line of accessories and sup- plies, including the Fisk tires, for which he has the agency in his district. Each year since 1919 has seen a large increase in the number of patrons and in the amount of sales,. and Mr. Woodward has made for himself an enviable reputation as a man of honest business methods, as well as a skillful mechanician. Mr. Woodward is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of the Knights of Malta, of which he is a past commander; and of Norton Grange, of which he is also past master.
On October 12, 1912, at Norton, Howard F. Woodward married Edith Irene Barstow, daughter of William N. and Mattie (Grove) Barstow. At the time of their marriage, Miss Barstow was em- ployed in the real estate and insurance office con- ducted by her father in West Somerville, Massa- chusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward, who reside in Norton, have no children.
MILTON H. FARLEY-In the work of caring for the dead, Milton H. Farley of Taunton, Massa- chusetts, has for many years been thus engaged, and during the greater part of this time has been
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at the head of his own interest, his location being at No. 49 Winthrop street. Possessing the genuine spirit of sympathy, as well as the technical knowl- edge of this work, Mr. Farley has won his way to large success in his chosen field of endeavor. He is a son of James M. Farley, who during his life- time was foreman of the American Screw Com- pany of Providence, Rhode Island, but died in the prime of his manhood in the year 1883. The mother, Hattie A. (Leonard) Farley, still survives the hus- band and father.
Milton H. Farley was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, July 31, 1870. Receiving his early educa- tion in the local public schools, he later attended school at Providence, Rhode Island, and completed his studies at Bristol Academy in Taunton. Mr. Farley's first business experience was in the em- ploy of the Peck & White Company, with which concern he was active for six years. He then en- tered the employ of the Washburn Company, lead- ing undertakers of that time, and learned the busi- ness in this connection. Eventually remaining with the concern until the death of Mr. Washburn, Mr. Farley then bought the interest, and has since car- ried it forward successfully as the sole owner and manager. This is one of the long established en- terprises of its kind at Taunton, and has always commanded the patronage of the leading families of this section. Mr. Farley has adhered to the same lofty standards which originally placed this firm in the front rank, and his position is now an enviable one. He has one of the most modern and finely equipped plants in Bristol county, which comprise ex- tensive and handsome show-rooms, attractive funeral parlors, and a thoroughly modern motor equipment. Not only in his professional capacity, but as a man and a citizen, Mr. Farley is counted among the leading people of Taunton, and although a worker in the ranks of the Republican party, he has never ac- cepted public honors. He is a member of the Taunton Chamber of Commerce and fraternally is prominent, holding membership in Ionic 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; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Providence, Rhode Island; Sabbatia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Taun- ton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Knights of Pythias. His clubs are the Winthrop and the Taunton Auto. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church.
Mr. Farley married, at Taunton, Massachusetts, June 12, 1896, Bertha T. Washburn, daughter of Herbert T. and Odella (Bliss) Washburn; her father, an undertaker by profession, died in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Farley are the parents of one child, Leonard, born September 9, 1897.
JAMES P. CROWLEY-A native of the city of Taunton, Massachusetts, reared in its traditions and educated in its institutions, James P. Crowley has
spent his lifetime thus far in the interests of this community, and after a number of years of activity in business life, he now holds a position of large responsibility as chief of police of the city of Taun- ton. Gifted with large administrative ability and at the same time with the capacity to grasp every. phase of a given situation, Chief Crowley is con- sidered the right man in the right place and is serving his second term in this office. He is a son of James and Mary (Leahy) Crowley, both natives of County Cork, Ireland, but for many years resi- dents of Taunton, Massachusetts, the father a cop- per worker by occupation.
James P. Crowley was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, March 19, 1886. ' His education was begun in the local public schools and following his high school attendance he entered the world of men and affairs in the employ of a jewelry manufacturing concern in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Remaining for only one year, however, Mr. Crowley returned to his native city and for about eighteen years was active in the employ of H. G. Tripp, a leading butcher of Taunton, whose market is one of the best known in this city. Mr. Crowley has always been deeply interested in the civic progress, and for years has taken an unobtrusive but highly con- structive part in every forward movement entirely in an unofficial capacity. In 1920 he was appointed by Mayor Coughlin as chief of police of Taunton for a term of two years. He took up the duties of this office with characteristic energy and unques- tioned sincerity and has gone forward in such a manner as thoroughly to demonstrate his ability and efficiency in a trying position. His work during the first term of his appointment, which comprised two years, was such that in the year 1922 Mayor Coughlin re-appointed him for further service and he still stands at the head of the large and broadly efficient police department of this city. He is a member of the National Association of Police ·Chiefs; is widely known fraternally as a member of the Knights of Columbus, of which he was lec- turer for two years; the Foresters of America; Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Young Men's Catholic Total Abstinence League of Taunton, of which he was the last president. He is also a member of the Voodoo Club; and his religious affiliation is with the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.
JOHN W. ROOT-In one of the most important industrial concerns of Taunton, Massachusetts, John W. Root holds a prominent position as secretary of the organization, and his activities in this con- nection are counting definitely for the progress of the company. With long experience in the business world and the natural ability which applies that experience in a practical and constructive way, Mr. Root is a force for advance in the Weir Stove Com- pany. Born and reared in the city of New York, Mr. Root is a son of the late Charles F. Root, who was active during the greater part of his lifetime in that city as a postal clerk, but his death, in
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1894, at a comparatively early age removed from that field of endeavor an eminently useful man. The mother, Mary L. (Hettrick) Root, died May 28, 1923, in New York, after a lifetime residence in that city.
John W. Root was born in New York City, Au- gust 8, 1876. His education was received in the public schools of the metropolis, and his first busi- ness experience was in the wholesale hosiery field. He was later active in the customs house, in the forwarding branch, and later did accounting work for various concerns in New York, until the year 1900, when he went to Boston, Massachusetts, to become associated with Ernst & Ernst. He was later transferred to Providence, Rhode Island, in the interests of the same concern and there acted as office manager, continuing in this responsibility until the year 1920. Then coming to Taunton, Massachusetts, Mr. Root became associated with the Weir Stove Company, and in the spring of 1922 was made secretary of the corporation, which office he still ably fills. This great industry was founded less than a half a century ago by three enterprising young men, whose only factory was at first a barn. They added a shed to form a shelter for their melting furnace and set to work manufacturing stoves. Evidently with a greater idea of what the enterprise must in time become, they adopted as a watchword, "Make Cooking Easy." The enterprise has become what is probably New England's greatest stove factory and from the small beginning in rude quarters and with the most primi- tive equipment there has been developed an enter- prise which even in the city of Taunton, for more than a century the stove-making center of New England, is a strikingly noteworthy business. A million housewives now use the Glenwood ranges, and the splendid plant, with its complete and highly modern equipment, is one of the show places in Taunton. Mr. Root is a member of Gavel Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and the Independent Order of Heptasophs. His clubs are the Turks Head Club of Providence, Rhode Island, the Segre- gansett Country Club, and the Accountants Club of Southern New England. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.
Mr. Root married, in 1909, Gertrude S. Fison, of Rhode Island, daughter of Herbert W. and Ellen S. (Davey) Fison. Mr. and Mrs. Root are the parents of one daughter, Gertrude Elizabeth, born August 27, 1910.
JOHN W. ROBERTSON-In automobile circles in Bristol county, Massachusetts, and among the many tourists passing through the city of Taunton, the name of John W. Robertson has come to be very familiar, for he was one of the early pioneers in automobile activities, having now been engaged along this line for two full decades. Mr. Robert- son's practical ability and his natural genius for salesmanship have carried him to a high position in his chosen field of activity, and as sole agent for the Cadillac cars in Bristol county he is considered
one of the most successful men of the day in auto- mobile distribution. He is a son of John Robert- son, a noted fruit farmer of Prince Edward Island, who died in 1913. The mother, Jane (DeWar) Robertson, died in 1915.
John W. Robertson was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, May 4, 1863. His education was acquired in the public schools of his birthplace, and following the completion of his studies he worked on the farm with his father until eighteen years of age. Mr. Robertson then came to the United States, and, locating in Taunton, was employed for a short time with L. M. Witherell, a leading con- tractor of this section, but not long afterward en- tered the bicycle business in an independent way. He was active in this commercial field for about fif- teen years, going forward independently during the entire time, with headquarters on Cohannet street. He was very successful, but with the decline of the bicycle business and with the early development of automobiles Mr. Robertson took the step which so many far-sighted men did at that time, and in 1903 transferred his activities from bicycles to au- tomobiles. He was not content with handling the new vehicle in a manner less aggressive than the greatest possibility, and although beginning on a small scale, his progress was continuously marked by expansion. From time to time he has estab- lished branch agencies, until now, outside of his central interests in Taunton, he has agencies in Fall River, New Bedford, Attleboro and Plymouth, Massachusetts. He handles the Cadillac car ex- clusively and has become one of the widely known distributing executives in the automobile interests of New England. As president of the Robertson Motor Car Company Mr. Robertson is a member of the Taunton Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally he is a member of King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Taunton Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters, Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and his clubs are the Winthrop, the Taunton Auto and the Quequechan of Fall River. He is a member of the Protestant church, and his political convictions align with the Republican party.
Mr. Robertson married, at Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1898, Annie M. Costello.
VICTOR B. OLSON-A native of Sweden, but educated in the United States, Victor B. Olson holds a prominent place in the business life of Bristol county, Massachusetts, as a grower and distributor of hot-house flowers. Active in this field of endeavor since completing his education, Mr. Olson has won his way to a marked degree of success and his interests are constantly growing and expanding. He is a son of August and Lena (Anderson) Olson, both natives of Sweden. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in 1909.
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Victor B. Olson was born in Sweden, August 8, 1890. Eighteen years old when he came to America with his family, he attended the evening schools of this country until he had acquired a practical foun- dation for a successful career. His first experience in the business world was in the employ of John Scott, of Brooklyn, New York, a florist and green- house man of prominence. In 1914 Mr. Olson came to the State of Massachusetts, and locating in Na- hant, associated himself with Thomas Rowland, with whom he was identified for about two years. In the latter part of 1916, Mr. Olson came to Taun- ton and purchased the greenhouses of E. F. Rose on Bay street, in Whittenton, one of Taunton's most beautiful suburbs. He was largely successful in this venture and has developed and expanded the interest materially. In 1921 Mr. Olson opened an office at No. 44 Broadway, in the center of Taunton, still retaining the greenhouses on Bay street, where he has about 25,000 square feet of glass. Mr. Olson finds a ready market for all that he can produce and more. He is obliged to in- crease his stock from other sources to meet the demand of his constantly growing trade and pur- poses further expansion in the near future. Mr. Olson is the sole owner of the interest and is counted among the broadly progressive and thor- oughly enterprising young men of the day in Taun-
ton. During the World War .he served in the Merchant Marine, and in all branches of community advance he is deeply interested. His fraternal af- filiation is with Taunton Lodge, No. 150, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Olson is member of the Union Congregational Church.
Mr. Olson married, in 1920, Helen Schlemmer, of Fall River, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of one child: Victor B., Jr., who was born in 1922.
CHARLES A. LYNDS-If you live in Taunton, Massachusetts, or vicinity, and wish to have any- thing moved, you will be quite safe in making your needs known to the C. A. Lynds Company, for they are prepared to move anything from a house to a trunk or a baby carriage, and they make a specialty of general transportation work. They will skillfully and carefully move boilers and machinery, and whether your order be a large one, such as the moving of your entire place of abode from one location to another, or a small one, such as the transportation of a handbag to the nearest railway depot, it will receive prompt attention.
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