USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 24
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Mr. Eliot was devoted to his profession and so closely was he bound by his conception of the duty he owed his clients that twice he declined appointment to the bench. In his early life he followed the custom for young lawyers, and served in both houses of the State Legislature, but thereafter kept aloof from all political action for many years. He was a hardworking lawyer, conscientious in his fidelity to his clients, and always retained their confidence. In 1854 he was brought forward by the Whig party as their candidate from the First Massachusetts Con- gressional District to fill out an unfinished term. He was successful at the polls, and sat in the Thirty-third Congress amid the intense excite- ment of that Congress which witnessed the introduction and excited debate on the Kansas-Nebraska bill. He was soon in the heart of that fight, and his printed speech was circulated by the Whigs to prove its concurrence with the growing anti-slavery sentiment of the State. The next year witnessed the defeat of the Whig party, its complete over-
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throw and disappearance as a national party, and the birth of the new Republican party, that new and virile organization at once enlisting Mr. Eliot's support. He arranged the first meeting of that party in Bristol county, was their candidate for Congress, and served in the Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, and Fortieth congresses, retiring in 1869, through his refusal to be again a candidate. In 1862 he was chairman of the select Committee on Confiscation; in 1864 was chairman of the Committee on Emancipation, reporting and advocating a Bureau of Freedman's Affairs, that recommendation leading to the passage of the law creating the bureau. It was in the conception, forma- tion and passage of this bill, and his watchful care of the interests of the bureau when organized, that he performed a service which places his name not only among the far-seeing statesmen, but among the wisest and best philanthropists. He was the author of the "Coolie Bill," and its passage was due to his efforts.
An anecdote may serve here to show how the astute mind and kindly heart of President Lincoln recognized the fine qualities displayed by Congressman Eliot. A citizen of Massachusetts, of good character, was indicted for embezzlement of post office funds. The trail was difficult and he was convicted and sentenced upon purely circumstantial evidence. An application for pardon was made to the President by the friends of the convicted man who had long known him and could not believe him guilty. President Lincoln referred the papers in the case to the law de- partment, the report from that department being adverse and positive. The President was not satisfied and referred the whole matter to Mr. Eliot, who made a thorough investigation and reported to the President his belief in the man's innocence. Upon the strength of that report the President overrode the prosecuting attorney's office and a pardon was promptly issued. At the first subsequent meeting between the President and the Congressman, Mr. Lincoln came forward with face beaming, and with both hands extended, exclaimed: "Well, Eliot, we got our man clear."
In 1834, Mr. Eliot married Frances L. Brock, of Nantucket, who died in 1900. They had eight children: Caroline Dawes, who married Thomas M. Stetson, and resides in New Bedford; Paul Mitchell, who died in 1862; Ida Mitchell, now residing in New Bedford; Frances, widow of R. Swain Gifford, of New York, now residing in New Bed- ford; Mary, married William Rotch, and they reside in Boston; Emily Lamb, who married Appleton Sturgis, of New York, and died in 1892; and Edith, now residing in New Bedford.
The following eulogy appeared in the New Bedford "Mercury" at the time of his death, and is the testimony of contemporaries :
Mr. Eliot was pure minded, kind hearted, of sterling integrity, and of a most catholic spirit. In our unreserved intercourse with him, we can recall no instance in which he indulged in any unkind, uncharitable,
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or disparaging remarks about even those who had maligned him. He spoke no ill of his neighbor, but evinced a spirit of charity as beautiful as it is rare.
He was a deeply religious man, always ready with good words, and as ready with good works. Of his labors in the Sunday school of the Unitarian church, where for years he was superintendent, many of our readers have grateful recollections. His heart was in his work, and he deeply regretted the necessity of its relinquishment. Thousands will call to mind his invaluable services as president of the National Confer- ence of Unitarian churches, and also of the American Unitarian Associa- tion, his admirable tact in the chair, his hearty zeal and enthusiasm, and his earnest and successful exertions for fraternal union. He was a gener- ous man, prompt to give to every good object, and foremost in his con- tributions of money or of labor to sustain all benevolent enterprises. Better than any triumph at the bar or the highest honors won in political life, is the simple record of his unselfish Christian life. "He rests from his labors and his works do follow him."
JOHN THOMAS KIRK.
A babe of two summers when brought by his parents to New Bed- ford in 1866, John Thomas Kirk was for many years a traveler and a wanderer, but always a worker, going from mill to mill in search of knowledge, even back to England, remaining for several years, and also to Canada. A roll call of the mills in which he has been employed sounds like a list of United States mills with English and Canadian mills thrown in for variety. He is now general superintendent of the Nashawena, a $3,000,000 corporation, employing in their two mills twenty-four hundred hands in the manufacture of combed cotton yarns. As general superin- tendent, Mr. Kirk brings the manufacturing experience of a lifetime into daily practical use and there is no man in the cotton mills of New Bed- ford better qualified for the position he holds. He is a son of Josiah and Sarah Kirk, who were the parents of six sons, three of whom died young, three came to the United States, and all the family except John are now deceased. Josiah Kirk was a cotton weaver, as were all the men of the family for generations. He later became a manufacturer, but the panicky times in the cotton trade wrought his financial downfall. After coming to the United States, he soon went South with his family, traveling from the end of the railroad to Waco, Texas, by prairie schooner for two days and three nights. He is deceased.
John T. Kirk was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, October 26, 1864. In 1866 he was brought to the United States by his parents, who first settled in New Bedford, then went South and traveled over a great deal of the country, the boy attending public schools in different local- ities, travel and experience having been his best teachers. He was but six years of age when the family went South, and in Houston, Texas, he began work in a cotton mill, that being followed by work in Waco, Texas, mills. New Orleans came next, where his father was in the
John T Kick
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secret service for two years, and where the son attended school. About 1880 he went back to his native land, and after attending school for a time, he worked in cotton mills. From England he went to Canada, and then to the Harmony Mills, Cohoes, New York, where he spent about eighteen months. In the meantime his parents had moved to New Bed- ford and there he joined them in 1885, securing employment in the Wam- sutta Mills as loom-fixer, remaining for five years. In 1900 he went to the Grinnell Mill, then to South Berwick, Maine, to the Pierce Mill, as second hand, remaining for three and one-half years, then went on the road for the Compton Loom Company. He was for six months employed as a weaving expert, then went to Moosic, Connecticut, as overseer for the Aldrich Manufacturing Company, thence to the Grinnell Mill, New Bedford, as weaving overseer, thence to the silk department of the New- market Manufacturing Company, New Hampshire, thence to the Cocheco Mills, Dover, New Hampshire, as assistant superintendent, thence to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, as superintendent of weaving at the Slater Mill, later becoming superintendent in charge of the plant, a position he held until 1914, when he came to New Bedford to the responsible post he now fills, general superintendent of the Nashawena Mills. There was also a period in his earlier life when he was employed in the Carpet Mills at Philadelphia.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Kirk was for five years councilman at Pawtucket. In Masonry he belonged to Star in the East Lodge and Adoniram Chapter, in New Bedford, and the Godfrey de Boullion Com- mandery, Knights Templar, in Fall River. He is a lover of all out-of- door sports and plays some of them himself, loves boating, and is a man of unusual physical activity. He is level-headed and broad-minded, his travels having taught him the world is quite large and peopled by quite a number of men and women.
Mr. Kirk married (first) in New Bedford, March 5, 1889, Mary Addy, who died in 1903, leaving a daughter, Margaret, born in New Bedford, a graduate of Pawtucket High School, now a stenographer in the offices of the Nonquitt Spinning Company of New Bedford. Mr. Kirk married (second) in 1911, Helen D. Mills, daughter of William J. and Celena (Andrews) Mills, of New Bedford. The family home is at No. 12 Locust street.
THOMAS NEIL ROCHE, M. D.
Thomas Neil Roche was born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 9, 1884, and completed a course of public school instruction extending through grammar school. He prepared at Boston Latin School and while there made the football team and the crew. Later he entered the medical department of Tufts College, and there pursued full courses until gradu- ated Doctor of Medicine, class of 1904. At the same time he took special
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courses in surgery at Carney Hospital, and before graduation from Tufts took the examination in surgery and passed the hospital examin- ing board. He continued his studies in surgery at the hospital, and in 1909 received an additional degree at graduation. He also was admitted and for a time was connected professionally with the Lying-in Hospital of New York City.
In 1909 he began private practice in Boston, and there continued until 1915, being a ship's doctor to the North German Lloyd Steamship Company and a member of the medical corps of the Ninth Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard. In 1915 he came to New Bedford, and is here practicing, his home and offices being located at No. 279 County street. He is a director of the New Bedford Medical and the American Medical societies, St. James' Roman Catholic Church, New Bedford, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. Roche married, in Boston, August 3, 1916, Elizabeth C. East- wood, daughter of Nathan Eastwood, a farmer of Milford, Connecticut.
JOHN B. WEBSTER, M. D.
As a specialist in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Webster is meeting with success in New Bedford, his native city. He is a son of Joseph V. Webster, born at Provincetown, Cape Cod, now a retired bone-setter, living in New Bedford, at No. 341 Cottage street.
Dr. John B. Webster was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, October 19, 1886, and is now a practicing physician in his native city. He attended Parker Street Grammar School, and for three years was a student at high school, then withdrew to begin work as an apprentice to the tool-maker's trade for five years, becoming an expert tool-maker, but his ambition was to become a physician, and after a year in Mosher Preparatory School (1909), he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, there taking a four years' course and receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine, class of June, 1914. He was for a time at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, then took a special course in orthopedic surgery at the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled in New York City. Thus well furnished, he began practice in New Bedford with office at No. 341 Cottage street, and has become well established as a specialist of skill in the treatment of the crippled. On May 1, 1917, he was appointed city physician by Mayor Ashley, his pub- lic practice keeping him fully occupied.
Dr. Webster is an Independent in political action, selecting his can- didates for personal fitness and not for party allegiance. He is deeply interested in the work of the City Mission Dispensary, does a great deal of charitable work, and is highly respected by all who know him. He is a member of the Church of St. John the Baptist, Roman Catholic, and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is unmarried.
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CHARLES NEVES SERPA.
A successful lawyer, member of the Bristol county bar, practicing in the State Court, and also Federal courts, Mr. Serpa has the further distinction of serving the government of Portugal as vice-consul, repre- senting the interests of citizens of that country in New Bedford. Since 1907 he has been in practice in the city of his birth, is well established and highly regarded as a professional man and as a citizen. He is a son of Charles A. and Anna (Murray) Serpa, his mother deceased, his father, born in Portugal, now a business man of New Bedford.
Charles N. Serpa was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, July 15, 1883, and after passing all grades of the primary and grammar depart- ments, entered high school, whence he was graduated, class of 1903. His education was continued in the College of Liberal Arts, University of Boston, the degree of Bachelor of Arts being conferred upon him, gradu- ation class of 1907. Choosing the profession of law, he entered the Law School of the University of Boston, there completing legal study, and receiving the degree of Bachelor of Jurisprudence, class of 1910. The same year he was admitted to practice in State courts, and became asso- ciated with the office of Crapo, Clifford & Prescott, remaining there one year. They opened offices in the Masonic Building, in association with Charles Mitchell. Mr. Serpa has grown rapidly in public favor as an attorney-at-law, and has a most satisfactory law practice ; is public ad- ministrator for Bristol county, and deeply interested in many depart- ments of city life. He is a member of the bar association; director of the New Bedford Anti-Tuberculosis Society; director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ; former lieutenant, junior grade, of Company G, Massachusetts Naval Militia ; member of Theta Delta Chi and Phi Delta Phi, legal fraternities, the New Bedford County Club ; and in political opinion is a Republican, although taking no active part in public affairs. In all the other organizations named he takes an active part and is deeply interested in their success. In July, 1915, he was appointed to represent Portugal in New Bedford and vicinity as vice- consul, a position he still holds.
Mr. Serpa married in New York City, June 26, 1912, Mildred L. Rounds, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, daughter of Israel P. and Abbie E. (Graves) Rounds, her father a Pawtucket business man. The family home is No. 268 Hawthorne street, New Bedford.
STEPHEN DURPHEE PEIRCE.
Ever since beginning business life, Mr. Peirce has been interested in the sale of automobiles even when holding positions not related to that business. He now has the agency for the Dodge car, taking the old David L. Parker garage at Nos. 14-16 Market street, New Bedford, as headquarters. Although a young man he early began business life and
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has had the benefit of experience gained in different cities and in different lines of activity. He is a son of Stephen D. and Cyrene A. (Eldridge) Peirce, his father at one time a clothing merchant of New Bedford, mem- ber of the firm, Ashley & Peirce, and a man of prominence.
Stephen Durphee Peirce was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, August 22, 1886. He was educated in the public schools and in the Mosher School, attending the latter for two years, taking a business course which was finished in 1903. His first position was with J. K. Bishop & Company, contractors of Worcester, Massachusetts, his posi- tion that of timekeeper, and while holding it he became interested in motor cars, the peculiarities of the different makes, their defects and their advantages. The sale of autos was then becoming an established profitable business, and Mr. Peirce decided to fit himself for it by a course in general repair and garage work. For a short time he was so employed by Harry Wilson, on Pleasant street, then went with J. E. Watson, on Fourth street, on the old New Bedford Ice Company site. Mr. Watson at that time had the agency for the Locomobile, a steam propelled car, the first car of that make in New Bedford, according to Mr. Peirce, having been sold by J. E. Watson to E. G. Russell. He spent one year at the Watson Garage, then for about four years was a private chaf- feur with Edward T. Peirce, Everett B. Sherman and John Hicks, serving about an equal period with each.
From private driving he went to the Berlieu factory in Providence, Rhode Island, then building the Alco automobile, and there became familiar with all phases of motor car construction. After a year there a strike disorganized the plant and he returned to New Bedford and ob- tained a position with the Carlow Agency of Taunton, Massachusetts, as salesman for the Autocar, acting as such for one season. The next eighteen months were spent in the employ of the Waite Auto Supply Company as traveling salesman. The company sold only to dealers, and in his traveling Mr. Peirce formed the acquaintance of the leading men of the automobile industry all over New England. In 1910 he returned to New Bedford, entering the employ of R. W. Powers Auto Company, then agents for the Hudson car, with offices on Williams street. Later the Cadillac agency was taken from Mr. Robertson, he being the first local salesman either Powers or Robertson had employed. Later, while Mr. Green was in the South, Mr. Peirce took charge of his sheet metal working plant at the corner of New Bedford and Acushnet avenues, but kept in touch with automobile sales and business. In 1912 he was man- ager of the Knickerbocker Garage, owned and run by Mark E. Sullivan, who was then agent for the Hudson and Dodge cars, the latter car then just coming into the market, its builder, the Dodge Brothers, having previously been connected with the Ford Motor Company of Detroit. On November 1, 1915, Mr. Peirce secured the Dodge agency and is con- ducting a successful agency and garage at Nos. 14-18 Market street. Mr. Peirce is a member of the National Automobile Show Managers ; Abra-
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ham H. Howland, Jr., Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; New Bed- ford Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Masonic and Julien clubs, and the Trinitarian Church.
He married, in January, 1910, Agnes M. Jackson, daughter of John and Margaret (Ersken) Jackson.
PELEG C. HOWLAND.
From the organization of the Merchants' Bank of New Bedford down through the years of its existence as a State and National bank to the year 1885, but two men filled the position of cashier. The first of these was James B. Congdon, a man of great ability, who began with the organization of the bank in 1825, resigning January 1, 1858, his mantle falling upon Peleg C. Howland, who held the office until his death, Octo- ber 26, 1885. Upon the records of the Merchants' National Bank are pages devoted to these two men who bore an even closer relationship than that of business contemporaries, the inscription of Peleg C. How- land reading :
Resolved, The directors of the Merchants' National Bank of New Bedford desire to give expression to their sense of the loss which they and the corporation which they represent have sustained by the death of Peleg C. Howland, whose connection with the Merchants' National Bank, beginning August 13, 1846, continued under a Federal charter until his death on the 26th of October, 1885, a period of thirty-nine years of con- tinuous service ; and while it is more fitting that the character of our late cashier in his home and as a citizen should receive proper recognition elsewhere of his qualities as a man of affairs and of business, we may speak; and so speaking we would commemorate his unvarying courtesy of manner, his integrity, his comprehensive grasp of the largest transac- tions, as well as the minutest details, none too minute to receive that attention which was always his best; his rare, financial ability ; his ripe experience and extensive knowledge of banking ; his instinctive devotion to the interests committed to his charge; his wise foresight and anxious care for the interests of the bank and his pride in its success. All these combined to make him what he was, and he was recognized to be a model corporation officer and cashier.
Finer tribute from business associates than the foregoing could not be paid nor was tribute more justly paid. As a citizen, neighbor, friend, and father, he was of the best type, patriotic, helpful, loyal and devoted. He was of the seventh generation of Howlands in New England, tracing from Henry Howland, who was of record in Plymouth in 1624, a member of the Society of Friends in his later years, a convert. This Henry How- land lived and died at Duxbury, but he owned a large tract of land in Dartmouth, bought in 1652, and in 1659 was one of the twenty-seven purchasers of what was later Freetown. He married Mary Newland, the line following through their second son, Zoeth Howland, who was killed by Indians at Pocasset, January 21, 1676. Zoeth Howland, like his
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father, was a convert to the faith of the Society of Friends, but all his sons, except Samuel, were birthright members belonging to the Appo- negansett meeting. Henry Howland, son of Zoeth Howland, was a lumberman, lumber dealer and house builder, his homestead being on the opposite side of the road from the Apponegansett meeting house, and a little west. He held a high position in town and church, and did a large business in sawing lumber. He married Deborah Briggs, and among his sons was Zoeth (2) Howland, who, with his wife, Sarah, lived in West- port, all his life. Philip Howland, son of Zoeth (2) Howland, lived and died in Westport, his home farm about one mile west of Westport Vil- lage. His son, Isaac Howland, a substantial farmer and good citizen, married Lydia Cornell, and they were the parents of Stephen, father of Peleg C. Howland, whose worthy life furnishes the inspiration for this review. Stephen Howland was a leading business man, residing in West- port Village, where he died March 28, 1855. He married (second) March 4. 1824, Meribah Cornell, born December 29, 1801, died August 18, 1841. Their third son was Peleg C. Howland.
Peleg C. Howland was born in Westport, Massachusetts, April 29, 1830, and died in New Bedford, October 26, 1885. He prepared for a business career through the medium of public and private schools, finding his first position with a grocery firm of Westport, but at the age of six- teen. August 13, 1846, he entered the service of the Merchants' Bank of New Bedford, a business connection which was only severed by death. John Avery Parker, one of New Bedford's foremost citizens, was then president of the bank, and James B. Congdon was its cashier. The bank had just attained its twenty-first year, having been organized in 1825. Mr. Howland, under the inspiration flowing from such men, rapidly absorbed the fundamentals, then expanded rapidly, seeming to be a financier through natural inclination and talent. Five years after his entrance he was promoted to the position of teller, May 30, 1851, then advanced to the post of assistant cashier, January 10, 1854, finally, on January 1, 1858, becoming cashier, after that office had become vacant through the resignation of James B. Congdon, the only man who had previously held that position with the Merchants' Bank. After the pas- sage of the National Banking Act, the Merchants' reorganized as a Na- tional bank, thereby greatly enlarging its scope and increasing its impor- lance. Mr. Howland was thoroughly familiar with the laws governing national finance and financiering, and as a cashier of the Merchants' Na- tional aided greatly in guiding the course of that institution to the high place attained among State financial institutions. The bank was his pride, and nothing in any way ever detracted from his complete absorp- tion in its affairs. Prosperity came to the bank through the strength of its management and everywhere Mr. Howland was regarded as the lead- ing spirit. It was not alone his ability as a financier that gained him his reputation, but the nobility of his character, his unfailing courtesy, his genial, kindly nature, which attracted and held friends. He was very
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