History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 34

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 34

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He was fully in accord with the principles of the Republican party, worked for its interests, and sup- ported its candidates. He was largely interested in all things tending towards the enlightenment and up- ward progress of society, and was active and promi- nent in connection with the New Bedford Public Library, of which he was a trustee.

We give, as expressing the character of Mr. Knowles more completely than words of ours, the following from those who knew him intimately :

" Mr. Knowles was a member of the board of aldermen for two years under the mayoralty of Hon. John N. Perry, and for the same period while Mr. Richmond was mayor, discharging the duties with rare good judgment and singular fidelity. He was repeatedly urged to accept a nomination for mayor, but he had no taste for municipal honors, though willing to give his full share of time and effort in the service of the city. He was devoted to his business, and had earned the reputation of sterling integrity and probity in his transactions. Quiet and unassum- ing in his manners, he was firm of principle and courageous in his convictions, and no man was held in higher respect or more fully enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-citizens." 1

James B. Congdon, in the twenty-sixth annual re- port of the trustees of New Bedford Free Public

1 From the Mercury of May 29, 1876.

Oliver Brocker

George V. Crocker,

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Library, gives this testimonial to his virtues : "Joseph Knowles claims a prominent place in our necrology of the year. As a merchant, he was enlightened, en- terprising, and the soul of fidelity ; as an alderman of the city, he was sagacious in council, faithful to every conviction of duty, firm and unmovable when not to be firm was to be false to the convictions of his understanding, kind and courteous to all who had claims upon his attention ; as a trustee of the library, he had clear apprehensions as to the methods to be pursued, and an abiding conscientiousness in the dis- charge of every trust. Those who have known him as a leading merchant of our city, and those who were his associates in the City Council and upon the board of trustees of the library, all bear testimony to his gentlemanly bearing in his business and official inter- course, and all unite in assigning to him an elevated position among the active and public men of our city. In his daily walk and conversation he was an exam- ple of those virtues which are lovely and of good report. 'There was a daily beauty in his life' which won and retained the affection and respect of all with whom he came in contact. There was in his char- acter and conduct those evidences of fidelity to the right and an affectionate interest in the welfare of others which inspired confidence and esteem."

OLIVER CROCKER.

Mr. Oliver Crocker, whose death occurred May 23, 1878, at his residence on William Street, in New Bed- ford, was born on the 3d day of August, 1788, in the pleasant little village of Cotnit, in the town of Barn- stable. He was educated at the then celebrated Sand- wich Academy, under the tuition of Rev. Jonathan Burr. At the age of sixteen he was put to apprentice in Boston, and served his term in a dry-goods store in that city. After. reaching his majority he engaged in business in Boston, and in 1812 removed to this place, where he continuously resided till his death. Until 1832 he was in the dry-goods and grocery trade, and in this year commenced the manufacture of oil and be- came interested in shipping. In 1837 he was associated in the oil manufacture with his son, George O. Crocker, and the late George T. Baker, and this firm continued till 1843, when it failed. Mr. Crocker and his son at once formed a new partnership, took the assets and assumed the liabilities of the old firm, and in a few years paid all its debts, principal and interest. In 1852 he retired from active business, having secured an ample fortune. In 1835, Mr. Crocker was one of the nine members who represented New Bedford in the popular branch of the Legislature, an honor to which he did not aspire a second time.

No New Bedford merchant ever enjoyed a higher reputation for strict integity in all his dealings than Oliver Crocker, and none better deserved it. He was largely and systematically benevolent. He was keenly

alive to the wants and necessities of the people, watchful of their interest, and ever ready to aid and assist them by any method or manner tending to promote their comfort and happiness, and highly ap- preciating the influence for good which intellectual culture exerts upon the habits and character of the people, with wise generosity gave liberally to the Free Public Library. Of every public charity he was a generous patron ; many were the regular pen- sioners upon his bounty ; no poor person was ever turned away empty from his door, and we know that in his old age he asked of not a few, in whose judg- ment he could confide, that they would bring to his notice any cases requiring aid. To the last he keenly enjoyed life, always looking upon its bright side, and retaining his interest in the current of events.

GEORGE O. CROCKER.

George O. Crocker, son of Oliver Crocker, born in New Bedford, Mass., Jan. 17, 1814. He received his education at the public schools of his native place. In his sixteenth year he was clerk for his father in the grocery and provision business, where he re- mained three years, and then was clerk two years in the counting-room ; after that went into partnership with his father, and for many years the firm-name was Oliver & George O. Crocker, manufacturers of sperm oil, and were large owners in the whaling busi- ness. Mr. Crocker has been a director in various corporations in his native city.

IVORY HOVEY BARTLETT.

Ivory Hovey Bartlett, son of Abner Bartlett, was born at South Plymouth (formerly called Manomet Ponds), Mass., Sept. 21, 1794. He was a descendant in the seventh generation from Robert Bartlett, who was born in England in 1606, and in 1637 came from London to America in the ship "Ann," the third ship which landed Pilgrims at Plymouth. After his arrival in America he was united in marriage with Mary Warren. The line of descent from Robert to Ivory H. has been as follows: Robert1, died 1676; Joseph2, died in 1711 ; Joseph3, died in 1750; Joseph4, died in 1756 ; Sylvanus5, died in 1811; Abner“, died Oct. 28, 1813; and Ivory H.7 Abner6 Bartlett was a deacon of the Congregational Church at South Plym- outh, and held office in the town as one of the selectmen, justice of the peace, and as representative to the General Court.

The maternal grandfather of Ivory H. Bartlett was Rev. Ivory Hovey. He was graduated from Harvard College in 1735, and became a settled minister at Rochester, Mass., where he preached for a period of more than thirty years, and afterwards at South Plyn- outh until his death in 1803, in his ninetieth year. He was a man of culture and wide influence in his denomination, a fine example of the honored and

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beloved pastors of the olden time. Three of Mr. Bartlett's uncles served in the Continental army at Boston and New York in 1776.

Mr. Bartlett married, in 1814, Betsey, daughter of John Clark, of South Plymouth, and with his family removed to New Bedford in 1819. During the first years of his life in New Bedford he was engaged in teaming, stabling, and staging, and for a time had charge of most of the principal stage routes leading from New Bedford, including contracts for carrying mails, which business often called him to Washing- ton. Later, he engaged in the grain and provision trade, and finally whaling and the commission busi- ness. He received his sons, Ivory Hovey Bartlett, Jr., and George Fearing Bartlett, into partnership in 1847 and 1854, respectively, thus establishing the firm of I. H. Bartlett & Sons, which still continues. I. H. Bartlett, Jr., died Oct. 25, 1880, in his fifty-eighth year. His oldest son, Abner Bartlett, went to Boston in the employ of Chandler, Howard & Co., and then to New York in 1836, where he was several years with Grinnell, Minturn & Co. He still resides there, being connected with the " Astor estate ;" and his younger sons, William Henry and Robert Warren Bartlett,1 have always been connected with his firm.

In 1861, Mr. Bartlett's firm, with the late Richard H. Chapell, of New London, Conn., entered into a contract with the United States government to fit the stone fleet of forty-five vessels with which the har- bors of Charleston and Savannah were blockaded, and twenty-four out of the forty-five vessels were fitted by his firm.

Mr. Bartlett's life was thoroughly active and earnest, both in his business and in the line of benevolence. The only public office he ever held was that of alder- man, under Abraham H. Howland's administration. He came to this city with a heart of sympathy and kindness, nourished by the example of Christian and benevolent parents. During the first winter of his residence here he collected upwards of six hundred dollars for distribution among the poor, and from season to season, for more than forty years, or as long as his health permitted, he continued this work. From a careful record kept by him we find that in 1858 sixty-four persons contributed six hundred and fifty-three dollars, which he distributed among three hundred and sixty families in provisions, and in 1859 seventy-four persons contributed seven hundred and thirty-five dollars, which he also distributed among five hundred and eighteen families in like manner.

It is just to the business men of New Bedford to say that these subscription-lists are highly creditable to their liberality. While Mr. Bartlett gave liberally himself, it was the personal attention and time em- ployed in this business which cost him most, for it was his invariable rule, regardless of personal com-

fort, to investigate every case where charity was ad- ministered by him. In the winter of 1856 he estab- lished a soup-house for the poor, which had his personal supervision in all its details.

Nor did he simply feed the hungry, but he visited the sick and afflicted, and administered to their needs by many acts of kindness and sympathy. His in- terest in and sympathy for the homeless and friend- less were unbounded. He was identified from the first with the religious progress of the growing town of his adoption, having been active in the building of the Stone Church, and with no narrow sectarian spirit giving of his means and influence to promote the moral and spiritual good of the people.

June 9, 1864, Mr. Bartlett celebrated his golden wedding, which was a very happy and memorable oc- casion. In the summer of 1861, with his characteris- tic kindness, he was on his way to the residence of his sick friend, James B. Congdon, to try to induce him to drive out with him to take the air, when by collision with a runaway team he was thrown to the pavement, an accident which at the time nearly cost him his life, and from which he never wholly re- covered.

After ten years of weakness and yet continued use- fulness in his work of benevolence, he died peace- fully Feb. 6, 1871, lamented not alone by his kindred and friends, but by none more deeply than the poor of the city.

CHARLES H. LEONARD.

Charles H. Leonard, son of George and Cynthia Leonard, was born in Middleborough, Plymouth Co., Mass., Sept. 23, 1814. When he was seven years of age his parents removed to the neighboring town of Rochester. After attending the public schools during the winters, he entered the academy at Middleborough, a school of excellent repute, the advantages of which he enjoyed and improved for three years. Like most New England boys, ambitious and self-reliant, he was eager to make his way in life, and took the usual step of engaging as a clerk in a country store. After a year's experience there he spent the three or four years following in the counting-room of Mr. Alfred Gibbs, a commission merchant in New Bedford, where his abilities had a better test and freer scope.

At that time was developed what was not inaptly termed the " Western fever," an eager and impetuous rush of emigration to the great West as a new El Dorado. Young Leonard took the disease, but in so mild a form that a year's experience cured him, and left him all the better fitted for his life-work. Re- turning to New Bedford, his career as a merchant at once began. Intrusted by an uncle with a shipment of oil for sale in New York, he visited that city and addressed himself to the discharge of his commission. After a succession of disappointments and discourage- ments, and when he had concluded to give up his en-

1 Robert Warren Bartlett was named after Robert Bartlett and his wife, Mary Warren.

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terprise as a failure, a fortunate turn of events en- abled him to compass success. A change of wind, which for two days prevented the sailing of the vessel in which the oil was to be taken back to New Bed- ford, not only secured a prosperous issue of the ven- ture, but, as he was fond of saying in after-life, de- cided his fortune as a business man.

What he had learned in that brief sojourn of New York and its business methods fixed his resolve to try his fortune in that city, and in 1838 he took a store on Front Street, near Roosevelt Street, and started in the oil trade. Two years later he took as partner Mr. Horatio Leonard, a consin, removing to 140 Front Street, and also establishing an oil manu- factory in Brooklyn. The manufactory was unsuc- cessful, and in three years the firm failed and was dissolved. Having effected a settlement with the creditors of the firm, Mr. Leonard soon embarked anew and alone at the old stand in the manufacture and sale of sperm and whale oil and candles, building up an extensive and prosperous business, and build- ing, too, what is rarer and better, a character of spot- less integrity.

At this time he commenced the manufacture of oil and candles in New Bedford, where his purchases of crude oil were mostly made, having leased what were known as the old Marsh Works in that city. There he continued the manufacture until 1853, when he removed to the works purchased by him of O. & G. O. Crocker, on the corner of South Second and South Streets. These he at once enlarged to double their former capacity, fitted them with new and im- proved machinery, made them superior in every re- speet to any other establishment of the kind, managed them to the close of his life, and made such wise pro- vision in regard to them in his will that their reputa- tion has since been fully maintained.

Though Mr. Leonard never entirely withdrew from active business, the excellent assistants whom he had trained, and whose affectionate regard and devotion to his interests he had won by years of considerate kindness, relieved him of attention to details, and enabled him to spend most of his summers at the old homestead in Rochester. This he transformed into a most attractive country residence, making improve- ments in every direction, and by his lavish outlay of money giving needed employment to hundreds of his townsmen. It was there, in his pleasant home, sur- rounded by those who best knew and most loved him, in the midst of a people who idolized him as a bene- factor and a cherished friend, that on the 24th of October, 1868, he died.

As a merchant, Mr. Leonard exhibited sagacity, breadth of view, a watchful regard to details, a deli- cate sense of honor in all his transactions, and un- swerving fidelity to every engagement. His word was as good as his bond, and that was equal to gold. Bold in his operations, he was at the same time can- tious and conservative ; and these operations were al-

ways within the limits of his legitimate business. He yielded to no temptations of profits from outside ventures and speculations, but confined himself to the path in which he was winning fortune and repu- tation. He was exact, but not exacting, claiming his just dues to a penny, but always liberal and indulgent to an unfortunate debtor. He never ignored the sa- credness of pecuniary obligations, or rested in the easy faith that a compromise with a creditor or a discharge by a court of insolvency is tantamount to payment. When years of patient and prosperous endeavor brought him the means, he paid to his early credi- tors every mill that was due to them, principal and interest.

In social life Mr. Leonard was a great favorite. Of fine person, winning manners, and pleasing ad- dress, equable in temperament and kindly in dispo- sition, unselfish and generous, he could not but make friends. He did good as he had opportunity, and he made the opportunity. It was not alone in the exer- cise of an enlightened publie spirit, in aiding religious, educational, and charitable institutions, or in the be- stowment of alms that his benevolence showed itself. " The cause which he knew not be searched out;" he anticipated needs almost before their pressure was felt by the sufferer, and sweetened his gifts by a price- less sympathy. He was fortunate in his domestic rela- tions. Of his marriage one competent to judge says it was " a union which proved uncommonly felicitous, and to which, by reason of its sympathies, its happy influence, and encouragement, must be attributed no small part of the noble results of his life."

Religion added to the native graces of the man. " His religious character," says Rev. George L. Pren- tiss, with whose church in New York he united, and who, both in New Bedford and New York, knew him intimately, " as it unfolded, was marked by the same attractive and solid traits which distinguished the man. His piety was not demonstrative, it was rather of a shrinking and reticent temper; but it gave ample proof of its sincerity and power by the benign and excellent fruits that adorned its path."

HON. JOSEPH GRINNELL.

Hon. Joseph Grinnell, our venerable citizen, pro- foundly respected in the community, brings to the discharge of his daily duties that clearness of mind and great practical judgment for which he has been so distinguished. He was born in New Bedford on the 17th of November, 1788. His father was Capt. Cornelius Grinnell, who had in the Revolution served his country on land and on the sea. After several years spent as commander in the merchant service he established himself in business in New Bedford, where he died in 1850, in the ninety-third year of his age, honored and respected. His mother was Silvia How- land, to whose lovely character and steady discharge of duty her children were largely indebted for the

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success and honors to which they have arrived. She deceased Aug. 1, 1837, in the seventy-second year of her age.

Mr. Grinnell commenced his mercantile life as clerk to his father and unele on Central wharf in this city. At twenty years of age he was appointed deputy collector and surveyor of this port. In 1810 he commenced business in New York, in company with his unele John H. Howland, under the firm of Howland & Grinnell. Their business was very sue- cessful until the war of 1812, when nearly all of their vessels were captured and condemned. In 1814 this firm was dissolved.

In 1815 he formed a copartnership with his cousin, Capt. Preserved Fish. The firm-name was Fish & Grinnell. Capt. Fish continued as partner until 1825. Upon his retiring Mr. Grinnell admitted his brothers, Henry and Moses H., as copartners under the style of Fish, Grinnell & Co.

At the close of 1828, his health becoming impaired, he withdrew from the firm.

Mr. Robert B. Minturn, a brother-in-law of Mr. Henry Grinnell, was admitted as a partner, under the style of Grinnell, Minturn & Co., now world-wide in reputation.

Early in 1829, with his wife and adopted daughter, he sailed for Europe, and returned in the latter part of 1830, when he concluded to settle in his native town. He built the elegant mansion in which he resides in 1831-32. At the same time he contracted with Messrs. Benjamin Barstow & Sons, of Matta- poisett, to build the ship " Oneida," and with Messrs. Jethro & Zachariah Hillman to build the ship "George Washington." The former was employed in the China trade, and the latter in the New York and Liverpool line of packets, both vessels by their good qualities adding to the high reputation of the builders.

In 1832 the Marine Bank, now the First National, was chartered, and unexpectedly to Mr. Grinnell he was elected president. Under his administration it proved very successful. He continued in office until 1878, when he insisted upon being relieved. He still continues as a director, and is regular at the meetings of the board.

In 1838 a movement was made towards building a railroad from this city to Taunton, to form a through connection to Boston and Providence, and a charter obtained. At the organization of the company, Mr. Grinnell was urged to accept the presidency, and finally accepted and continued at its head as long as it remained a separate corporation. The same year he was chosen a councilor of Massachusetts, and re-elected in 1839 and 1840, when he declined serving longer.

In 1840 he was chosen one of the directors of the Boston and Providence Railroad, and in 1841 its president, in which office he continued until 1846, when he declined serving longer, but continued as director until 1863, when he retired from the board.

In 1843, Mr. Grinnell was elected to Congress from this district to serve the unexpired term of Hon. Barker Burnell, who had deceased, and was re-elected for the three succeeding terms, making a service of eight years in the House of Representatives. He declined serving longer.

It would fill too large a space to follow him in his Congressional career. His eminent practical ability and large knowledge of mercantile affairs made his services very valuable. He was on the Committees of Post-Offices and Post Roads, Manufactures and Commerce. He had the respect of the whole House, and every bill introduced by him was passed, notwith- standing a strong opposition to some of the measures he advocated.

To him we are indebted for the first reduction on postage to five cents upon a single letter to any place in the United States ; for the ventilation of ships, and hence the disappearance of ship fever ; for the estab- lishment of life-boats at various stations upon the coast, and for various other matters of national bene- fit. During his service upon the Committee of Manu- factures his mind was strongly impressed of the neces- sity of some other business than that of the whale fisheries being introduced into his native town. He saw clearly that the time was fast approaching when that pursuit would become precarious and unprofit- able, and if there were no other calling offered, that the town would gradually decay and be deserted by the rising generation.

He took occasion to refer to it in conversation with the leading merchants here, and in the course of a year or two a strong feeling grew up in favor of investing some of the surplus wealth in manufac- tures.

A charter was obtained in 1856 for a cotton-factory, but Mr. Grinnell at that time declined embarking in the enterprise on account of the high price of every- thing connected with the business. In 1848 a reaction took place, material and machinery became cheap, and he then came forward and urged the erection of a factory. A charter was obtained, and a capital of one hundred and sixty thousand dollars subscribed, with the understanding that he should be the presi- dent, although reluctant to accept the position, as he had no practical knowledge of the business. Having accepted, however, he gave his whole mind to the work. The kind and quality of goods to be manu- factured was mainly the decision of its president, and to that decision probably is owing the great success that has attended the enterprise. A more detailed description is given in the history of the Wamsutta Mills. He still remains president, and daily gives his attention to the general supervision of its affairs.

Mr. Grinnell has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah, the daughter of Mr. Abraham Rus- sell of this town, to whom he was married May 14, 1812. For fifty years she was his helpmate, filling her place with a dignity and kindness that endeared

Merlot

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her to every one that approached her. She deceased July 27, 1862.

His second wife was Mrs. Rebecca Kinsman, daugh- ter of Mr. Abijah Chace, of Salem, a lady of superior mental ability, greatly beloved by all her friends, and admired by a large circle of acquaintances. With her he again visited Europe in 1869, partly in the in- terests of the Wamsutta Mills, and partly to gratify the strong desire of his wife and himself to attend the yearly meeting of Friends in Dublin and London. They returned in the fall after a six months' absence.

Mrs. Rebecca Grinnell deceased July 6, 1882. His great age sits lightly upon him. His long life is al- most coeval with his native town, and he has seen it grow from a small village to its present proportions. Its industries, business and wealth have all been created within his knowledge, and many of its enter- prises have received his fostering care and assistance. He has mingled freely with the leading men of the nation, and is widely known and honored.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 34

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