History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 90

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 90

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At a special meeting of the City Council of Fall River, held on the day of his decease, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :

" Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to call one of our number, the Hon. Nathaniel B. Borden, from the active arena of life to enter upon the untried scenes of eternity, one venerable in years, rich in ex- perience both in national, State, and municipal legislation, one who has filled the highest executive position in our city, it is therefore

" Resolred, That it is with feelings of solemnity and sorrow that we bow under this dispensation of His providence in severing from the midst of this board one whose services have so long been identified with its action, one whose long experience in the municipal affairs of the city, together with his good judgment, enabled him to give direction to its councils and decisions.

" Resolved, That the members of this board sympathize with the family of the deceased in this their sad bereavement, and commend them to the loving-kindness and compassion of our blessed Lord, who doth not wil- lingly afflict His children, but doeth all things, after the counsel of His own will, for our good.

" Resolved, That in token of our esteem for the deceased, we do attend his funeral in a body, and that the public offices of the city be closed on the afternoon of his funeral.

" Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased by the city clerk, and the same be published in the news- papers of the city."

Resolutions of similar import were passed by the Fall River Savings-Bank, of which Mr. Borden was president at the time of his decease.

Mr. Borden was four times married. By his first wife, Sarah Gray, he had five children, of whom two

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

are still living. His second wife was Louisa Gray, to whom he was married Dec. 10, 1840. She died June 4, 1842.

On the 12th of February, 1843, he married for his third wife Sarah G. Buffum. By this marriage he had one son, still living.

His fourth wife was Lydia A., daughter of William Slade, of Somerset, Mass., and widow of John Wilbur, of Fall River, whom he married March 14, 1855. She is still living.

COL. RICHARD BORDEN.

The Borden family traces its ancestry through a long and honored lineage to the blood of the Norse- men, the fierce and warlike vikings of Scandinavia. Later on we find the ancestor of the Bordens of America a soldier with William the Conqueror, and was meted out his full share by that sanguinary chieftain of the spoils of war, and received his just distribution of the lands of the conquered Saxons. The ancestry of Col. Richard Borden is clearly traced to John Borden, of Kent County, England, who was a man of note in the realm. His sons, Richard and John, emigrated to America in 1635. John Borden and his descendants seem to have soon passed out of notice of their cotemporaries, but Richard Borden became prominently identified with the settlement of the northern portion of Rhode Island, and died May 25, 1671. From one of his sons, John Borden, a large number of the Bordens in this country are without doubt descended. His eld- est son, Richard, was born in 1671, died in 1732. The descent from this Richard Borden to Col. Rich- ard Borden, the subject of this memoir, is as follows : Richard', Thomas", Richard3, Thomas+, Richard5. Thomas, father of Col. Richard, married Mary Hath- away, and had thirteen children.

mill. The "Irene and Betsey" was also used as a packet between Fall River and the neighboring places, and the surplus meal was sold in Warren, Bristol, or Providence, and a return freight secured of provisions, groceries, cotton, etc. Another mill was placed on the north bank of the creek, at the next fall above, where the Annawan Mill is now, and a tramway had been constructed from this mill (known as the Daven- port Mill, but owned by Richard Borden, the uncle of Col. Richard) to the shore, and a car run up and down this incline, drawn by a rope. This rope was wound on a drum, which connected by gearing with the water-wheel, and thus the water-power was made to do double service. The great strength of the colonel was always a marvel to the small boys sent on horse- back with a grist to grind, it being his ordinary feat, after putting two or three two-bushel bags of meal on the horse with the greatest ease, to take the boy and lift him to his place on top of all. It was about this period he joined Maj. Durfee in the construction of several small vessels, the lumber for which was pre- pared in a saw-mill adjoining the grist-mill. Here, too, the strength of the colonel found development, as single-handed he would roll into position great white- oak or mahogany butts, two feet through and twenty feet long.

The year 1821 ushered in an important era in the history of Fall River. In that year was organized the Fall River Iron-Works Company, which for sixty years has been a powerful element in the financial operations of Fall River. In the organization of this company, that "earliest germ of the wealth of the city," Col. Borden took an active part, and was ap- pointed treasurer and agent, a position which he filled with distinguished ability up to the day of his final withdrawal from business, a period of over fifty years. The Iron-Works Company meeting with assured suc- cess almost from the start, soon turned its attention to the improvement of its landed estate, water-power, etc., and as part owners became largely interested in enterprises somewhat foreign to its own legitimate : sphere of work. The agent of the company, as its representative, thus became an active participant in

Col. Richard Borden was born in what is now Fall River (then Freetown), April 12, 1795, and he was in his eighth year when Fall River was incorporated in 1803. He was educated in the common schools in his native town, and after the period of boyhood, his early years were spent as a farmer, and to the end of | all these schemes, and the business tact and skill of life he continued his interest in that honorable pur- Col. Borden were brought into fullest exercise. In this way the Iron-Works Company became owner in the Watuppa Reservoir Company, organized in 1826; in the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory ; in the Fall River Mannfactory ; in the Annawan Mill, built by it in 1825; in the American Print-Works, whose buildings were all erected by the Iron-Works Com- pany in 1834, and leased to the Print-Works Com- pany ; in the Metacomet Mill, built in 1846; in the Fall River Railroad, opened in 1846 ; in the Bay State Steamboat Line, established in 1847 ; in the Fall River Gas-Works, built in 1847 ; as well as in the erection at various times of buildings which were leased to individuals for the establishment of business or pri- vate manufacturing enterprises. suit. But, step by step, he became identified with all the different leading business interests of the rapidly- growing town, village, and city. He was early iden- tified with the maritime interests of the place, and gave fresh impulse to the local shipping pursuit when as yet it was but a rural village. While still a young man he ran a grist-mill (1812-20), which stood just west of the present Annawan Mill, where the corn of the whole region was ground. In company with his brother Jefferson, it was his custom to go down to Prudence and Conanicut Islands, in the sloop " Irene and Betsey," which carried about two hundred and fifty bushels of corn, and having secured a load, to return to Fall River and discharge it directly into the

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FALL RIVER.

The care and development of the interests of these corporations brought into exercise those qualities which mark the highest order of business talent, and which in him were combined to a remarkable degrec, namely, clearness of perception, excellent judgment, and great energy, together with the highest and purest moral integrity. Col. Borden was a thorough business man, and devoted himself untiringly to the trusts im- posed upon him. These were enough to crush any common man, but he possessed that happy faculty of dropping one subject completely and taking up an- other as occasion required, and when he left his office he left his business there too, putting it off as an outer garment, so that in his home and in his family he was untrammelled and free from care, the loving father and grandparent, the genial host, the centre of the heart's warmest affections and highest esteem.

It is not surprising, therefore, that he filled a most uncommon list of offices of trust in the community and in the State. In the cotton manufacturing in- dustries of the city he was conspicuously interested, being identified with several companies either as originator or director. He was president and director of the American Print-Works, the American Linen Company, the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory, the Richard Borden Mill Company, and the Mount Hope Mill Company, and director of the Annawan and the Metacomet Mill Companies. He was presi- dent and director of the Fall River National Bank, director and treasurer of the Fall River Iron-Works, president of the Watuppa Reservoir Company, agent of the Fall River Furnace Company, and director of the Fall River Gas Company. In corporations oper- ating outside his own home his interests were also large and his administrative ability recognized. He was president of the Bay State Steamboat Company, Providence Tool Company, Cape Cod Railroad Com- pany, the Borden Mining Company of Frostburg, Md., and director in the Old Colony Railroad Com- pany. One of those men whom office has to, seek, though his patriotism and conspicuous public service in an individual capacity might easily have secured him any position his ambition could have aspired to in his native commonwealth, the legislative terms he filled both in the Senate1 and House of Representa- tives were probably the most ungrateful duties of a long life of duty, and yet while the highest political position possessed no exaltation to attract him, his genuine appreciation of a citizen's duty would not allow him to refuse the humble town or village dig- nity of assessor or highway surveyor, when his ser- vice seemed obviously needed. If there was one public recognition of his patriotism and public worthi- ness those who know him can fancy he took pleasure in, it was doubtless the honor accorded to him by the

people of casting one of the electoral votes of Massa- chusetts for the second time for Abraham Lincoln.

Col. Borden's ship-building and boating experiences fitted him for further enterprise in the same line, and under the auspices of the Iron-Works Company a regular line of steamers was established between Fall River and Providence, commencing in 1827 with the steamer " Hancock." Other steamers had previously attempted to establish communication between Fall River and the neighboring places, but with only par- tial success. The " Hancock" was succeeded in 1832 by the steamer "King Philip," the "King Philip" succeeded in 1845 by the steamer " Bradford Durfee," and in 1874 the steamer "Richard Borden" was also placed upon the route.

One of the largest debts of gratitude which Fall River owes to Col. Borden is for the present admi- rable system of communication with New York and Boston. Up to 1846 there was no communication direct by steam with either city, though the traveler could, by going to Providence or Stonington, catch a train or a boat. At this time Col. Borden projected, and mainly by his own effort constructed, a railroad from Fall River to Myrick's, to connect with the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad, and using the latter to join the Prov.dence Railroad and complete the route by rail to Boston. This was an eccentric way of reaching the State capital, and the next advance was consequently made to South Braintree, striking the Old Colony Railroad of that day. A satisfactory through route was thus secured ; but Col. Borden, not satisfied yet, was ambitious not only to have the com- munication opened for his favorite city, but to make it self-sustaining. With this view he organized the Cape Cod Railroad Company, of which he was presi- dent, and constructed a line from Middleborough down to the Cape, as a feeder for his Fall River route. The care, administrative and executive abil- ity, and the financial involvement-for he was not only the designer but the banker of the enterprise- were excessive demands to be made upon one man in that comparatively early day; but Col. Borden's re- sources in all respects were equal to the exigency. It was his good fortune soon to see his railroad enter- prise at least relatively a success. His purpose in freeing Fall River from its isolation was at any rate accomplished, and in a year or two he was relieved of his new responsibility by a consolidation of the roads he had constructed with the Old Colony.

In the mean time, being the second year (1847) of the Fall River Railroad, observing the success of the two steamboat lines running between Stonington and Norwich (Conn.) and New York, Col. Borden deter- mined to inaugurate a similar water communication for Fall River. The capital appropriated was three hundred thousand dollars, and the line was started in 1847 with the "Bay State," a fine craft for that day, built for the company, and the old " Massachusetts," chartered as an alternate boat. The following year

1 He was elected to the Lower House in 1871, and to the Senate in I854. In the former he served on the Committee on Mercantile Affairs and Insurance, and in the Senate on the Committee on Claims.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the "Empire State" was launched and put on the ronte, and in 1854 the mammoth "Metropolis," the most superb boat of her period on Eastern waters. Both boats were paid for out of the earnings of the line, which was such a success as in 1850 to pay six per cent. monthly dividends for ten successive months.

In 1864, dissatisfied with his connection with Bos- ton via the Old Colony Railroad, Col. Borden obtained an act of organization and set about a second through route to Boston, starting from the west side of Mount Hope Bay, opposite Fall River. It was a great scheme, with a warranty of profitable result through its control of the New York boat connection, but en- tailing great effort and care upon a man, however energetic and indefatigable, who was far advanced in life. Unquestionably the road would have been con- structed, but the Old Colony corporation could not permit a competing route to either terminus, and its policy, as it could not prevent the action of the new company, was to control it by a purchase. The prop- osition was accordingly made to Col. Borden to trans- fer his charter to the Old Colony Company upon terms of a very favorable character to himself and his stockholders. Had he been in middle life, retain- ing the physical as he still did the mental vigor of maturity, it is doubtful if he would have entertained any proposition however favorable. In his considera- tion of the business he determined to make it a con- dition of his acceptance that the Old Colony Rail- road Company should purchase the steamboat line to New York. With this proviso he made known his acquiescence in the proposition, and after a short deliberation the Old Colony became possessed of the most profitable water route to New York, and at the same time secured relief from the certainty of a very dangerous competition.

During the war of 1812, Col. Borden joined the local militia company as a private, and was promoted while yet in his minority. He was first commissioned ensign in a company of the Second Regiment of in- fantry July 30, 1814. Sept. 14, 1815, he was commis- sioned lieutenant in the same regiment. He received his first commission as captain April 11, 1818, and his second commission as captain May 2, 1822, both in the Fifth Regiment of infantry. He was made lieu- tenant-colonel of the same regiment June 28, 1823, and colonel March 12, 1828. After this promotion he withdrew from the service that others might gain for themselves as noble or higher honors. His pa- triotism during the late civil war, developed in a most active interest on behalf of the Union and an earnest care for the well-being of its defenders, will not be forgotten while the beautiful monument and grounds of the soldiers' burial-place, given by him, at the entrance of Oak Grove Cemetery, and the Rich- ard Borden Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, named in honor of his benevolence to the soldiers and their families in the trying days of the Rebellion, re- main to perpetuate his memory.

Personally, Richard Borden represented the best type of that pure, straightforward, stalwart Saxon virtue which has proven New England's best inherit- ance from the mother-country. His sympathies were given to all good things; he was a man broad in his views, true and steadfast in his convictions and feel- ings. A sincere, outspoken Christian in early life, identifying himself with those observant of the Sab- bath, the public services of the sanctuary and the requirements of the gospel, he became, in 1826, a member of the First Congregational Church of the city, and afterwards one of the leaders of the Central Congregational Church, which to his energy, liber- ality, piety, and judicious counsel is largely indebted for the success that has marked its subsequent history. In the mission Sabbath-school work he engaged with his characteristic energy, for a long time going seven miles out of the village for this purpose. His interest in this department of work continued so long as he lived. The benevolence of his nature flowed out as a deep and silent stream. He gave as to him had been given. None sought aid from him in vain when they presented a worthy cause. He was always willing to listen to the appeal of the needy, and sent none such empty away. " Home and foreign charities alike found him ready, yea, often waiting to attend on their calls, and among our institutions of learning not a few are ready to rise up and call him blessed for the timely aid ren- dered in the hour of their greatest need. Thus he came to be looked upon as the foremost citizen of the place, and his death left a void in the community which no one man will probably ever fill again. Gen- erous, noble-hearted, sagacious, enterprising, of un- tiring energy and spotless integrity, far-seeing, judi- cious, ever throwing his influence and his means on the right side, he presents a character for admiration and example which is fragrant with all the best qualities of our New England life."

" Among his last contributions," says the Fall River Daily Evening News of Feb. 25, 1874, " was one of marked generosity to the State Temperance Alliance. The newly-dedicated Children's Home also counts him its most liberal benefactor. . . . As one of the corporate members of the American Board of Com- missioners of Foreign Missions he was most highly esteemed, not only for his judicious counsel and genial fellowship, but also for his generous contributions."

The cursory sketch of his business career which space has permitted will suggest the conspicuous qualities of Col. Borden's mind and temperament, as the world saw them and events caused them to de- velop. It is doubtful, however, if any qualities of his can be termed more conspicuous than others, among those who really knew him, so well rounded was his nature. His achievements were many and great, a few of them extraordinary in view of his resources and experience, yet he did not possess one spark of the so-called genius to which exceptional successes are generally ascribed. His brain was like his body,

P. M. Scland.

Samuel Hathaway

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robust and full of forces ; his mental process direct and simple ; his faculties of perception and deduction more than the average in quickness and correctness of action ; his scope of observation and consideration general and yet effective. He had, moreover, a thor- ough self-reliance and self-assertion, yet was not over- sanguine. The possession of such a mental structure always assures excellence of judgment and consequent success if combined with a suitable temperament, and such was the fact in the present instance. Col. Bor- den's nerve was strong and nndisturbed by sudden or severe trials. Exceedingly honest of purpose, he was wonderfully persistent when his judgment supported his efforts, never giving up when legitimate means and thorough industry could compass an end he had started for. His industry was his conspicuous quality, if he had one. He was an indefatigable worker while the day lasted.

May 27, 1872, Col. Borden was stricken with paraly- sis, and from that day forward he was invalid. He sank to rest on the 25th day of February, 1874,

" Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."

Col. Richard Borden was a universally esteemed; beloved, and honored citizen, and his very memory is precious.

Feb. 22, 1828, he united in marriage with Abby W., daughter of James Durfee, and their children are as follows: Caroline, Thomas J., Richard B., Edward P., William H. H., Matthew C. D., and Sarah W.

DR. PHINEAS W. LELAND.

Dr. Phineas W. Leland was born in Grafton, Mass., in 1798. He entered Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1821, but left college before the expiration of the usual term of four years, owing to ill health. He studied medicine with Dr. George C. Shattuck, of Boston, and received the degree of M.D. at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., in 1826, and practiced his profession for some time at Medfield, Mass., but abandoned it in 1834, and removed to Fall River, where he received the appointment of Collector of Customs from President Jackson. This position he held in all about twenty years, being reappointed by the successive Democratic administrations. He retired from this office in 1860, at the beginning of President Lincoln's administration, and from that time until his death lived in retirement. In the fall of 1842, Dr. Leland was elected to the State Senate, and on taking his seat, in 1843, was elected president of the Senate. This is the only political office he ever held. He retained through life his early attach- ment to the Democratic party, and was a constant attendant to the conventions of that party until his retirement from public life. The excellence of Dr. Leland's personal character, his large public spirit, and above all the high standard of his literary attain-

ments, gave him a marked individual prominence in the community. He was always interested in every- thing that tended to improve the literary taste of Fall River, and was identified with many plans to effect this result. He was one of the founders, and for many years president, of the Fall River Athenaeum, and when the Public Library was organized he was elected one of the trustees, a position he held until his death. He served on the building committee of the City Hall, and delivered the address on the occa- sion of its dedication in 1846. He was always active and ardent in all literary enterprises. Dr. Leland was for many years connected with the press, and his writings were distinguished for a peculiar piquancy and brilliancy. He was the editor of the Fall River Patriot, a journal which was started in 1836, and con- tinned four years. He was also the first editor of the Fall River Weekly News, started in 1845, and after his connection with that journal was severed, he was an occasional and popular contributor.

While a member of the State Senate he contributed a series of articles to the Boston Post, entitled " Pen and Ink Sketches from the Gallery of the Senate Chamber," which were widely read and admired. He was always interested in the study of Indian history, and was thoroughly acquainted with all the Indian lore of this part of New England. For several years previous to his death he was very much of an invalid, and after many weeks of painful suffering he rested Jan. 22, 1870, aged seventy-one years.

SAMUEL HATHAWAY.

Samuel Hathaway was born in Freetown, Mass., Oct. 31, 1807, his parents being Samuel Hathaway and Hannah Cook. When he was ten years of age his mother, with her four children, of whom he was the eldest, removed to Fall River. His educational advantages were limited, and at an early age he was obliged to leave school and assist in the support of the family. In 1824 he became employed at Robe- son's Print Works, where he learned the trade of a color-mixer, and became overseer of the color-shop. He subsequently became manager of the Print Works, which position he retained until 1848, when Mr. An- drew Robeson, Sr., then the principal proprietor, re- tired from business, and the establishment changed hands. Mr. Hathaway then severed his connection with the Print Works, and retired to agricultural pursuits in the suburbs of the city, a business to which he devoted most of the remaining portion of his life.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 90

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