USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 71
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Mr. Crapo was married June 9, 1825, to Mary Ann Slocum, of Dartmouth. They had ten children -- one son and nine daughters.
C RAPO WILLIAM W., son of Henry H. Crapo, of whom some account has just been given, was born in the town of Dartmouth, May 16, 1830. He was educated in the public schools of New Bedford during the early years of his life; prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, and subsequently entered Yale College, where he graduated in 1852. Having already decided upon the legal profession as his life- work, he began the study of law in the office of Gov. John H. Clifford, at New Bedford, and also attended the Dane Law School at Cambridge. He was admitted to the bar in 1855 and at once hegan practice in New Bedford, where he has ever since remained. In April following his admission to the bar, he was appointed city solicitor and held the office twelve years.
In 1856 Mr. Crapo entered the political arena under the Republican banner, making his first speeches for John C. Fremont, the first candidate of the Republican party for president. In the fall of the same year he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, when he was only twenty-six years of age, and in the following year was urged to become his party's candidate for State senator, which proffered honor he declined. He rapidly advanced to a conspicuous position in the bar of the county and developed qualifications in his professional practice of a high order. With the break- ing out of the civil war he entered beartily into the support of the government, and from that time to the close of the great struggle he gave freely of his time, energy and means for the welfare of the cause. At the same time all measures for the upbuilding and advancement of New Bedford in all directions found in him, as they do to the pres- ent time, an earnest and practical advocate.
The people were not disposed to let Mr. Crapo rest from public service. He was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress to fill a vacancy, and was re-elected to the Forty- fifth, Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses, declining in 1882 to longer accept the nomination. In that body he took a prominent position from the beginning. In the Forty-fifth Congress he was a member of the committee on foreign affairs, and in the Forty-sixth was a member of the committee on banking and currency. In the Forty- seventh he was made chairman of the same committee and as such gained the admira- tion of the business men of the country by his skillful management of the bill for ex- tending the charters of the national banks, a measure which was successfully carried
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
through under his leadership and against determined opposition. In the tariff legisla- tion through which the tax on the capital and deposits of banks and bankers was removed, Mr. Crapo's familiarity with the subject was of great service, and secured the direct application of the law to the national banks. In various other legislative procediogs of importance he took a conspicuousa part, and his value as a legislator was fully appreciated, not only by his constituents, but by the country at large. What is, perhaps, still more important in Mr. Crapo's political and public career, is the lofty stand- ard of action by which he has been governed and the well known purity of his motives and deeds. It is a common expression, even among those who differ from him in their political belief, that in these respects no man in the country stands higher to-day. To this sentiment may largely be credited his prominence during the last three gubernatorial campaigns as a candidate for the highest office in the State. That he has not received the nomination is due more to his reluctance to the employment of many of the politi- cal methods of the day, than to any other cause.
Mr. Crapo's strength of intellect and capacity to deal with large affairs is shown as well in his business life as in his political career. In all positions where business sagac- ity, prudence and good judgment are demanded, his services have been often in request, and these qualifications, united with exceptional executive ability, have always been felt in the growth and prosperity of such undertakings. As guardian or trustee for the man- agement of estates, his high character and business talent have brought him more of that branch of business than he could possibly assume; while in the broader fields of finance and business his peculiar endowments and his entire trustworthiness have been fully recognized for many years. He has been president of the Mechanics' National Bank of New Bedford for nearly twenty-five years. He is president of the Wamsutta Mills and is in the board of directors of the Potomska Mills and Acushnet Mills and many other industrial corporations. He has been associated in the management of sev- eral railroads, and is the president of the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Company. In many other minor lines he has also been active at some period of his life. In his pro- fession he is pre-eminently a business lawyer, and is perfectly familiar with all varieties of commercial transactions in their various bearings. Quiet and unaggressive in manner, scholarly in attainments, firm and trustworthy in his friendships, he stands among the honored citizens of the commonwealth.
In the year 1882 the degree of LL. D. was conferred upon Mr. Crapo by Yale College.
On the 22d of January, 1857, Mr. Crapo was married to Sarah A. Davis Tappan, daughter of George and Serena Davis Tappan. They have two sons-Henry Howland Crapo, a graduate of Harvard University, now in the law office of Crapo, Clifford & Clifford ; and Stanford Tappan Crapo, a graduate of Yale College.
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S. C. HATHAWAY.
ATHAWAY, SAVORY C .- The first Savory Hathaway, of whom there is any
H record, was born in Wareham in 1737, and was one of the pioneers of this part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts He had a son, whose name was also Savory, and who was born in Wareham, September 19, 1781.
The third Savory Hathaway was a son of the latter and was born in Rochester, now Marion, on March 1, 1814. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaking, and after following that occupation for some time, he came to New Bedford in 1837. Three years later he removed to Weymouth, but in 1844 returned to New Bedford, where he remained until his death. During the next five or six years he worked at his trade. In those days boots and shoes were wholly made by hand, and Mr. Hathaway stood in the front rank as a practical workman.
In the year 1850 he gave up his business and entered the employ of the Union Boot and Shoe store of this city, and during a period of more than forty years, was man- ager of that company. He married Margret R. Hathaway (another branch of this name), daughter of Freeman and Adra Hathaway, of Long Plain, Acushnet. They had six children, four of whom are living : Savory C., the eldest, and three daughters, He died February 2, 1892. He was a man of good judgment, strict integrity, and highly respected as a citizen.
Savory C. Hathaway, the fourth Savory, was born in New Bedford, April 8, 1838. He received his education in the public schools of this city. Having his own way to make in the world, and possessing the native ambition and self-reliance of the average New England boy, he left school at the age of sixteen and found employment for about two years in the book-bindery of Charles Taber & Co. This confining occupation did not agree with his temperament, and after two years his health failing, he determined to go to sea. Entering the merchant service he shipped from New York on the ship Continent in 1857. His first voyage took him to Melbourne, Callao, the island of Mau- ritius, and Calcutta, where the vessel loaded for New York. His second voyage was in the ship Mary Robinson, and he visited San Francisco, the Chincha Islands and other points, returning to Baltimore in the fall of 1860, his sea-faring life embracing about three years.
Returning to New Bedford Mr. Hathaway found the kind of employment which was thenceforth to be his life work. In December, 1860, he entered the employ of the New Bedford Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Co
In August, 1862, he joined the army of the Union by enlistment as a private in the Third Massachusetts Infantry, for nine months. He faithfully served his time, and after receiving an honorable discharge, returned to New Bedford and re-entered the employ of the shoe company, where he remained until the summer of 1865.
Having an ambition to do business on his own account, he started the manufacture of shoes in a small way in July of that year. His shop was an insignificant affair, com- prising one room 14 x 20 feet, his goods being made by hand, with the exception of what could be accomplished with one sewing machine. But he remained there only six weeks when he removed to another location where a whole store was occupied, and where he was joined September 1 of the same year by Rufus A. Soule as a silent partner, the firm being S. C. Hathaway & Co. After another period as brief as that in
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
the first shop, a change was made to the building on the corner of Mechanics' lane and Pleasant street. In January, 1866, the firm was changed to Hathaway & Soule, the latter gentleman becoming an active partner in the business and has since continued as such. The firm remained as Hathaway & Soule until 1876, when Herbert A. Har- rington, of Boston, was admitted, and the firm style was changed to Hathaway, Soule & Harrington. Mr. Harrington came into the firm with an extensive acquaintance in the trade, and the new combination soon took a prominent position in the shoe trade of this country which is maintained by them to-day as never before.
By the year 1874 the whole block at the location last mentioned was needed for the growing business, and in July of that year further extension was imperatively demanded. This led to a removal to the corner of North Second and North streets, where a new four-story brick building had been erected by them 100 x 32 feet in dimensions. A part of it was leased for a time, only to be soon taken for the rapidly increasing busi- ness of the firm. From that time to the present additions to the plant have repeatedly been made, while the working force and the output have proportionately increased. Another factory has been founded by the firm at Middleboro, Mass., which was started in 1885, and they are also joint owners in a third at Campello, Mass. From about one hundred operatives when the change was made to the present location, the number has increased to about three hundred at New Bedford, two hundred and fifty at Middle- boro, and as many more at Campello, while the product has reached more than half a million pairs of shoes a year. They are one of the most successful among the many shoe manufacturers of this part of the State, and one of the most important manufact- uring establishments in New Bedford, adding materially to the general prosperity of the community.
In June, 1890, the firm was merged into a stock company with a capital of $250,000, organized under the laws of Massachusetts. Mr. Hathaway was chosen president ; Mr. Soule, vice-president ; and Mr. Harringion, treasurer, the company taking the name of Hathaway, Soule & Harrington, Incorporated.
Itis not too much to say that a large measure of the prosperity attained finally by the Hathaway, Sonle & Harrington, Incorporated, is due to the tireless energy, unwearied industry and business qualifications of Mr. Hathaway. Prompt and quick to decide all matters affecting the interests of the company, readily accessible to all, a ready and generous friend, and basing his every action upon the principles of integrity and uprightness, it is not a marvel that he has succeeded, or that he is held in high esteem by all his fellow citizens.
Mr. Hathaway is one of our most public sprited citizens, Republican in politics, and a believer in the temperance wing of that party. He was chosen alderman and served during the years 1877-78 to the satisfaction of his associates. He is a member of the County Street Methodist Episcopal Church.
His sound judgment has inspired a degree of confidence that has led to his selection as a director in the First National Bank and in the Safe Deposit and Trust Co. He is still in the prime of life and may anticipate a long and successful future.
Mr. Hathaway married, December 17, 1863, Sophronia W. Bourne, daughter of Alvan E. and Mary J. Bourne, of New Bedford. They have four children, Savory C., jr. (the fifth in a direct line), Mary B., Merton L., and Alvan B.
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P. C. HOWLAND.
OWLAND, PELEG C .- Families of the name of Howland were among the very - earliest settlers in eastern Massachusetts, and their descendants have always been conspicuous in the history of New Bedford. Peleg C. Howland was descended from Henry Howland, a brother of Arthur, both being members of the first family of that name to immigrate to this country not many years after the arrival of the Pilgrims. Peleg C. belonged in the eighth generation, and was born in Westport on the 29th of April, 1830, at which time his father, Stephen Howland lived in that village, and was among the most respected citizens of the place. Peleg C. received his education in the public schools of his native town, supplemented by attendance at Mr. Bartlett's well- known school in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. After leaving school he served for a short time as clerk for a firm of grocers in Westport, and entered the Merchants' Bank as clerk on the 13th of August, 1846. At that time John Avery Parker was president of the bank and James B. Congdon, cashier. The young man undoubtedly felt that he had found bis accepted life-work. He slept in the bank, and gave its interests, as far as he was then able, the same watchful care that characterized his after life. Knowledge of the rules and principles of financiering seemed to reach him almost by intuition, and he ad- vanced rapidly. He was made teller of the bank May 30, 1851 ; was appointed assistant cashier January 10, 1854, and cashier Jannary 1, 1858, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James B. Congdon, who had been in the cashier's office since the organi- zation of the bank in 1825. This position Mr. Howland held until his death, and his untiring and unselfish devotion to the interests of the institution ; his marvelous ability as a financier, ranking among the foremost in the country ; his tact, skill, and fidelity as a manager, were the subject of wide-spread commendation. The bank was his pride, and he was completely identified with its interests, giving little attention to the affairs of the community in other directions. Under his gifted and faithful administration the stock of the bank rose to an exceptionally high figure, and it became, and still is, a lead- ing financial institution in this part of the State.
Mr. Howland's death occurred on October 26, 1885. The sense of appreciation in which his services were held by his associates in the Merchants' bank is fittingly ex- pressed in the following memorial resolutions, which were adopted at a meeting held shortly after his death :
" Resolved, The directors of the Merchants' National Bank, of New Bedford, desire to give expression to their sense of the loss which they, and the corporation which they represent, have sustained by the death of Peleg C. Howland, whose connection with the Merchants' Bank, beginning August 13, 1846, continued after its reorganization under a federal charter, until his death on the 26th of October, 1885, a period of thirty- nine years of continuous service ; and while it is more fitting that the character of our late cashier in his home and as a citizen should receive proper recognition elsewhere, of his qualities as a man of affairs and of business we may speak; and so speaking we wouldl commemorate his unvarying courtesy of manner, his integrity, his comprehen- sive grasp of the largest transactions as well as the minutest details-none too minnte to receive that attention which was always his best ; his rare financial ability ; his ripe experience and extensive knowledge of banking ; his unstinting devotion to the trusts committed to his charge; his wise foresight and anxious care for the interests of the
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
bank, and his pride in its success-all these combine to make him what he was, and was recognized to be, a model corporation officer and cashier."
Socially Mr. Howland was a man of pleasant address, urbane courtesy, and his do- mestic relations all that could be desired. He married on the 3d of June, 1851, Lucy C. Congdon, daughter of James B. Congdon, who died October 8, 1867. He married ·second Clara E. Kempton, daughter of Horatio A. Kempton ; she died August 15, 1879; and on the 16th of November, 1882, he married Elizabeth T. Kempton, sister of his second wife. He was the father of three children: Elizabeth Kempton Howland, born March 19, 1874; Horatio Kempton Howland, born October 1, 1875; and Clara Earle Howland, born January 17, 1878.
EABURY HUMPHREY W. The subject of this sketch was born in Tiverton, R. S' I., June 28, 1817, and died at his home on County street, New Bedford, on his birthday June 28, 1891. He was the son of Capt. William and Rhoda Woodman Sea- bury, who lived for several years in Tiverton, then for a time in Little Compton, and finally in 1833 made their permanent residence in New Bedford. Like many New England youths he possessed a natural love for the sea, which was stimulated by the scenes about the busy wharves then representing the enterprise of the city. It was at this period that young Seabury was inspired with an intense desire to command a ship, an ambition that was finally attained, with honor to himself and profit to the owners of the vessel he commanded. It is a remarkable fact that of the five whaling voyages he made, four of them were in the ship Coral, Gideon Allen, agent.
Mr. Seabury's first experience as a sailor was on a coasting vessel to New York. This, in 1834, was followed by a voyage to Holland as a foremast hand on the bark Hope, commanded by his father. This trip proved to be a favorable opening for the young sailor, and his varied experiences an instructive school that fitted him for his long and successful career on the ocean.
His first whaling voyage was in the ship Corinthian, commanded by Capt. Leonard Crowell. They sailed from New Bedford December 8, 1835, and arrived home Febru- ary 19, 1839. On this voyage Mr. Seabury advanced upward toward his cherished goal, and was promoted from the position of boat steerer to that of third mate.
His second voyage was as first officer of the ship Coral, Capt. James H. Sherman. They sailed June 16, 1839, and arrived home June 11, 1842. The Coral cruised on the coast of Pern and off the Galapagos Islands, and made good returns to the owners. They sighted whales eighty-nine times during the voyage and captured one or more in fifty-eight instances. The whole number taken was 102. It was a most remarka- ble catch, surpassed in but few cases in the history of the whale fishery. A thrill- ing incident occurred during this voyage that well illustrates the dangers to which whalemen were exposed. June 15, 1841, the Coral's boats were out after a 100 bar- rel sperin whale, just south of the Galapagos Islands. He proved to be what the sail- ors term a " bad whale," one that fights with his jaws. He turned upon the boats and literally chewed two of them in pieces. One of the sailors was drowned, and another, named Jethro S. Studley, was saved from a similar fate by the plucky action of Mr. Seabnry, who, diving for him as he sank in the depths of the sea, brought him to the
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H. W. SEABURY.
surface by the hair of his head. Mr. Seabury said this was the only "jaw fighter" that he encountered in his experience which included the taking of 12,000 barrels of sperm oil. On the third voyage, at twenty-five years of age, Mr. Seabury attained the ambi- tion of his youth, and on November 16, 1842, he sailed as Captain of the Coral. Thirty- nine sperm and ten right whales were captured on this voyage, and he returned home March 9, 1846.
The fourth voyage was pursued in the Pacific Ocean and the Coral returned home June 11, 1850, with a cargo of 3,350 barrels of sperm oil. The price current on arrival was $1.19 per gallon, and the value of the entire catch was $125,000.
The fifth and last whaling voyage was made in the Coral, during which 100 whales were captured that brought splendid results to the owners and crew. Captain Sea- bury retired from sea service at the period when the whale fishery had attained its most profitable and successful prosecution.
In 1852, he, with his brother, Otis Seabury, engaged in the business of fitting whale ships. This enterprise they pursued till 1872 when Captain Seabury retired.
These years were full of activity and many journeys were made to foreign countries. Among them were two merchant voyages, one to the Sandwich Islands in 1853 and the other to Pernambuco and Rio Janeiro in 1856, a visit to Paris in 1858, and Ha- vana in 1870. In 1871 his business called him to Chili, and in a letter to his family he gave a description of an earthquake that occurred while he was there.
In 1872 he retired permanently from active participation in business, though to the date of his death he found agreeable employment in the affairs of the city and its insti- tntions.
He served the city as alderman, councilman, and as member of the school committee, and in all these positions he rendered service with honor to himself and with substan- tial benefit to the city.
The New Bedford Mercury in an editorial notice of his decease said : " That he was a faithful and conscientious public servant, positive in his opinions, and plain in his ex- pressions of them. His honesty was of the rugged and uncompromising type, as sterling in matters of principle as in those which involved money. He was an ardent and ac- tive Republican, holding to the extreme temperance wing of that party, and as such for many years conspicuous in the primary meetings where he led many a fight with the so-called liberal faction. He was a good citizen, whose influence and example were always exerted fearlessly in the way he believed to he right."
Captain Seabury was interested in many of the business enterprises that have sub- stantially added to the growth and prosperity of the city. He was a director in the First National Bank, and at his death its officers passed resolutions that extolled his in- tegrity and his faithfulness to duty. He was a member of the Indian Association from the beginning of its organization, and it also honored his memory with a testimonial showing appreciation of his services.
Captain Seabury was associated with the Friends' Society, a constant attendant upon its meetings and a generous supporter of its interests, a member of the Board of Man- agers of the Port Society, and an associate member of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
In all the stations of life he enjoyed the confidence and sincere respect of all. His charities were of a quiet nature, yet few men more thoroughly considered the needs of the poor, or more constantly studied the welfare and convenience of his fellow men.
Captain Seabury was first married October 14, 1850, to Mary B. Wilcox, who died about a year from that time; and on August 12, 1855, was married to Susan M. Gifford, who survives him with two daughters.
FOR nearly two hundred years we find the name of Taber connected with the growth and prosperity of that section of country of which New Bedford now forms a prominent part. Benjamin Taber 3d was born February 2, 1766. He mar- ried Rhobe, a daughter of Thomas Akin. They had eight children, one of whom was Henry, who was born March 29, 1795. His mother died when he was but six years old. Remaining in the home circle for awhile, in the house now standing on the north side of Union steet, near Front, he was afterward placed under the kind and watch- ful care of his aunt, Lurany Wood, wife of Capt. John Wood. They lived in the house now standing at the head of Apponagansett River. Not far from the house was built the ship George and Susan, receiving the name from her owner and builder, George Howland and wife. In this ship Henry Taber started on his first voyage at the age of fourteen, sailing from Richmond, Va., for Liverpool, under the charge of Capt. Jobn Wood. His next voyage was to Port Glasgow in the same ship. His next to Ham- burg in the same ship as second mate. His third voyage was in the brig Nancy as mate with Capt. Henry Packard from New York to Dublin. Upon his return home he went with Capt. John Wood as mate of a packet running between New York and New Bedford. He soon took command, and during the next fifteen years of his subsequent life we find him pursuing the same business as master and part owner of several ves- sels. In December, 1819, he married Nabby Gordon, daughter of William Gordon, of New Bedford. Their children were William Gordon, Abby (who afterward married John Hunt), and Robert. Nabby Taber died in November, 1831. In December, 1832, Henry Taber married Sally Gordon, a sister of his first wife. They had one child, Henry Arnold, who died in October, 1866, leaving a widow (daughter of Jireh Swift, jr.), and a daughter. Sally Taber died. January 7, 1885. Thus had they lived together over fifty years. Their life was truly golden. In 1832 Captain Taber went into busi- ness in New Bedford as a ship chandler and grocer with Capt. David Sherman, of New Bedford, under the firin name of Taber & Sherman. Subsequently Captain Sherman removed from New Bedford. Captain Taber continued the business, and kept the line of packets running to New York.
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