USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 21
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FREDERIC HOWLAND TABER, LL. B.
Frederic Howland Taber was born in New Bedford, May 3, 1883. His father is Frederic Taber, and his mother, who died in 1883, was the daughter of James Henry Howland, of New Bedford, and Fannie Peters, of North Andover.
Frederic H. Taber attended Friends' Academy, graduating from there in 1900. He then attended Harvard University, receiving an A. B. in 1904 and LL. B. in 1907. After graduation from the law school he was in the office of Crapo, Clifford & Prescott for a short time, and then joined with Otis Seabury Cook, of New Bedford, and Morris R. Brownell, of Fairhaven, forming the firm of Cook, Brownell & Taber. Mr. Taber served in the Common Council for three years, and was the president of it during his last year. He is a director in the Taber Mill, New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company, Neild Manufacturing Corporation, New Bedford Cooperative Bank, Acushnet Cooperative Bank, New Bed- ford Storage Warehouse Company, Automatic Telephone Company, and Greene & Daniels Company, Incorporated, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He is president of the New Bedford Charity Organization Society, and chairman of the New Bedford Civilian Relief Committee of the American Red Cross, which is at the present time endeavoring to look out for the welfare of the families of the men who have enlisted or who have been drafted into the service of the United States for the present war. He is the treasurer of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society. Mr. Taber's family have been members of the Society of Friends for many years, and
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he was brought up in that society. In politics he is an independent Re- publican, and has taken quite an active interest in matters of a political nature. He is a member of several clubs.
On April 11, 1908, Mr. Taber married Helen W. Bourne, of New Bedford, daughter of the late Standish and Clara (Simmons) Bourne, both of whom were residents of New Bedford. Mr. Bourne was asso- ciated for many years in the firm of George A. Bourne & Son, auctioneers and real estate dealers, and was later in the same business under his own name and in partnership with his son. Mr. and Mrs. Taber have three children, viz., Helen Standish, Frederic Howland, Jr, and Philip.
WILLIAM NYE SWIFT, M. D.
"Let us follow in his steps, Oh Lord," prayed the preacher, "in doing good unto others. We thank thee for the good he did, for the integrity of his character, for the excellence of his example." What finer eulogy than this could be pronounced, and when to that is added the glowing words spoken in connection with his work for St. Luke's Hospital by members of his profession long associated with him, justice is done to one of New Bedford's best known and best beloved citizens, Dr. William Nye Swift, son of William Cole Nye Swift, whose life and services are recited at length in this work.
William Nye Swift was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Au- gust 1, 1856, and there died October 27, 1911. He prepared at Friends' Academy, New Bedford, and at Phillips Exeter Academy, entered Har- vard University, and in 1877 was graduated A. B. He chose medicine as his profession, and after receiving his degree of M. D. from Harvard Medical School, class of 1880, he studied in Vienna, he and his wife mak- ing their home with a German family in order to learn the language. He remained in Vienna two years, studying and walking the hospitals. This foreign hospital experience added to the months spent at Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, prior to his going abroad was of greatest benefit to him, and when he returned to New Bedford in 1884, and began practice, it was not a novice, but an experienced physician who offered his services. He opened his first office on Union street and there built up a clientele along general lines of practice, but in 1896 he went abroad, and in Berlin took special courses in surgery, and after his return to New Bedford specialized in that branch of his profession. From 1882 until 1896, he affiliated with the New Bedford Health Department, first as city physician, ex-officio, and later, when the law was changed, Dr. Swift became a member of the Board of Health, but the demands of his prac- tice were more than equal to his physical ability to meet, and the office was resigned. He was devoted to his profession and in his private prac- tice applied himself very closely, although financially entirely independ- ent. His influence in building up the profession in New Bedford on a
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sound ethical basis was far-reaching throughout the State, and the har- mony existing between the physicians of his city and district and the unity of their efforts is largely due to his efforts. During the first five years of his life he devoted much time to this work, and it may be truly asserted that the profession is better through his life and services. His influence with young doctors was of value, both to them and to the com- munity. As they came to the city, he fathered them, gave them advice, assisted them from his rich store of experience, and made them his friends.
He was one of the charter members of St. Luke's Hospital, and a member of its first medical staff. Previous to the erection of the hospital there had been no place in which accidental injury could be treated, many accidents terminating fatally owing to this lack, Taunton or Boston being the nearest available hospitals. Dr. Swift felt this need keenly and did a great deal to bring about a better condition. St. Luke's indeed may be called his monument as to its rise and growth he contributed not only some of the best years of his life, but financial benefits flowed freely from his purse, mostly unknown save to the few of the innermost circle. To the hospital at Sassaquin he donated thousands in cash, as well as valuable time, deep personal interest and medical advice. In 1910 he was elected president of the staff of St. Luke's, and so continued until his death in 1911. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts State Medical Society, the district and local societies, and worshipped with the Unitarian congregation, furthering the work of the church in every possible way. He was a member of the Wamsutta Club of New Bedford, the Harvard, the University of New York City, and the Union Club of Boston.
Dr. Swift married, February 15, 1881, Anna Hathaway, only daugh- ter of Francis and Susan Shoemaker (Paxson ) Hathaway, of New Bed- ford. Dr. and Mrs. Swift were the parents of a daughter and two sons: Hester Williams, married Dr. Henry D. Prescott; Francis Hathaway, a contractor and builder, member of the firm, Swift & McNutt, of Boston ; Henry, a graduate of Harvard, class of 1915, associated for a time with his brother in business, but now head of the Naval School of Aeronau- tics at Pensacola, Florida. Thus was the life of Dr. Swift passed, and thus universally respected, died one of the most positive and active figures in the history of the medical profession in New Bedford.
FRANCIS HATHAWAY.
While not conspicuous in public life, Francis Hathaway was of that splendid type of public-spirited citizen ever anxious to promote the pros- perity of their home city, and in his quiet, energetic way did a great deal for the permanent good of New Bedford. He succeeded his uncle in the presidency of the National Bank of Commerce, and with sound judgment
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and rare discernment guided the affairs of that institution until his death. He was a son of Nathaniel Hathaway, a substantial merchant, member of a firm of three brothers, Nathaniel, Thomas S. and Francis S. Hatha- way, tea importers, manufacturers and bankers, all men of wealth and importance in New Bedford, sons of Humphrey and Abigail (Smith) Hathaway.
Humphrey Hathaway was a son of Stephen and Abigail (Smith) Hathaway, his wife and his mother both having the maiden name, Abi- gail Smith. Stephen Hathaway was a son of Captain Jethro Hathaway, who married Hannah West, and of whom it was written: "The Hatha- ways were extensive land owners derived from John Hathaway, who held a share in the eighth hundred acre division. Their lands were situ- ated on both sides of the Acushnet River, commencing about half way from New Bedford to Acushnet. Jetho Hathaway, as was his father and grandfather, was a prominent man in the early history of Dartmouth, and the handwriting of the former, who was one of the committee on surveys from 1758 to 1773. is remarkably handsome and rarely equalled by the professors of penmanship at the present day." The first of this branch was Arthur Hathaway, who came from one of the Welsh coun- ties of Great Britain in 1630, settling at Plymouth. The line of descent is through his son, Arthur (2) Hathaway, whose wife, Sarah (Cook) Hathaway, was a daughter of John Cook, of the "Mayflower," and his wife, Sarah, daughter of Richard Warren, also of the "Mayflower." From Arthur (2) Hathaway descent is traced through his son, Thomas Hatha- way, and his wife Hepzibeth (Starbuck) Hathaway, of Nantucket, daugh- ter of Rev. Nathaniel Starbuck, the famed preacher ; their son, Captain Jethro Hathaway ; his son, Stephen Hathaway ; his son, Humphrey Hath- away ; his son, Nathaniel Hathaway ; his son, Francis Hathaway, to whose memory this review is dedicated.
Nathaniel Hathaway died at the age of thirty-eight years, but until his death he was associated with his brothers, Francis S. and Thomas S., in the mercantile enterprises which made him and them substantial men of their day. They were tea merchants, one of the brothers, Francis S., spending a great part of his earlier life in China in the interests of the business. Nathaniel was the first of the trio to die, his life ending Octo- ber 27, 1836. his wife, Anna (Shoemaker) Hathaway, having preceded him, her death occurring September 2, 1833. Francis S. Hathaway died in 1869, and bequeathed his property to his remaining brother, Thomas S. Hathaway, and to the heirs of his brother Nathaniel. Nathaniel and Anna (Shoemaker) Hathaway were the parents of two daughters and three sons: Caroline. born in 1822, married, in 1841, Samuel G. Morgan, and died in 1883; Richard, died young ; Elizabeth, born in 1827, married Joshua C. Stone, of Boston, and died in 1903; Francis, of further men- tion ; Horatio, horn May 19, 1831, married, in 1859, Ellen Rodman, and died March 25, 1898.
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Francis Hathaway was born at the old Hathaway homestead, at the corner of Elm and Purchase streets, New Bedford, in 1829, and there died January 21, 1895. He prepared in Friends' Academy, New Bedford, entered Harvard College, there pursued a full course, and was graduated with the usual bachelor's degree, class of '49. He inherited a generous fortune from his father and began his business career in association with his uncles, and spent the years until 1878 in New York City, engaged in the tea business, acquiring large interests. He then returned to New Bedford, succeeding his uncle, Thomas S. Hathaway, as president of the National Bank of Commerce, a position of honor, trust and responsibility he ably filled for seventeen years, 1878-1895. As executive head of so important a financial institution, Mr. Hathaway filled an important place in the business life of his city, and in addition to his own estate inherited largely from his uncles, Francis S. and Thomas S. Hathaway. He was a director of the Hathaway, Potoniska, Wamsutta and Acushnet cotton mills, the Rotch Spinning Company, New Bedford Institution for Sav- ings, also vice-president of that institution, and of the Board of Trade.
Mr. Hathaway was a man of strong business ability, the soul of honor and uprightness, kindly disposed toward all, and intensely public- spirited, watched the progress of his city with pride, aiding with all his might to advance the public good. As a banker he was very conserva- tive, but not timid, safe and sane in management, sound in advice and a loyal friend. He was deeply attached to the old Purchase street home, and, although the noise of a busy business street drove most of the old families to strictly residence locations, he could never be induced to leave the old home, but continued his residence there until his death. He was one of the incorporators of the Wamsutta Club, its first and long-time president, was a member of the executive committee of the South Massa- chusetts Fish and Game League, and an earnest member of the Uni- tarian church, freely bestowing upon the society his time and personal effort, while his purse generously aided the church in its physical needs. Charity and philanthropy profited through his liberality, and he was a strong advocate for any cause he espoused.
Francis Hathaway married, in 1854, Susan Shoemaker Paxson, and they were the parents of a son, Nathaniel, who died September, 1916, and a daughter, Anna, now the widow of Dr. William Nye Swift, whose life history is herein traced, and a daughter, Elizabeth, who died in infancy.
JOSEPH MASTERS READ.
As a cotton broker Mr. Read has had the advantage of training under the able P. C. Headley and others, thus, when in 1916, he formed the firm, Nichols & Read, Egyptian Cotton Brokers, he brought to the busi- ness an intimate knowledge of grades, weights and quality that enabled
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him to intelligently conduct his negotiation with cotton buyers. He is on the threshold of his business career, but his future is brilliant with promise. He is a son of William Francis Read, a retired merchant of New Bedford, and grandson of Joseph R. Read, who in 1850 established a mercantile business in New Bedford. Joseph M. Read is the third gen- eration of his family in the city and the ninth in New England.
Joseph Masters Read was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, June 6, 1885. He was educated in Miss Leonard's School, Middle street Grammar School, St. George's Preparatory School, Newport, Rhode Island; Colonel Bragdon's Preparatory School, Highland Falls, New York, and Harvard University, one year. He began business life as a clerk in the Mechanics' National Bank, but a year later retired from the bank, and has since been connected with the cotton brokerage business. He began with P. C. Headley, with whom he remained eighteen months, then for one year was with Rhodes, Woodward & Company, next with Hurley Brady two years, leaving the last named to become manager of the New Bedford branch of R. & O. Lindeman, Egyptian Cotton Brokers, and remained with them until retired from business. In 1916 Mr. Read formed the firm, Nichols & Read, Egyptian Cotton Brokers, with offices in the Five Cents Savings Bank Building, their business, direct buying from the cotton fields of Egpyt, and finding their market for it in New Bedford and elsewhere among cotton manufacturers. He is a director of the Rome Manufacturing Company of Rome, New York, and of the Rome Brass and Copper Company. He is a member of the Wamsutta and New Bedford Yacht clubs.
Mr. Read married, in Rome, New York, January 12, 1909, Amelia Haselton, they the parents of: Eleanor, born September 27, 1909; Eliza- beth, born February 26, 1911 ; John Haselton, born July 27, 1916.
WALTER PELLINGTON WINSOR.
Our national prosperity depends upon the solid business men of the country. The story of their success is our best text-book for the inspira- tion of the young. As president of the First National Bank of New Bed- ford, Walter P. Winsor held a position of importance in his community, one to which he had risen through a quarter of a century in the scarcely less responsible position of cashier. Mr. Winsor was a Fairhaven boy, belonging to a family of sea captains and mariners, his father, Captain Alexander Winsor, and his grandfather, Captain Zenas Winsor, were thoroughly representative of a class of hardy upright men who would have graced any station in life.
The first Winsor of record in this branch is William Winsor, who is said to have come to Boston from Devonshire, England. The line of descent is traced through his son Samuel, to his son Peter. Peter Win- sor was born August 21, 1761, at Duxbury, removed to Kingston, Massa- chusetts, and there died April 19, 1845. His son, Captain Zenas Winsor,
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was a sea captain of Duxbury, Massachusetts, whose eldest son was Cap- tain Alexander Winsor, born in Duxbury, Massachusetts, August II, 1810, who began his seafaring life at the age of fourteen years, making his first voyage on the vessel of which his father was captain. He con- tinued as seaman and mate until his twenty-fifth year, when he was appointed to command the new ship "Molo." His first voyage as master was to Stockholm, Sweden, a voyage made in safety, but after delivering his ship over to the pilot, through some error in judgment or calculation, the "Molo" was wrecked upon Gotland, a large island in the Baltic Sea, belonging to Sweden, and both ship and cargo were lost. He returned to the United States feeling that his career as master was ended, but when he met the owner, Thatcher Magoun, in Boston, he was surprised and delighted to find that another ship, loaded and ready for sea, awaited him. With this ship, the "Timolean," he made many voyages, and in turn commanded the merchantmen (some of them clipper ships of re- nown) "Susan Drew," "Audubon," "Gertrude," "Hussar," "Sea Nymph," "Flying Cloud," "Sea Serpent," and "Herald of the Morning." The last ship, which he commanded until his retirement in 1872, was owned by Thatcher Magoun, who was also owner of the "Molo," the first ship he commanded. Captain Winsor belonged to that olden school of clipper ship masters of whom no finer ever trod a quarter deck. He married Sarah Pellington Allen, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and there made his home. They were the parents of : Alexander (2), born April 27, 1845; Walter Pellington, of further mention ; Sarah Frances, born June 1, 1851, married Thomas B. Fuller.
Captain Alexander (2) Winsor was a commander of ships in the China trade, and for half a dozen years was captain of one of the largest steamships running between Hong-Kong and Shanghai, then for twenty- two years sailed under the flag of the China Merchant Steam Navigation Company. During the war between China and Japan his steamer was used by the government. In recognition of daring and gallant service in rescuing a fleet of Chinese steamers from a perilous situation during a naval battle, the Chinese government, through Li Hung Chang, prime minister, presented Captain Winsor with the emblem of the Chinese Double Dragon. He married Carrie I. Bailey, and died in Fairhaven, June 7, 1899.
Walter Pellington Winsor, second son of Captain Alexander (1) and Saralı Pellington (Allen) Winsor, was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, October 12, 1846, and died there December 8, 1911. He was educated in the public schools of Fairhaven, and in the John Boadle private school in New Bedford, continuing his studies until seventeen years of age. He then began as bookkeeper for a Broadway firm in New York City, but six months later returned to New Bedford, taking a position in a grocery store as bookkeeper. At the age of eighteen he became junior clerk in the First National Bank of New Bedford, and for two years retained that position. At the age of twenty he accepted a clerk's posi-
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tion with the Union Mutual Marine Insurance Company of New Bed- ford, continuing with that company eight years until 1874, having risen to the position of secretary-treasurer. The heavy loss of ships in the Arctic Ocean in 1871, and the lack of business through the death of the whaling industry, caused the company to liquidate in 1874. This brought Mr. Winsor to the next and by far the most important phase of his career, his connection with the First National Bank. He was elected cashier of that bank in June, 1874, and for twenty-five years he held that important post, gaining expert knowledge of the laws governing national finance, and the practical knowledge to make his learning effective. He won the confidence of the public, and the high regard of the bank officials to a degree which made him their unanimous choice for the presidency upon the death of Edward S. Taber, in March, 1899. In the executive position his long training and preeminent ability were demonstrated, and for twelve years until his death, December 8, 1911, he was the ideal financier and bank president.
Mr. Winsor was a Republican, and was one of the selectmen of Fair- haven for thirteen years. He was a member of the Unitarian church of Fairhaven, and was closely identified with its work and interests, to which he was very devoted. A close friend of the late Henry H. Rogers from boyhood, he represented Mr. Rogers in his Fairhaven undertakings. Upon the death of Mr. Rogers, he became one of the executors of the vast estate; was a director of the Virginian Railway Company, whose road was built by Mr. Rogers; vice-president of the Atlas Tack Company ; director of the Wamsutta Mills; director of the Union Street Railway Company; and treasurer of the Millicent Library at Fairhaven. An esti- mate of the worth of Mr. Winsor's life appeared editorially in the New Bedford "Mercury," under date of December 11, 1911 :
In the death of Walter P. Winsor there passes out one who has been for nearly forty years a prominent figure in the large financial affairs of this community. Mr. Winsor was a son of that one of that splendid race of captains who controlled the destinies of the great clipper ships that were once the glory of the seas. From that inheritance a type of man was developed, of commanding figure and bearing, impressive in a physi- cal sense of resourcefulness and reliability. Throughout his long busi- ness career no act of Winsor's was ever at variance with that first impres- sion which his noble appearance inspired. His ability as an accomplished banker and financier was high, but the surpassing trait was his exalted honor and trustworthiness, and his judicious conservation in handling the important affairs and the responsibilities entrusted to his manage- ment and care. That the late Henry H. Rogers selected him as an execu- tor of his vast estates and interests indicates that one of the greatest and most discerning of the financiers of this age regarded Mr. Winsor's endowments as uncommon.
He was the executor of many estates and entrusted with many affairs of business outside of those in his regular line of duties as a banker, and he was faithful in all. Outside of his business career he lived the life of a gentleman of quiet and refined taste, one who loved flowers and simple pleasures and his home above all.
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Of soul sincere In action faithful, and in honor clear, Who broke no promise, served no private end, Who gained no title and who lost no friend.
Mr. Winsor married Mary G. Bancroft, daughter of Joseph B. and Sylvia W. (Thwing) Bancroft, of Hopedale, Massachusetts. Mrs. Win- sor survives her husband, continuing her residence at Fairhaven. Mr. and Mrs. Winsor were the parents of a daughter and three sons: I. Walter Pellington (2), born April 20, 1879, died June 29, 1911 ; a graduate of Harvard University and Law School. 2. Anna Bancroft, born May 22, ISSI ; married Carl Clapp Shippee, and removed to Red Bank, New Jersey. Mr. Shippee is a member of the firm of Shipee & Rawson, brokers, of New York City, members of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. and Mrs. Shippee are the parents of three sons: Winsor, born Janu- ary 18, 1908; Robert, July 3, 1910; Donald, born December 1, 1915. 3. Bancroft, born June 26, 1889; graduate of the Fairhaven High School, and attended Worcester Polytechnic and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He married Beatrice Dunham, daughter of Crawford L. and Anna Dunham, of Fairhaven. They are the parents of two children : Sylvia, born in May, 1914, and Philip, born in November, 1915. Bancroft Winsor is now operating the Winsor farm at Acushnet, Massachusetts. 4. Allen Pellington, born February 12, 1892; graduated Harvard Univer sity, Bachelor of Arts, 1914; Harvard Medical School, Doctor of Medi- cine, 1918; has enlisted in United States Medical Corps. He married Vira Holcomb, daughter of Clarke W. Holcomb, of New Bedford, and resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
ISAIAH FRANKLIN TERRY.
A man of enterprise and progress, Mr. Terry during the active period of his years, ninety-one, was intimately connected with the pecu- liar business industry of his native Fairhaven-whaling, with the finan- cial institutions of the town, and with other affairs of importance. The great number of years vouchsafed him were wisely improved, and when he was called upon for a final accounting of his stewardship he went with the record of a blameless life spent in honor and usefulness. For nearly half a century he was a trustee of the Fairhaven Savings Bank, and for sixteen years its president.
The "gold fever" claimed his attention in 1849, and one of his ships carried a large party of gold-seekers to the Pacific Coast, and to his progressive public-spirited action much of Fairhaven's modern improve- ment may be traced. Many of his earlier years were spent in New York City, but later he returned to the home of his birth and there passed from youth to manhood, gaining honorable position among the business men of the city, reached the summit of man's powers, then gracefully
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