USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 9
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Catholic Church. He has traveled extensively in the United States and Canada, his travels also including a European tour.
He married, in New Bedford, in 1905, Emma Antoinette Rousseau, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of a son, Hugo, born in 1913.
ROBERT SCHOFIELD.
Coming from a family of English millmen, Mr. Schofield not only came honestly by his taste for the business he has been connected with since boyhood, but with it he inherited a genius for the business. He has passed through every grade of cotton mill position, from back boy to agent, having, since 1911, held the last named position with the Sharp Manufacturing Company, of New Bedford. This corporation, with $1,250.000 common and $1,200,000 preferred stock, employs sixteen hun- dred hands in their two mills, operating 200,000 spindles and manu- facturing fine combed yarns. The management of the business depart- ment of such an enterprise demands a man of high business quality and technical knowledge, as he must meet men of highest quality from other managerial departments of his own company and men whose lives are given solely to selling and buying from the outside world. He must meet furthermore, on an equality, confer and decide wisely, keeping ever in view the duty he owes to the stockholders and their representa- tives, the board of directors to whom he is responsible. Mr. Schofield meets these specifications in every particular and is rated one of the strong men of the mill district. He is a son of Henry and Hannah (Hilton) Schofield, the former an English mill worker and member of the Established Church.
Robert Schofield was born in Royton, borough of Oldham Lancashire, England, February 20, 1864. He secured his education in the public and textile schools, his attendance at textile school being in the evening classes, after he had become a mill worker, well ad- vanced in practical cotton mill methods. He began in the mill as a back boy and advanced through the various positions in the manu- facturing departments until he reached the position of agent, first with the Rotch Mill and since 1911 with the Sharp Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He came to Magog, Province of Quebec, in 1889, remained there for three and one-half years, came to the United States in 1893, and has since made New Bedford his home. Mr. Schofield is a Republican in politics, member of the National Manu- facturers Association of the United States, member of lodge, chapter, council and commandery of the Masonic order, the Dartmouth Club, and the Congregational church.
Mr. Schofield married in Royton, England, September 11, 1889, Jane Knott, born there, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lord) Knott. Mr. and Mrs. Schofield are the parents of four sons and a daughter :
Port Schofield
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Frank Lionel, born September 29, 1894, married Mildred Sherman, of New Bedford; Florence Beatrice, January 22, 1896; Robert Milton, January 24, 1901; William Hilton, October 12, 1902; George Louis, November 18, 1906. The family home is at No. 189 Orchard street.
NOE LEOPOLD NADEAU.
Noe Leopold Nadeau, a man of learning, skill and ability, a member of the legal profession and a legislator, is a scion of an old French- Canadian family, the earliest member of whom we have definite infor- mation being Jean Baptiste Nadeau, grandfather of Noe L. Nadeau, who was born in St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada, followed agricultural pursuits throughout the active years of his life, and died in Ste. Marie, Province of Quebec. His son, Damase Nadeau, father of Noe L. Nadeau, was born in Ste. Marie, Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1817, and died in Concordia, Kansas, in 1895. He took an active part
in the Insurrection of 1837, on the side of the Patriots, and was in the engagement with the Quebec Insurrectionists, although not then of legal age. Two nephews of Noe L. Nadeau are now serving with the Volunteer United States Troops, one as a lieutenant in the infantry, the other in the aviation corps. Later Damase Nadeau became a resident of Kansas, and there spent the remainder of his days. He married Marie Louise Archanbeault, born in St. Cesaire, Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1833, and died in Concordia, Kansas, in 1894. They were the parents of eight children : Leopoldine, born in 1855, died in 1894; Noemie, born in 1857, now (1917) residing in Los Angeles, California ; Roseline, born in 1859, now residing in Providence, Rhode Island; Noe Leopold, of whom further; Honorine, born 1864; Joseph D., born in 1867, now residing in Des Moines, Iowa ; Hubert G., born in 1869, now residing in Houston, Texas; Emma, born in 1872.
Noe Leopold Nadeau was born in St. Cesaire, Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1862. He was educated in primary school and commercial college of St. Cesaire, and made his classics in the College of Ste. Gen- evieve, but before graduation the family came to the United States and settled in Concordia, Kansas. He chose the profession of law as his life work, completing his preparation at a law school in St. Louis, Mis- souri, of which he was a student during the years 1888-89. He returned to the State of Kansas in 1892, was admitted to the bar of that State in that year, and practiced in Concordia until 1895, when he went to Los Angeles, California, on a visit, but remained to practice his profession. The following year, 1896, occurred the great Cripple Creek gold rush, although not the first in that region, Mr. Nadeau became one of the gold seekers, his business, however, being that of mining broker. He visited Montreal, Canada, in the interest of his mining property, and while there the disastrous fire which swept that mountain settlement occurred. The
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following year, 1897, Mr. Nadeau located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was admitted to practice, won fame as a lawyer and legislator, and until 1914 was one of the strong men of the Rhode Island bar. In that year he took up his residence in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and since that time, a period of three years, has established a lucrative law busi- ness and has gained the respect and confidence of his fellow practitioners His offices are in the Five Cents Savings Bank Building. During his residence in Pawtucket, he became interested in politics, became prom- inent in party councils, and was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve in the Rhode Island Legislature during the years 1903-04. Mr. Nadean is a member of the local and county bar associations, the Franco-American Chamber of Commerce, the Francs Tireurs, the Franco- American Federation, and the Church of Ste. Anne (Roman Catholic). In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Nadean married, in Providence, Rhode Island, June 7. 1906, Lila Tetreault, born in St. Cesaire, Province of Quebec, Canada, March 5, 1877, daughter of Meril Tetreault, of St. Cesaire, Canada, a farmer, and his wife, Josephine (Farens) Tetreault, of Cawensville, Province of Quebec, Canada.
JAMES FRANCIS MURPHY.
A New Bedford boy, educated in the city schools, Mr. Murphy has spent his years, forty-four, in his native city, beginning his business life as errand boy, and has since been a merchant, an apprentice journey- man plumber, and since 1912 a contracting plumber, operating under his own name. He early displayed the commercial instinct, and as a boy made and sold lemonade, hunted dandelions and sold them himself, and was a newsboy, there being few chances that a boy has for making money that he did not pursue. But his greatest desire was to learn the plumber's trade, and when the opportunity came, although he was then nearly twenty years of age and earning a man's wages, he accepted the small pay accorded an apprentice and served his full term of three years. The years have brought him expert knowledge of plumbing as a trade, and as a science or profession, its sanitary features being as well understood as its mechanical. He is highly rated in his business, and is the chosen instructor of the class in plumbing at the New Bed- ford Industrial School, a branch of the public school system. He is a son of Timothy Joseph and Catherine M. Murphy, his father, now de- ceased, having been one of the employees of the Mt. Washington Glass Company. Timothy J. and Catherine M. Murphy were the parents of fourteen children, five deceased, eight sons and one daughter living.
James Francis Murphy was born in New Bedford, August 8, 1873, and was educated in Fifth Street Grammar School, attending this until fourteen years of age. His first employment was as errand boy with J. G. Childs & Son, fish dealers, he remaining with that firm three years.
James Murphy
Науковий Догадку
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He was but seventeen, when, profiting by his experience with Childs & Son, he opened a fish stand at South Water street, near Cannon, an enterprise he conducted under his own name for eighteen months. Then came his opportunity to learn the plumber's trade with George E. Hatch, of New Bedford, and three years were thus spent as an apprentice at the Hatch concern, corner of Purchase and William streets. Soon after he had completed his term of apprenticeship and arrived at the dignity of a journeyman, he entered the employ of S. C. Love, located at No. 87 Union street, and for seventeen years was in his employ, two years as a journeyman plumber and fifteen years as foreman. In this capacity he was connected with the plumbing of many mills and large residences in New Bedford and far around vicinity, becoming a well known expert in his line. In 1912, having accumulated sufficient capital, he decided to turn his skill and knowledge toward developing a business of his own, and located at Nos. 436-38 Pleasant street, New Bedford. He specializes in mill work, gas water heaters and repair work of all kinds, and has built up a good business among those who understand and ap- preciate. When employed by others, Mr. Murphy became a member of the Journeyman Plumbers Union, serving as its president for thirteen years, and since has become a member of the Master Plumbers Associa- tion, serving on its executive committee. For the past five years he has been an instructor in plumbing at the New Bedford Industrial School. He is a member of the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, and when a clerk was connected with the Provision Clerks Mutual Benefit Associa- tion. In politics he is an Independent, and in religious faith a Roman Catholic, belonging to St. James Parish.
Mr. Murphy married in New Bedford, August 29, 1900, Frances Anna Blecha, daughter of Joseph Blecha, a mill worker, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are the parents of two sons and two daughters: Francis, born in 1904; Catherine, in 1906; James F., in 1910; Mary Frances, in 1914; a fifth child, a daughter, is deceased.
HUGH LINN DONAGHY.
When a boy of tender years, Hugh Linn Donaghy lost both his parents, and it was through the kindly aid of a society of the Pres- byterian church, whose special duty was the care of orphans, that he was enabled to obtain an education and learn a trade. He was one of a family of eight thus bereft and one of these was to have the privilege which fell to the boy, Hugh L. The trade was learned, and in this country Mr. Donaghy has built up a business and a reputation as a smith which has brought him large returns. To the Presbyterian church of New Bedford he is a strong pillar of support, and in serving that church as trustee and active member he feels that he is only in a measure repaying the debt of gratitude he owes to the church in rescuing him when orphaned and giving him the opportunity which he has so
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well improved. To craftsman and churchman must be added valuable service as a citizen, for his life in New Bedford also included civic service of a high order.
Hugh L. Donaghy was born in Londonderry, Ireland, June 6, 1864, son of Scotch Presbyterian parents, Nixon and Matilda Donaghy. On being left an orphan, the Presbyterian Society arranged for his sup- port with an uncle of the lad, and until fourteen years of age he attended the state schools. He was then hired out to a farmer by his uncle, the stipulated term being six months, but he remained a year at the farm. He was then apprenticed to a blacksmith, his term only to terminate with his coming of age, a date then six years in the future. He served the entire period, receiving no wages except his food, the society stand- ing sponsor for all his other needs, a debt of gratitude paid and repaid over and over in loyal support of the church which befriended him. In 1885 he came to the United States, landing at Castle Garden, New York City, with ten cents which was invested in a loaf of bread, his only food until he reached Fall River, Massachusetts, his brother, who was living there, having sent him a ticket good on the Fall River boat. He did not long remain in Fall River, but came to New Bedford, almost immediately securing employment at his trade with N. T. Fuller, with whom he remained two years. Work then becoming slack at the Fuller shop he entered the employ of a Mr. Hamlin, forging the iron work for loom harness on which Mr. Hamlin held a patent. With Mr. Hamlin and with Joseph B. Ashley, father of the present mayor of New Bed- ford, who was a member of the firm of Brownell & Ashley, manu- facturers, Mr. Donaghy spent nine years, being foreman for eight of those years.
In 1895 he formed a partnership with John A. Taylor, who had been a fellow workman with Brownell & Ashley, and they conducted a gen- eral blacksmith business for three years under the firm name, Taylor & Donaghy, their shop at No. 447 Kempton street. In 1898 Mr. Taylor withdrew and Mr. Donaghy became sole owner. A general black- smithing business, very large in its volume, is transacted, skilled black- smiths being employed in the different departments, and modern ma- chines also being used wherever possible. For twenty-one years the shop has been in its present location, headquarters for all iron repair work, horseshoeing, carriage iron work and wheelwrighting. Integrity in his dealings has marked his business career, and superiority of work- manship is a guaranteed feature of all that goes from his shops. As a man he ranks equally high, and as this North of Ireland still compara- tively young man reviews his years, thirty-two, in New Bedford, he can feel nothing but genuine satisfaction in his achievement.
For seven years Mr. Donaghy represented Ward Four in Common Council, elected as a Republican, and loyally served his consituency and his city. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for twenty-one years and president of the board,
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and is a generous contributor to its varied interests. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Adoniram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Encampment, Canton, New Bedford Patri- archs Militant, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Nonquitt Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; New Bedford Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; New Bedford Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles; and the Calendonian Club, of which he was a trustee. He is interested in all these organizations, and held in high esteem by his brethren of these orders.
Mr. Donaghy married Elizabeth Conn, born in Armagh, Ireland, in 1886, the only five dollars he had in the world going to pay the minister who performed the ceremony. But that was the real beginning of his prosperity, and want has never invaded the Donaghy home. They are the parents of two sons, Samuel N., born in 1892, now in the employ of Bates & Kirby; and Francis A., born in 1898, employed with his father in his blacksmithing business.
C. CHESTER GIFFORD.
C. Chester Gifford, now manager of the New Bedford branch of the R. W. Powers Company, distributors of the Hudson Automobile in Southern Massachusetts, has been connected with the commercial life of the city for all the years of his business life. He is a son of Charles L. and Ellen M. Gifford, the former named for many years prior to his death in 1913 was assistant city engineer of Fall River.
C. Chester Gifford was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, August 22, 1881. He was educated in the public schools, later pursuing ad- vanced courses at Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Massachusetts. He began business life in 1903 with the Title Guarantee and Trust Com- pany of New York City, filling the position of solicitor for nine years. He was then for a term of years associated with the Franklin Howes Medicine Company of Boston as treasurer, and is still a director of this company. In both these positions, New Bedford was embraced in the territory he covered and at regular intervals he was in the city in pursuit of business. In 1914 he entered the employ of the R. W. Powers Company of Fall River, and in 1915 was appointed manager of their New Bedford office. The Powers Company have the agency for the sale of the Hudson Automobile in Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and the New Bedford office is one of the important offices of the Hudson Power Company. The company's showrooms and garage are located at No. 501 County street, and there a large volunte of business is transacted. Mr. Gifford is a Republican in politics, an attendant of the Congregational church, and formerly a member of the Seventh Regiment, New York National Guard.
Mr. Gifford married, in 1907, Corina M. Lewis, daughter of Thomas L. and Lillian (Hicks) Lewis, of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, her father an owner of the Westport Manufacturing Company.
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CHARLES RICHMOND GIDLEY.
A Dartmouth boy, educated in New Bedford schools, trained to business methods in the offices of New Bedford corporations, one of which he now serves as treasurer, Mr. Gidley is a true son of that old Dartmouth of which New Bedford was once a part. As treasurer of the New Bedford Textile Company, he holds important position in the manufacturing life of the city and is vested with an authority and responsibility uncommon for a man of his years. But in business youth is no crime nor a bar to promotion, and this young man of thirty-six has fairly won the recognition that has been bestowed upon him. He is a son of Elijah B. Gidley, born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Septem- ber 19, 1858, now connected with the Texas Oil Company, and his wife, Sarah A. (McGinn) Gidley, born in Providence, Rhode Island, they now residing at No. 1384 Rockdale avenne, New Bedford.
Charles R. Gidley was born in Dartmouth, Bristol county, Massachu- setts, January 21, 1881. After the family moved to New Bedford he began his public school education, which was continued through gram- mar school and a preparatory school. He began his business career with the New England Cotton Yarn Company of New Bedford, as an office employee, continuing there three years. The following five years he was with the Lambeth Cordage Company, in charge of their plant, then aided in the organization of the New Bedford Textile Company, of which he was elected treasurer. He is a Republican in politics, a member of Abram H. Howland, Jr. Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Adoniram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; New Bedford Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Sutton Commandery, Knights Templar. His club is the Wamsutta, his church the Trinitarian (Congregational).
Mr. Gidley married in Marion, Massachusetts, July 7, 1906, Susan T. Delano, daughter of Captain Clark Wheeler Delano, born January 19, 1858, died November 4, 1916, and his wife, Fanny J. (Hamilton) Delano. born in 1859, yet residing in New Bedford. Mr. and Mrs. Gidley are the parents of four daughters and a son: Elizabeth Richmond, born August 26, 1907; Fanny Delano, January 28, 1911; Ruth, October 14, 1913; Charles Richmond (2), June 26, 1915; Alice, June 6, 1917. The family home is No. 474 Park street.
FREDERICK HUGH McDEVITT.
When a boy of twelve years in Canada's Maritime Province, New Brunswick, Frederick H. McDevitt began mill work. His ambition to rise bore instant fruit and even before coming to the United States he had risen through the various grades that separate the beginner from the overseer and was filling the last named position. He came to the United States in 1900, the man of knowledge and experience, and filled several positions of responsibility before coming to New Bedford in 1915
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to the Soule Mill. As agent of that mill, he carries the responsibility of both the buying and selling departments, and as the corporation is capitalized at $1,250,000, operates ninety-three thousand spindles, twenty- three hundred looms and employs nine hundred hands in the manu- facture of lawns, organdies, sateens, dimities, lenos and fancies. It is readily seen that his position is no sinecure. He is a son of Hugh and Catherine McDevitt, of St. John's, New Brunswick.
Frederick Hugh McDevitt was born in St. John's, New Bruns- wick, Canada, and until twelve years of age attended school. He then became a mill worker in Canada and so rapidly did he advance that in four years he was rated as second hand. Two years later he was made an overseer, then in 1900 came to the United States. spending his first year in North Adams, Massachusetts. The following nine years were spent in Easthampton, Massachusetts, mills, in different depart- ments, after which he was superintendent of a new mill which he or- ganized in East Boston, manned with city labor-a difficult under- taking at that time, and operated it for three years very successfully. On June 11, 1915, he came to the Soule Mill as agent, and in the three years that he has been in New Bedford he has won high position among the men whose skill is such an important factor in the success of the great cotton industry, the city's pride and source of prosperity. He is a member of the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers. Socially and fraternally, he officiates with his fellow men in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Columbus, the Wamsutta Club, and is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. McDevitt married in Boston, Massachusetts, in November, 1902, Nellie Owens, born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. They are the parents of Frederick Anthony and Francis Owens, twins, born December 30, 1904; Paul Fennell, born in 1908; Alice Louise, born in 1912; Mary, born in 1914. The twins, Frederick A. and Francis O., both entered New Bedford High School at the remarkable age of twelve years.
L. J. OSCAR FONTAINE.
Coming in 1904 from his native St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada, to accept appointment as organist at Notre Dame Church, Fall River, Mr. Fontaine has grown in popularity with music lovers, and as the present organist of St. Anthony's Church, New Bedford, as com- poser and piano instructor, occupies a leading position in musical circles. He has composed and published many pleasing and effective pieces of music for the piano, favorably reviewed by the musical critics. He has given New Bedford many musical treats, one of them the concert given at the inauguration of the new pipe organ at St. Anthony's. The organ recital which formed the main feature of the program was given by M. Gaston Dethier, a distinguished Belgian player, while the rest
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of the musical numbers were rendered by members of St. Anthony's under the leadership of the church organist, Mr. Fontaine. The critic of the "Mercury," in reporting the concert, said: "The ninth number, "Illusion," was played by Mr. Fontaine (his own composition), in a manner that bodes well for the future use of the organ, while the singing of the chorus and the double quartet reflected credit upon the talented organist and director." The organ over which Mr. Fontaine presides is a wonderful instrument of great brilliancy and power of tone. In its varied tonal effects it is like an orchestra of stringed, brass and reed in- struments. Its soft stops are of lovely quality and delicacy of tone, while its full organ is sonorous, powerful and rich. The organ was built by Casavant, of Canada, and embodies all the modern ideas in organ- building. In his masterly handling, Mr. Fontaine adapts his talents to the capacity and peculiarities of his wonderful instrument and together the musical service adds to the dignified services of the large Catholic church, St. Anthony's.
L. J. Oscar Fontaine was born in St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada, July 4, 1876, a birthday which surely entitles him to the best the United States can give him, the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He is a son of Raphael E. and Angelique (Bonin) Fontaine, his father a lawyer and king's counsellor of the judicial district of Montreal, and judge of the superior court of Richelieu county, his legal career covering a period of forty years, filled with professional honors. Judge Fontaine had two sons: Ernest, a lawyer of St. Hyacinthe and king's counsellor; L. J. Oscar, of further mention ; and three daughters, one of whom, Eugenie, married H. Abani Beauregard, clerk of court, residing in St. Hyacinthe.
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