History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 137

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 137

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Social Organizations .- The social organizations of Attleborough are numerous. The oldest and the only one which dates back into the last century is Bristol Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. The lodge began its existence June 14, 1797, under a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to a membership residing in Attleborough, Mansfield, Norton, Pawtucket, Rehoboth, and Taunton. This charter bears the signature of the famous Revolu- tionary worthy, Paul Revere, Grand Master of the order at that time. Its speech is thus " of patriotism and courage, of civil and religious liberty, of free government," as often as the eye rests upon the an- cient charter.

The lodge was established at Norton, where it held its meetings until Dec. 11, 1811, when it was removed to Attleborough. March 10, 1830, the Grand Lodge authorized it to assemble at North Attleborough.

In 1833 the prosperity of Bristol Lodge waned, and its charter was returned to the Grand Lodge; but upon the petition of old members the time-honored document was restored Sept. 14, 1859, since which time the lodge has steadily advanced in membership and influence. Its finely-appointed hall was appro- priately dedicated Feb. 9, 1876.

The names of the Past Masters since the restora- tion of the charter are Willard Blackinton, Samuel S. Ginnode, Charles E. Smith, John B. Maintain, Thomas G. Sandland, Obed C. Turner, Francis S. Fairbanks, Samuel H. Bugbee, Arthur E. Codding, and James A. Codding. The present officers are : W. M., Theodore B. Hazzard; S. W., Walter E. Barden ; J. W., Elton I. Franklin ; Treas., George E. Hawes; Sec., Rev. W. Henry Kling.

Ezekiel Bates Lodge was organized at Attleborough by Master Masons from Bristol Lodge, Jan. 12, 1870, under a dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Massa-

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chusetts. At the expiration of the dispensation the grand officers came to Attleborough, instituted the lodge, and installed its officers, Sept. 6, 1871. The growth of the lodge has been continuons and rapid, and it now numbers one hundred and thirteen mem- bers. Officers : W. M., William J. Thompson ; S. W., D. E. Makepeace; J. W., N. Justin Smith ; Treas., Fred. G. Mason ; Sec., O. P. Richardson, Jr.

All the other ranks known to the craft have flour- ishing organizations in the Attleborough Council, Bristol Commandery of Knights Templar, and King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter.

The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows com- menced their history here thirty-seven years ago, Aurora Lodge, No. 107, having been instituted Jan. 29, 1846. The charter members were Abraham Hay- ward, Thaddeus Phelps, Alfred Barrows, Joseph D. Peirce, Lemuel Bishop, Daniel Evans, Benjamin F. Hammar, and Samuel D. Forte. The first elective officers were Abraham Hayward, N. G .; Thaddeus Phelps, V. G .; Albert Tifft, Treas .; and Daniel Evans, Sec. The first lodge-room was the second story of a school-house at West Attleborough. The second was Howard Hall, now completely remodeled, the home of Bristol Lodge, Washington Street, North Attleborough. The third and last is Odd-Fellows' building, which both in appearance and construction is one of the best structures in town, and a monument to the works of the order. Its cost was twenty thou- sand dollars.

The lodge now numbers one hundred and fifty members. Officers: N. G., H. Eugene Coombs; V. G., William D. Wennell; Permanent Sec., Am- brose Kurtz; Treas., Thomas C. Sandland; See., David Thompson.

In process of time, with the growth of the town and increase of membership, there came a demand for a lodge of the order at Attleborough, and Orient Lodge, No. 165, was instituted Oct. 2, 1873, with nearly one hundred members, zealous followers of friendship, love, and truth. The lodge is making a creditable record in the charities of Odd-Fellowship. The officers are: N. G., Herbert A. Clark; V. G., Frank S. Sweet; Treas., Nehemiah Hicks; Perma- nent See., John Slater ; Rec. Sec., Charles W. Black- inton.

The Patriarchal branch of the order was organ- ized in Attleborough, Aug. 5, 1846, when Howard Encampment, No. 19, commenced its somewhat checkered existence. Some time after, in the fluc- tuations of Odd-Fellowship, it weakened and died. The charter was restored and the encampment re- instituted Feb. 21, 1876, since which time it has en- joyed a healthy growth, and now numbers sixty members. Officers : C. P., John P. Bonnett ; H. P., John Ward; S. W., David Thompson; F. S., G. Frank Jackson ; Treas., Francis G. Pate; S., Albert Totten.

The Knights of Pythias have in Sumner Lodge,

No. 62, an active lodge of sixty members. The lodge occupies a hall in Barrow's block, North Attleborough, where they have every advantage that such an or- ganization requires. The officers are: Chancellor Commander, Frank A. Bates; Vice-Chancellor, Frank W. Gardner ; P., Thomas McAlpine ; M. of E., Dex- ter E. Hawkins; M. of F., Obediah Lyon ; K. of R. and S., Thomas J. Halliday ; M. at A., H. R. Packard.

Among the more recently organized beneficial as- sociations are Washington Lodge, No. 1840, Knights of Honor; Magnolia Council, No. 121, and Massasoit Council, No. 270, American Legion of Honor; and Attleborougli Council, No. 366, Royal Arcanum. All are of recent origin, but at a reasonable cost afford the best life insurance.

Washington Lodge, No. 1840, Knights of Honor, was organized by the authority of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts with nineteen charter members. The officers are Thomas Schofield, Dictator; F. S. Fairbanks, Vice-Dictator; Gardner Warren, Assistant Dictator; J. J. Morse, Treasurer; L. H. Pherson, Financial Reporter; Rev. W. Henry Kling, Chap- lain ; George W. Cheever, Guide; Henry C. Cowell, Guardian ; W. E. Barden, Sentinel. The present number of members, April, 1883, is twenty-seven.

The Attleborough Council of the Royal Arcanum was instituted by officers of the Grand Council of Massachusetts Ang. 8, 1879, with twenty charter members. The council is in a highly prosperous condition, with a membership of fifty persons. By its Jaws each full rate member has an insurance of three thousand dollars ; half-rate members, fifteen hundred dollars. The officers of the council are Regent, Charles E. Hayward; Vice-Regent, S. R. Briggs; Orator, Benjamin P. King; Past Regent, Charles O. Sweet ; Chaplain, Warren Parker; Guide, William Nerney ; Secretary, Job B. Savery; Treasurer, J. Shepard Richards ; Collector, Charles A. Witherell ; Warden, Charles H. Power ; Sentinel, Henry B. Lin- nell.

Magnolia Council of the American Legion of Honor was organized March 16, 1880, with thirty charter members. The present officers are : Commander, Wil- liam H. Blaney; Vice-Commander, M. J. Angell ; Past Commander, Dr. George Mackie; Treasurer, Job B. Savery ; Collector, A. F. Thompson ; Chap- lain, M. F. Whitney ; Warden, E. A. Fuller ; Sentry, George P. Williams.

Massasoit Council, No. 270, of the same order, was instituted at North Attleborough, July 30, 1880, with nineteen charter members. Officers: Commander, Thomas R. Jones ; Vice-Commander, Obediah Lyon ; Orator, Charles T. Guild ; Past Commander, William H. Barnes; Secretary, A. R. Morse; Collector, H. M. Scribner ; Treasurer, H. K. Sturdy ; Chaplain, H. R. Kendall; Guide, F. W. Holmes; Warden, W. P. Whittemore; Sentry, Samuel B. Hamblin. The number of members has increased since its organiza- tion to thirty.

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Dionys Lodge, No. 317, is a similar association, composed of citizens of German descent. Officers : O. B., Charles Albert; U. B., Anton Braunwart ; Corresponding Secretary, Martin Klaus; Financial Secretary, Augustus Schubert; Treasurer, Robert Scholtze.

The North Attleborough Board of Trade dates its existence from December 27, 1880. It numbers sixty members, among whom are many of the wealthy and influential business men of Attleborough Falls, North Attleborough, and Plainville. Its officers are : Presi- dent, Handel N. Daggett ; Vice-Presidents, Henry F. Barrows, Samuel E. Fisher, and Edward R. Price ; Secretary, Fred. B. Byram; Treasurer, Randolph Knapp.

Turning away from these benevolent institutions of the enlightened nineteenth century, but pursuing our research on hospitable thoughts intent, we come to the Attleborough Farmers' and Mechanics' Associa- tion. This society was formed in 1869, near the close of the most eventful decade in our country's history. The association soon after purchased grounds and erected exhibition buildings at Attleborough Falls. The buildings and grounds are in excellent condition, and the track is one of the best in New England. The number of members is three hundred and fifty, comprising many of the leading citizens of Attlebor- ough and adjoining towns. The annual fairs of the association are looked forward to as the harvest festi- val of the year. The officers of the society are : Presi- dent, Charles E. Hayward ; Treasurer, John Thacher; Secretary, Frederick B. Byram.

These extensive industries sustain two national banks and a savings-bank, and the institutions are successfully managed.

The Attleborough Savings-Bank was incorporated by an act of the Legislature Feb. 2, 1860.

In about a year from that time the corporators or- ganized by the choice of Ezekiel Bates as president and W. H. Robinson as vice-president. The corpo- ration became depositors and workmen, and men of business soon recognized the advantages of a secure place for the saving and investing of the unemployed receipts of their industry. The number and amount of the deposits have rapidly increased from the first year of its existence. The corporators are men of business sagacity, and under their careful manage- ment this savings-bank has often been pronounced one of the soundest in the State. Total deposits, $500,000. President, Abial Codding; Secretary and Treasurer, Edward R. Price.

An Ancient Building .- Attleborough owns one historie buikling, the Old Powder-House at West Attleborough. The building is circular in form, about twelve feet in diameter, and capped with a conical roof. It is built of brick, and the order of the selectmen for payment shows that six thousand were used in its construction.

Sept. 20, 1768, when, in the language of the record, it was

" Voted to build a house for Keeping the town stock of Ammunition in for the futer, and proseaded to chose a commety for that purpose, namely, Capt. John Stearns, Capt. Daniel Read, and Capt. Henry Sweate ware chosen a Commety for that purpos, and then the commety went and looked a place to set sd house and they said that they found a place in Jacob Newell's land which sd Newell said he would give the land to build the house upon."

To confirm a promise then given, and to secure the rights of "ye People," Jacob Newell, who was at that time town treasurer, made the following entry in the town records in his own hand :

" Where as ye Town of Attleborough have agreed to Build a Powder house and set sd house on ye High Hill eastardly from ye Meeting-House on my Land I give liberty to set sd House their, and also for my Heirs and assigns I agree ye People shall have Liberty to Pass to and from sd House to carry their Powder or any other amminition and bring of again ye same at any time or times so that they in Passing Regurly Not to Leve Down fence or any Enclosen thing to Do Damage

as witness my hand-

" ATTLEBOROUGH, Oct. ye 4th 1768."

JACOB NEWELL.

It is inferred that the committee above chosen had full powers, inasmuch as they proceeded to build the house in October and November, and settled their account in December.

How much ammunition was stored in the edifice the records do not state. In 1775, Col. John Daggett supplied his command from its stores to capture the Tories in the Assonett expedition, and the quantity taken was replaced by a vote of the town the next year. It was a place of security for materials of war during the Revolution and the war of 1812.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HERVEY M. RICHARDS.

Hervey M. Richards was born on the 11th of July, 1812. His father, Manning Richards, owned and worked a small farm about two miles from the village of North Attleborough, and at the same time, having considerable knowledge of the business, augmented his income by the manufacture of jewelry, for which purpose he had erected a small shop on the farm. He subsequently removed to the village, and while keeping a small country store, continned in a small way the manufacture of jewelry, with others laying the foundation on which the town has since became the principal seat of this industry in New England.

In 1826, Manning Richards died, and, having met with reverses, left his family without means, and upon the son, then a lad of fourteen years, devolved the duty of supporting his widowed mother and his sisters. Cheerfully essaying the task he apprenticed himself to his uncle, Ira Richards, who soon after

Its erection was authorized by a town-meeting held , became a partner with Draper, Tifft & Co., with

H. Il Rich and

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whom he finished his trade at the age of eighteen years. Having learned the art of jewelry manufacture, and having during that period saved a little money, he entered into business for himself. Supplying in energy and industry what he lacked in capital, the prospects of his success and the ultimate enlarge- ment of his business were very promising, but disas- ter overtook him. His little shop was burned to the ground, and nothing remained for him but to begin the struggle anew. He immediately entered into partnership with George Morse, a good mechanic, under the firm-name of Morse & Richards, and con- tinned the manufacture of jewelry. In this second venture he was more successful, realizing handsomely on the goods manufactured by the firm, a result largely due to his sagacity as a salesman. It was the custom in those days for manufacturers personally to carry the products of their labor and skill to the com- mercial centres of the country, and there find pur- chasers for them. This course Mr. Richards pursued with excellent success. Subsequently, Ira Richards, his son E. Ira, and H. M. Richards, formed a new firm under the firm-name of Ira Richards & Co. About 1837, H. M. Richards sold his interest and re- moved to Philadelphia, where he was at first very successful, but owing to unfortunate speculations he lost all his property.

In 1843 he returned to North Attleborough, and, with the assistance of his uncle Ira, again entered into the business of jewelry manufacture with suc- cess. From that time until 1857, Mr. Richards did much to promote the growth and general prosperity of Attleborough. But in the latter year, having built the extensive stone factory at Attleborough Falls, now owned and occupied by H. N. Daggett, and holding a large amount of real estate on which he could not realize, he was obliged to succumb to the panic of that eventful year.

After recovering in a measure from this misfortune, Mr. Richards, in 1863, removed his business to No. 7 Green Street, Boston, and receiving his son, E. H. Richards, into partnership, under the firm-name of H. M. Richards & Co., a large and prosperous busi- ness in the manufacture of jewelry and fancy metal- work has been established. In 1856-57, Mr. Richards was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature of Massachusetts, and in 1862-63 he was a member of the Senate.

STEPHEN RICHARDSON.

Stephen Richardson, son of Noah and Irene (Bacon) Richardson, was born in Attleborough, Mass., Nov. 10, 1815.

The Richardson family, originally of Scandinavian origin, came from England to America among the settlers of Massachusetts and Plymouth colonies, and has been a numerous one in Attleborough. Several different families of this name settled here early. Four brothers-Stephen, John, William, and Seth, -were of this line, coming probably from Woburn, as we find the name Stephen and Daniel prominent for several successive generations in that town. From Stephen came Daniel, born March 1741-42. He mar- ried Sarah Read, and had three sons,-Daniel, Alfred, and Noah. Noah, father of the subject of our sketch, was born June 27, 1780. Noah was a farmer and nail- maker in fair circumstances, and lived on the east road from East Attleborough to North Attleborough, al- most immediately opposite the present residence of John T. Bates. This old home of his ancestors was his residence during life, and is still in possession of the family. He had children,-Sylvester, Alfred, Si- lena (married Charles P. Day), Stephen, Charles B., Eliza (married Angus McDonald) and Mary C. He died, aged fifty-five years. His wife survived him long, dying in 1864, aged eighty-four. Noah was an unpretentious, quiet citizen, liberal withal, and well liked. He was buried at Attleborough, but the re- mains of himself and wife were transferred to Mount Hope Cemetery.

Stephen remained with his father until he was past fifteen, when he went to learn the jewelry trade with Calvin Richards, at North Attleborough, in the fac- tory located on the grounds adjoining the Calvin Richards homestead, now occupied by Abiel Codding. Here he remained acquiring a good practical knowl- edge of his trade for several years, when he formed a partnership with Abiel Codding to manufacture jew- elry. This was in 1836. They first occupied a small building on Elm Street, near Ten-Mile River, oppo- site the old Bark house, belonging to Samuel Dra- per; second, a small building adjoining the Preston Draper house, opposite the Wamsutta House. This firm was Richardson & Codding, and continued one year. In 1837, Mr. Richardson married Ann Janette F., daughter of Manning and Susan ( Everett) Rich- ards. She was born in North Attleborough. The young couple resided with her mother, a widow, until some time after the birth of their oldest child, Clar- ence H., who was born Jan. 18, 1838. They then re- moved to a tenement owned by Dennis Everett, lo- cated on Washington Street, in the rear of Richard Everett's residence on Elm Street. Here Frank was born in 1841. After Mr. Codding's retirement from the firm, Mr. Richardson continued business alone. When C. Richard retired from business, he took his shop, and removed his residence at the same time. He

Mr. Richards has been twice married ; first to Juline, daughter of David Capron, June 3, 1833. They had no children of their own, but they kindly adopted Eugene H. Richards, a notice of whom appears in this work, and Marion Fell Richards, wife of Charles A. Gilchrist, a jeweler at 43 Haverhill Street, Boston. He was at one time in business with Mr. Richards. They have four children,-Ellen J., Carrie L., Juline C., and Grace M. Mr. Richards married for his second wife, November, 1857, . Mrs. Anjanett P. Balcom, daughter of Remember Carpenter, of Pawtucket. R. I. I associated with him in business David Capron, under

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the firm-name of Stephen Richardson & Co. While here Edgar was born. Their business extending, after some time they moved their factory to the build- ing previously occupied by Draper & Tifft, on the site where now stands C. B. Thompson's store. Mr. Rich- ardson then changed his residence to a part of John Tifft's house. Here Janette Everett, his daughter, was born. She married Eugene K. Dunbar, son of Rev. Melzar Dunbar, of Machias, Me. Her husband was the founder of the Attleborough Chronicle, which he conducted successfully for some time. They now re- side in Boston.

Stephen Richardson & Co. continued here in busi- ness until 1848 making goods, and, as was then the general custom, traveling around the county to dis- pose of them, sometimes selling and sometimes trading for other articles. They were fortunate. They made good work, were lucky in their designs, which were quite popular, and made money. On one "hit," a new style of ring, they made about ten thousand dol- lars. Their limited quarters becoming far too small, in 1848 Mr. Richardson erected a factory two stories high, forty by thirty feet, and moved thither the same year. This building necessitated the opening of a new street, which was called East Street. The same year he built the beautiful residence on the front of the same lot, which, altered in some respects, is now the residence of his son Clarence. This was at that time the finest residence in the place. His family removed thither on its completion, and this was his home during life, and here was born his youngest son, Stephen, who died early. The partnership with Mr. Capron continued several years. They employed about forty hands, and did the largest business in their line, which soon compelled doubling the capacity of their factory. After Mr. Capron's retiring from the firm, Mr. Richardson continued alone, and with Samuel R. Miller, as Richardson & Miller, until 1856. Previous to this nearly all the representatives of manufacturing jewelers in New York City were ex- hibiting their goods in rooms in the Western Hotel, well remembered by those in the trade of those days. Mr. Richardson was among the first to make the new departure of a separate office and a constant supply of goods, and the firm opened an office at No. 21 Maiden Lane, corner Nassau, changing its location to 177 Broadway about 1857. In the first of his business career Mr. Richardson manufactured a variety of rings, pins, and chains. Afterwards a line of novel- ties was taken up, and this house was perhaps the very first to depart from the legitimate jewelry busi- ness and take up the making of novelties. Besides their own make of goods they handled the work of one factory at Attleborough Falls, two at South At- tleborough, one at Wrentham, and became one of the largest, if not the largest, importing house of French jewelry in America, employing a resident buyer in Paris. A Philadelphia office was also established. From 1856, Mr. Richardson continued alone, confining

himself to domestic goods, and giving the importing business to others. July 1, 1859, Clarence became associated with his father, and they formed the firm of Stephen Richardson & Co., which soon employed one hundred and more hands in factory, besides many outside. While in the full tide of successful and re- munerative business, in August, 1870, their factory was totally destroyed by fire. This, until 1856, had been supplied with horse-power, then steam-power had been introduced. After the fire Mr. Richardson, with characteristic energy and promptitude, took rooms in the Whiting Manufacturing Company's building, and in ten days' time was at work in those quarters, and immediately began a new building on the site of the burned factory, to be three stories, main building with an L. The length of the main building was one hundred and fifty feet, width thirty- three feet, containing a twenty-five horse-power en- gine. This building was vigorously constructed, and they occupied it Feb. 1, 1871, with one hundred and thirty-five operatives. The business continued pros- perous. They established a large export trade in Cuba and European ports, and to this business all Mr. Richardson's active efforts were given until his death, March 1, 1877. His first wife died in July, 1862, and in 1868 he married Mrs. Sarah M. Richards, widow of Egbert S. Richards, who survives him.

Mr. Richardson was a public-spirited citizen, and did much to build up the various worthy enter- prises of his town. He was a large owner of real estate; opened up Fisher Street and built several buildings. He was one of the promoters and a director of the Gas Company : also of the Branch Railroad; was also stockholder and for many years director of the Wrentham Bank; was a stockholder of the Northern Bank of Providence; and purchased the site, and, with his fellow-members of the North Attleborough Building Association, erected the Wam- sntta Block. We can give no better tribute to his char- acter than that contained in the following extract from an article written by H. N. Daggett, who knew him intimately for years as boy and man : " He received from his parents, who were in humble circumstances, no property, and was compelled to struggle during his minority for the support of himself and parents. He was schooled in all the trials of poverty and want in his youth, and arose, unaided, superior to both. He was truly and in every sense of the word a self-made man. His early educational advantages were limited in the extreme, compared with the advantages and facilities of the present day. Notwithstanding these deprivations he acquired, by contact with the world and self-culture, a good business education. He pos- sessed good natural abilities, a mind active and evenly balanced, a kind and generous disposition. At his majority he became anxious to rise in the world and improve the talents God had given him. With- out money or friends to help him, by dint of energy, perseverance, and honesty of purpose, he succeeded

Willard Proberen

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 137

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1818

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818