History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 78

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

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Mr. Kollock married in 1853, Helen Mar Covell, daughter of Clement P. and Amy Covell, of New Bedford, who survives him. They had no children. Clement P. Covell was among the successful and respected sea-captains of the place and spent his whole life here.

B UCKMINSTER, JOSEPH, son of David and Dorcas Buckminster, was born in Saco, Maine, March 7, 1821. He was educated in the public schools and Thorn- ton Academy of that city. At its completion he was employed as clerk in a dry-goods establishment and a grocery store, serving two years in each. He then went to sea four voyages in the merchant service, visiting Liverpool, Havre, and other places. A maritime life was not snited to his taste, and after four years' experience he abandoned it, and February 22, 1845, came to New Bedford. He entered the employ of George M. Eddy & Co., dry goods dealers, William Bradford, afterward the distinguished art- ist, being a member of the firm.

In 1850 Mr. Buckminster and a fellow clerk, William C. Macy, entered into co-part- nership, and opened a dry goods store in Tallman's block, Union street. In 1853 they changed their location to a store in the building now occupied by the Mercury office from thence to Ricketson's block, and in 1860 to the Masonic building. The firm did a flourishing business and established one of the leading dry goods houses in the city. In 1870 Mr. Buckminster sold his interest to his partner and retired from active busi- ness life. It was not his nature to be idle and he has filled many important positions to which he has been called by his fellow citizens.

He was a member of the board of aldermen in 1867, when Hon. John H. Perry was mayor, and in the years 1870, '71, '72, and '74, when Hon. George B. Richmond was mayor. During the latter administration the temperance question was an important issue, and the harmonious action of the mayor and aldermen resulted in effective work that gained for them the cordial approval of their constituents. Mr. Buckminster was elected a member of the State legislature for 1876-77, and served on the Committees on " Claims," " Finance," and "Equalization of Taxes." He has been a member of the Union for Good Works since its organization, one of the vice-presidents for several years, and treasurer of the benevolent section of that institution, which has the distri- bution of that portion of the Arnold Fund which is given to the worthy poor of New Bedford, including the George O. Crocker Fund for the same purpose. That Mr. Buck-

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

minster fills this position with ability and discretion is shown by the fact that he has so long been continued in this responsible office. He has been for many years vice-presi- dent of the New Bedford Lyceum, and treasurer of the Liberty Hall Association since March, 1879. In whatever position of political, business or social life that Mr. Buck- minster has been called to occupy, he has performed well his part, and well deserves the high respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.

April 24, 1851, Mr. Buckminster married Mary J. Belcher, of Randolph, Mass. They had one son, Frank L., born August 20, 1852, and died August 17, 1869. Mrs. Buck- minster died November 11, 1890.

EABURY, ALEXANDER H. was born in Tiverton, R. I., November 28, 1806. S He was educated in the public schools of his native town and early in life com- menced his business career. When a mere lad he entered a grocery store and by dili- gent attention to lus duties he was advanced to the position of clerk, and finally became proprietor of the establishment. The opportunities for advancement in his native town were limited and his ambition led him to seek a broader field. When twenty-seven years of age he came to New Bedford and opened a grain and provision store which he conducted for twenty-five years. From time to time through this period he had sev- eral partners, first his brother, Pardon G. Seabury, then Joseph Ricketson, and from 1845 to 1857 his nephew, Albert G. Cory.

In the latter year, William Baylies and the late Nathaniel S. Cannon, who had been in the employ of the firm, were admitted into partnership. Upon the death of Mr. Cory the active management of the concern was conducted by the new partners, though Mr. Seabury retained an interest in it, and gave the young merchants the benefit of his business sagacity and warm friendship.

Mr. Seabury extended his business operations in wider fields, and for many years successfully conducted various enterprises. He established packet lines to New York and Albany, and his vessels were constantly engaged in bringing cargoes of grain and flour to this market.

He became largely interested with men in Indiana, in the packing business of beef and pork. Much of this product was brought here and found a ready market in the fleet of whaling and other vessels belonging to this and neighboring ports.

He made heavy investments in a stock farm and other real estate near the city of Lafayette, Indiana. From 1836 to 1841 he was agent for five whaleships, and on giv- ing up the agency Mr. Seabury largely increased his investments in the whale fishery and became part owner in many vessels. Nor did he confine his work to the enter- prises here enumerated. He invested in every industrial concern started in the city, and contributed much toward establishing the city of New Bedford as a manufacturing center.

He was a leading spirit in founding the Mount Washington Glass Works and the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company. He was one of the incorporators of the Five Cent Savings Bank and for many years its vice-president. He was a director in the First National Bank, and in several of the cotton-mills in New Bedford and Fall River.

THOS. M. STETSON - HON. F. M. WILLIAMS.

Mr. Seabury was a man of strong mind and of indomitable will, and while he was always ready to listen to argument, he was not easily turned from his convictions. He died July 17, 1887, in the eighty- first year of his age.

Mr. Seabury married Miss Louisa Crandall, of Taunton, August 23, 1830. They had one daughter, Louisa P. Mrs. Seabury was born in Tiverton, December 21, 1805. She was a woman of quiet tastes, thoroughly domestic in her habits, never caring for the pleasures of society, finding her chief happiness in her home, caring for and administer- ing to those she loved. She died in New Bedford, March 7, 1887.

S TETSON, THOMAS M., son of the late Rev. Caleb Stetson. of Medford Mass., was born in that town in June 15, 1830. He graduated from Harvard University in 1849, and studied law at the Dane Law School, Cambridge, and in New Bedford. In 1854, immediately upon his admission to the bar, he was invited to join one of the oldest law offices in State, established more than sixty years ago in New Bedford by the late Hon. Lemuel Williams and Judge Charles Henry Warren. Later the style of the firm was Warren & Eliot (the late Hon. Thomas D.,) and in 1854 it was Eliot & Pitman. Mr. Eliot's absence much of the time in Congress created the need of an additional partner and the firm hecame Eliot, Pitman & Stetson, continuing such a few years until the withdrawal of Judge Pitman, when it became Eliot & Stetson, and so remained until the death of Mr. Eliot in 1870. The firm was then changed to Stetson & Greene (Francis B.)

Mr. Stetson at once took high rank at the bar The law never had occasion to be jealous of him, for she never had a more faithful and devoted lover. Nothing has been allowed to interfere with his legal studies and as a pure lawyer, in mastery of the law, great principles, in affluence of legal and other learning, in exhaustive preparation of his cases, and in their clear and lucid presentation in the courts, he has no superior in Southern Massachusetts.

Mr. Stetson was married in 1856, to Caroline Dawes Eliot, daughter of the late Hon. Thomas Dawes Eliot.

W ILLIAMS, HON. JOHN MASON.' Judge Williams was born in Taunton, June 24, 1780. He graduated at Brown University in the class of 1801; studied law in the office of Hon. Seth Padelford, of Taunton, and commenced the practice of his pro- fession in this city in 1804. Here he remained until 1816, when he removed to Taun- ton, then the only shire town in the county, where he took and held a leading position at the bar. In 1819 he was appointed an associate justice of the Circuit Court of Com- mon Pleas, for the southern circuit, and upon the death of Chief Justice Ward, of the Court of Common Pleas in 1839, was appointed his successor. This position he held until 1844, when, with all his associates except Hon. Pliny Merrick, he resigned. These resignations were owing to two facts: the reduction of the salaries of the judges by the Democratic Legislature of 1843, and the refusal or neglect of the succeeding Whig Legis-

1 New Bedford Mercury, December 29, 1869.

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

lature to reverse that action. Judge Merrick, being a Democrat, felt bound to sustain the action of his party by retaining his position, but the best men of both parties justi- fied the course of the retiring judges, while the regret at the loss of the excellent Chief Justice (Williams) was universal. In 1842 he received the degree of LL. D from his alma mater, and three years later the same honorable distinction was conferred upon him by Harvard University. On leaving the bench he took up his residence in Boston, for some years filling the office of commissioner of insolvency, and finding ample and Incrative employment as a chamber counsel. In 1856 he gave up all business and re- moved to this city, where he resided till his death, which occurred December 28, 1869.

Judge Williams was a ripe lawyer-a true lawyer. He devoted to his profession his best powers. He knew that the law was a "jealous mistress," and ne gave to her no divided attention ; and though for many years withdrawn from practice, he never lost his interest in the profession. As a judge, and especially as chief justice, he was held by the ablest men at the bar in highest respect and esteem. His was a judicial mind -- deep, clear and apprehensive. Always dignified, he was, too, ever courteous. No man ever wore the judicial ermine more gracefully ; none ever kept it more spotless. He won respect by the clearness and soundness of his judicial opinions, and the affection- ate regard of practitioners by his unfailing urbanity. We but echo the opinion of one of the ablest lawyers of our State, whose estimate of the deceased was an unbiased one. To the last, his mind was remarkably clear and vigorous. In 1855, then seventy-five years of age he furnished a legal opinion, which was published, upon the constitutional- ity of the Massachusetts Prohibitive Law ; and in 1863, when past eighty, published an exceedingly able and interesting pamphlet, entitled " Nullification and Compromise : A Retrospective Review."

We remember his fervid patriotism during the War of the Rebellion ; his eager inter- est in the movements of our armies; his confidence in our final success ; and bis re- joicing at the fullness of the victory, which not only assured our nationality, but puri- fied it of the curse and crime of slavery. Only three years ago he visited Richmond, Va., and the battlefields in its neighborhood, exhibiting the relish for travel of a young man making his first journey. He was a charming old man, for he kept the heart of his youth. Of but slight physical frame, he retained his vigor of body by the simplicity and regularity of his habits. Many could say of him until within a year :

" Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn, Brushing with hasty steps the dew away."

We shall know him no more. But it was a happiness to know him; it is a pleasure to remember him.

At a meeting of the Bristol Bar held December 31, 1869, resolutions were passed and eulogies pronounced by Hon. George Marston, Hon. Thomas M. Stetson, Hon. William W. Crapo, Daniel Ricketson, esq., James M. Bunker, esq., and Judge Morton, all graceful tributes paid to the memory of the deceased.

ELISHA THORNTON- JOHN A. PARKER.

T THORNTON, ELISHA, was born in Smithfield, April 30, 1747, and died in New Bedford, December 31, 1816. He lived in this town about nine years.

He was not only a sound but a most attractive preacher of the Society of Friends. In the published testimony of the Smithfield Monthly Meeting it is said of him, that "he was a man of quick apprehension and capacious mind, of an edifying and instructive conversation, deeply concerned for the welfare of the whole human family ; he labored faithfully in tenderness and love for an advancement in the way of holiness, and with a mind clothed with universal charity and benevolence. Rarely has a man been so generally beloved and respected among us."

P ARKER, JOHN AVERY, was born in the town of Plympton, Mass., September 25, 1769, and died at his residence in New Bedford, Mass., December 30, 1853. He was a lineal decendent in the sixth generation from William Parker, who came from England and was one of tho first settlers of Scituate, Mass.

Jonathan Parker, jr., son of Rev. Jonathan and Ruth Parker, was born in Plympton, Mass., August 16, 1736, married December 5, 1765, Abigail, daughter of Dr. Polly- carpus and Mary Loring. Their children were Oliver, Pollycarpus, John Avery (the subject of this sketch), Ruth, Jonathan, Jacob, and Abigail.

John Avery Parker had very limited advantages for an education, but what he had he improved, and by reading and reflection was well informed in the current events of the day. At an early age he showed signs of financial ability and manifested a strong desire to engage in active business.

In 1795 he formed a copartnership with Lemuel Milke, of Westport, Mass., who was engaged in building vessels for the merchant service.

In 1803 Mr. Parker removed to New Bedford and located on Middle or Bridge street at the head of North Water, where he continued to reside until he built his own residence which was in 1841, refitted and enlarged for a hotel, and has since been known as the Parker House.

In 1834 he built his palatial residence on County street, where he passed the re- mainaler of his life.

He was extensively engaged in building ships for the merchant service, many of which were subsequently fitted for the whaling business.

In 1833 he built the brick block at the foot of Middle street, now known as Parker's block.

During the war of 1812-15 he organized a company for the defense of New Bedford and was its captain.

The Merchants' Bank, now the Merchants' National Bank, was established in 1825 and he was its first president, which position he held until his death. He owned and personally superintended a cotton mill in his native town (Plympton) beside having an interest in other cotton mills at home and abroad.

Mr. Parker accumulated a large fortune. As a shrewd and energetic business man he had few equals and was among the first merchants to foster and encourage manu- facturing industries in New Bedford.

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

Possessed of ample means, it was in the power of Mr. Parker very often to assist those who were just commencing business, and many a worthy citizen was started on a successful career by his practical help and advice.

As will be seen in the former pages of this work Mr. Parker was a cordial supporter of the common schools of the town, and his energetic influence was felt in every enter- prise that had for its object the prosperity of the city.

John Avery Parker was married February 28, 1788, to Averick, daughter of Shad- rach and Mary Standish, of Plympton. She was born May 2, 1772, and died May 11, 1847.

D AVIS, JAMES, was born in Rochester, May 22, 1744, and died in New Bedford, February 25, 1825.

The following extract is taken from an address by James B. Congdon at the consecra- tion of the Oak Grove Cemetery, October 6, 1843 :

" It has been stated that no ordained minister of the Gospel has died in this town. Within this enclosure (the Friends' Burying Ground) lies the dust of one, who, although a minister without the 'laying on of hands,' was one of the most faithful who ever de- clared the glad tidings of the Gospel to his fellow man.

" There are many among us who can never forget the venerable form of James Davis, and still less likely are any of those who heard him preach to forget those earnest, sol- emn, affectionate appeals which so often caused the tear of contrition to flow, and the desire for a state of purity and peace to rise into dominion in the soul."

HEARMAN, ABBRAHAM, JR . was born April 4, 1777, in that part of Dartmouth S then called Acushnet, now Fairhaven .. After serving his apprenticeship at the printing business he commenced the publication of a weekly newspaper called the Columbian Courier. The first number was issued December 8, 1798, and the last March 1, 1805. This was the second paper published in New Bedford, it having been preceded by the Medley, published by his master, John Spooner. The issue of the latter ceased soon after the Courier was commenced. There are several volumes in the Public Library, printed by Mr. Shearman.

He became a member of the Society of Friends about the time thas he discontinued .his paper.

For thirty years he was engaged in business as a bookseller. His store was at No. 45 Union street, northeast corner of North Water street.

He died December 26, 1847, establishing by his will two funds, the income of one to be devoted to charitable, the other to educational purposes.

His " Lines to Lord Byron " may be found in an early number of the Christian Dis- ciple.

He was interested in the early history of the township and gathered much historic material that has found place in this volume.

GEO. HOWLAND - JOHN P. KNOWLES.

OWLAND, GEORGE, was born in Fairhaven, then a part of Fairhave Jule H 1781. The place of his birth was then known as a part of Acushnet, - cluded the territory that was after the division of the town of Dartmouth, incorporated as the town of New Bedford, afterwards divided into New Bedford and Faitnaven.

His parents subsequently resided in New Bedford.

He was early placed in the counting room of William Rotch, jr., where his remarka- ble aptitude for mercantile pursuits soon developed itself and led to many profitable business operations before he came of age. His career as a merchant was protracted and successful. He was the first president of the Bedford Commercial Bank, which office he held until his death, a period of thirty-six years. He was for many years a trustee of the Friends' Academy.

He died May 21, 1852, leaving behind him a large estate and an unblemished reputa- tion.

Among his benefactions provided for in his will was $50,000 to establish a school for young females at Union Springs, Cayuga county, N. Y .; $15,000 was bestowed upon the Friends' School at Haverford, Pa, and $5,000 on a school in North Carolina.

K NOWLES, CAPTAIN JOHN P., was born in Eastham, Mass., Oct. 14, 1805. His ancestry were prominent in the annals of the town from its earliest settlement, among them being Col. John Knowles, born 1672 and Col. Willard Knowles in 1712. At the early age of thirteen he embarked, June 18, 1818, as cabin boy in the brig War- ren, commanded by his uncle, Winslow Knowles and owned by Seth Knowles, of Bos- ton, bound for Bahia, South America. On the return passage the vessel was wrecked on Skiff's Island shoals, off Martha's Vineyard, November 25, 1818. While off Bermudas on this voyage he had a marvelous escape from death. Falling from aloft, in his descent he barely cleared the rail of the vessel and fortunately struck the water without injury. The brig was under full sail, a breeze springing up and he unable to swim. His uncle, seizing a line, promptly sprang overboard but failed to reach him and was drawn on board. Before the vessel could be hove to and a boat lowered she was nearly a quarter of a mile away. His coolness and presence of mind enabled him to keep afloat until he saw the men descending into the boat, when, completely ex- hausted, unable longer to maintain himself on the surface and without hope of rescue, he bade them good-bye, threw up his hands and turning upon his back began slowly to sink. He had nearly lost consciousness when the boat, hy rare good fortune, hap- pened to pass directly over the spot. A sailor saw him, succeeded in reaching him and drew him into the boat. He met with a second shipwreck on the coast of Chili, near Valparaiso, while mate of the ship American Hero, in 1827. He continued to fol- low the seas in the merchant service for a period of sixteen years, during which, for four years, he commanded the brigs Algerine and Russian in the European and South American trade to the entire satisfaction of their owners. He married September 5. 1830, Susan Crosby, of Orleans, Mass., who bore him nine children, seven of wl om survive her. She died at New Bedford, April 1, 1880. The names of the children are Mary A. (married John P. Jenney), John P. Knowles, jr., Joseph C., Daniel M., Henry M., Edward and Caroline E. (married Silvanus Bourne).

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

On returning from a successful voyage in 1835 he visited his brother Thomas, who had established himself in New Bedford some years before, and was persuaded to give up his seafaring life and join him in his business. From that time until 1844 the firm name was T. & J. P. Knowles, when their cousin, Joseph Knowles, who had been in their employ for several years, was admitted as a partner. The firm was thereafter known as Thomas Knowles & Co. They engaged extensively in the whale fishery, being principal owners at one time of eleven vessels, all of which were repaired, fitted and sailed for many voyages under their management. The firm continued in active and successful business for half a century. He served the city as member of the coun- cil in 1859-60, was one of the original stockholders of the Citizens' National Bank and is still on its board of directors. The subject of this sketch, though of delicate health in his youth and looked upon as marked for an early grave, has survived the dangers and hardships of the seas, his partners of so many years and numerous old-time friends. In his eighty-seventh year he still takes a lively interest in the events transpiring about him and in the management of his private affairs.

S EIP, DR. CHARLES L., was born in Easton, Pa., October 16, 1842, and was favored with a good education in the public schools of his native town and an academic course in Philadelphia. His natural inclinations and ambition led him early in life to the study of medicine, in which he persevered and after five years' work he entered the Philadelphia School of Anatomy and Surgery, graduating from the same. Dr. Seip continued his medical education in the Hahnneman Medical College of Philadelphia, and graduated in March, 1882.

He is a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the county of Philadelphia and also of the Massachusetts Homeopathic Medical Society of Boston, Mass.

He has successfully practiced medicine in Philadelphia, Pa., Middledoro, Mass., and took up his permanent residence in New Bedford in 1887.

Dr. Seip married Lydia Cobb, daughter of William and Mercy Cobb, of Middleboro Mass.

S TICKNEY, DR. CHARLES D. The subject of this brief sketch was born in Nor- wich (now Huntington) Mass. His young boyhood was spent in attendance at the public school of his native town. While he faithfully improved the limited means it af- forded for an education, his ambition was not satisfied. He sought and obtained an academic course, graduating with honors. At its completion he took up the study of medicine with Dr. Thompson, an accomplished physician of Northampton, Mass. He continued his studies and graduated in 1851. The following year Dr. Stickney moved to New Bedford, where he soon established a fine practice, and for twenty-five years oc- cupied a commanding position in the profession and community. He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association for thirty years, a member of the Bristol County Medical Society, and for two years its president. He was physician to the board of health and quarantine physician of the port of New Bedford. Dr. Stickney spent a portion of the years 1866 and 1867 in Europe. In the autumn of 1879 he retired from

Char R. Heim

CHARLES R. TUCKER.

active practice, and since that time has resided in summer at his country home in his native town, passing his winters in Florida and Washington, D. C. In December, 1856, he was married to Mary, youngest daughter of the late Oliver Crocker. They have one son, Charles D., jr.

T UCKER, CHARLES R., was a native of Dartmouth, where, on the homestead farm which has been for over two hundred and thirty years in the possession of the family, he was born on the 5th of March, 1809. He was a son of Benjamin and Lucretia Tucker, and belonged to the sixth generation of his name in this vicinity.

After leaving the Friends' School at Providence, about the year 1825, the young man became a teacher, and for about four years followed that occupation in his native town and in Westport. In the year 1830 he came to New Bedford and entered the counting- room of Isaac Howland, jr., & Co. In 1836 he began his business life, and in 1844 en- tered into partnership with Edward D. Mandell, and thus the distinguished and suc- cessful business house of Charles R. Tucker & Co. was established.

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 78

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