History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 74

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170

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In 1868 Governor Clifford was one of the electors-at-large, and united in giving the vote of Massachusetts to President Grant. In the previous year. however (1867), he had entered upon a line of life which was finally to separate him from further profes- sional or political service, and to confine him to the routine of practical business. As- suming charge of the Boston and Providence Railroad Corporation, as its president, lie devoted himself to its affairs with all his accustomed earnestness and energy. Under his auspices the spacious station of that road was erected in Boston, which is a monu- ment of his administration. Meantime ne had not allowed the engrossments of practi- cal business to wholly cut him off from other interests and associations. He took a deep interest in all the public affairs of New Bedford, while at the same time his high standing and his broad culture drew him mto many associations throughout a much more extendedį field. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, often taking an active part in its proceedings. He rendere3 service of a lofty character to Harvard University,

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

at Cambridge, of which he was for many years one of the overseers, and repeatedly elected president of the board. While governor of the State he had been called on to perform a prominent part in the inauguration of Rev. Dr. Walker as president of the University, May 24, 1853, and made a very impressive address. Again, on the 19th of October, 1869, he officiated at the induction of President Eliot, and delivered an address remarkable for its earnest spirit and deep thought. He received the degree of LL. D. from both Brown University and Harvard.

Governor Clifford was also one of the original board of trustees of the great educa- tion fund established by the munifieence of George Peabody, for the impoverished and desolated States of the South, and he attended its meetings and entered into its discus- sions with the zeal and wisdom which he gave to all undertakings with which he was identified.

In the spring of 1873 he was compelled, by failing health, to abandon active labor and seek recuperation in a warm climate. After a period in Florida, he made a Euro- pean tour in the spring of 1875. Before his departure he had declined appointments as United States minister to Russia and to Turkey, which had been successively offered him by the administration at Washington. He had, however, previously accepted an appointment as United States commissioner on the fisheries, under the arbitration treaty with Great Britain, and had always contemplated filling that appointment. He re- mained in Europe for about six months, and, with his family, enjoyed a tour of En- gland, Scotland, France, Switzerland, and Italy, and returned greatly improved physic- ally. Reaching home in the middle of November he resumed his labors with renewed energy, particularly in connection with his office of president of the Boston and Provi- dence Railroad. But his life-work, both public and private, was nearly closed. Indeed he had hardly reached his home in New Bedford, after a brief stay in Boston, when a disease of the heart, which had given mysterious indications in former years, was now unmistakably manifested. A few weeks brought it to a crisis, and on the morning of the 2d of January, 1876, his death was announced.

Cordial tributes to his career and character were paid by the Legislature of Massa- chusetts, then in session ; by the bar of the Southern District; by the various associa- tions with which he was associated; by the overseers of the University ; by the railroad corporation over which he had presided; and by the public journals throughout the country. For these there is not space in this work, but something of their general character may be inferred from the following resolutions adopted by a Senate com- mittee :

" Resolved, That in the death of John Henry Clifford, ex-governor of Massachusetts, the Cromo iwealth has lost one of its most useful, accomplished, and distinguished citi- zens. Whether his varied and well-trained powers were exerted in the cause of ednea- tion or in the execution of the laws, or exerci-ed in debate in either branch of the Legis- lature of this State, or tested in the responsible executive duties devolving upon him as the chef magistrate of this Commonwealth-in all the positions of trust he su worthily filled, he illustrated the ardor of his patrotism, the vigor of his intellectual powers, and added to the fame of the State which now mourns his death and honors his memory.

F. H. CLIFFORD-C. H. LEONARD.

" Resolved, That his private, no less than his public. life bore testimony to the wisdom, strength, beauty, and grace of his personal character; dignified without austerity, firm and decided in his convictions, yet courteous and deferential to those of his associates, with a power to apply his varied attainments to the practical affairs of business life- he added to the prosperity and happiness of his fellow-citizens by his services and counsel ; and thus exemplified the peculiar republican simplicity of our system of gov- ernment, which recognizes all public positions as temporary trusts, conferring honor only upon those who by wise and pure administration prove themselves worthy the no less honorable duties of private life."

To this may properly be added the following brief tribute to Governor Clifford which was offered by Hon. Alexander H. H. Stewart, of Virginia, on the occasion of the an- nouncement of Mr. Clifford's death at the annual meeting of the Peabody trustees, in White Sulphur Springs, Va., in August, 1876: " There was a quiet dignity and grace in every movement, and his countenance beamed with intelligence and benignity. To a mind of great power he united a heart which throbbed with generous impulses, and a happy facility of expression, which gave a peculiar charm to his conversation. There was a frankness in his bearing and a general urbanity about him which at once com- manded confidence and inspired good will. Every one who approached him felt at- tracted by a species of personal magnetism."

The widow of Governor Clifford, two daughters, and two sons-Charles Warren Clif- ford and Walter Clifford -- both conspicuous members of the bar of Bristol County and resident in New Bedford, survive.

L EONARD, CHARLES H., son of George and Cynthia Leonard, was born in Mid- dleborough, Plymouth County, Mass., September 23, 1814. When he was seven years of age his parents removed to the neighboring town of Rochester. After attend- ing the public schools during the winters, he entered the academy at Middleborough, a school of excellent repute, the advantages of which he enjoyed for three years. Like most New England boys, ambitious and self-reliant, he was eager to make his own way in life, and took the usual step of engaging as clerk iu a country store. After a year's experience there he spent the next three or four years in the counting room of Alfred Gibbs, a commission merchant of New Bedford, where his abilities had a better test and freer scope.

At that time was developed what was termed the " western fever," an eager and im- petnous rush of emigration to the great West as a new Eldorado. Young Leonard took the disease, but in so mild a form that one year's experience cured him and left him all the better fitted for his life work. Returning to New Bedford, his career as a merchant at once began. Intrusted by an uncle with a shipment of oil for sale in New York, he visited that city and addressed himself to the discharge of his commission. After a succession of disappointments and discouragements, and when he had concluded to give up his undertaking as a failure, a fortunate turn of events enabled him to succeed. A change of wind, which for two days prevented the sailing of the vessel in which the oil was to be taken back to New Bedford, not only secured a prosperous issue of the

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

venture, but, as he was fond of saying in after life, decided his fortune as a business man.

What he had learned in that brief sojourn of New York and its business methods, fixed his resolve to try his fortune in that city, and in 1838 he took a store on Front street, near Roosevelt street, and started in the oil trade. Two years later he took as partner Horatio Leonard, his cousin, removing to 140 Front street, and also establishing an oil manufactory in Brooklyn. The manufactory was unsuccessful, and in three years the firm failed and was dissolved. Having effected a settlement with the creditors of the firm, Mr. Leonard soon embarked anew and alone at the old stand in the manufact- ure and sale of sperm and whale oil and candles, building up an extensive and pros- perons business, and building, too, what is rarer and better, a character of spotless in- tegrity.

At this time he began the manufacture of oil and candles in New Bedford, where his purchases of crude oil were mostly made, having leased what were known as the old Marsh works in this city. There he continued the manufacture until 1853, when he re- moved to the works purchased by him of O. & G. Crocker, on the corner of South Second and South streets. These he at once enlarged to double their former capacity, fitted them with new and improved machinery, made them superior in every respect to any other establishment of the kind, managed them to the close of his life, and made such wise provision in regard to them in his will that their reputation continued after his death.

Though Mr. Leonard never entirely withdrew from active business during his life, the excellent assistants whom he had chosen and trained, and whose affectionate regard and devotion to his interests he had won by years of considerate kindness, relieved him from attention to details and enabled him to pass most of his summers at the old home- stead in Rochester. This he transformed into a most attractive country residence, making improvements in every direction, and by his lavish outlay of money giving needed employment to hundreds of his townsmen. It was there, in his pleasant home, surrounded by those who best knew and most loved him, in the midst of a people who idolized him as a benefactor and a cherished friend, that on the 24th of October, 1868, he died.

As a merchant Mr. Leonard exhibited sagacity, breadth of view, a watchful regard to details, a delicate sense of honor in all his transactions, and unswerving fidelity to every engagement. His word was as good as his bond, and that was equal to gold. Bold in his operations, he was at the same time cautious and conservative ; and his operations were always within the limits of his legitimate business. He yielded to no temptation of profits from outside ventures and speculations, but confined himself to the path in which he was winning fortune and reputation. IIe was exact, but not exacting, claim- ing his just dues to the utmost, but always liberal and indulgent to an unfortunate debtor. He never ignored the sacredness of pecuniary obligations, or rested in the easy faitlı that a compromise with a creditor or a discharge by a court of insolvency is tanta- mount to payment. When years of prosperous and patient endeavor brought him the means, he paid to his early creditors every mill that was due them, principal and in- terest.

C. H. LEONARD-THOS. KNOWLES.

In social life Mr. Leonard was a great favorite. Of fine person, winning manners and pleasing address, equable in temperament and kindly in disposition, unselfish and generous, he could not but make friends. He did good as he bad opportunity, and he made the opportunity. It was not alone in the exercise of an enlightened public spirit, in aiding religious, educational, and charitable institutions, or in the bestowment of alms, that his benevolence showed itself. "The cause which he knew not he searched out ;" he anticipated needs almost before their pressure was felt by the sufferer, and sweetened his gifts by a priceless sympathy. He was fortunate in his domestic rela- tions. Of his marriage one competent to judge says. "It was a union which proved un- commonly felicitous, and to which, by reasons of its sympathies, its happy influence and encouragement, must be attributed no small part of the noble results of his life."

Religion added to the native grace of the man. "His religious character." says Rev. George L. Prentiss, with whose church in New York he united and who, both in New Bedford and New York, knew him intimately, "as it unfolded, was marked by the same attractive and solid traits which distinguished the man. His piety was not demonstrative, it was rather of a shrinking and reticent temper; but it gave ample proof of its sincerity and power 'by the benign and excellent fruits that adorned its path."

Mr. Leonard was married in 1845 to Miss Elizabeth E. Gibbs, adopted daughter of Robert and Anna B. Gibbs, who still survives him.

K NOWLES, THOMAS .- The subject of this brief sketch traced his ancestry back to the early settlement of New England, when Richard Knowles, who had lived in Plymouth and Cambridge, removed to Eastham, Cape Cod, in 1653. John, who was supposed to be his son, died about 1675, "slain in the Colonies' service." Col. Jobn, son of the above, was born in 1673 and died in 1757. A son of his was Col. Willard Knowles, who was born in 1712 and died in 1786, leaving a son, Seth, who was born in 1753 and died in 1821. Thomas, son of Seth, was born in 1777 and died in 1820. He was father of Thomas, the subject of this notice, who was born December 31, 1803, and died in New Bedford August 29, 1877. He came to this place in early life and followed the whaling business with success until near his death. There were associated with him in the business his brother, John P .. and his cousins, Joseph and John P. 2d. Besides being a successful and prominent business man, Thomas Knowles was distin- guished in the community for his clearness of thought and independence of expression in all matters in which he felt an interest. While conducting his business with great energy and ability, he was at the same time in sympathy with all movements for the promotion of the moral and intellectual welfare of his fellow citizens. He felt a deep interest in national politics until the abolition of slavery was accomplished, invested his large means unhesitatingly in the war bonds of the government, and with powerful and convincing logic, claimed for it the support of all good citizens. During his life he ad- vocated temperance reform, and though very averse to holding publie position, le ac- cepted the nomination for mayor of the city as a temperance candidate, but was defeated by a small majority. His discernment in financial matters was unexcelled, and for the

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

last twenty years of his life he was a director in the National Bank of Commerce. His early religious teaching was received in a home in which the Puritan traditions, almost without change, were still accepted as the guides of life and thought. But his mother being converted to the Baptist faith, Mr. Knowles, on coming to New Bedford, attended the Baptist Church out of regard to his mother's memory, and continued a member of the society, but not of the church, for many years. In the latter years of his life he attended the Unitarian Church, where he found the preaching of Rev Mr. Potter in complete accordance with the enlarged views which a life of earnest and truth-seeking thought had ripened within him. Mr. Knowles married Mary C. Eaton, of Middle- boro, a descendant of Francis Eaton, who came in the Mayflower, and of Rev. James Keith, of Bridgewater. Their children are: Thomas H., of this city; Sidney W., a New York merchant; Charles S., a Boston merchant ; Mary E., married Josiah N. Knowles, of San Francisco, and Martha A., married Dr. Charles D. Prescott, of New Bedford.

K NOWLES, THOMAS H., eldest son of Thomas Knowles, was born in New Bed- ford, September 12, 1837. He received his preparatory education in the public and private schools of his native city and graduated from Harvard University in 1861. Com- ing home from college he entered his father's business house and a few years later was given an interest in the business. This connection continued until the death of his father, after which the business was gradually closed. Since that time he bas had no active occupation, but has interested himself in various manufacturing and financial corporations. He is one of the directors of the Acushnet Mills, and of the Oneko Mills, and of the New Bedford Gas Light Company, and is president of the City Manufactur- ing Corporation. He has been one of the directors of the Merchants' National Bank since 1876, and is a trustee in the Savings Bank. In all these positions he enjoys the confidence and respect of his associates, who value his prudent counsel, his good judg- ment, and his wise foresight at their proper worth. Mr. Knowles is a Republican in politics, but has never sought public preferment in any direction. His fellow citizens have called him into the Common Council, and he was chosen a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1881, where he served for the best interests of the community. He has been a trustee of the Free Public Library and is now a member of the Board of Over- seers of the Poor, having been appointed in 1889 for one year, and reappointed in 1890 for three years. He is a member and clerk of the First Congregational (Unitarian) So- ciety.

Mr. Knowles has been twice married. His first wife was Mary H. Swift, who died in 1881, leaving one son, Henry Swift Knowles. He married second, Miss Annie D. Swift, of Acushnet, and they have one daughter. Sylvia.

T "ABER, EDWARD SMITH. The reader of foregoing pages of this volume has learned that the Taber family in its various branches is one of the oldest in New England, and one of the most conspicuous. The branch with which we are here con- cerned began its existence in this country with the advent of Philip Taber, who came from England to Boston as early as 1634, where in that year be took the freeman's

EDWARD S. TABER.

oath. He removed to Dartmouth prior to 1667. From him in a direct line, Edward S. Taber traces his lineage through Thomas, Joseph, Benjamin, Benjamin 2d, Francis and Joseph, who was his father. On his mother's side he is descended from John Smith, who settled in Dartmouth as early as 1652, the line of descent being through Gershom, Jonathan, Jonathan 2d, Abraham, and Deborah, who became the wife of Joseph Taber and mother of Edward S.

Francis Taber, the grandfather, was born in New Bedford and followed the vocation of a pump and block maker. His wife was Lydia Russell, who was a member of the Russells who were so prominent in the early history of this locality. Joseph Taber followed his father's occupation as a pump and block maker in New Bedford, was a man much respected, and died here in September, 1882. Besides Edward S., Joseph and Deborah Taber had four daughters, only one of whom is living, a resident of Tole- do, Ohio.

Edward Smith Taber was born in New Bedford March 15, 1826. In common with a large portion of the children of that day, he was fortunate in receiving the educational advantages of the public schools and the Friends' Academy, where he made the most of his opportunity, graduating from the academy in 1844. when he was eighteen years old. Leaving school he worked a few months in his father's shop, but soon entered the office of George Howland, at that time one of the prominent merchants of the town. He was interested in large commercial operations, fitting out whalers, manufacturing oil, etc., and the practical business experience there gamed by his clerk was of valne to him in later years. Mr Taber remained with Mr. Howland until his death in 1852, when he began to acquire an interest in some of the vessels of his employer. The busi- ness now passed to the two sons of Mr. Howland, George and Matthew, and Mr. Ta- ber continued with them until the breaking ont of the war. That event crippled the whale fishery for some time, and Mr. Taber sought other fields for the exercise of his energies.

In Providence he entered the service of George H. Corliss, the famous inventor and builder of steam engines. Mr. Taber was given a position of trust and responsibility in the company, and found tasks and opportunities which he fulfilled to the entire sat- isfaction of his employers, at the same time gaining further practical knowledge of busi- ness and executive ability. About the close of the war, Mr. Taber determined to enter upon a business career on his own account, and to that end removed to Boston and en- gaged in the crockery trade. While this venture was not a failure, its success was not commensurate with what he had hoped nor such as to satisfy either his ambition or his expectations.

In March, 1868, the Morse Twist Drill Company was in the early years of its exist- ence in New Bedford. It was founded upon the assured value of patents to Mr. Stephen A. Morse for what is known as the Increase Twist Drill, which then, and now, possesses great advantages over all others. But while these drills were acknowledged to be superior to others, the success of the company and its growth had not reached the wishes of its projectors. Mr. Taber was called here to take the combined office of president and treasurer, in which capacity he was to have the entire management of the affairs of the company. Accepting the place, and believing firmly in the value of the

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

article manufactured, he gave his energies to the enterprise, labored early and late, and employed all his natural and acquired abilities as a business man for the advancement of its interests. He found the company occupying a comparatively small building for its works and office, and employing fifty to sixty hands, and with a capital of $60,000, turning out $50,000 to $60,000 of annual product. From his acceptance of the trust the interests of the company began to advance. Ere long the capital was increased to $150,000, and since then has been further enlarged to $600,000, from the profits of the business of the company. The number of employees has swelled to quite three hun- dred, and the value of the annual product to about $600,000. During this period the works have, of course, grown proportionately, the main building now in use being four hundred feet long and three stories high, while other structures taken together are equally capacious. Several valuable and widely-selling articles have been added to the manufacture, notably the Beach Chuck, Taps and Dies, Reamers, Milling Cutters, Drill Grinding Machines, Standard Gauges, etc. In short, the growth and success of the Morse Twist Drill Company under Mr. Taber's management has been phenomenal, and while most averse to taking credit for this success to himself, his associates are not slow to attribute a large measure of the general prosperity of the company to his untiring efforts, his faithful activity, and his skill as a director of such an establishment. The tools manufactured by the company have a market in the most distant countries and are to be found in stock in the principal cities of England and Europe, as also in India, Australia, and South America.

The exacting character of the labor falling upon Mr. Taber in the Twist Drill Com- pany has prevented his acceptance of trusts in other directions, some of which have been tendered him. He became, however, a director of the First. National Bank, in 1881, and its president, succeeding William Watkins, in 1890, which is by him and his associates, skillfully piloted in all financial matters which come into its field. He was elected a trustee in the New Bedford Institution for Savings, in 1865, and became one of the Board of Investment of that institution in 1888. A Republican in politics, he has never wished for nor accepted office, with the exception of membership in the Common Council for two years, during the war period.

Mr. Taber's chief characteristics which have helped him to the success he has attained are his nervous activity, quickness of perception as to what is best to do in all circum- stances, self-reliance in the face of bold operations, executive ability of a high order, and staunch integrity. With these qualifications he has simply won the position to which he is entitled; and he is respected accordingly.

Mr. Taber was married in 1857 to Emily H. Allen, daughter of Frederick S. Allen, the family being directly descended from the Standish family of history. She died in March, 1884, leaving three children : A son, Frederick Allen Taber, born March 7, 1859: Alice Standish Taber (now Mrs. Andrew G. Weeks, jr.), and living near Bos- ton ; and Sylvia Howland Taber. Mr. Taber married second, in August 1888. Annie Nelson, daughter of Francis Nelson, of New Bedford. Annie Nelson is of the seventh generation from William Nelson who came from England in company with early set- tlers from Holland, and located in Plymouth Colony in 1640. In the maternal line she

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 74

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170