USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 72
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As New Bedford was growing much, and trade of all kinds on the increase, he estab- lished a line of packets to run between New Bedford and Boston. In a few years he formed a partnership with his son William G., and son-in-law, John Hunt, under the firm name of Henry Taber & Co. The whaling interest at this time was assuming large proportions and business on all sides prospering. To meet the demands of the public the line of packets between New Bedford and New York was increased by the building and purchase of other and larger vessels, while many additions were made to
21
HENRY TABER.
the line running between Boston and New Bedford. The whaling business soon found Captain Taher much interested, and in his zeal to promote the interest of his home he commenced the building of schooners for the freighting business and ships for the whal- ing service, under his own supervision. Their reputation never suffered in any compari- son with the many others constructed in those busy years. His increasing years al- ways seemed to increase his interest in whatever would secure to the town the most lasting good. To this end but few, if any, of the varied manufacturing interests were begun but found in him a willing helper, so that in time he was found interested in most of them.
In 1866 Captain Taber retired from the firm of Henry Taber & Co., and the firm was changed to Taber, Gordon & Co. His early life and subsequent findings led him rather to seek retirement than office of any kind, political or otherwise. He was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature from 1838 to 1844 with the exception of two years. He was president of the Mutual Marine Insurance Co., and director in the National Bank of Commerce for many years. For a long time he had been one of New Bedford's representative men, industrious, conservative and cautious, showing much financial abil- ity in the varied enterprises with which he was connected. His success has been fully deserved, and his strict integrity and sterling worth has given him many staunch friends. For the past few years he has taken much pleasure in receiving his friends on the anni- versary of his birthday, and from the number who have called we may judge the grati- fication has been mutual. Perhaps no more fitting close to this record can be written than by giving one of the many messages which came to him on his last birthday :
" On the 29th of March, 1795, a little voyager in a tiny bark was launched on the ocean of life, much to the delight of parents and friends, and called Henry. It pro- ceeded on its course, subject to winds (for which annis or peppermint tea was consid- ered a sovereign remedy), billows of unrest and frequent squalls, but proving seaworthy and always headed in the right direction, it soon exchanged its small for a larger craft, and became in due time Capt. Henry Taber, by which cognomen he is known to the present day. He has made a long and successful voyage, and now at the age of 96 years, in a quiet harbor he is 'riding at anchor,' beyond the reach of winds and waves, in a larger and more commodious vessel of which he is and always will be captain. Al- though he does not tread the quarter-deck with quite the same firmness and alacrity that he once did, he.can give his orders with the same promptness, and his crew delight to obey them. Now he is only waiting the proper time for disembarking, which appear- ances and the hopes and wishes of friends indicate will not be till he becomes a cente- narian. That I shall not be here to say ' good night' when he lies down to his last un- troubled sleep, I am sure, but perhaps I may be permitted with other dear friends from that land where there is no more sea, to bid him ' good morning' as his eyes open on the bright unending day where till then, and then forever, I shall be his grateful and constant friend."
22
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
K ELLEY, CHARLES SAMPSON, was born in New Bedford, August 2, 1846, in the house northeast corner of Acushnet avenue and Griffin streets. His father was Henry C. Kelley, son of William and Abigail C. Kelley. William Kelley came from Haverhill, Mass .; his wife was a native of New Bedford. William Kelley's an- cestors settled in this country in the 17th century and came from England. The mother of Charles S., Ann Howland, was the daughter of Joseph Howland Allen and Sarah Howland Allen, both Quakers and both natives of New Bedford. She was de- scended from one of three brothers Allen, who came to this country from England about the year 1630, and a direct descendant of Henry Howland, also a Quaker, who came from England in 1625 and settled in Duxbury, Mass. Ann H. Kelley died December 7, 1889, aged sixty-eight years, eight months.
The father of Charles S. was for several years one of the leading dry goods mer- chants in New Bedford and a man of excellent repute in the community. He was vice- president of the New Bedford Protecting Society, and died November 9, 1862, from in- juries received at a fire on the morning of October 24, 1862, while in the discharge of his duty as a member of that organization, which he had joined in 1843. His age was forty-seven years.
At the age of sixteen years Charles S. Kelley was, by force of circumstances, thrown upon his own resources for his livelihood and aid in the support of his widowed mother. Leaving the public schools before he had fully completed his education, he attacked the situation with that remarkable energy, ability and self-reliance which have characterized his entire subsequent career. Beginning in humble positions in the stores of New Bedford, he continued for about two years, serving his employers faithfully and study- ing the rudiments of husiness for his own later benefit. In April, 1864, he entered the banking office of Edward L. Baker. In May, 1865, Mr. Baker sold out his business to Samuel P. Burt, with whom Mr. Kelley continued as clerk and bookkeeper for ten years, during which period he had made himself familiar with the governing principles and laws of banking, and stored up a valuable fund of information upon business in general. He had, moreover, by his industry, economy, and filial loyalty, won the unqualified re- spect and confidence of every one who knew him.
Mr. Kelley was married on June 8, 1871, to Miss Sarah Anthony, daughter of Ed- mund Anthony, the founder of the New Bedford Standard. She was born in Taunton, May 22, 1845. They have three children, two daughters and one son ; Sarah Eliza- beth, Caroline S. and Charles S., jr.
April 23, 1875, Mr. Kelley became a member of the firm of S. P. Burt & Co., then being formed (Samuel P. Burt, Gardner T. Sanford and himself comprising the firm), in the banking and brokerage business which had been previously conducted by Mr. Burt alone. In the new organization Mr. Burt gave most of his attention to the western interest of the firm, in mining, manufacturing and other outside operations, while the two younger members cared for the New Bedford headquarters. The busi- ness was thoroughly successful and continued so ; the firm was changed June 2, 1884, by the death of Mr. Burt, and Messrs. Sanford and Kelley then assumed the entire business. Since that date the firm has steadily grown in popularity and the confidence of the community, while its success has been far greater than that of any similar house
23
CHARLES S. KELLEY.
in this part of the State. In looking after the large business of the firm in mortgages, manufacturing, railroad and mining investments in the West, North and South, strength- ening old connections and forming new ones, extensive traveling from time to time on the part of each member of the firm has been necessary. Mr. Kelley has traveled nearly 200,000 miles during the past six years, forming the acquaintance of many of the most prominent and successful business men in the United States. From time to time he has written many interesting accounts of these trips, filling many columns of the New Bedford Evening Standard.
In the course of his travels he has ascended Pike's Peak, 14,150 feet in height on horseback; descended a mining shaft into the bowels of the earth 1,000 feet, and, in a wagon drawn by four horses, ridden about 200 miles over the hot sands of the Ameri- can Desert in New Mexico.
He edited the mannal of sixty-five pages entitled "New Bedford," giving interest- ing statistics relating to its history and industries, which was published in 1891 by his firm and which was widely circulated.
Mr. Sanford and Mr. Kelley, as clerks and partners, have been associated in business for twenty-eight years.
Mr. Kelley's intensely active temperament has carried him into business connections outside of his own firm. He has been from its first organization a director, and is now vice-president of the Doliber-Goodale Co., of Boston, manufacturers of the popular and widely-sold Mellin's Food, one of the most successful corporations in the United States. He has held office in other successful corporations. He is vice-president of the New Bedford Board of Trade, and has on several occasions felt impelled to decline official connection with other local institutions. In these positions he has always made his individuality felt in the right direction.
In institutions and organizations outside of business channels, Mr. Kelley has also found fields of active lahor for the public good ; and it is generally acknowledged that no other man in New Bedford has accomplished so muen during the past ten years, and given time and energy so freely and unselfishly to local beneficent objects as he. The Board of Trade owes it present life and activity largely to liis energetic efforts. Five years ago it was considered as in a state of stupor from which it could not be resusci- tated, and a meeting was called to dissolve it, but he, with another member, at the meeting objected to such a course, declaring it would be a cruel blow at the city's busi- ness and a disgrace. They suggested the reduction of the annual dues, an increase of membership and reorganization. The two gentlemen were made a committee to carry out the suggestions, and in less than two weeks they reported an increase in members from sixty-four to nearly 250. The dues were reduced and reorganization followed. Later, on the suggestion of Mr. Kelley, the organization was incorporated under Mas- sachusetts laws, he taking an active part in it.
In 1887, the first Industrial Exhibition of New Bedford's manufactured products was held followed by another in 1888. In both exhibitions machinery was in motion turning out productions ; they were highly successful, financially and otherwise, being largely patronized, and exerting a powerful influence over the people in favor of home investments. The success of these fairs, it is admitted on all sides, was largely due to
24
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Mr. Kelley's active and fertile brain. He was chairman of several of its committees and treasurer of its funds. Since the reorganization of the Board of Trade $6,500,000 have been invested in home industries, the population increased about 10,000 and it is of great value to the city in many ways.
It was largely through Mr. Kelley's influence, also, that the elaborate and useful book of about 350 pages, illustrated, was issued in 1889, he serving as treasurer of the com- mittee having the project in charge, and in other ways was a valuable member of it. In 1888 he declined a unanimously tendered nomination of the presidency of the Board of Trade.
So with the Wamsutta Club, now a popular and numerous organization, embracing in its membership many of the leading business men of the city. A few years ago it was leading an uncomfortable life in upper rooms, when Mr. Kelley believed that a change for the better was possible. In the face of considerable opposition by many of his associates, he finally secured the signatures of nearly the entire membership to a paper favoring the plan of purchasing a club-house. Then came the question of how to pay for such a luxury, and it seemed to many members the one great obstacle in the way of carrying out the proposed radical change, but Mr. Kelley, not to be baffled, placed wholly among members an issue of five per cent. mortgage bonds upon the prop- erty, thus securing for the club the beautiful property on the corner of County and Union streets. He was treasurer and an active member of the building committee. In 1891, in recognition of his services in this connection, he was voted, unanimously, the thanks of the club and elected an honorary member-the first and only member holding that distinction.
Mr. Kelley is also a member of the Dartmouth Club, of this city, and of the Algon- quin Club, of Boston.
To Mr. Kelley, through his influence and energy, is largely due the erection of the elegant and recently completed Young Men's Christian Association Building, in the heart of the city, costing with the land and furnishings nearly $70,000. He was chairman of the construction committee and treasurer of the building committee, and with the general secretary of the association secured nearly all the names to the sub- scription paper pledging funds in aid thereof. He was also a liberal contributor. At the laying of the corner-stone, October 6, 1890, he was presented by Governor Brackett :n behalf of the association in appreciation, of his services, the solid silver trowel with which the governor had just laid the stone. Mr. Kelley was one of the original mem- hers of the Y. M. C. A., organized April 30, 1867, of which the present association is an outgrowth. He was its first treasurer, holding the office for thirteen years, until he resigned. He has always kept up his interest in the association.
Mr. Kelley is president of the New Bedford Protecting Society, which is composed of seventy-five leading men of the city. He organized, in 1890, the Veteran Firemen's Association, and was its first president, and takes a deep and active interest in both.
In politics he is a Republican, and has done much work for that party, but has firmly declined to accept tendered political preferment, believing that his business and other engagements should have his whole attention.
25
THOMAS B. TRIPP- JONATHAN BOURNE.
Mr. Kelley's residence is in the center of the city, at the southwest corner of Union and Seventh streets. He passes the summer months at his country home, Maple Crest, North Dartmouth, Mass.
T' 'RIPP, THOMAS B .- A leading real estate owner and dealer, was born in New Bedford, on the spot where he now lives, August 19, 1838. His father was James A. Tripp, a native of New Bedford, a respected citizen of the town, and in his later years also a real estate dealer. His mother was Eliza Mosher, of New Bedford. He had all the advantages of the excellent schools of the place, which he attended steadily and graduated from the High School im 1858, just before reaching his majority.
Mr. Tripp had then determined to follow a mercantile career, and to that end en- gaged in the grocery business, which he continued with gratifying success down to the year 1870; but the death of his father, and the prospective growth of New Bedford which Mr. Tripp was able to discern, turned his attention to real estate operations, in which he has ever since been largely engaged. No man in the city, probably, has in the past twenty years laid out and sold in house lots a larger area of land than he, the quantity reaching more than 100 acres. His investments have been made with good judgment, while his ability to place lots in the market on the most reasonable terms, and on long time, has resulted in the purchase and ownership of homes by hundreds of people of limited means. The growth of the residence part of the city has largely ad- vanced by such sales, and many now find themselves owners, or part owners, of com- fortable places in which to live, who otherwise would have saved nothing, and no one of these has ever been oppressed in the slightest degree by Mr. Tripp.
Mr. Tripp is a Republican in politics, but of sufficient independence to ignore party lines whenever his judgment tells him that the good of the community demands it. He was elected to the Common Council in 1864, serving one year. In 1872 he was elected to the State Legislature, where his record is one of integrity and singleness of purpose for the interests of his constituents. He declined further nomination, but was elected and served in the Board of Aldermen in 1873. In 1891 his practical experience, sound judgment, and knowledge of property, led to his appointment in the Board of Public Works, an office which he still holds.
Mr. Tripp enjoys to the utmost the confidence and respect of the community. He is among the directors of the First National Bank; a director in the Ilowland Mills; a member of the New Bedford Board of Trade, and other organizations.
In 1888 Mr. Tripp was united in marriage to Emina J. Ashley, daughter of Rodolphus Ashley, of New Bedford. They have one daughter.
B OURNE, JONATHAN, son of Jonathan and Hannalı Tobey Bourne, was born in that part of Sandwich called Monument (a village now part of the town of Bourne, named in his honor), March 25, 1811, and was the tenth of a family of eleven children. His father, whose name he bore, and whose characteristics be inherited, a man of high instincts, inflexible will, of strong good sense and of sterling integrity, was a farmer. who trained his boys to habits of industry and taught them lessons of self-reliance.
D
26
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
At the age of seventeen Mr. Bourne came to New Bedford and his early at- tempts at self-support were in the grocery business where he was successful, both as clerk and as sole proprietor. In 1838 he relinquished this business, as his investments in whale ships had become so considerable as to demand his entire attention.
In 1848 he removed to the counting-rooms on Merrill's wharf, which he occupied continuously for over forty years and up to his decease. One of the most successful of our whaling merchants, he was at one time the owner of probably more whaling ton- nage than any other man in this country, if not in the world. Early in the civil war, while other owners, disheartened at the prospects of the fishery, were selling their ves- sels to the government to be sunk, stone-laden, at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, he added five ships to his fleet, retaining the entire ownership of three; prosecuting the business with redoubled vigor and with results proving his sagacity. As the business declined he gradually disposed of his ships and at the time of his death was the manag- ing owner of but one, the Alaska.
A Whig, so long as the Whig party existed, and then a Republican all his life, he took a warm interest in politics and, at times, was a zealous and active worker. For five consecutive terms he was elected an alderman, beginning his service under the first mayor in 1847. Afterwards he was elected by the Legislature for five terms of two years each, a State director in the Western, now Boston and Albany Railroad. Dur- ing three years of Governor Robinson's incumbency of the governorship and two years of that of Governor Ames, he represented the first district in the Governor's Council. Five times he was chosen a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and in 1860 was the first of the Massachusetts delegation to change his vote from Seward to Lin- coln. He thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of politics and loved to exercise the power which wealth and position gave to him ; but it can be fairly said, that he wrought more for the success of his party, than to subserve any selfish purpose. No one ever had oc- casion to question the honesty or integrity of his political convictions.
Upon the death of Hon. John Avery Parker in 1853, Mr. Bourne was chosen to fill his place as director in the Merchants' National Bank, and upon the death of Charles B. Tucker. in 1876, he became its president. He filled both offices until his death. He was president of the Bourne Mills in Fall River, in which he was the largest stock- holder, and where, at the time of his death, the plan of giving the operatives a share of the profits had just gone into effect. He was also director in a large number of other corporations in Fall River and elsewhere. In this city he was a director in the Acushi- net Mills, New Bedford Gas Light Company, Union Street Railway Company, Hath- away Mills, and the New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Steam Boat Com- pany.
As an evidence of the esteen felt for Mr. Bourne by his business associates, the follow- ing notice of the action upon his death by Fall River manufacturers is copied from the Boston Traveler :
"At a meeting of the directors of the Bourne Mills, Union Cotton Manufacturing Company, Border City Manufacturing Company, Sagamore Manufacturing Company, Chace Mills and Crytal Spring Bleaching Company, held at the Board of Trade rooms
2 7
JONATHAN BOURNE - GAMES ARNOLD.
at Fall River on the morning of August 9th, 1889, the day after the decease of Jona- than Bourne, Hon. John S. Brayton was chosen president and George A. Chace secre- tary, and the following resolutions were presented and adopted :
" IN MEMORIAM.
" The death of the Hon. Jonathan Bourne, our former associate director, which took place at his residence in New Bedford, on Wednesday, the 7th of August, instant, has been announced. Within a comparatively recent period, when at his age of life, and in his affluent circumstances, most men would not have sought an entirely new line of investment, Mr. Bourne became a stockholder in several mills of this city. His finan- cial aid came at a time when it was greatly needed and gave an impetus to the manu- factures here. He saw, with his business forecast, the possibilities of the cotton indus- ties, and from time to time increased his holdings of stock until his interest in our mills exceeded that of any other non-resident shareholder. He was a director in six corporations, to one of which was given his name, and of which he was president. Mr. Bourne was a man of sound judgment, and wide and varied experience and of sterling integrity. The boards of directors of which he was a member received the benefit of his counsel, which was freely given and appreciated by his surviving asso- ciates, who now order, as a token of their respect to his memory, that this minute be entered upon the records of their respective organizations."
Mr. Bourne assumed no position to the requirements of which he did not prove him- self equal, and to no other position did he aspire. He was emphatically a masterful man, and his uniform success in business pursuits, which was exceptional, was due to his tireless energy, his remarkable personal attention to details, his promptness in meet- ing every financial obligation, his courage tempered with cantion, and a sense of honor in all mercantile transactions scrupulous and exact. Throughout his long and useful life he possessed, to an eminent degree, those characteristics, which make the possessor a natural leader of men. He was one who loved to do things in his own way, but once convinced of the worthiness of an object or cause, he gave liberally, and one of his kindest acts was to provide the children of the New Bedford City Mission with the means for an annual holiday.
In December, 1834, Mr. Bourne was married to Emily Suminers Howland, daughter of John and Mercy Nye Howland, of Fairhaven. Of seven children five survived him, Emily H. Bourne, Anna G. (Mrs. Thomas G. Hunt), Hannah T. (Mrs. W. A. Abbe), Elizabeth L. (Mrs. Henry Pearce), and Jonathan Bourne, jr. Up to the date of his last illness, Mr. Bourne retained the vigor and activities that distinguished him through life, and his keen interest in politics, as well as his grasp of business affairs, never relaxed until his death on August 7, 1889.
F RNOLD, JAMES, was the son of Thomas Arnold, of Providence, R. I., a promi- nent member of the Society of Friends. By his birthright he, too, was a member of that religious denomination, and whatever may be thought of the peculiarities of this religious body, one fact is beyond controversy, that, in proportion to its numbers, no sect of Christians has blessed the world with a larger proportion of noble men and
28
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
women who have exemplified in their lives that personal purity and devotedness to the welfare of humanity, which are the foundation of the gospel of peace and good will.
In early life Mr. Arnold gave a direction to an intellect subtle and vigorous beyond the average of his fellowmen, by a careful perusal and study of the classical literature of our language. None but those who were favored with his intimacy in the most vig- orous period of his life can be aware of the extent and richness of his knowledge of our best authors, and of the keen and exhaustive appreciation of their powers and beauties with which he was endowed. During his long and active life, Mr. Arnold felt and en- joyed the advantages of this extensive acquaintance with the best portion of English literature, and of this richness and fullness all were made partakers who were favored with his intimate acquaintance.
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