USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 75
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PHILIP S. WALKER, in a special line of manu- facture in Mansfield, Massachusetts, is prominently identified with the fountain pen industry, produc- ing gold pens for use in the fountain pen. Mr. Walker has been active along this line of advance for about eighteen years, and his wide experience and large success have given him a leading posi- tion in the field in which he is engaged. Mr. Walker is a son of George H. Walker, who was born in Stowe, Massachusetts, and was active in New York City as an importer of fine and rare hard woods until his death, which occurred in 1897. The mother, Sarah A. (Hinley) Walker, was born in Birming- ham, England, and her death occurred in 1908.
Philip S. Walker was born in New York City, May 12, 1867. His education was received in the public schools of the Metropolis, and following the completion of his studies he was employed in vari- ous gold pen factories until 1905. . At that time, in association with Mr. Wagner and Mr. Johnson, he established in Mansfield an interest which they carried forward for about two years under the title of the Bay State Gold Pen Company. Mr. Walker withdrew from this partnership in 1907, selling his interest in the company, and at that time he es- tablished the present business in partnership with John T. Davison. Under the firm name of Walker & Davison they began the manufacture of gold pens for the fountain pen trade. They manufacture an excellent grade of pens, and their product is dis- tributed in all parts of the United States and Can- ada. Mr. Walker has few affiliations other than those of a business nature, but is a member of At- tleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also of the Winthrop Club. He is affiliated with the Congregational church.
Mr. Walker married, November 2, 1891, Alice M. Swett, of Mansfield, daughter of Frederick and Caroline (Fifield) Swett. Her father, who was a ship calker by occupation, died in 1905, and her mother, a resident of Mansfield, died June 2, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of four chil- dren: Gladys L., born April 21, 1893; Carolyn V., born June 26, 1894; George F., born May 28, 1898; and Frank E., born October 25, 1901.
ELISHA SUMNER WHITING is numbered among the progressive business men of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, who have made for themselves an assured place in the real estate and insurance field. His paternal grandfather, Sumner Whiting, was a ship-rigger, who for many years was associated with William Watson, of Fairhaven. Sumner Whiting married Hannah Lawton Gibbs of Newport, Rhode Island. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Whiting were Ansel D. Bourne, one of the early settlers on the "Cape," and Sarah Frances (Tabor) Bourne.
Born at Fairhaven, Massachusetts, June 29, 1872, Elisha Sumner Whiting is a son of Elisha S. and Sarah Frances (Bourne) Whiting. After attending the public schools, including the high school of Fairhaven, he became associated with his father, who was conducting a meat and provision business
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at No. 42 Center street, Fairhaven. That connection was maintained until 1919, when the business was sold. On August 10, 1919, Mr. Whiting opened an office in the Town Hall and engaged in the real estate and insurance business. He has met with encouraging success in that line of business activity, and has become an expert appraiser of real estate values. He is identified with the Fairhaven Institu- tion for Savings, and is president of the Masonic Building Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with George Tabor Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, which in 1902-03 he served as master; and he is also a member of the Masonic Club and of the Colonial Club.
Mr. Whiting married (first), in 1887, Vernice E. Hodgkins, of Wallingford, Vermont. She died June 26, 1888. He married (second) in June, 1902, Mary A. Lincoln. To the first marriage one son, Earl Sumner, was born, June 26, 1888; he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1918, and served in trans- port service during the greater part of the time until after the signing of the armistice. Children of the second marriage are: Hope P., born March 26, 1905; Rachel Tabor, born February 13, 1906; and Marion Sumner, born January 9, 1912.
LLOYD W. PRATT, prominent in the manu- facturing world of Taunton, Massachusetts, as plant manager of the Bay State Tap and Die Company, is bearing a very definite part in the local progress. Active in mechanical activities practically since the completion of his education, Mr. Pratt has won his way to executive responsibility through his own efforts and by the merits of his work. He is a son of Levi and Lillian D. (Glasure) Pratt, residents of Taunton for many years, and the father still active as a teamster.
Lloyd W. Pratt was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, August 28, 1873. His education was re- ceived in the local public schools, and for a time after finishing his studies he was employed as a teamster by Everett Williams, of Taunton. After a year and a half in this connection he entered the employ of the New Process Drill Company, of Taunton, with which he remained for about two years. He was next identified with the firm of Lincoln & Wood, also of this city, for about six months, then returned to the New Process Drill Company, remaining for about two years longer. He was next identified with the Altham International Motor Company for three years, building steam tur- bines and air cooled gas engines at Fall River, Massachusetts. He then became identified with the New Process Twist Drill Company, of Taunton, with which he was active for twenty-two years, dur- ing the latter decade of this period acting as super- intendent of the factory. In May, 1917, Pratt, in association with E. O. Williams, established the Blanke Twist Drill Company, building their own plant. Mr. Pratt was made manager of the plant, his large ability and long experience being a vital factor in the progress and success of the organ- ization. This concern manufactures all sizes of
drills from the smallest to the very largest in use today. On July 1, 1922, the Bay State Tap and Die Company purchased the plant, and Mr. Pratt still holds the position of plant manager .. Mr. Pratt is prominently identified with fraternal ad- vance, holding membership in King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Saint Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Taunton Council, Royal and Select Masters; Saint John's Commandery, Knights Templar, of Providence, Rhode Island; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
. Mr. Pratt married, in Taunton, in 1894, Clara F. Delamo, daughter of Reuben and Susan (Williams) Delamo. The father, who was a molder by trade, died in 1916, but the mother died thirty-six years previously. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are the parents of four children: Lloyd W. and Laurel P., twins, born in 1899; Ralph K. and Raymond F., twins, born in 1905.
HERBERT W. BUTTERWORTH-Along one of the most practical lines of commercial activity, Herbert W. Butterworth, of Mansfield, Massachu- setts, is meeting the daily needs of the people through his activity in distributing retail groceries, meat, and general produce. As the head of the Mansfield Public Market he is numbered among the really progressive and noteworthy business men of Mansfield, and he is also prominent in financial and fraternal advance. He is a son of William J. But- terworth, a prominent grocer of Mansfield, and the mother, Emma J. (Pettee) Butterworth, is a native of Foxboro, and still living.
Herbert W. Butterworth was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, October 10, 1885. His education was begun in the local schools, and he was graduated from the Mansfield High School in the class of 1904. Mr. Butterworth's first business experience was in the employ of George Bessom, of Mansfield, in the grocery business, and after about a year in that connection Mr. Butterworth, in partnership with Harrison Morse, established the present interest. They went forward together for about six years, then in July, 1912, Mr. Butterworth bought out the interest of Mr. Morse and continued independently. In October, 1912, he bought out the grocery busi- ness of C. E. Austin, located at No. 2 North Main street, and removed his entire interest to this loca- tion, where he is still active under the title of the Mansfield Public Market. Giving the greatest at- tention to the quality of his goods and to every precaution safeguarding the health and welfare of the people, Mr. Butterworth has developed a lead- ing interest in its field in this part of Bristol county and is considered one of the foremost retail grocer- ies in this section. Broadly interested in all that pertains to the public welfare, and always prepared to aid and encourage any effort looking toward the advance of the community, Mr. Butterworth is a prominent member of the Mansfield Board of Trade, and is a director of the Mansfield Co-Oper-
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ative Bank. He holds independent convictions in political matters, and has never thus far accepted public responsibility of an official nature. Fraternally he is affiliated with St. James Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Mansfield Lodge, No. 194, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; and is a member of the Boston Masonic Club, the Highland Country Club, of Attleboro, and the Winthrop Club, of Mansfield. His religious affiliation is with the Con- gregational church.
Mr. Butterworth married, at Mansfield, July 2, 1920, Gertrude Vickery, of Mansfield, daughter of Benjamin and Fannie (Tyler) Vickery, her father a market gardener.
HERBERT CECIL EALES-In 1907 Mr. Eales began working for the firm of Lord & Richards, monuments and cut stone, a firm that has now disappeared from Fall River's roster of business houses, but then an old and important one. In 1916 he started in business under his own name, and as a monumental worker and dealer he has been very successful. He is a practical stone-cutter and pos- sesses true artistic talent, being able to draw a beautiful original design and then so skilled a workman that he can transfer the design to the imperishable marble or granite. He is a son of William and Margaret (Grey) Eales, his father also a monumental stone engraver.
Herbert Cecil Eales was born May 10, 1883. He was educated in the public schools. He learned the trade of stone cutter, specializing in monu- mental work, and in 1907 began working with the Fall River firm, Lord & Richards, makers of monu- ments. In 1916 Mr. Eales bought the lot No. 660 Pleasant street, Fall River, and established his own business there, continuing in successful operations until the present, 1924. He does general monu- mental work in marble and granite, special church work in stone or bronze, and recently placed a bronze tablet in St. John's Episcopal Church at Fall River. Mr. Fales is a Republican in politics; a member of the Masonic order; is a Knight of Pythias, holding the rank of past chancellor com- mander of Pocasset Lodge; is an Odd Fellow, and a past noble grand; and is a devout churchman, hav- ing served St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church for ten years as organist, and is now lay reader and ex-president of St. Luke's Men's Club.
Mr. Eales married, in 1909, Annie Hawkins, daughter of Henry and Clara (Hauby) Hawkins. Mr. and Mrs. Eales are the parents of four chil- dren: Edna, born August 3, 1910; Lester, born De- cember 7, 1915; Margaret, born April 18, 1917; and Grace, born November 27, 1923.
E. ROBINSON WILMARTH, one of the notably successful business men of North Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, is a member of the firm of V. H. Blackin- ton & Company, a concern which is engaged in the manufacture of military and society goods in metal, including fine enameled badges. They also manu- facture automobile plates.
Mr. Wilmarth was born at Attleboro Falls, Massa- chusetts, April 6, 1884, son of Edward B. Wil- marth, descendant of an old Colonial family who was engaged in the manufacture of jewelry as one of the owners of the firm of V. H. Blackinton & Company until the time of his retirement, and of Kate A. (Gordon) Wilmarth, of New Hampshire, who died in 1921. He received a careful education in the public schools of North Attleboro, and when his high school course was completed became a student in the Bryant and Stratton Business Col- lege of Providence, Rhode Island. Immediately upon the completion of his education, he became identi- fied with the V. H. Blackinton & Company con- cern. It was definitely planned that he should learn the business thoroughly and be prepared to succeed his father when the latter should reach the age at which he might wish to retire. This plan was car- ried out. The son became familiar with all the various departments of the business, and in 1911 was made a member of the firm. Shortly after the admission of .the son to a partnership in the business the father retired, and is now enjoying the leisure of his well-earned years of freedom from business activity.
The firm now operating under the name of V. H. Blackinton & Company was established in 1852 by Virgil H. Blackinton for the purpose of manu- facturing imitation jet. The enterprise proved suc- cessful, and as time passed the business was en- larged to include jewelry of other kinds. Gradually the concern began to specialize in the various badges and insignias which are used by secret so- cieties, lodges, and other organizations, and the new department proved to be so profitable that it has become the major portion of the business. The original location was at Attleboro Falls, but the concern now occupies an entire building, consisting of about 16,000 square feet of floor space, and the volume of its business requires the services of about fifty employees. In addition to the manufacture of all sorts of metal goods used by miiltary and other societies, the firm manufactures automobile plates. The notably successful career of the concern has, of course, involved a rapidly increasing patronage, but the firm has strictly limited the distribution of its products to the United States. As it is the only concern in the New England section of the coun- try which manufactures this kind of work, it has no rivals in that section, and does a very large business there. Since taking over the concern in 1911 E. Robinson Wilmarth and his brother, H. S. Wilmarth, have noted a steady increase in the growth of the patronage and in the extent of terri- tory over which the patronage is scattered. Politi- cally, Mr. Wilmarth gives his support to the Re- publican party, but he is not one of those who either seek or desire public office. Fraternally, he is a member of Bristol Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons: Rabboni Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Shrine, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is also a member of Aurora
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Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of North Attleboro. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational church of Attleboro Falls.
On September 22, 1915, E. Robinson Wilmarth married Wilhelmina N. Frost, of Waldwick, New Jersey, daughter of Edward F. Frost, of New Jer- sey, and of Wilhelmina Frost. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- marth are the parents of one daughter, Alida B., born January 1, 1917.
GEORGE E. CASSELS-Since 1920 George E. Cassels has been engaged in the real estate and in- surance business in North Attleboro. He operates under his own name, and is the sole owner of a notably successful and prosperous business.
Francis Cassels, father of Mr. Cassels, was a native of Ireland, who came to this country and settled in Rhode Island before the beginning of the Civil War. After the outbreak of the war he en- listed as a musician in the Fifth Rhode Island In- fantry, with which he served throughout the period of the war. He died in 1903, survived by his wife, Ellen (Arrington) Cassels, also a native of Ireland, whose death occurred in 1918.
George F. Cassels, son of Francis and Ellen (Ar- rington) Cassels, was born in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, May 13, 1880. He received his edu- cation in the public schools of his native city, gradu- ating from the high school with the class of 1897. When school days were over, he opened a men's furnishing store in North Attleboro, and success- fully continued in that line of business under his own name until 1918, when he sold out and went on the road as a buyer in the employ of the Paine- Baker Company, of North Attleboro, manufacturers of jewelry. Two years later, in 1920, he decided to again engage in business for himself, but this time he chose a new line of activity. He opened an office and engaged in the insurance business under his own name. He deals in a general line of insur- ance of all kinds, and at the present time (1923) his office is located in the Badaracco building in North Attleboro. He has built up an exceptionally fine business in the short time which has passed since the establishment of the enterprise. In addition to his insurance business he also conducts an extensive real estate business.
Mr. Cassels has always taken an active interest in local public affairs, and has unselfishly given much. time and energy to the advancement of the interests of his native town. He has served as a member of the School Committee for the past twelve years, and has served as a selectman for one year. Politically he gives his support to the Democratic party. During the World War he was an energetic worker in all the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives, serving as a "four-minute" speaker, and serving so well that he later received from the "Federal Government a certificate in recognition of his valuable service. Fraternally, he is a member of P. McDonough Council, Knights of Columbus, of which order he is a past grand knight and dis- trict deputy; and of North Attleboro Lodge, No.
1011, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he is a past exalted ruler. His religious af- filiation is with St. Mary's Catholic Church.
In 1907, George E. Cassels married Annie Mc- Weaney, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, daugh- ter of Francis McWeaney, a native of Ireland, who is engaged in business as a jeweler, and of Ellen (Brennan) McWeaney. Mr. and Mrs. Cassels are the parents of three children: Raymond F., born in 1909; Helen M., born in 1914; and George E .. Jr., born in 1917.
ROMEO J. ROBERTS-A progressive and for- ward-looking young man of the day in Bristol county, Massachusetts, is Romeo J. Roberts, who is the sole owner of a prosperous garage and auto- mobile sales business on Broadway, Raynham, Massachusetts. A native of Fall River, and a life- long resident of this county, Mr. Roberts has won a largely successful position in the business world, although he is still only a young man, and he is looked upon as one of the significant figures of the day in this community. He is a son of Oliver and Anna (Feesett) Roberts, both still living, his father a retail merchant in Fall River.
Romeo J. Roberts was born at Fall River, Massa- chusetts, August 6, 1897. His education was re- ceived in the public schools of his birthplace, and from his first business experience he has been iden- tified with garage activities. As soon as he had completed his education he secured employment among the garages of Fall River, doing odd jobs here and there for about one year. In 1918 he came to Raynham, where he established his present interest, and has conducted his business with such excellent judgment and foresight that it has tripled in importance in the five years of its existence. His sales interests include the distribution of the Nash, Chevrolet, and Ford cars in this district, and he has also a very complete service station. His plant and show rooms cover about 1800 square feet of floor space, and he is doing' a prosperous and con- stantly increasing business. In political affairs Mr. Roberts holds independent views, and he is a mem- ber of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Roberts married, in Taunton, Massachusetts, September 1, 1916, Valeda Porier, daughter of Lu- cian and Eliza (Bissonett) Porier, her father a prominent carpenter of Taunton, and both parents still living. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have three children: Joseph, born in 1918; Gertrude, born in 1920; and Jeannette, born in 1921.
FRANK R. SERPA -- Successful for many years in agricultural interests, but more recently in a modern field of manufacture, Frank R. Serpa is a noteworthy figure in the business life of Bristol county, Massachusetts, and counted among the noteworthy citizens of Rehoboth. A son of Manuel R. and Mary Josephine (Gaspin) Serpa, Mr. Serpa is descended from Portuguese ancestry, and Manuel R. Serpa was the first man of this nationality to settle in Rehoboth. He was active as a farmer
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throughout his lifetime, was a public-spirited man, and commanded the esteem and respect of all who knew him. He died in the year 1915, surviving his wife about six years.
Frank R. Serpa was born in Rehoboth, Massachu- setts, February 20, 1879. His education was re- ceived in the public schools of his native place, and he worked on his father's farm until he was eight- een years of age. Thereafter, for about nine years, Mr. Serpa did painting and carpenter work in vari- ous communities in this section, as he was able to secure small contracts which he could handle per- sonally. When about twenty-seven years of age he built a house for himself and family on a sixteen acre farm and carried on general farming on this place for about eleven years. Finding himself handi- capped by lack of space on so small an acreage, Mr. Serpa then formed an affiliation with his brother, who bought a farm of forty acres adjoining, and they carried on the two farms together for a number of years. About 1917 the brother died, leaving his share of the interest to Mr. Serpa. He was so prostrated, however, by the loss of his brother, in whose companionship he had always taken the greatest pleasure, that he discontinued his activities on the farm and entered the New Bedford shipyards. There he was employed for about three years, at the end of which time he re- turned to Rehoboth and entered upon his present activities. Reconstructing the old car barn, he founded a business which is now known as the Rehoboth Enamel Company, specializing on all kinds of cast iron enameling. In company with other associates, Mr. Serpa has carried this busi- ness forward to large success, and in April, 1922, was made manager of the enterprise. This position he still holds, and his ability and energy are count- ing in a marked degree for the success and con- stant growth of the business. Mr. Serpa still owns a farın of fifty-six acres in Rehoboth. He is a Re- publican by political affiliation, and attends St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Serpa married, in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, September 24, 1907, Virginia Viera, daughter of Manuel and Anna Viera, both still living. Her father is serving as fireman in the New Bedford Cotton Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Serpa have one daugh- ter, Estella, born April 24, 1911; and one adopted daughter, Esther Devine, born April 10, 1903.
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HENRY W. SNYDER-In one of the important industries of the world, and that represented in New England by only a few concerns, Henry W. Snyder is superintendent and manager of the New England Drawn Steel Company, their output being cold drawn steel and products of this material. Mr. Snyder has spent his entire career, thus far, in the world of mechanics, and is broadly familiar with the steel production through long experience in the great plants in Pennsylvania. Possessing executive ability of a high order, he has been one of the forces which have developed and established the present concern, and as superintendent and manager. he holds a position of larg'e responsibility.
Mr. Snyder is a son of John C. and Mary A. (Plants) Snyder. His father, who was born in Indiana, was a stationary engineer by trade, and was active along that line of effort for many years, later being engaged in mercantile pursuits and being affiliated with the lumber industry. He died in the year 1920. The mother, who was a native of Iowa, died in the year 1903.
Henry W. Snyder was born in Burlington, Iowa, September 25, 1866. His education was received in the district schools of his birthplace, and he was first employed in the Locomotive Works at Burling- ton, Iowa, where he was active for about five years. In the year 1894 Mr. Snyder associated himself with the Bliss & Laughlin Steel Works, at Harvey, Illinois, where he remained for some seven years, during the latter time being active as super- intendent. He then went to Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania, to enter the great organization then known as the Pittsburgh Steel Shafting Company, now the Columbia Steel Shafting Company, and Mr. Snyder acted as superintendent of both their plants, at Carnegie and Bradford. This responsible position he filled for a period of eight years, then became superintendent of the machine department of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. In 1916. he came to Mansfield and erected the buildings for the New England Drawn Steel Company, and has remained in its employ as superintendent and manager up to the present time. This plant covers eight acres of ground, several building's having been erected on the property, the main building being fifty by two hundred feet in ground dimensions. This is the largest concern of its kind in the East, and Mr. Snyder's management has become a factor of large importance in its field of production. Employing upwards of fifty people and making cold drawn steel and various products from this stock, the scope of their distribution covering New England. The personnel of the concern is a group of progressive and forward-looking' men, whose fearless entrance into their present field meant much for the city of Mansfield, and they are counted among the really important executives of Mansfield. Mr. Snyder is further interested in local business affairs of Mans- field' as a director of the Mansfield Co-Operative Bank, the Mansfield Tavern, and also of the Board of Trade, and he is president of the Mansfield Housing Corporation.
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