USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 11
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Dr. Taveira married in Lisbon, Portugal, December 8, 1911, Camilla Casais de la Rosa, born there January 3, 1888, daughter of Marcial Benito Casais de la Rosa, a manufacturer, born in Celanova, Province of Hurense, Spain, and Catherinedo Rosario Fernandes, born in Villa Franca de Xira, Portugal. Dr. and Mrs. Taveira have a son, Augustus Casais Taveira, born February 4, 1913.
WALTER ERICH LOTHAR NIETSCH, M. D.
Since coming to New Bedford as pathologist to St. Luke's Hospital and as surgeon in practice for the past five years, 1912-17, Dr. Nietsch has demonstrated the extent of his scientific attainment by his wonderful success as a practitioner and by his research and investigation along broad lines of professional knowledge. He is a young man in years and is comparatively young in practice, but his worth has been recognized, and he already is a quoted authority, and with a thorough understanding of the obligation resting upon him he performs professional service with an efficiency indicative of great skill and ability. Dr. Nietsch is of old and honorable German family, tracing on the paternal side to Hermann Nietsch, of Trachenberg, Silesia, great-great-great-grand- father of Dr. Nietsch. On his mother's side, the Dudecks trace in direct
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line to the Burggraf of Wartburg, an ancient noble family with a castle (now in ruins ) in Wartburg, Silesia, dating back to the Thirty Years' War. Dr. Nietsch is a son of Hermann Nietsch, of Breslau, Germany, born May 29, 1858, the owner of an express company business, an hon- orary judge of the court in Breslau. He married Agnes Dudeck, born June 12, 1857.
Dr. Walter E. L. Nietsch was born in Breslau, Germany, September I. 1886, and completed his home education with graduation from the "Gymnasium" in Breslau in 1906. The same year he came to the United States, and soon afterward entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1910. He then returned to Breslau, was physician to the medical clinic, University of Breslau, and took post-graduate courses in the universities of Breslau, Berlin. Munich and Heidelberg, Germany, specializing in surgery. Upon his return to the United States, he became chief resident surgeon to Garfield Memorial Hospital, Washington, D. C., which position he held for one year, when he was chosen physician to the Dispensary of the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, leaving these and coming to New Bedford as pathologist to St. Luke's Hospital. For the past five years he has specialized in surgical practice, with offices at No. 294 Union street. He is a member of the professional societies, and of the New Bedford Yacht Club.
Dr. Nietsch married, in New Bedford, February 21, 1913. Emily Margaret Perry, born August 8. 1894. daughter of Charles F. Perry, of New Bedford. her father engaged in the real estate business. They are the parents of Martha Agnes, born April 12, 1914, and Herman Cyril, born April 18, 1916.
JULIUS BERKOWITZ.
In 1888. Julius Berkowitz came to the United States, a boy of eighteen years, landing at Lewiston, Maine, in August of that year. In 1895 he came to New Bedford, where as merchant and real estate dealer he has taken an active part in the business life and development of the South End. He is a son of David Woli and his wife, Hannah Galda (Smolowsky) Berkowitz, both of whom died in their native Tauroggen, Russia, the father, a bookkeeper, died November 6, 1900, aged seventy-two, the mother, July 26, 1912, at the age of eighty-two.
Julius Berkowitz was born in Tauroggen, Russia, August 8, 1870, and there attended school until fourteen years of age. completing a grammar school course. He was a clerk in a German mercantile house for a time, then went to Riga, Russia, working as clerk until 1888, when he took passage for the United States, locating in Lewiston. Maine, in the month of August, 1888. Two years later he transferred his residence to Boston, where in 1893 he completed all formalities and became a legal citizen of the United States. In Boston he was a salesman and a West
Artigo Colvamosa.
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End street car conductor, resigning his position with the street railway company in April, 1895, and coming to New Bedford. His first business move in New Bedford was the purchase of the business of A. J. Freates at No. 791 South Water street, which three years later he moved to a better location at No. 889 South Water street, there remaining in pros- perous operation until 1911, when he sold out and began dealing in real estate. In 1913 he opened a store at No. 1003 South Water street, which he conducted for two years, then sold and has since given his entire time to his real estate business. He has developed a large amount of South End property, Roosevelt street being one of his promotions in partner- ship with others. He is a Republican in politics, a trustee of the Massa- chusetts State Hospital at Taunton, director of the New Bedford Charity Organization, the New Bedford branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, is president of the Zionist Society, treasurer of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, past president of New Bedford Lodge of Brith Abraham, member of Lodge and Encampment, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, ex-president of the South End Merchants Association, member of the New Bedford Board of Commerce, and a director of the Morris Plan Bank. He is a member of the Ahavath Achin Congregation.
Mr. Berkowitz married, in New York City, July 26, 1896, Sophia G. Shireson, daughter of Joseph and Fannie Schireson. They are the parents of five children : Leo, Rebecca, Miriam, Celia and Benjamin.
ALDÉGE CHAUSSÉ.
When Aldége Chaussé was fourteen years of age, he was brought by his excellent parents to New Bedford, Massachusetts. That was in 1892, a quarter of a century ago, but his parents are still living, comfortably retired, and the boy of fourteen is the successful grocer, undertaker and liveryman, his residence, No. 396, his grocery No. 398, and his undertak- ing establishment and livery, at No. 388 North Front street. He was still a minor when he first engaged in the grocery business, but youth did not operate against him, and the business begun at eighteen is still con- ducted and is a prosperous enterprise. As a further outlet for the energy of this virile American of Canadian birth, he elected to add the business of an undertaker and at his establishment modern funeral service has reached a high state of perfection. In connection therewith a private ambulance service is maintained and a livery barn is conducted in con- nection therewith. In his business relations he is intimately connected with the life of the North End, and hardly less influential in political affairs, fraternal and social. He is a grandson of Joseph Chaussé. a farmer of Canada, and son of Eugene and Vitaline (Desruisseau) Chaussé, his father a harness-maker by trade, now living retired at No. 396 North Front street, New Bedford.
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Aldége Chaussé was born at Dunham, Canada, August 20, 1878, and there attended school until 1892, when the family moved to New Bed- ford, Massachusetts. He was employed for one year at the Bennett Cot- ton Mill, then for three years was clerk in a grocery. There he became familiar with business methods and custom, improved every opportunity to acquire knowledge of buying stock as well as selling, and having con- trol of a small amount of capital, began business for himself in 1896, although but eighteen years of age. From that year he has steadily progressed, he developing and expanding as his responsibilities increased with the growth of his business. In 1910 he added an undertaking busi- ness, and as funeral director and embalmer he maintains a modern estab- lishment with private ambulance service and livery at Nos. 386-388 North Front street. He is a trustee of the United Loan Company of New Bed- ford, and to each of his lines of activity he gives personal attention and supervision.
He is a Republican in politics, and for three years represented his district in Common Council, 1909-1910-1912. In the latter year he was elected alderman from Ward I, serving as chairman of the standing com- mittee on burial grounds, and member of the committee on streets, chair- man of the joint committee, audit, and member of joint committees, charities, almshouse and the poor, education, finance, fire department, ordinances, street lights, water works and water supply. He served as alderman during 1913-1914, since then his interest in city affairs have been as a private citizen. He is a member of Sippican Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; the Loyal Order of Moose; the Francs Tireurs (French Sharpshooters) ; the Federation Franco-American ; Court Bona- venture, No. 25, Foresters Franco-American; New Bedford Lodge, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Tremont and Dartmouth clubs. In religious affiliation he is a member of St. Anthony's Church, Roman Catholic.
Mr. Chaussé is unmarried, his home now as always being with his parents. His standing is high in his community, and he has a host of true friends attracted by his courteous, whole-souled manner and retained through an appreciation of his many manly qualities.
MANUEL CORREIA LUIZ.
At the age of fifteen years Manuel C. Luiz, a Portuguese boy from the Azores, came to the United States, going to Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, where he spent three years as a farm hand. From the Denham farm he made his way upward, becoming a mill worker in New Bedford at the age of eighteen. He had a taste for machinery, particularly engines, and in course of time, after acquiring the writing, reading and speaking of English, he entered his name with the International Correspondence School of Scranton for the stationary engineering course. The result of his study and practical knowledge gained as a worker in the engine room
Jours E Destraités
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of the Bennett Mill was the procuring of a license, certifying him a fire- man of the second class. This brought him a position as assistant fire- man at the Bennett Mill No. 2, and his experience and further study brought him a fireman's license of the first class. Still continuing his studies while working as fireman, he passed the required examination and received a license as an engineer of the second class, his attainments permitting him to pass the third class grade. Next came a position as assistant engineer, followed in due season by his receiving his license as an engineer of the first class, the goal for which he had been so earnestly striving, studying while others slept or played, and giving up all else to further his purpose of becoming a first class engineer. In 1905 he be- came assistant engineer with the Union Street Railway at the New Bed- ford power house, and in 1910 was appointed to his present position, chief engineer, having been in the United States twenty-two years. The quality of the man is shown in his achievement, and no estimate of the strength of his character, his courage or his determination is too high.
Manuel C. Luiz was born in the Azores, August 24, 1873, and there attended public school until twelve years of age, coming to the United States in 1888. Mr. Luiz is a member of the New England Association of Stationary Engineers; member of the Union Street Railway Em- ployees; is a Republican in politics; a communicant of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, and a lover of out-of-door sports, particularly boating and fishing. He is a man thoroughly respected by all who know him.
Mr. Luiz married, January 23, 1892, in New Bedford, Izabel T. Fon- seca. Mr. and Mrs. Luiz are the parents of a son, Manuel, born in 1894, and a daughter, Margaret, born in 1905.
LOUIS E. DESTREMPS.
Five generations before Louis E. Destremps, New Bedford's highly esteemed architect, first saw the light in his Canadian home, an ances- tor, and an eminent surgeon, arrived in Canada from Bordeaux, France, but yielding to the opportunities for trade he abandoned his profes- sion and became a wealthy merchant and ship owner. Louis E. Des- tremps is a son of Louis G. Destremps, an architect, to whose capable instruction and wise guidance the young man owes much of the success which has come to him in his profession. He and his wife Celina yet reside at Fall River.
Louis E. Destremps was born in Montreal, Canada, June 9, 1875. His parents came to New York City where he attended public school until the removal to Fall River, Massachusetts. After completing grammar school courses his father placed him under private tutors, in- tending him to enter college, but circumstances altered their plans and the young man decided to prepare for his father's profession, architect.
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He was then eighteen years of age, and for four years he applied him- self diligently, even going out and taking regular courses of instruc- tion in the various building trades. This thorough instruction created not only a designer of beautiful structures, but one who can intelli- gently superintend the construction and meet every mechanic on his ground. At the age of twenty-two, he left his father's office, went to Newport and there entered the employ of Andrews & Withers, archi- tects of Newport and New York. From Newport he went to the firm's New York office and from there was sent to the various operations that they were conducting, his ability to superintend construction so capably rendering him a very valuable assistant. With this experience, he returned to Fall River and there spent a year with his father, after which he was for a time in New London, Connecticut, coming to New Bedford in 1905 and opening an office in the Masonic Building. In 1907 he moved to his present offices in the New Bedford Theatre Build- ing, where he serves a large and discriminating clientele. While Mr. Destremps has designed and superintended the erection of many public and private buildings in New Bedford and vicinity, perhaps the build- ings which have given pleasure and enjoyment to the greatest number of people are the Fort Phoenix Baths and allied buildings, their full enjoyment, however, to follow the development of the pergola plan of the last building. Among other buildings he has designed are the Third District Court Building, the Star Store, the Betsey Winslow School, the Lincoln School, the Jireh Swift School and many others, public and private. He is not only a designer of buildings, but possesses the genius to fit his buildings to their location and to the purpose for which they are intended. Harmony prevails, and his designs have har- mony written large all over them. The front of one of his buildings could never be mistaken for a side or rear elevation, nor a factory be mistaken for a school, nor a school for a church. His work is artistic as well, and in the practical features of his profession he has the ad- vantage of understanding the technicalities of the different trades. Like most professional men he is a lover of the out-of-doors and farm life. He paints in oils and indulges his artistic nature in all it impulses and cravings. He is one of the incorporators of The New Bedford Institution for Savings, and served as councilman at Fall River for three years. When the Spanish-American War broke out he was a private of Battery M, of Fall River, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, but was honorably dis- charged, May 2, 1898, not being able to pass the physical tests required before the battery was admitted to the United States army. Although Battery M was stationed at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor, they were not called to active service in the field. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and several other orders, and belongs to the Massachusetts Forestry Association. His clubs are the Dart- mouth, Plymouth and Merchants of New Bedford; he is a member of the Chambres De Commerce, Franco-Americane, and for two years he
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served as second vice-president and for two years first vice-president of the New Bedford Board of Trade. In religious faith he is a Catholic, belonging to the Church of the Sacred Heart.
Mr. Destremps married in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, June 16, 1897, Antonia Labrode, daughter of Harmidas and Alice (Grandchamp) Lab- rode. Mr. and Mrs. Destremps are the parents of Louis L., a student of Dean Academy at Franklin, Massachusetts; Pauline F., a student at Jesus Mary Convent, Fall River ; Francis C., attending Sacred Heart parochial school.
BARNEY ZEITZ.
A business which was developed to one of large proportions in New Bedford was established by Mr. Zeitz with a capital of about fifty dollars. The first dealing was in small second hand soda fountains, but to-day the Mercantile Wrecking Company will contract to dismantle any plant regardless of its size and pay cash for the amount of their purchase. In addition he is head of a wholesale and retail hardware business which occupies a five-story brick building on Union street.
Barney Zeitz was born in Russia, Europe, February 3, 1882, son of Koppel and Fannie Zeitz, the former deceased, the latter living in New Bedford with her son Barney. When very young his parents came to the United States, landing in New York City, later coming to New Bedford. He attended the public school of New Bedford until twelve years of age, then began assisting his father who was head of the New Bedford Bottling Company. For three years he continued with his father, then went with Bliss & Nye, crockery dealers, remaining with them one year as driver and deliverer. He then spent two years with his father, a bottler of mineral waters, this suggesting the business in which he then engaged, the buying of soda fountain plants, removing them and selling to new customers desiring to install a fountain. The fifty dollars capital with which he began business soon grew to sizable proportions from accrued profits, and he was encouraged to add to his dealing everything that could be resold at a profit. So the Mercantile Wrecking Company was born and stands ready to purchase and remove all metal machinery or fixtures of any kind and in any quantity. Recent operations have been the purchase and removal of the machinery of the old Atlas Tack Company and the Taunton & New Bedford Copper Company Switches, these purchases all having been disposed of to good advantages. A more recent purchase is a handsome steam yacht, the price $25,000. The offices of the company are at No. 1082 Purchase street, Mr. Zeitz being the owner and manager. This buying and selling of metals, machinery and merchandise has been the main business of his life, but he has other interests. In 1905 he opened a loan office at No. 90 Union street and later a jewelry store at No. 123 Union street, his brother Harry being interested with him. He sold both stores, about
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19II, and then started a wholesale and retail hardware business at No. 90 Union street, which eighteen months later he moved to the five-story brick building, Nos. 132-144 Union street. This business he yet owns in addition to that of the Mercantile Wrecking Company. The hardware business was most modestly started with very little capital, but has grown to be the largest of its kind in New Bedford. The success he has met with in his other business has come from his great ability as an appraiser of values. His long experience, keen judgment and quick brain enable him to appraise at a glance, and he makes few mistakes as he knows the market value of everything he buys. He is a member of the Board of Trade. Mr. Zeitz is unmarried.
HARMIDAS PIERRE DION.
Since 1887 the bakery at No. 1070 County street, New Bedford, from which emanates "Butter Krust" Bread, was established by Har- midas P. Dion, who is one of the proprietors and manager. He is a great-grandson of Henri Dion, born in Varenne, Province of Quebec, Canada, whose son, Jean Baptiste Dion, was born at St. Marie de Manon, Quebec, Canada, and married Catherine Candon. He was a farmer of his native province, a devout Roman Catholic, an industrious man of good character. Children: John B., of further mention; Julie; Marie; Timo- thy ; Celina ; Azelda and Israel Dion. John B. Dion, the eldest son of Jean Baptiste Dion, was born in St. Marie de Manon, Quebec, Canada, June 29, 1827, died in St. Athanase, Canada, July 26, 1882, a blacksmith. He married Zoe Nerbonne, a farmer's daughter, born in St. Athanase, April 6, 1834, she being seventeen years of age when married. Children : Jean B., a merchant of New Bedford; Harmidas P., of further men- tion.
Harmidas Pierre Dion, son of John B. and Zoe (Nerbonne) Dion, was born in St. Athanase d' Iberville, Province of Quebec, Canada, June 27, 1859. He attended the parochial school in St. Athanase until coming to New Bedford in 1868, finishing his studies in Foster street public school of that city. He was variously employed until 1884, when in partnership with his brother, Jean B. Dion, he established a furniture business. Three years later he entered his present field of activity. His business established thirty-three years ago has grown to large pro- portions, the plant a wonder of modern equipment, cleanliness and sanitary condition. His best known product, "Butter Krust" bread, is made from the best Minnesota flour by experienced bakers and scarcely touched by human hands until delivered in air-proof packages to the purchaser. A keen visioned business man, industrious and progressive, Mr. Dion has given a good account of his years in New Bedford, and has other business interests in addition to his bakery business. A Republican in politics, he represented his district in Common Council in 1895 and
Harmi das. P. Dies
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1896; is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 73; Loyal Order of Moose; Francs Tireurs; treasurer of the Supreme Conseil, ten years, 1900-1910; Franco-Americaine Federation, treasurer 1894-1900; Catholic Men's Benevolent Association, president 1914-1916; La Gaiete Club ; and a communicant of St. Francois Xavier Church, Roman Catholic.
Mr. Dion married (first) at St. Athanase d' Iberville, Canada, July 12, 1881, Rosalie Boucher, born November 28, 1861, died February 3, 1895, daughter of Marcel and Marie Sylvestre Boucher, her father a farmer. He married (second) in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Novem- ber 2, 1895, Cecelia St. Amour, born in Ottawa, Canada, November 7, 1877, daughter of Joseph and Adele (Lauzon) St. Amour, her father a sawmill operator and foreman. Harmidas Pierre and Rosalie (Boucher) Dion were the parents of one child, Aumore, born April 15, 1885, a graduate of Drummondville Convent, Quebec, Canada, married Arthur Perron, and resides in New Bedford. Children of Harmidas Pierre and Cecelia (St. Amour) Dion : Cecile, born November 20, 1902; Roland, July 21, 1904; Raymond, January 17, 1906; Omer, November 14, 1907; Henri, January 25, 1910; Normand, January 1, 1912.
LEON PIERRE BRAUN.
As organist, composer and instructor, Mr. Braun is well known to the music lovers of New Bedford, Massachusetts, having been a resident of that city since 1901. His fame as a composer is more than local, sev- eral of his numbers published by Theodore Presser, of Philadelphia, hav- ing met with a large sale in the United States and Canada, and as organ- ist of the Church of the Sacred Heart for the past sixteen years, lovers of the grand organ have been delighted with his skillful manipulation of that wonderful instrument. Mr. Braun was born in Bitsche in the dis- trict of Kreis Sarrgemünd, Lorraine, about eight miles from Metz, the province having passed from France to Germany as a result of the War of 1870. During that war the town was shelled vigorously by the Ger- mans, and in the final settlement it nearly remained a part of France, but Belfort was retained instead and Bitsche ceded to Germany. While Mr. Braun's family were Germans for many generations back and spoke the German language in common with a great majority of the people of the town, they greatly preferred French rule, having thoroughly imbibed the spirit of liberty, equality and fraternity. It was very hard for them to pass under the rule of German imperialism and many thousands left the province, Mr. Braun's parents among them. When he was nineteen years of age he returned to his birthplace with his mother. As he had been born under German rule, even though he had left when a baby, he was called to render his allotted years of war military service, but he crossed the border into France and there he remained at the home of an
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uncle until joined by his mother. His father, Nicholas Braun, was organist in Bitsche until 1877, then came to America, settling in Mon- treal, Canada, being there appointed organist at the Sacred Heart Church, a position he filled for thirty-five years.
Leon Pierre Braun, born in Bitsche, Alsace-Lorraine, Germany, in 1873, was brought to Montreal, Canada, by his parents in 1877, and there was educated and received musical instruction from his talented father, who was his only teacher on the pipe organ. He completed a commercial course at Sacred Heart School, at the age of fourteen, and a classical course at St. Mary's Jesuits College, Montreal, at the age of twenty, and while at college was organist of the college choir. While abroad on his visit to his birthplace with his mother, previously mentioned, they spent some time in Paris, where he took a course of instruction on the piano under the celebrated teacher, Louis Diemer. After leaving college he began teaching music, and in 1894 was appointed organist and choir- master at the Church of the Nativity, Montreal. He filled that position most acceptably until 1898, then for one year occupied the same relation to the Church of St. Vincent de Paul. In the year 1900, he came to the United States to fill an engagement as organist at the Church "des Saints Agnes," St. Albans, Vermont, there remaining until 1901, when he came to New Bedford as organist and choir-master at the Church of the Sacred Heart.
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