USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 29
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William H. Hand, Jr. was united in marriage, June 29, 1905, with Georgia C. Shaw, daughter of E. H. and Caroline Shaw, of New Bed- ford, Massachusetts.
Samuel Whisper
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SAMUEL FRANCIS WINSPER.
Mr. Winsper, when a boy, came to the United States with his par- ents, and through a long, hard course of preparation, involving night study in public and textile schools, fitted himself for the position of superintendent, which he has held with the New England Cotton Yarn Company and with the City Manufacturing Company, his present post being superintendent of the last-named corporation. In the two mills owned by the corporation, six hundred operatives are engaged with the aid of 59,064 spindles in manufacturing carded and combed yarn from the raw stock, Peeler, Egyptian and Sea Island Cotton.
Samuel Francis Winsper was born in Staffordshire, England, April 7, 1870, and there attended public school until coming to the United States. He came to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in November, 1884, and began working as a picker tender in No. 5 of the Wamsutta Mills. But he possessed courage and knew the road to success lay only in being a little bit better qualified to advance than the other fellow. He soon had a better job, and the night schools knew the eager-faced young fellow who was anxious to learn. Soon he was a third hand, and in 1890 began working at the Bennett Mills. The New Bedford Textile School attract- ed him and he enrolled there in night classes, gaining technical knowl- edge which he was to add to the practical experience of his day position. He rose to second-hand at the Bennett Mill. continuing as such until 1895, when he went to the City Manufacturing Company as overseer, and in 1901 was promoted to the post of superintendent, holding this until December, 1906, when he left to become general superintendent of the cotton department of Mills Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the New England Cotton Yarn Company, holding that position until December, 1908, when he returned to the City Manufacturing Company as superintendent, a position he yet fills most efficiently. He has other business interests and serves the Acushnet and the New Bedford Cooperative banks as director.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Winsper has served the city as alder- man, holding this during the years 1908-09-10, and was chairman of the board of aldermen in the year 1910. He is now a member of the school committee, elected in 1916 to serve a term of three years, starting January I, 1917. He is a trustee of the New Bedford Free Public Library, and elected in 1915 and reelected in 1918. He was a member of the commit- tee in charge of the cotton department of the Liberty Bond sale in June, 1917, is a member of Sippican Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; past president of and a mem- ber of the Plymouth Club; member of Dartmouth Club, Wamsutta Club, Southern New England Textile Club, and the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers.
He is the son of Samuel and Hannah (Harper) Winsper, of Stafford- shire, England. His father died in New Bedford in 1885, and his mother died in New Bedford, November, 19II.
N B-35
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JAMES HENRY MISKELL.
As manager of the Green & Wood Lumber Company, James Henry Miskell has seen the industry grow from its small beginnings to be one of the most important in Southern Massachusetts.
He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the son of John and Margaret (Hassett) Miskell. He was sent to the public schools of the cown, attending the old Griffin street school, which was a primary school, and then the old Sixth street school, and finally going to the Fifth street grammar school and belonging to the class of '73. He then went to the Middle street high school and studied under Mr. Rugg. After leaving school he went into the employ of the Green & Wood Lumber Company, he being only a boy at the time. He has learned the whole business in its minutest detail and has seen it grow into a very prosperous and flourishing concern. Outside of his connection with the Green & Wood Company, Mr. Miskell is the president of the New Bed- ford Finance Association. He is past chief ranger and a charter mem- ber of the M. C. O. F., and also past deputy ranger of the same order. He holds the rank of past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, and is also past district deputy of the order. He is a member and a director of the Plymouth Club.
Mr. Miskell married, June 24, 1886, at New Bedford, Margaret L. O'Brien, daughter of John and Bridget (Byns) O'Brien. They have four children : Joseph B., James H., Leo Hassett, and Louis O'Brien.
HENRY CARROLL WRIGHT MOSHER.
When, in 1899, Henry C. W. Mosher came to the presidency of the Merchants' National Bank, New Bedford, Massachusetts, he was the fifth man to hold that responsible position, that bank having been char- tered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by act of June 18, 1825. The history of the institution during its ninety-three years of existence is entwined with the lives and doings of New Bedford's foremost citizens, its list of presidents beginning with that sterling citizen, John Avery Parker, who ruled from incorporation, in 1825, until 1854, he giving way to Charles R. Tucker, 1854-1876, Jonathan Bourne then succeeding, 1876- 1889. The fourth president was Gilbert Allen, 1889-1899, he being suc- ceeded in the latter year by Henry C. W. Mosher, the present chief executive whose term now covers a period of nineteen years of the bank's greatest expansion and prosperity, and marked by its removal to the handsome building, at the corner of William and Purchase streets, which is the bank's fourth and present home. As head of this old and sub- stantial institution, Mr. Mosher occupies a position of importance in the financial world, which he has proved himself worthy to fill, and under his guiding hand the best standards of banking law and custom are fully maintained.
Истиолий
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Mr. Mosher is a descendant of Ensign Mosher, who came to Bos- ton, in 1636, and died at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1694. Of the origin of this Hugh Mosher the following is written :
Prior to the year. 1600, there were in Manchester, and London, Eng- land, five brothers by the name of Mosher or Mosier-viz: William, John, Thomas, Stephen and George. Three of these brothers had sons named Hugh, who were distinguished men. I-Hugh, son of John Mosher, went to India, where he amassed a fortune, and on his return to England was knighted and created a baron. He died in London, leaving no children. II-Hugh, son of Thomas Mosher, sailed for New Eng- land, in 1632, and finally settled at Falmouth, Maine. III-Ensign Hugh Mosher, the ancestor of Henry C. W. Mosher, of New Bedford, Massa- chusetts, to whom this review is inscribed.
Rev. and Ensign Mosher, son of Stephen Mosher, of Manchester, England, arrived in Boston, in 1636, and settled first at Salem, going thence to Rhode Island, with his friend, Roger Williams, the early Apostle of religious freedom, who was pastor of the Salem Church before settling the colony in Rhode Island, at Providence, Hugh Mosher aiding him. He married Lydia Maxon or Masam, they leaving sons: Hugh (2), John, Nicholas, Joseph, Daniel and James. The line of descent is through Rev. Hugh (2) Mosher, born in 1633, died in 1713, who mar- ried (first) Rebecca Harndel. Rev. Hugh (2) and Rebecca Mosher were the parents of: Nicholas, John, Joseph, Mary, James, Daniel and Re- becca, the line continuing through the fifth son, Daniel. Daniel Mosher was born in :678, and died in 1751. He married, in 1704, Elizabeth Ed- wards, and they were the parents of eleven children; the next in direct line being their son, Benjamin Mosher, born April 19, 1706, who was succeeded by his son, George Mosher, born October 11, 1740, married, about 1765, Meribah Brightman, born May 11, 1746, died June 29, 1823, being killed in a runaway while being driven by her son, Bryce. George and Meribah Mosher were the parents of a large family including a son, Bryce Mosher, born February 28, 1777, died March 9, 1863. He married (first) in December, 1797, Peace Gifford, born March 31, 1780, died No- vember 1, 1840, the mother of twelve children. He married (second) Rozilla Decker, they the parents of five children.
Jonathan Mosher, eldest son and second child of Bryce Mosher and his first wife, Peace (Gifford) Mosher, was born in Westport, Massa- chusetts, October 4, 1799, died December 19, 1890. He was a man of high intelligence, self-educated and well-read. For many years he was toll-keeper of the old New Bedford and Fairhaven toll bridge before it was made free, and later bought a farm in Fairhaven upon which he lived to a good old age, honored and respected. He was an ardent Abolition- ist, aiding in the operation of the "Underground Railroad" by which many slaves escaped to Canada. He married (first) in June, 1824, Cath- erine Soule, born February 25, 1793, died February 6, 1825, without issue. He married (second) August 7, 1825, Abigail Soule, born September 18,
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1804, died April 26, 1874, sister of his first wife, both tracing descent to a "Mayflower" ancestor, George Soule. He married (third) in 1875, Susan Starkey. Jonathan Mosher and his second wife, Abigail (Soule) Mosher, were the parents of seven sons and four daughters : I. James E., born October 12, 1828, died November 30, 1829. 2. James Edwin, born Au- gust 25, 1830, believed to be living in Australia. 3. William Coe, born December 19. 1832, whereabouts unknown. 4. Angeline Caroline, born March 9, 1835, died November 4, 1836. 5. Charles Edward Everett, born May 8, 1836, died November 19, 1915; he married, July 22, 1875, Mary Elizabeth Briggs, born May 28, 1852; they had two children : i. Charlotte Shirley, bori! May 15, 1876, married Walter L. Weeden, born November 28, 1875, and had a son, William Nye Weeden, born July 31, 1904. ii. Brycia Gladys, born August 11, 1886, married Thomas W. Williams, born July 26, 1886. 6. Abbie Catherine, born May 8, 1838, died Novem- ber 7, 1910; married, July 6, 1865, Charles A. Johnson, who died August 31, 1889, without issue. 7. Mary Ellen, born March 22, 1840, died Febru- ary 28, 1841. 8. Mary Everline, born November 19, 1841, died July 31, 1915. 9. Cyrus Burleigh, born November 25, 1843, died April 26, 1859. 10. Henry Carroll Wright, of further mention. 11. Eliza Caroline, born October 16, 1847, died August 10, 1848.
Henry Carroll Wright Mosher, youngest son and tenth child of Jon- athan Mosher and his second wife, Abigail (Soule) Mosher, and the last survivor of that family, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Au- gust 12, 1845, and there spent the first seven years of his life. He then was taken by his parents to the farm they had purchased. He was edu- cated in the Fairhaven public schools, finishing with graduation from high school, his brother, Charles Edward Everett, a well known educator of his day, being one of his instructors and lending the weight of his influ- ence in keeping the lad in school. Later he pursued courses of study in Comer's Commercial College, in Boston, beginning his business career as a clerk with Wood, Brightman & Company, tinsmiths, remaining with that firm for six years, 1864-1870, becoming a clerk in the employ of the Merchants' National Bank, of New Bedford, in August, 1870. After three years in clerical position he was advanced to the post of teller, remain- ing at that desk twelve years, then in 1885 becoming assistant cashier with Peleg C. Howland, who had been cashier for twenty-seven years, 1858-1885. One month later Mr. Howland died, and Mr. Mosher became cashier. He continued the able, efficient cashier for about fourteen years, 1885-1899, then early in the year 1899, the death of Gilbert Allen, who had been president of the bank for ten years, caused a vacancy in the executive office which was filled by the board of directors electing Mr. Mosher as his successor and the bank's fifth president. At the time of his elevation to the presidency Mr. Mosher had been in the bank's employ for twenty-nine years, 1870-1899, and since that event nearly nineteen years have elapsed. His rise from clerk to president was rapid, and in his course he held every position upon merit, and rose to a higher one
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through natural selection. That he filled a post for thirty-two years that was honored by that strong and eminent citizen, James B. Congdon, the first cashier of the bank, and another filled by another eminent son of New Bedford, John Avery Parker, the bank's first president, is a guaran- tee of high efficiency and sterling character in itself, while a perusal of the names of the presidents and cashiers of the bank rivals a list of men who have figured prominently in New Bedford history for the past cen- tury and more-men who not less than the institution with which they were connected have been important factors in New Bedford's growth, prosperity and greatness.
In addition to his bank responsibilities, Mr. Mosher is a director of the Kilburn Mill, and the Grinnell Mill, both of New Bedford, the Borden City Mill of Fall River, Massachusetts, New Bedford and Agawam Fin- ishing Company of East Wareham, Massachusetts, and has other inter- ests of importance. He is a Republican in politics, active In its interest, but as a citizen never holding nor desiring public office. He is a member of Star of the East Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Adoniram Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; New Bedford Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters; Sutton Commandery, Knights Templar. Now the veteran banker of nearly half a century, and past life's summit, Mr. Mosher takes no advantage of the years he owns, but devotes the business hours of the day to the duties as bank executive, and is the strong, virile, level-headed man of affairs. His business life has been spent with the Merchants' National, and the name of the institution and the executive are synony- mous in New Bedford.
Mr. Mosher married, June 17, 1869, Evelyn E. Gerrish, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of a daughter and a son: I. Grace Matilda, born April 23, 1870, married, June 2, 1896, James H. Coffin, born March 31, 1865. 2. Harry Gerrish, born February 25, 1873, now engaged in the life insurance business in New York City ; he mar- ried, in October, 1896, Sarah A. Dunham, born September 1, 1878, their only child being Gwendolyn Elizabeth, born March 30, 1898, she of the tenth American generation of the family founded by Rev. and Ensign Hugh Mosher.
JOSEPH PIERRE ST. GERMAIN, M. D.
Dr. Joseph P. St. Germain, one of the successful and efficient mem- bers of the medical fraternity in the city of New Bedford, stands for something in the community far more important than any concrete accomplishment, he stands for probity and integrity in professional rela- tions, for a conscientious fulfillment of the duties of citizenship, for virtue in the domestic relations, and for a sterling manhood that may well serve as a model for the youth of his own and other communities.
Dr. Joseph P. St. Germain was born in Sherbrooke, Province of Quebec, Canada, April 19, 1863, a son of Pierre D. and Vitalie (Le-
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Vesque) St. Germain, the former named having been one of two sons born to his parents, who were natives of France, from whence they emi- grated to Canada, the name of the other son being Napolean. Pierre D. St. Germain travelled considerably during his young manhood, spending a number of years in Chile, South America, then returned to Canada and was a general merchant and a well known citizen of Sherbrooke, taking a prominent part in the development of that city. His marriage occurred in Sherbrooke, and he and his wife were the parents of the following named children: Edmund A., Ezeris, Joseph P., George A., Vitalie M., Emilie C., Marie, Georgiana and Ida, all born in Sherbrooke except the youngest, who was born in Concord, New Hampshire. They all received excellent educations, attending seminaries and colleges.
Dr. Joseph P. St. Germain attended the Seminary of St. Charles Bor- romeo, Sherbrooke, from which he graduated in 1880; then studied for a period of almost three years at McGill University, in the faculty of medi- cine, at Montreal, and then became a student at Dartmouth Medical Col- lege, from which he graduated in 1885. He served as medical student at the Montreal General Hospital during his studentship at McGill Univer- sity. In the year of his graduation, Dr. St. Germain began practicing medicine at Keene, New Hampshire, and continued until 1888, a period of three years, then removed to Manchester, New Hampshire, and in the following year, 1889, took up his residence in New Bedford and has since engaged in work of a general character, which has been highly success- ful, he having an extensive and lucrative practice. He has held the posi- tion of medical inspector of schools for many years, and also serves in the same capacity for the Board of Health. He is a member of the Sanitary Reserve Corps of the State of Massachusetts, of the New Bedford Medi- cal Society, Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Medical Soci- ety, of the Wamsutta Club, and was formerly a member of the Dart- mouth Club and one of its directors, and formerly a member of the New Bedford Yacht Club. His religious affiliation is with St. James Roman Catholic Church, and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party.
Dr. St. Germain married. November 29, 1917, at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, New Bedford, Alice J. Macomber, daughter of George Taber and Hannah M. (Gerraughty) Newcomber, a sketch of whom follows. Mrs. St. Germain attended the public and the Mosher Preparatory schools of New Bedford, also Tufts College and Swain School of Design.
GEORGE TABER MACOMBER.
Among the native-born sons of New Bedford, men who have led lives of activity and usefulness, characterized by probity and integrity, men whose lives should act as an inspiration for the youth of the present day, must be mentioned the late George Taber Macomber, born in New
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Bedford, Massachusetts, January 24, 1851, and whose death occurred December 4, 1914. He was a son of John and Hannah (Taber) Mac- omber, the former named a well-known merchant of New Bedford, and they were the parents of two other children, Abba A. and Harriet S. Macomber.
George Taber Macomber obtained a practical education by attend- ing the public schools of New Bedford, and the Pierce Academy, Middle- boro, Massachusetts, from which institution he was graduated. In 1870, at the age of nineteen years, he began his business career, his first post- tion being that of clerk in the Five Cents Savings Bank, Boston, where he served until 1881, when he engaged in the grain business in New Bedford, and in 1885 turned his attention to stocks, bonds and cotton brokerage, conducting his operations in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island, achieving therein a large degree of suc- cess. He cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, but took no active part otherwise in political affairs. Mr. Macomber was a member of the Friends' Society, but his family are affiliated with the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Macomber married, July 8, 1883, in New Bedford, Hannah M., daughter of Martin and Bridget (McDonald) Gerraughty. They were the parents of one child, Alice J., born June 13, 1884, in New Bedford, became the wife of Dr. Joseph P. St. Germain, of New Bedford.
ALLEN PHELPS KEITH.
Well known as an educator in this part of the State of Massachu- setts, and superintendent of public schools of New Bedford, Allen Phelps Keith commands a position of prominence in the community of New Bedford. He comes of Scotch stock, being a descendant in the eighth generation of the Rev. James Keith, a Scotchman, who was the first minister of Bridgewater.
The Rev. James Keith came at the age of eighteen in 1662 from Aberdeen, Scotland, was ordained in 1664, married Susanna Edson, and died in 1719. His son, John Keith, married, in 1711, Hannah Washburn, and lived in Bridgewater. Among their children was Zephaniah Keith, born in Bridgewater, in 1730. He married Mary Hooper, and in the latter part of his life lived in Sheldon, Vermont, where some of his sons had settled. His oldest son. Israel Keith, graduated from Harvard Col- lege in 1771, and became Adjutant-General of Massachusetts. Among his other sors was Cyrus Keith, born in Middleboro, and there he made his home. He enlisted as a private in the Revolutionary War, serving in Captain Nehemiah Allen's company, Colonel Theophilus Cotton's regiment, and served thirty-one days on a secret expedition to Rhode Island, September and October, 1777. He married Bathsheba Sprout,
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daughter of Colonel Sprout, in whose command Mr. Keith served in the latter period of the war. Their son, John (2) Keith, married Abigail Thomas, and died in Middleboro at the age of sixty-three. Their son, Thomas Keith, was born at Middleboro, followed the trade of nailmaker in Bridgewater, and died there in 1872. He married Julia A. White, daughter of Martin and Parmelia (Washburn) White. Among their children was Alfred T. Keith, born in East Taunton, Massachusetts. He was educated in the public schools of Middleboro, and became an iron worker, following the trade in Bridgewater and later in New Hampshire and in Rhode Island He married Mary B. Phelps, daughter of Allen Phelps, and a descendant of the well-known Phelps family of Connecti- cut. Among their children is Allen Phelps, of whom further.
Allen Phelps Keith, son of Alfred T. and Mary B. (Phelps) Keith, was born in Bridgewater, Connecticut, December 18, 1872. He gained his elementary education at the schools of his native town. He went to the schools of Nashua, New Hampshire, when for a time the family resided there. and then went to Bridgewater Academy on their return to that town. He then went to the State Normal School at Bridgewater under Dr. Boyden, and graduated in 1894. He had decided to make teaching his profession, and his first position was at Pascoag, Rhode Island, where he taught for a year and a half, and was then appointed superintendent of the schools of Burrillton, Rhode Island, from which position he went to a similar one in East Providence. He remained here for two years and then came to New Bedford, to teach in the Clifford School, where he remained until he received the appointment of superin- tendent of the schools of New Bedford, to succeed W. E. Hatch. Mr. Keith has filled the position with great acceptability and proved himself an inspiring and magnetic leader of youth and a capable and progressive executive. He is a natural scholar and does much by his example and forceful personality to set up the standards of cultivated efficiency before his pupils. Under his wise administration the schools have advanced along the miost accredited lines of modern educational methods. Mr. Keith is a member of Fellowship Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; of Adoniram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; New Bedford Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters; and Sutton Commandery, Knights Tem- plar, all of New Bedford. He is a member of the National Education Association. He has always taken a keen interest in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a chairman of its social com- mittee. In politics he is an Independent. In his religious affiliations he is a member of the church of the New Jerusalem.
Mr. Keith married, June 26, 1900, in Pascoag, Rhode Island, Emma Louise Harriman, daughter of Henry P. and Carrie (Mathewson) Harri- man. Their children are: Arthur Reginald, born April 2, 1906; Don, born November 25, 1907; Allen P., Jr., born June 4, 1914.
William DR. West
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WILLIAM RUSSELL WEST.
Among the practical business men of the city of New Bedford, men who have attained success as the result of straightforward methods, keen judgment and perseverance, must be mentioned the name of William Russell West, a native of New Bedford, born July 26, 1857, son of John P. and Ellen C. (Lelock) West, the former named an agriculturist, also engaged in the painting business.
William R. West attended the public schools of his native city, and after completing the course of study there learned the painting business under the preceptorship of his father, mastering its every detail, and in 1880 embarked in the retail paint supply business on his own account. His trade increased materially and eventually he enlarged the scope of his business, taking on textile top roll covering and mill supplies, and in this branch he gained considerable trade from the cotton mills of the city, and in this specialty, at the present time (1918) has probably the largest supply business of its kind in the country. The business, which is now extensive in its proportions, is transacted in an efficient manner at No. 1886 Purchase street, this being the location where Mr. West engaged in business thirty-eight years ago. In addition to the business already referred to, Mr. West serves in the capacity of president of the Conti- nental Wood Screw Company, as director of the New Bedford, Onset and Union Street Railway, the Wamsutta Mills, and the Mechanics' National Bank, and as a trustee on the investment board of the Five Cents Sav- ings Bank, both of New Bedford. He affiliates with the Republican party, and for two years, under Mayor David L. Parker's administration, was alderman from the Fourth Ward. His religious belief is that of the Unitarian church, and he is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the Wamsutta Club of New Bedford.
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