USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 8
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Under Mayor Thompson's administration, Mr. Champion was chair- man of the board of overseers of the poor appointed for a three years' term, but at the end of seven months he resigned. He is a member of the First Church of Christ (Scientist), the Home Club, and in political faith is a Republican.
Mr. Champion married (first) Luella J. Mackay, born on Prince Edward Island, in 1875, died in New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1895, leaving a son, John M. Champion, born in 1890, now sergeant in Com- pany E, Three Hundred and Second Infantry, at Camp Devan. Mr. Champion married (second) in 1897, Mary W. Greer, and they are the parents of a daughter, Millicent L. Champion, now her father's office assistant, and student of music. The family home is at No. 85 Rotch street, where Mr. Champion is found in his hours off duty, a small poultry farm his chief recreation. Mr. Champion entered two birds in the Quannapowett poultry show at Wakefield, Massachusetts, and won eight first ribbons, automatic feeder, $15 in cash and a silver cup. One cockerel, "General Pershing," won first prize for best cockerel, first best color, first best shape, first best white leghorn male in the show. One S. C. white leghorn pullet, "Lady Byng," won first best pullet, first best shape, first best color, first best female leghorn in the show. One of the greatest known records for two single birds at any show.
OVIDE TOUSSAINT CHARRON, M. D.
Three generations ago a de Charron came to St. Dennis, Province of Quebec, Canada, and there Dr. Charron, of New Bedford, was born, not far from the first location chosen by his ancestor as their first home in the New World. Dr. Charron is a grandson of Ignace Charron, and a son of Philias and Albina (Phaneuf) Charron, of St. Dennis, Canada, now living in New Bedford, the father formerly a farmer, and later engaged as a baker.
Dr. Ovide Toussaint Charron was born in St. Dennis, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, July 12, 1882. His early education was followed by preparatory college study and courses at St. Francis Xavier College in St. Dennis. He continued a student at St. Francis Xavier's until his parents decided to come to the United States, then all came, and a home was made in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The boy was ambitious, energetic, and self-reliant, not afraid of responsibility or hard work. This is amply evidenced by the fact that at the age of eighteen he was con- ducting his own grocery store and did it very successfully for five years. Deciding upon a profession, he chose medicine, and after courses at the
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College of Physicians and Surgeons in Boston, and a year's special course at Laval University, Montreal, Canada, he was awarded his degree of Doctor of Medicine by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, class of 1912. After graduation he located in New Bedford, at No. 9 West French avenue, and there practiced very successfully for three years. In 1915 he erected the hospital on Cove street, which bears his name. In 1917 Dr. Charron was appointed city physician, is examining physi- cian to the Government Exemption Board, which, all during the summer and fall of 1917, sat to examine and pass upon the fitness of those chosen in selective draft to serve their country in the war between the United States and Germany. He is also physician to the Francs Tireurs, of which he is a member ; is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; Loyal Order of Moose; Catholic Mutual Benefit Associa- tion ; Federation Franco-American Fraternal League; the New Bedford Board of Trade; French Chamber of Commerce ; and is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. Dr. Charron married, in New Bedford, February 8, 1904, Octavie LeClere.
CLIFFORD M. FARMER.
In the year 1889, Mr. Farmer, then a young man of twenty, entered the employ of the New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Company, going into the electrical department. Twenty-eight years have since elapsed, and he has never severed his connection with either company or depart- ment, but has faithfully developed his own powers with the expansion of the company and is power engineer and chief electrician of the com- pany's power and lighting departments. The obtaining of power for the company's generating plant comes under the management of Mr. Farmer as chief electrician. He is devoted to the duties of his position, his mechanically inclined mind delighting in its problems and intricacies. He is a son of Charles and Emily A. (Myrick) Farmer, his parents both deceased.
Clifford M. Farmer was born in Myrick's, Massachusetts, July 7, 1869, and there completed grammar school courses. He then entered Bristol Academy in Taunton, completing study there in 1888. He began business life as an employee of the King Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, remaining there about eight months, before going to the Morse Twist Drill Company as a straightener. He spent about a year with that company, leaving in the latter part of 1889 to enter the service of the New Bedford Gas and Edison Light Company, then a very small company in comparison with the company of to-day. Now chief elec- trician he reviews his more than a quarter of a century of association with the company with the satisfaction which every man is entitled to feel over duty well performed. He can trace his own progress in mak- ing, harnessing and controlling the greatest of all forces, electricity, by
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the demand made upon the company for that force, and he is gratified to have been a factor in the great scheme development which, with the great New Bedford Power Company to draw upon for supply, has worked such wonders in Southeastern Massachusetts. It is in a way an empire building the work such men are doing, for a new industry created or an old one strengthened is just that much done toward making a bet- ter, greater and grander United States of America.
Mr. Farmer is a Republican in politics, attends the Congregational church, is a member of Eureka Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Vesta Lodge. Independent Order of Odd Fellows; New Bedford Yacht Club ; the Stetson Yacht Club, and Masonic Club, and has many friends, both within and without these organizations. He is a man of energy and force, but genial, courteous and considerate to all.
Mr. Farmer married, in 1914, Ethel De Moranville, of New Bedford, daughter of Herbert and Thankful E. (Luce) De Moranville.
EUGENE G. GUILBERT.
The career of Mr. Guilbert has been one of constant progress since he first came to New Bedford and reflects the greatest credit upon him. Beginning as an inexperienced clerk in a drug store, he there prepared himself to pass the required examination to enable him to register as a pharmacist, then became a partner and finally sole owner of the drug store, No. 757 Brock avenue, accomplishing all this since his coming to New Bedford in 1907, without knowledge of the English language and without capital. His first partnership with Alexander A. Petit he financed with capital he had saved during his six years clerkship with Mr. Petit, and with the profits of the partnership he purchased the Petit interest in the Brock avenue drug store of which Mr. Guilbert is sole owner. This achievement of ten years stamps Mr. Guilbert as a young man of high purpose and determined character and argues strongly in favor of a successful future.
Eugene G. Guilbert was born in St. Dominique, Province of Quebec, Canada, December 23, 1886. He was educated in St. Dominique's paro- chial school, St. Hyacinthe Seminary and Sacred Heart Business College, completing the last named course with graduation in 1907. His studies had all been in the French language, and when in 1907 he came to New Bedford his first task was learning English. He obtained a position with Alexander A. Petit in Petit's Pharmacy and there he worked and studied, improving every waking hour for a term of four years. At the end of that period he had so perfected himself in his studies in English and pharmacy that he successfully passed the State Board of Pharmacy and became a duly qualified registered pharmacist, his authority bearing date of February 15, 1911. He remained with Mr. Petit in this higher capacity about two years, then went out of the drug store to one at
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No. 757 Brock avenue, which was opened October 25, 1913. He opened the new store as a partner, not a clerk, and until February, 1917, he was associated in its ownership with Mr. Petit. On that date he bought the entire business, and is now conducting it with a good degree of success. His success has been earned, and none who know him but agree that he richly deserves all that has come to him in return for his well directed, intelligent labor. Mr. Guilbert is a member of the Francs-Tireurs, Franco-American Federation, and to the National Association of Retail Druggists.
Mr. Guilbert married, in Salem, Massachusetts, June 30, 1913, Emma Michaud; they are the parents of Arthur, Genevieve, Louis, Joseph and Josephine Petit Guilbert.
ANDREW J. W. MCAVOY.
Entering the postal service at the age of eighteen, Mr. McAvoy as clerk, carrier and assistant postmaster reviews a connection of more than twenty-seven years with the New Bedford post office, his service begin- ning when the post office was located in the United States Custom House building, continuing through the occupancy of the specially constructed post office building on the southeast corner of Acushnet avenue and Wil- liam street, 1893-1915, and the period spent in the present building, com- pleted in 1915. This long period of service lends dignity to the position which he now holds, assistant postmaster, a position won through effi- iency and reliability and held under two postmasters. He is very popular with the post office force, clerical and carrier, and holds the confidence and esteem of the department.
He is a son of James McAvoy, born in Ireland, who in 1850 came to the United States, settling in Connecticut. He enlisted in Company C, First Regiment Connecticut Cavalry, served through the Civil War, and after the war came to Massachusetts and New Bedford, where he was an overseer of weaving in cotton mills, and died in 1910. His wife, Ellen C. McAvoy, died the same year.
Andrew J. W. McAvoy, son of James and Ellen C. McAvoy, was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, March 21, 1871, but later his parents moved to New Bedford, where he was educated, being a graduate of St. Joseph's High School, class of 1888. After a short period as dry goods clerk, he entered government employ as clerk in the post office at New Bedford, resigning after two years' service, but returning a year later. On his return he entered a different branch of the service, going on as substitute carrier. In eighteen months he was appointed regular carrier, a position he filled twelve years, making a host of friends over the routes he served who parted from him with regret. He was tranferred to the clerical department in 1905, served as record clerk until 1911, and in that year was promoted to assistant postmaster under Postmaster Frank C. Barrows, and continues under the present postmaster.
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Mr. McAvoy is a Republican in politics, a member of St. Lawrence Church, Roman Catholic, the National Association of Letter Carriers, past deputy grand knight and ex-treasurer of the Knights of Columbus ; vice-president one year, president a short time and a director three years of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, New Bedford Aerie, No. 647; member and ex-trustee of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, New Bedford Lodge, No. 73. Mr. McAvoy is unmarried.
JOHN HALLIWELL.
On coming to years of responsibility, John Halliwell embraced the cause of labor, and as the champion of the class with which he is proud to number himself he serves them in the forum in the labor unions and in legislative halls, being now representative from the Eighth Bristol Legislative District. He is of English birth and parentage, son of Thomas Halliwell, a tailor of Lancashire, England. Thomas Halliwell, born in 1842, died in 1871, lived in Mossley and Ashton-Under-Lyne, but when his son was seven years of age the father died, and at eight the lad's school days were reduced one-half and at twelve ended entirely. With this start in life, he has overcome all obstacles which would daunt and discourage most men, and now stands upon a level with those who are striving honorably and lawfully to legislate in such a manner that justice toward all may be the theme of all law.
John Halliwell was born in Mossley, Lancashire, England, February 21, 1864, and there and at Ashton resided until his nineteenth year. He began working half-time in a cotton mill when eight years of age as a "back boy," and at the age of twelve was put on as a "full time" worker and for seven years more worked in English mills. In 1883 he came to the United States alone, sailing on September I, and obtained his first position in a mill at Taftsville, Connecticut, as a mule spinner. There he spent eight years, followed by two years at Berkeley, Rhode Island, then in 1893 came to New Bedford where he worked as a mule spinner until his election to the Legislature in 1914.
All his mature years, Mr. Halliwell has been active in labor unions and has held many offices conferred by his fellows of the organizations. He is a Republican in politics, and in 1905-06-07 represented his ward in the New Bedford Common Council. In 1914 he was the candidate of his party for representative from the Eight Bristol District, was elected and reelected in 1915-16, and is now (1917) the nominee to the State Senate. He has the united labor vote, and has made an excellent repre- sentative. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Manchester Unity) ; the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; Century Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and the Washington Club.
Mr. Halliwell married at Taftsville, Connecticut, January 28, 1890, Ada Greenwood, born at Ashton-Under-Lyne, England, March 21, 1869,
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coming to the United States in 1885. She is a daughter of John and Alice Brown Greenwood, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Halliwell are the parents of four children : Thomas Ewart, born at Taftsville, November 19, 1800, a thermostat fixer by trade ; Raymond, born at Berkeley, Rhode Island, July 1, 1892, now visitor for the New Bedford Poor Department, married Margaret Nightingale, of New Bedford; Alice, born in New Bedford, April 27, 1896, married Carroll A. Lindell, of Newport, Rhode Island; Eric Gordon, born in New Bedford, October 15, 1901, a student at the New Bedford Industrial School.
JAMES FRANCIS COLLINS.
The fortunes of politics often lands a man in public office who ordinarily would fail of an election, but rarely does fortuitous circum- stance reëlect and never is a third term the result of what we may term luck. Thus we may safely conclude that as James F. Collins has been returned by his constituents of Ward 2, year after year, and advanced from councilman to alderman, his course in these bodies has been honor- able, progressive, patriotic and just. The confidence reposed in him is most gratifying to Alderman Collins and greatly encourages him in following the line of duty as he sees it. He is a native son of Scotland, but from the age of four years has been in the United States and since the age of six has resided in New Bedford, thus practically knowing no other home or country. He is a son of Michael and Mary Collins, the father dying when his son James F. was an infant, his brave mother later, in 1873, gathering her four sons and two daughters around her and with them coming to the United States.
James Francis Collins was born in Milfort, Scotland, March 31, 1869, but for forty-two years has lived in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where as craftsman and city official he has risen to an honorable position in public esteem. With his widowed mother, three brothers and two sisters, he came to Canton, Massachusetts, in 1873, locating in that part of the town now Canton Junction, the family moving to New Bedford in 1875. James F. attended the Merrimac and Parker streets public schools, leaving the latter when twelve years of age to take a boy's place in the spinning room in the Wamsutta Mill. At the age of sixteen he left the mills, a weaver, and began an apprenticeship at the trade of plumber with Parker & Sherman, whose shop was on Water street, corner of Union, his immediate superior being William Deacon, now serving the city board of health as an inspector of plumbing, under whose direction he learned his trade. After completing his apprentice- ship he continued with the firm as a journeyman for fourteen years, then until 1915 was in the employ of George Hatch, Wood & Brightman and C. L. Dunham. In 1915, having accumulated a sufficient capital from his savings, he formed a partnership with Charles Kennedy and founded the
arthur Etly
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plumbing business of Collins & Kennedy at No. 1707 Purchase street, New Bedford, and is now firmly established in public favor and on the high road to business success. From youth Mr. Collins has taken a deep interest in the work of the labor organizations and in public affairs. When the Journeymen Plumbers' Union, No. 53, was formed, he was elected its first president, serving during the first six years of the Union's existence as president and secretary, only retiring from office when he became an employer and president of the Master Plumbers' Association. In 1911 he was elected a member of Common Council from Ward 2, and was annually reelected for four terms, making five in all. In December, 1916, he was elected Alderman from Ward 2, and reëlected in December, 1917, and is now serving his city in that capacity for a second term. He was chairman of joint council committees, audit and street lighting, and a member of joint committees, building code and city property, during 1917. In his second term he is chairman of joint com- mittee on street light and building code and a member of joint com- mittee on finance. He has been a faithful legislator, always to be found at his post of duty and keenly alive to the responsibilities of the offices he fills. He is a member and a director of the Knights of Columbus, and in political preference he is a Republican.
Mr. Collins married Mary E. Flavin, of New York, daughter of Maurice Flavin, a cooper by trade, who moved from New York to New Bedford. Mr. and Mrs. Collins are the parents of two sons: Francis, a graduate of New Bedford High School, now serving in the United States Navy ; James, a student in grammar school.
ARTHUR UTTLEY.
From the time of his coming to the United States, a lad of eighteen years, Mr. Uttley has energetically pursued different lines of activity, but as purveyor to the public taste has won his greatest success "Velvet" and "Banquet" ice cream being his well-known and popular brands. He is a native son of Albion, but thoroughly American in his methods and sympathies, not forgetting the land of his birth, however, in his love and loyalty to the land of his adoption.
Arthur Uttley was born in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, England, June 5, 1876, and until ten years of age attended public school. He then became a half day worker in a textile mill, the other half of the day being spent in school, a practice allowed under the English law. At the age of thirteen his school days and half days ended and he began clerking in a grocery store, and at the age of fourteen he became a mill apprentice to the business of corduroy manufacture, a line of cloth making and manufacturing that he thoroughly mastered. He labored three years as an apprentice, then for a year followed the business of corduroy making, continuing until coming to the United States in 1894, aged
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eighteen years. He located in New Bedford, entering the employ of a leather merchant, with whom he remained two years before going to Crompton, Rhode Island, where for six years he again engaged in his trade of corduroy cloth manufacture. In 1902 he returned to New Bedford, spending two years in the service of the Union Street Railway Company, then embarking in the baking business.
With the baking, Mr. Uttley combined the manufacturing of ice cream, but it was soon demonstrated to his satisfaction that the manage- ment of both departments was too great an undertaking and he decided to abandon the bakery and concentrate all his energy upon the manu- facture and distribution of ice cream. The result has proved the wisdom of his decision, and as the Velvet Ice Cream Company, located at No. 119 Smith street, he has built up a large and profitable business. He is an energetic, public-spirited citizen, always ready to aid in any progressive movement, a man respected by all who know him. During the coal crisis of 1917-18, due to the great war, and when coal shortage was at a most critical stage, Mr. Uttley succeeded in securing more than 1,000 tons of coal which he distributed where it would do the most good. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, member of the Daughters of Rebekah, Sons of St. George, Knights of Malta, Union Street Railway Relief Association, is a com- municant of Grace Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Uttley married, February 5, 1895, Victoria E. Rogers, of Arctic Center, Rhode Island, daughter of Benjamin and Jane (Alvord) Rogers, Mr. and Mrs. Uttley are the parents of two sons and two daughters: Gladys, born November 23, 1899; Harold, born April 18, 1901 ; Doris, born July 23, 1904; Arthur (2), born October 9, 1916.
GEDEON POISSON.
It was in 1888 that the Poisson Brothers, Gedeon, Joseph, Laurent and Ludger, opened a small store in New Bedford, and from that small start came the business of Poisson Brothers, No. 1056 Acushnet avenue, and G. & L. Poisson, No. 912 South Water street, New Bedford, the last named the largest dry goods and clothing store south of Union street. The brothers operated as a partnership until 1903, then dissolved, Joseph and Laurent Poisson going to the North End as Poisson Brothers, Gedeon and Ludger to the South End where they had equipped a new store which, under the firm name, G. & L. Poisson, they successfully conducted as a partnership until 1914. In that year Ludger Poisson sold his interest to his brother Gedeon, retired from business with a com- petence, but did not live long to enjoy it, dying July 4, 1915. These brothers were sons of Nere and Adelaide Poisson, their father a mer- chant in Canada, Gedeon Poisson was the last of the four to come to New Bedford, he having learned a trade and for several years had been
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employed in Michigan and Minnesota. When offered a share in the new store in New Bedford by his brothers he accepted, and in 1887 came to New Bedford and the following year began his long and successful career as a merchant.
The Poisson family was one of the oldest French families of the Province of Quebec, Canada, Gedeon being a son of Neré Poisson, of Gentilly, a wholesale grain and wood merchant. He married Adelaide Jolibois and reared a large family, all of whom became men of business standing in their native town and in New Bedford. Children: Hector, died in Gentilly; Joseph, a retired merchant of New Bedford, Massa- chusetts; Adolphe, succeeded his father in Gentilly; Jean Baptiste, owning a grain and lumber business at Gentilly; Alphonsine, married Joseph Bourgois, a general grain merchant of Ste. Angilo, Three Rivers, Canada; Gedeon, of further mention; Ludger, a partner of G. & L. Poisson until his death, July 4, 1915; Laurent, a real estate dealer in property at New Bedford.
Gedeon Poisson was born in Gentilly, Province of Quebec, Canada, November 20, 1857, and there was educated, learned the carpenter's trade and resided until nineteen years of age. In 1876 he left the employ of the architect, Gireau, with whom he had learned his trade, and came to the United States, spending the first three years in Michigan, and the following five years in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He first came to New Bedford in 1887, began merchandising with his brothers in 1888, the original location being at No. 909 South Water street. The capital employed was not large, consisting of the money they had saved after coming to the United States, each brother contributing a share. In 1903 they separated, Gedeon Poisson having designed and fitted up the store in the North End to which Joseph and Laurent Poisson removed, also the one at No. 912 South Water street, where he conducts his present business. He with his brother Ludger, trading as G. & L. Poisson, opened their new store, September 21, 1903, and there until the retirement of the junior partner in 1914, they conducted a flourishing business. Since becoming sole owner, Gedeon Poisson has continued the business along the same general lines. He carries full lines of dry goods, men's clothing and furnishings, women's clothing and small wear ; his store running along modern department lines, and employing about twenty-eight people. His trade is large, the South End finding that the Poisson store serves them honorably and well. The owner is a capable business man, upright and energetic, particularly careful of the welfare of his employees. Courtesy and fair dealing are the store mottoes, and his efforts to give the South End a modern store with good service have been well appreciated. He is also interested in New Bed- ford real estate. Mr. Poisson is a member of the Franco-American Chamber of Commerce, the Franco-American Federation, the Francs Tireurs, New Bedford Board of Trade, and St. Hyacinthe Roman
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