USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 3
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JAMES OTIS THOMPSON, JR.
When the Pierce Mill started in December, 1892, James Otis Thomp- son, Jr., now agent for the New Bedford Cotton Mills Corporation, began his career as a cotton mill worker. The quarter of a century which has since intervened have been years of progress and expansion for him as well as for the business he embraced, and he has become an important figure in the affairs of the corporation he so ably serves and guides in its dividend earning course. He is a son of James Otis Thompson, Sr., of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and grandson of Amasa Thompson. James Otis Thompson, Sr., born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, in 1835, died in 1902. In business life he was an express messenger, and was a veteran of the Civil War, member of the local Grand Army Post. He married Elizabeth Helen Simmons, born in Dighton, Massachusetts, in 1838, died in 1910. Their children were: Frederick Boomer, born in New Bedford, December 10, 1866, married, in 1899, Adelaide Cleary ; Grace Eaton, born December 17, 1868, married, in 1896, William E. James ; James Otis, Jr., of further mention.
James Otis Thompson, Jr. was born in New Bedford, Massachu- setts, October 2, 1871. After passing all grades of public school, he was graduated from high school, class of 1889. After graduation, he was em- ployed in the photographic studio of Hadley & Reed until December, 1892, acquiring a good knowledge of that art. With the building of the Pierce Mill, in 1892, a good opportunity offered to learn the business and he accepted it. He remained there until June, 1894, and then went to the Wamsutta Mills, there receiving promotions to the post of cotton sampler and cost figurer, the latter position embracing that of assis- tant superintendent. In October, 1897, he was appointed superintendent of the Wamsutta Mills, Numbers 6 and 7, serving in that capacity until 1899, then becoming superintendent of the yarn mills of this corpora- tion, Numbers 1, 2 and 3. In June, 1902, he was promoted to the superin- tendency of Wamsutta Mills, Numbers 4 and 5, succeeding Mr. John Neild. He resigned this position to accept the superintendency of the Wampanoag Mills in Fall River, Massachusetts, in April, 1905, having full charge of the mills without an agent. He continued in this posi- tion until June, 1909, then resigned to accept the superintendent's posi- tion of the New Bedford Cotton Mills Corporation, which had just been
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organized and the erection of the buildings being then in process. He continued in that position until 1914, then was appointed agent and so continues (1917). The New Bedford Cotton Mills Corporation is a million dollar corporation, and manufactures fine cotton goods, plain and fancies. They employ six hundred and eighty operators who tend the seventy-three thousand spindles and fourteen hundred looms. Mr. Thompson is also a director of the New Bedford and Acushnet Co- operative banks, of the corporation of which he is agent, also trustee, director and clerk of the New Bedford Textile School.
In politics, Mr. Thompson is a Republican, but never sought nor held public office. From 1894 to 1897 he was a member of the Naval Brigade, Massachusetts National Guard. He is a member of the Massa- chusetts Republican Club, the National Association of Cotton Manu- facturers, the Textile Club of Boston, Southern New England Textile Club of Providence, Old Dartmouth Historical Society of New Bedford, the Brooks, Wamsutta and Country clubs of New Bedford. He holds all degrees of the York Rite bodies, affiliated with Star in the East Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Adoniram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Sutton Commandery, Knights Templar, all of New Bedford. His Council membership is with the Fall River organization. He is also a noble of Palestine Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Provi- dence, Rhode Island. His Scottish Rite bodies are: Lafayette Lodge of Perfection, Mt. Olivet Chapter Rose Croix, Giles Fonda Yates Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and Massachusetts Consistory, all of Boston, he holding all degrees of the rite up to and including the thirty-second.
Mr. Thompson married, in New Bedford, June 14, 1899, Mary Elizabeth Baker, born in Providence, Rhode Island, April 18, 1872, daughter of Ephraim D. and Georgianna Baker. They are the parents of two children : Philip Eaton, born May 2, 1902, preparing for Harvard at St. George's School, Newport, Rhode Island; Louise, born October 23, 1903, attending New Bedford Friends Academy.
ARTHUR A. NOEL.
From the age of sixteen, Mr. Noel has been connected with the business life of his native city, New Bedford, through the medium of the Automatic Telephone Company, beginning as a night operator, and rising to his present position of superintendent, a position which he has most satisfactorily filled since 1915, and to his ability as a superintendent and to his genius at invention and improvement, the New Bedford branch of the corporation controlling this most modern invention, the automatic telephone, owes a measure of its success. His experience has gained in similar work in the Fall River Exchange of the Automatic Company, and in Chicago, Illinois, with Automatic Electric Company,
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but his initial experience was with the home company, and when the aims for which he went away were fulfilled, and the broadening experi- ence gained, he returned to fill his present responsible position. Arthur A. Noel is a son of Bartholomew Noel, now deceased, a former real estate dealer in New Bedford.
Arthur A. Noel was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, May 5, 1888, and in the city public schools obtained his education. At the age of sixteen years he left high school to enter the employ of the New Bed- ford Automatic Telephone Company, beginning as an operator on the night force and there serving an apprenticeship of three years. During these years he became an expert in the automatic telephone business, thoroughly familiar with the machines used, their construction and their weakness. From New Bedford he was transferred to the Fall River Automatic Telephone Company, as assistant superintendent, later, in 1910, was appointed superintendent, and there continued until 1914, building up a strong office there. The next year was spent in Chicago with the Automatic Electric Company of that city, after which he re- turned to New Bedford, where he succeeded to the superintendency of the New Bedford Automatic Telephone Company in 1915, upon the resignation of Mr. Brinkley.
During his years of automatic telephone service, Mr. Noel has seen where the system could be strengthened and to his genius several im- provements are due, particular mention being made of his very success- ful improvement to the automatic ringing up of subscribers, a new system of party line operation, an improved method of management, re- sulting in greater efficiency. The automatic telephone is a success, al- though practically in its infancy, and in its young, but earnest, New Bedford superintendent, and in men of his stamp lies the system's hope of becoming a formidable rival of the Bell systems. Mr. Noel is a member of King Philip Lodge, Masons, of Fall River.
CHARLES A. JEWETT.
As manager of the Jonathan Handy Company, Nos. 28-30 William street, New Bedford, Mr. Jewett is filling a position left vacant by his brother, William N. Jewett, at his death in 1911. William N. Jewett assumed the duties of manager upon the death of Jonathan Handy in 1895. The Jonathan Handy Company succeeded Watkins & Handy in the wholesale iron and metal business, established in 1833. The brothers, William N. and Charles A. Jewett, have been in turn managers of this very successful corporation. The former having been with the old firm, Watkins & Handy, remained with Mr. Handy after his pur- chase of Mr. Watkins' interest and succeeded to the management when Mr. Handy died. Thus for considerably over a quarter of a century Jewetts have been connected with the company, and since 1895 have been
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the managing heads. The brothers are sons of Nelson E. and Amanda M. (Leavitt) Jewett, who settled in New Bedford when their sons were children, and grandsons of Joshua Jewett, of New Hampshire.
Nelson E. Jewett was born April 15, 1839, and died February 24, 1914. He was an expert machinist. pursued his calling in Amherst and Nashua, New Hampshire; Lowell, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island ; finally settling permanently in New Bedford where for twenty- two years he was connected with the Morse Twist Drill and Machine Company. He married, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Amanda M. Leavitt, born in Kennebec, Maine, August 2, 1841, daughter of William and Elizabeth Leavitt, of ancient Maine family. Nelson E. and Amanda M. Jewett were the parents of two sons: William N. and Charles A., both born in Providence, Rhode Island.
William N. Jewett, eldest son of Nelson E. and Amanda M. (Leavitt) Jewett, was born October 29, 1867, and died February 14, 1912. Shortly after 1871 the family moved to New Bedford, where he completed his studies in the high school with the graduation class of 1882. He began business life as clerk in the store of Watkins & Handy, heavy hardware merchants of New Bedford, remained with Mr. Handy after his purchase of the business, and in 1895 succeeded him as manager of the business, now known as the Jonathan Handy Company. He married, in 1893, Edith H., daughter of Captain William Washburn, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. His connection with the business in which he began, a youth of sixteen, continued for the remainder of his life, a period of thirty years, during which time he rose from the lowest to the highest position, a record of successful achievement only possible in a man of high quality and strong character.
Charles A. Jewett, younger son of Nelson E. and Amanda M. (Leavitt) Jewett, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, July 21, 1871, but soon afterward his parents moved to New Bedford and here his life has been spent. After completing grammar school courses he began his career as a business man in the office employ of the Edmund Grinnell Foundry. From that time until 1911 he held positions in the office and as salesman with Briggs & Laurence, John Hastings, and the Jonathan Handy Company. His connection with the last named com- pany, which began in 1895 as bookkeeper, was continued in the selling department until 1911, when the death of his brother, William N., manager of the company, created a vacancy that Charles A. Jewett was chosen to fill. Under his management the company has continued its successful career, the Jewett managerial ability still the potent force in that success. The company, located at No. 28 William street, deals in hardware at wholesale and retail ; in iron, steel, blacksmith's supplies, carriage woodwork, wagon paints, etc., those lines having been the staples dealt in since the foundation of the business in 1833. Mr. Jewett is a Republican in politics, a member of the Improved Order of Red
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Men, John H. Clifford Camp, Sons of Veterans, and of the Congrega- tional church.
Mr. Jewett married, in New Bedford, January 28, 1892, Almira A. Vincent, of that city, born September 14, 1874, daughter of Herbert and Hannah (Savery) Vincent, her father a machinist. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett are the parents of six children: I. Millicent A., born August 3, 1895, married Holder B. Tripp, of New Bedford. 2. Doris L., born April 6. 1897, graduate of New Bedford High School, now stenographer for her father. 3. Harold N., born March 20, 1899, graduate of Dart- mouth High School, now a traveling salesman for the Jonathan Handy Company. 4. Eleanor B., born June 6, 1907. 5. Charles A. (2), born January 16, 1914. 6. Elizabeth, born February 26, 1916. The family home is in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
CHARLES F. F. JONES.
When a young man, Mr. Jones came to New Bedford and for a long term of years was engaged with the Mount Washington Glass Company, now consolidated with the Pairpont Manufacturing Company, before coming to the New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Company, of which he is cashier and chief of the office force. He is a son of Francis F. Jones, a shoe merchant of Sandwich, Massachusetts, and his wife, Emily F. (Kern) Jones, who died in 1884.
Charles F. F. Jones was born at Sandwich, Massachusetts, January 20, 1865, and was there educated in the public schools and at Sandwich Academy. At the age of eighteen he entered the employ of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company at their plant at Sandwich, continuing with them for five years. In 1888 he came to New Bedford, entering the ser- vice of the Mount Washington Glass Company, of which William J. Roch was then president, but was succeeded in 1890 by Thomas A. Tripp. The company were manufacturers of the highest standard glass- ware, including a line of decorated lamps, vases and beautiful Burmese ware. Mr. Jones entered the decorative department of the company and for thirteen years remained there, becoming one of the company's artistic decorators. In 1901, Mr. Jones left the Glass Company to enter the employ of the New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Company as clerk. He has remained continuously with that important corporation until the present, advancing in rank to his present position, cashier and office manager, through a series of promotions. He is a Democrat in politics, a Unitarian in religious faith, belongs to the Stetson Club, and is highly esteemed by his associates.
Mr. Jones married, in 1888, Sarah L. Chipman, daughter of Major Charles and Elizabeth (Gibbs) Chipman, of Sandwich, Massachusetts. They are the parents of a son, Francis F., born in New Bedford, August 13, 1892, now paymaster in the United States Naval Reserve force, with the rank of ensign. He served in the signal corps of the Second Brigade, Massachusetts.
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FRANKLIN WINSLOW HATCH.
As superintendent of the New Bedford Cordage Company, manu- facturers of manila and sisal cordage and tarred hemp goods, Mr. Hatch is the operating head of the mill, which for three-quarters of a century has manufactured cordage, and although the founders have long since passed away the business they founded and the company they organized yet remains, the mill still occupying its first site "up on the hill" and now as then the product is "good rope." In the year the New Bedford Cordage Company was started there were but few railroads in the United States ; the telegraph had not yet come into public use ; John Tyler was the president of the United States, and the Mexican and Civil wars were yet to be fought.
In 1842 a number of shipowners and captains of vessels in New Bedford, which was then the centre of the great whaling industry, de- cided to make rope for use on their own vessels. Their venture was suc- cessful, and their product soon became so favorably known that other shipowners were glad to buy their surplus stock. Therefore, on Febru- ary 2, 1846, the New Bedford Cordage Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Massachusetts "for the purpose of manufactur- ing cordage in the town of New Bedford." There still remain as stock- holders of the company descendants of the officers who were elected at the first meeting of the corporation on April 2, 1846.
To this company came Franklin W. Hatch, November 1, 1907, as master mechanic, his promotion to superintendent coming in 1913 upon the death of Marshall F. Lewis. He had been connected with the Plym- outh Cordage Company for many years and was thoroughly equipped for the position he fills. Although intensely practical and his own provider from boyhood, he has a decided musical talent and all through the years has kept up his music, playing the cornet in orchestra and band. In fact music is his recreation and one of the great pleasures of his life. He is a son of Charles W. and Almeda Hatch, the latter deceased, the former residing in New Bedford employed in the plant of the New Bedford Cordage Company.
Franklin W. Hatch was born in Marshfield, Massachusetts, Febru- ary 13, 1879, but when he was quite young his parents moved to Kings- ton, Massachusetts, where he attended the grade and high schools until fourteen years of age, then against the wishes of his parents he left school to become a clerk in the post office at North Plymouth, Massachusetts. He only remained in the post office a few months, then left to enter the employ of Cobb & Drews Tack Works, at Kingston, his duty to attend one of the tack feeding machines. He continued at the tack works until seventeen years of age, and also began the study of the cornet. He next went with the Plymouth Cordage Company, of North Plymouth, Massa- chusetts, as machinist's apprentice, remaining in that employ for twelve years, rising to the position of foreman of the machine shop. He also
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kept up his music, was a member of orchestra and band, being the cornet soloist of the band. For one year after leaving the cordage company, Mr. Hatch gave himself wholly to his music, then on November 1, 1907, came to New Bedford.
His first position in New Bedford was as master mechanic with the New Bedford Cordage Company. Eighteen months later he was made assistant superintendent, and in December, 1913, succeeded Marshall F. Lewis as superintendent and mill manager. He is thoroughly furnished with the technical knowledge for the position he fills, and by disposition is eminently fitted for managerial station. His religion is the "Golden Rule" and its spirit is carried out in all his dealings with his fellow-men. Kindly, courteous and considerate, he holds the respect and confidence of all those with whom he comes in contact.
Mr. Hatch is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Star in the East Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Adoniram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; New Bedford Council, Royal and Select Masters; Sutton Commandery. Knights Templar, Adams Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Kingston, Massachusetts. He was for several years a member of the Trinitarian Church quartette, playing the cornet. He enjoys automobiling and travel, but takes all his pleasures rationally, giving preference to music.
Mr. Hatch married in Kingston, Massachusetts, Flora A. Tatlow, born in Nottingham, England, daughter of Arthur E. and Annie Tatlow, who came to the United States when their daughter was eight years of age. Arthur E. Tatlow is now engaged in the real estate business at Onset, Massachusetts.
SHERRARD CLEMENS.
Sherrard Clemens was born at Riverview, near Wheeling, Virginia, February 3, 1862. He is a son of the Hon. Sherrard Clemens, Demo- cratic member of Congress from the Tenth District of Virginia. His mother's maiden name was Catherine Elizabeth Dawson, of Madison Parish, Louisiana. Mr. Clemens' father, while a Democrat, was a Union man and against secession. On January 22, 1861, he made a strong speech in the House of Representatives on the state of the Union. He was a lawyer by profession and attended Washington College in Penn- sylvania and West Point Military Academy. He was at West Point at the same time as General U. S. Grant. Just before the outbreak of the Civil War, he fought a duel with O. Jennings Wise, editor of the "Rich- mond Inquiry," from which he received a wound which left him a cripple for life and which finally compelled his withdrawing from politics as well as the practice of law. This unfortunate circumstance, together with conditions existing after the Civil War and the formation of the new State, West Virginia, brought about the removal of the family from the
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home at Wheeling, West Virginia, to Louisiana. Sherrard Clemens, 2d., on account of his father's health, practically became their main support.
He commenced his career upon a plantation in Louisiana, without resources and only such educational advantages as he was able to obtain in the public schools. He remained in Louisiana three years, then, on account of ill health, went to the northwest, remaining there until 1885, at which time he returned south and entered the cotton business at Yazoo City, Mississippi, working his way up through all the branches of the business as classer, buyer and manager for various cotton firms doing both domestic and foreign business. He was sent to New Bedford, Mas- sachusetts, in 1914 as manager of Stewart Brothers Cotton Company's eastern business, office at No. 71 William street. Mr. Clemens is a char- ter member of Lodge No. 148, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also a member of the Wamsutta Club, New Bedford Yacht Club, Board of Trade and Protestant Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Demo- crat.
He married, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, March 6, 1900, Birdie Gallo- way Hilliard, daughter of Frank P. and Hattie Elizabeth (Dyer) Hilli- ard. Mr. and Mrs. Clemens are the parents of Sherrard Clemens, 3rd., born February 15, 1901, and Hilliard Dawson Clemens, born May 23, 1903. The family home is at No. 241 Hawthorne street, New Bedford, Massachusetts.
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WILLIAM H. JENCKES.
In 1906 Mr. Jenckes came to New Bedford as superintendent of the Nonquitt Spinning Company, a corporation operating two mills and em- ploying one thousand and three hundred hands in the manufacture of combed cotton yarns. From the age of eleven years he has been a worker, although until the age of fourteen only his vacations from school were devoted to wage-earning. But at the age of fourteen his school days ended and he entered the ranks in which he has since marched, coming up from the rear and in the constantly advancing rank until reaching his present high position at the age of thirty-one years, a posi- tion he has filled for the past eleven years. He is a son of Andrew N. and Lydia N. Jenckes, his father, who died in 1884, was head of a team- ing business in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and quite prominent in city political life. His mother died in 1914.
William H. Jenckes was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, June 23, 1875, and until fourteen years of age attended grammar school, com- pleting the course. After his father's death in 1884, during the summer school vacations, he began working in the American Wringer Works, formerly the Bailey Company, and at the age of fourteen left school to work in a drug store. A year later he went with Stollard & Bushway, candy and ice cream manufacturers, and continued with their successor, F. B. Fenton He was variously employed after this until entering the
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employ of the Woonsocket Street Railway as a motorman and conductor, remaining there for three years. Then he began as mill worker, entering the pattern weaving room of the Harris Woolen Mill, there remaining for eighteen months. He then became a cotton mill worker at the Social Mill, Woonsocket, whose superintendent was George W. Comnock. There he learned carding, rising to the position of third hand. Then he went as second hand to the Clinton Mill, Woonsocket. Then to the Ashton Mill at Ashton, one of the Lonsdale Company's mills. He then became an overseer in the carding department of Ray's Main Street Mill, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, then leased by Frank Knight. For two and one-half years he held that position and then the mill was burned ; then followed a period of employment in Connecticut mills, finally ending by his going to Albion, Rhode Island, as overseer. Four years he held that position, leaving in 1906 to become superintendent of the Nonquitt Spin- ning Company, at New Bedford, a position he now (1917) fills, although its importance has greatly increased with the doubling of the company's plant and great business expansion. Hard work, faithfulness and perse- vering effort, coupled with a natural ability, has brought the reward it always brings, and to every young man who would rise Mr. Jenckes says, "Work, work and then work," as there is no room in a cotton mill nor anywhere else for the idler.
Mr. Jenckes is a member of the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, the Southern Massachusetts Textile Club, the Young Men's Christian Association, Modern Woodmen of America, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and the Rod and Reel Club. He is a member of Star in the East Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Adoni- ram Chapter, New Bedford Council, Sutton Commandery, Knights Tem- plar, and Palestine Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Republican, and in his religious faith a student of Christian Science as taught in the works of Mary Baker Eddy.
CHARLES HAMMOND VINAL.
Son of an old captain of whalers and born in New Bedford before the maritime glory of the port had departed. Mr. Vinal is bound by tradition and contact to the olden time, when in every part of the world ships flying a New Bedford house flag cruised in search of whales or in pursuit or delivery of cargoes. From the time he was sixteen years of age Captain William H. Vinal sailed the seas, and nine years after the birth of his son died in New Bedford, in 1868, aged forty-six years. He was born in Scituate, Massachusetts, his wife, Lavinia A. T. (Lavare) Vinal, born in Adamsville, Rhode Island, September 9, 1826, and died in New Bedford, Massachusetts, September 8, 1907. Their son, Charles Hammond Vinal, since 1887 has been connected with the industry, which in connection with the discovery of petroleum is responsible for the de- cline of the whale and sperm oil business, as gas, electricity and coal oil
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