History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 98

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 98

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Politically he is a Republican. He has held vari- ous offices of trust and honor in his adopted city, and has been a delegate to County and State Conventions. On the 14th of December, 1841, he married Angeline, daughter of Halsey and Mercy (Allen) Baker, of Dartmouth, Mass. She was born Jan. 3, 1821, in Dartmouth. They have four children,-(1) Alphonso S., treasurer of Crescent Mills; (2) Benjamin F., a machinist; (3) Thomas D., a merchant under the firm-name of Sanford & Covel ; (4) Ina F., who died at two years of age.

Mr. Covel commenced life a poor boy, but by his characteristic energy, indomitable will, quick per- ception, and resolute character he has surmounted all obstacles, and is now (1883) in good circum- stances, and is surrounded with all the comforts of a happy home.

JAMES HENRY.

Fall River owes an imperishable debt to such men as James Henry, who, with well-stored minds of prac- tical knowledge, have given large and comprehensive abilities, sterling integrity, and wise and sagacious industry to the development of those manufacturing

interests that are the source of her wealth and pros- perity. Justice to the men who have spent long lives in her service demands that they be worthily men- tioned in her history, and we give an outline of the business career of one of its most prominent and use- ful representatives when we write of James Henry. He was born Aug. 5, 1805, in Clitheroe, England. Clitheroe is a busy cotton-manufacturing town on the Ribble, in the greatest cotton-manufacturing district of the world, Lancashire.

Robert Henry, his father, was an overseer of calico- printing in the employ of James Thompson, who owned and managed the Primrose Print-Works. James Thompson was a famous manufacturer, known for his enterprise and liberality throughout Europe. He selected the best talent to instruct his apprentices, employing several scientific men and French chemists as practical teachers. The system of seven years' ap- prenticeship was, in his establishment, the best possi- ble educator. Of its immense advantages in the way of securing the most thorough knowledge and highest skill in the learner no one can doubt. Miles Brace- well, father of John Bracewell, for many years had charge of the "color department," and his son was apprenticed in the establishment, and both John Bracewell and James Henry are living arguments of the excellence of the apprentice system as existing in Clitheroe.

Robert Henry married Sarah Ireland, and had six children,-Mary, James, Nannie, Catharine, William, and Margaret. They all grew up, had families, and only James and Catharine are living. James was but eight years old when his father died, and his mother was left to struggle with poverty in bringing up her family. She was, however, a woman of rare strength of character, deep Christian fervor, and re- markable industry. Her courage and skill kept the family together, and her uprightness and womanly virtues made her a model mother, whose instructions bore good fruit in succeeding years.

The most of the education received by James in youth was acquired at Sunday-school, which he regu- larly attended. At a very early age, soon after his father's death, he commenced labor in the print- works as a " tier boy." He continued in this service until he was about eleven, when he was employed for a short period in the department of machine print- ing, and then was apprenticed to learn " block print- ing." He began at the lowest round in the ladder of his advancement, and was long and rigidly held at each until he could safely mount the higher one. Seven years were thus passed in the acquisition of knowledge which afterwards made him so important a factor in the rise and fortunes of the American Print-Works and Globe Print-Works. After his ap- prenticeship he worked for two years longer, when the subtile and irresistible influence of America drew him to her shores. He arrived in Boston Aug. 15, 1829, in the ship " Hellespont," Pratt, master.

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FALL RIVER.

After a short visit to friends in Taunton, he went to Springvale, Me., where a number from his native town were engaged in color-printing, and engaged as color-maker. Staying there something more than a year, he went to Lowell, Mass., to work as a color- printer. Becoming ill, however, he went to Dover, N. H., for medical treatment, and stayed three months. Regaining his health shortly after his re- turn to Lowell in 1832, lie was solicited to come to the infant town of Fall River, Mass., and take charge of the color department of the " Globe Print-Works." He accepted the position, and rapidly won a reputa- tion for ability, energy, and skill. From that time to the present, over fifty years, Mr. Henry has been identified with the growth and development of this city. He remained at the "Globe" as color-maker for two years, when he entered the employ of the " American Print-Works," then just organized, as head color-maker. This was under the administra- tion of Holder Borden, who had the tact of securing the best talent in every department. In 1837 he be- came manager of the American Print-Works, Jef- ferson Borden becoming agent, on the death of Holder Borden. Mr. Henry had as his assistant his brother, William Henry, who remained with him in that ca- pacity until his death in 1856. Mr. Henry about 1850 was called to be superintendent of the Globe Mills also, and continued to ably direct the fortunes of the corporations under his superintendence. By his tireless perseverance, his quickness of insight, and his perfect command and knowledge of the minute details of every branch of his work he kept the repu- tation of the goods at the very head of their class, and did much toward establishing the permanent prosperity and reputation of these mills. He con- tinued in these responsible labors until apprised by failing health of the necessity of throwing the ardu- ous duties upon younger men, when, in 1873, he re- signed both positions, with the satisfaction of know- ing that his son Robert was to succeed him in both.

Mr. Henry has built up a handsome property by his unwearied and faithful services and investments in manufacturing corporations. He has made every dollar he owns in the interests to which his life has been devoted, and is now stockholder in various cor- porations, both in Fall River and elsewhere. He has been president and director of the Merchants' Mill since its organization. He was a director of the King Philip and Chase Mills also until compelled to re- sign by failing health.

Though born and educated in England, he became an American from the very day his feet touched American soil. His pride and hopes for this country are as intense as any native son's. His love for Fall River is as tender and steadfast as though its air was the first he breathed, and during his residence here he has endeared himself to all classes of people by his liberality and his keen personal interest in what- ever affected the welfare of the city or the condition

of its inhabitants. He has been Republican in po- | litical sentiment, and was elected alderman in the first city election of Fall River. He bas held that office eight years. He was quick to suggest and ready to assist any movement helpful to the material or moral advancement of the city.

He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in the prime of life, under the pastorate of Rev. James D. Butler, and has been an ardent supporter of its institutions and every good cause in the community. He has long served as Sunday-school teacher, class- leader, and steward, discharging those duties as pleasant labors of love.

For over half a century, from the activities of early manhood to the well-developed years of old age, Mr. Henry has borne himself a gentleman, kind- hearted and liberal, and has ever stood high in the esteem of the better element of society.

HON. JOHN B. HATHAWAY.

In looking over the past history of Fall River, we find some men now living who were in business over half a century ago, and have retired and are enjoying the fruits of their labor at a good old age. Of those now living who toiled in the past and worked their way up from small beginnings to ample fortunes by their persevering industry and close application we now mention Hon. John B. Hathaway. He was son of John and Amy (Read) Hathaway, and was born in Rochester, Mass., June 28, 1809. His parents moved to Assonet (Freetown) when he was but six years old, and from that time he has been identified with Bristol County. When he was eleven, his mother, then a widow, indentured him to a farmer in Berkley to serve five years. This service accomplished lie learned the shoemaker's trade, and worked two years in Assonet. He was then requested to remove to Fall River by Gardner D. Cook, of that city, into whose employ he went for six months, receiving twelve dollars per month and board. Thus in a very modest way was his successful career commenced.

In the spring of 1828 he went to work for Andrew Robeson at calico-printing, where he remained until 1831, when he had to leave on account of ill health. He then hired a shoe-shop of Nathaniel B. Borden, located about where Trafton & Anthony's hardware- store now is in Borden Block. It was about fifteen by twenty feet, formerly used as a tailor-shop on the corner. It was moved three times to make room for other buildings, the first time for the French's build- ing, corner of South Main and Pleasant Streets; the second to make room for Edward Smith to put up a boarding-house, and the third for Westgate & Craigin to put up a building.

In 1834 he went into Smith's building, and took his brother, Joseph R. Hathaway, into partnership, and added to the boot and shoe business groceries. They remained in company until 1841, when he was

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

taken sick, and sold out to his brother Joseph. In about a year afterwards he started the wholesale gro- cery business in the basement of the old hotel build- ing, corner North Main and Bedford Streets, where he was burnt out in 1843. Unfortunately he was not insured, and lost every dollar he had in his business. He then put up the first building erected in the place after the fire. It was on Bedford Street, where David Wilcox is now located, and continued the same busi- ness until 1854, when he built on the corner of Bed- ford and Second Streets, where he removed and con- tinned until he sold out to Petty, Lawton & Co. in 1864.

He married Sept. 11, 1832, Mrs. Betsey F. Gray, daughter of Edward and Amy (Tripp) Phillips, of Westport, where she was born. They have no chil- dren.

In spite of various disasters Mr. Hathaway was prosperous in business, accumulating a comfortable fortune. He was one of the city's most successful and with an easy affability of manner which attracted customers. He is now a director in Mechanics' Manu- facturing Company, Fall River. In politics he is Republican. He was a member of the Lower House of the State Legislature in 1866-67, and of the Senate in 1869-70, serving his constituents with accepta- bility.

He owns a pleasant home on the corner of Rock and Cherry Streets, also real estate in various parts of the city, besides a farm near Westport Point, which he has transformed from a rocky and almost barren place to a beautiful summer residence. The past ten years he has passed his winters in Florida. He keeps his eyes open, and has a good idea of what is going on around him. He is a genial companion, fond of a good joke, and has a keen appreciation of humor, and enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends.

BENJAMIN EARL.

The wise man said, many years ago, that " a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." One of those who has been accorded this "good name" -not by seeking for it, but by the oft-expressed judg- ment of his fellow-citizens, based upon an upright and correct life through a long series of years, and in many public and private capacities-is the subject of this sketch.

Benjamin Earl has been a resident of Fall River for nearly sixty years, coming to the then rapidly growing village in 1826. He was born at Taunton, Mass., Aug. 7, 1809, and was the third child of Hil- liard and Mary Ware Earl. His ancestors have always lived in this section of the State and Eastern Rhode Island. He is a direct descendant of Ralph Earle, who came to this country from the town of Exeter (probably), in England, between the years 1633 and 1638, and settled at Portsmouth, on the

island of Rhode Island. We find his name, with nineteen others, appended to a petition to the king, dated April 30, 1838, craving permission to form themselves into a body politic in that town. William Earle, the son of this Ralph, was also of prominence in the town, and with one other erected and main- tained the windmill (1668-85) on Windmill Hill, so called, and for this valuable service to the town he was given two tracts of land in the immediate vicin- ity. He also was owner of half a share of the thirty shares into which the land adjoining the "Queque- chan" or "Fall" River (at Fall River, Mass.) was divided, and his farm covered what is now one of the most populous and valuable districts of the city of Fall River. His well, which was long distinguished as a most excellent one, and was freely resorted to by the people of fifty years ago, was uncovered recently when putting in the curbing in front of the easterly buttress of the new post-office building.

The descendants of these two men lived at Dart-

merchants, shrewd as a buyer, expert as a salesman, ! mouth and in New Bedford, Mass. From thence

Hilliard Earl, the father of Benjamin, went to Taun- ton, and, having married, established himself in busi- ness, and formed his circle of acquaintances among the first families of that ancient town. But that fell de- stroyer of New England life, consumption, soon seized him for its victim, and he died at the early age of thirty-seven years, leaving a widow and six young children, the eldest but ten years of age. He had employed all his capital in carrying on his business, and in the settlement of his affairs but little remained for the family. The mother, nevertheless, courage- ously pressed on, and with prudence and economy successfully reared her young family, trained them in good habits, and gave them a fair common-school education.

Benjamin, at the age of thirteen or fourteen years, made his first venture in life by shipping as cabin- boy on one of the numerous fleet of coasting-vessels hailing from Taunton. Like many a boy of our day he found life upon the sea abounding in stern real- ities, and a severe storm and gale off the coast of Cape Cod thoroughly weaned the young lad from the desire for a seafaring life. Returning to Taunton he became an apprentice to a wool-carder and cloth-dresser, one whose treatment of the orphan boy was such as caused him ever to be held in highest esteem and remem- brance. He continued in the business but a few years, when in May, 1826, he came to Fall River and found employment in Bennett's wool-carding mill, then located on Central Street, where now stands the massive and lofty North Mill of the Pocasset Manu- facturing Company.

In the fall of the same year (1826) he entered the printing-office of the Fall River Monitor as an appren- tice, and became thoroughly acquainted with the business in all its detail as then conducted. His suc- cess was such that in the course of a few years, with the advice and assistance of friends, he was enabled

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to purchase the entire establishment, both paper and office-material, and on July 1, 1830, not yet having quite attained his majority, he sent forth his first issue as proprietor. He continued the business of printing and publishing until March, 1838, when he sold out in order to devote his time and energies to the cognate branches of the book and stationery trade, into which he had entered a year or two before. The period covered by his publication of the Monitor was an exciting one in the affairs both of the town and the nation. The late James Ford, Esq., one of the oldest and most highly-esteemed members of the bar of this city, was editor, and its columns were often filled with spice which possibly, on occasions, was of a some- what personal character. It was the period of the great Morgan excitement on Masonry and anti-Ma- soury, the paper assuming the Masonic side of the controversy, and its publisher, though never a mem- ber of any secret organization, became well known in this section by the sobriquet of "Jack Mason." It was at this time that politics ran high and the famous contest occurred in this Congressional district between Hodges and Ruggles, which required no less than seven elections before the question was settled in favor of the former. This time also covered the Presidential term of General Jackson with its days of " nullifica- tion" excitement.

In the spring of 1836, Mr. Earl purchased the book- and stationery-store of Mr. S. L. Thaxter, and was the principal dealer in that department for many years. In the early years of this business, and also in the last two years of the publication of the Monitor, he had associated with him as partner Mr. J. S. Ham- mond, who at a later period became one of the pro- prietors of the Providence Journal.

partnership, and with the growth of the city the business was considerably enlarged and successfully prosecuted.

While Mr. Earl was neither a politician nor a par- tisan in the objectionable sense of those terms, he has always taken a deep interest in public affairs, and has been honored by his fellow-citizens in elections and appointments to numerous official positions, cov- ering a period of more than forty years.

He was town clerk from 1836 to 1846; treasurer and collector from 1843 to 1846; representative to the General Court in 1847 ; selectman from 1847 to 1850; deputy collector of customs for the district of Fall River from 1849 to 1853; a member of the com- mittee on drafting a city charter, which was granted by the Legislature and accepted by the town in the spring of 1854; a member of the Common Council and president of the same in 1858; an alderman in 1859 ; city auditor and collector from 1862 to 1867; and a member of the school committee from 1867 to 1870. In 1848 he received a commission as justice of the peace, which he has held by renewals to the present time. In 1853, at the requests of the banks, he was appointed a notary public, and for many years was the principal notary for the financial in- stitutions of the city, holding his commissions by re- newals from that date to the present. In 1874 he was commissioned by the Governor (a life appoint- ment) " to qualify and administer the oaths of office to civil officers," and for the past six or eight years (until failing health prevented) has annually in- ducted into office the successive city governments of the city of Fall River. So that for forty-five years he has been almost constantly in one or more official positions, performing the duties of these diversified trusts with perfect fidelity and rare ability, and prov- ing the wisdom and insight of those who selected him for these varied responsibilities.

In the memorable great fire of 1843, which swept through the village with such destruction of property as to render many homeless and penniless, Mr. Earl lost his entire stock in trade, and but barely escaped He was elected a member of the Fall River Sav- ings-Bank corporation in 1841; the next year he was chosen one of the trustees, and in 1852 was placed on its board of investment, where he was continued by annual elections until 1882, when failing sight and hearing caused him to decline further service in that position. He also served as secretary of the board from 1862 to 1880, when, by a change in the by-laws, the treasurer of the bank was made ex officio secre- tary. His interest in the successful management of this institution, one of the largest in the State, was very great, and during the trying times which came upon the city from 1877 to 1880, the critical periods in its history, excited his liveliest apprehensions, and rested like a great burden upon his mind day and night. None rejoiced more than he when the days of peril were passed and the customary course of financial transactions resumed their sway. with his life. He had packed his goods into cases, with the vain hope of their removal, and realizing that with their destruction went the savings of many long and laborious years, he lingered so long, while the fire traveled so rapidly, that almost before he was aware of it the buildings were in flames upon both sides of the street. He ran the fiery gauntlet, escaping with the smell of fire upon his garments. His stock of goods was entirely destroyed, and his insurance also came to naught by the failure of the insurance company, which could not meet so large a loss at one time as that caused by the great fire of Fall River. But a good credit secured from his jobbers the volun- tary offer of a new stock of goods as soon as he could find a roof to cover them, and after a temporary rest- ing-place on Pleasant Street, where the Borden Block now stands, he was one of the first to select and oe- cupy a store in the Granite Block (erected in 1844), His legislative service was under Governor George N. Briggs, with Hon. Nathaniel B. Borden for senator, where he has continued business to the present time. In 1870 he admitted his son, Henry H. Earl, into and Cushing, Hayden, of the " Atlas," Banks, Bout-

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well, Schouler, Bird, and others, as colleagues in the house. His aldermanic year under Mayor (now Judge) Josiah C. Blaisdell was distinguished as one in which the government kept within its appropria- tions for municipal purposes, a wise and conservative course of action, worthy to be followed by its successors. His faithful discharge of duty in his office of collector of taxes for the city is indicated by the fact that while, for the six years previous to his term, the uncollected taxes averaged some three and a half per cent., the average for his six years was reduced to one and three-fifths per cent., and this notwithstanding the tax-levy was increased $167,000, viz .: from $102,000 in 1861 to $269,000 in 1867. Moreover, this period covered that of the civil war, with all its vicissi- tudes and the many and rapid changes in the popu- lation of a working community.

In 1836, Mr. Earl was brought under more direct religious influences, and having made a public con- fession of his faith, united with the First (orthodox) Congregational Church of Fall River, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Orin Fowler. Upon the organi- zation of the Central Congregational Church in Novem- ber, 1842, he became one of its original members, and in 1844 was elected its first deacon, an office which he has held to the present time. His fidelity in this posi- tion is again conspicuously illustrated by the statement that for thirty-three consecutive years he served as office-bearer in the celebration of every communion service, save one, when he was confined to his house by sickness. By reason of his prominence as an officer of the church, his tender sensibilities and kind and considerate action, he was repeatedly called upon by neighbors and friends and fellow-townsmen to super- intend the last sad rites to the dead; and this was continued to a comparatively recent period, when, with the growth of the place and the constant re- quirements of such service, others made it a special branch of business, and assumed that which before- time was demanded of neighborly kindness and re- spect. To within a few years he has also been called upon oftener, perhaps, than almost any other person to assist as bearer on such occasions. The experience gained in this service, prompted him many years ago to secure the construction of a tomb by the town upon the public burial-grounds-the first in the place-for use in stormy and wintry weather, and at such other times as occasion might require. Mr. Earl has filled various other offices in the church and society, as treasurer, member of the standing committee, super- intendent of the Sabbath-school, etc.

He took an active part also in the various local associations instituted in past years for the moral and social welfare of the community. An ardent lover of music, he identified himself with most of the musi- cal organizations formed during the first twenty-five years of his residence in Fall River. As a member of church choirs he played upon several instruments -the flute, clarionet, violin, and double-bass viol-

previous to the introduction of the modern organ ; and when that came into use, continued his interest and services vocally,-a period of some thirty years from first to last. He was leader of a band of field music early in life, and besides seeing service in the military brigades of this section of the State, as- sisted in the reception to General and President Jackson on his visit to Massachusetts in 1833, -an event of great moment and distinguished honor in those times.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 98

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