USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 18
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a daughter: Lindsley, who was born in 1900; John, born in 1905; and Dorothy.
The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Austin is that of the Uni- tarian church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as selectman of Dedham, recognizing at all times the duties and obligations of citizenship and taking active part in those community interests which work for the advancement of civic standards and improvement. He is now identified with the Massachusetts State Guard as a member of the First Motor Corps. Fraternally he is a Mason and he is a well known member of the Union Club of Boston.
WALTER SANGER CRANE.
Walter Sanger Crane is occupying an enviable position in finan- cial circles in Boston and is accounted one of the valued residents of Dedham. He was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1868, a son of Joshua Crane, who was born in Boston in 1828 and departed this life in Dedham in 1905.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Walter S. Crane acquired a public school education in Brookline and then entered Harvard, where he completed his literary course by gradua- tion with the class of 1890. He then went west, where he engaged in contracting work for a New York firm, devoting his energies to that business until 1898, when he returned to Boston and for five vears was identified with various business interests. He has for more than a decade, figured prominently in financial circles, having be- come one of the incorporators of the Mutual National Bank of Boston and of the Metropolitan Trust Company. He was vice president of the original bank and is vice president of the latter corporation, thus taking active part in directing its policy and shaping its activities. He is bending his energies to executive effort and administrative con- trol and has made for himself a most creditable position in the finan- cial circles of the city.
In politics Mr. Crane is a progressive republican. His interest in community affairs is indicated in the fact that he is assistant treas- urer of the Massachusetts General Hospital, a position which he has occupied since 1914. He stands for all that has to do with general progress and improvement and his efforts in behalf of public welfare have been of a most practical and resultant character. His religious
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faith is that of the Unitarian church and in club circles he is well known, having membership in the Harvard Club of Boston, the Algonquin Club, the Dedham Country & Polo Club, the Dedham Club and the Beverly Yacht Club.
On the 5th of February, 1895, Mr. Crane was united in marriage to Miss Sarah F. Platt, of Columbus, Ohio, and their children are Walter S., Dorothy, Francis Valentine and Sarah Lucy. Mr. Crane finds his recreation in yachting and golf and turns from the stress of important business interests and responsibilities to these phases of outdoor life.
HENRY M. STOWELL.
Henry M. Stowell, of Walpole, who for a quarter of a century has been connected with C. F. & G. W. Eddy, Incorporated, of Boston, wholesale dealers in hay and grain, whom he represents as buyer, was born in Petersham, Massachusetts, January 8, 1868, a son of James H. and Lucy A. (Patch) Stowell. He attended the public schools of Petersham and afterward had the benefit of instruc- tion in the Worcester Academy. Since putting aside his textbooks he has been identified with the hay and grain trade and his position in business circles is indicated by the fact that he has remained for twenty-five years in active connection with C. F. & G. W. Eddy, In- corporated, of Boston,-a fact indicative of his capability, fidelity and enterprise.
On the 15th of April, 1891, in Walpole, Mr. Stowell was united in marriage to Miss Annie P. Pierce, a daughter of George A. Pierce, of Walpole, where he resided for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Stowell have become the parents of two children: Raymond M., who mar- ried Louise Coggswell, of New Bedford, Massachusetts ; and James A., who is an ensign in the United States navy.
Mr. Stowell is identified with Reliance Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has held nearly all of the offices, including that of noble grand. He is also a trustee of the order, a position which he has occupied for ten years, and is now acting as chairman of the board of trustees. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican and from 1898 until 1906 he served as water commissioner of the town of Walpole and from 1910 until 1916 was a selectman, serving as chairman of the board in 1911, 1912, 1913, 1915 and 1916, or through the entire period of his connection
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with the board save two years. His official record is indeed credit- able and his devotion to the general welfare has been manifest in many tangible ways. Aside from his business interests as repre- sentative of the Boston firm he is a director of the Foxboro Coopera- tive Bank. He makes his home in Walpole, where he is widely and favorably known, having an extensive circle of warm friends there.
JAMES PERCY ROBERTS.
Among the well known members of the Dedham bar is James Percy Roberts, who maintains an office in Dedham and also in Boston, making his home, however, in the former town. He was born in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1874 and is a representative of one of the old families of the state. His paternal grandfather was James Roberts, who died in North Reading, Massachusetts, in 1875. James Pascoe Roberts, father of James Percy Roberts, was born in Penzance, England, in 1841 and came to the United States with his parents in 1850, the family home being established in Salem, Massachusetts. Throughout the greater part of his active life he engaged in the coal business in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He mar- ried Louisa C. Wardwell, a daughter of Benjamin F. Wardwell, and took up his abode in Andover, Massachusetts. His wife was a repre- sentative of one of the old families of Andover, her first American ancestor being Samuel Wardwell, who was one of the victims of the witchcraft illusion in Salem, he being convicted on the testimony of one "who had visions." The death of James Pascoe Roberts occurred in 1883 and his widow, surviving him for about a third of a century, died in 1915.
James Percy Roberts, after attending the public schools of An- dover, continued his education in the Punchard high school of his native town. He graduated in 1911 from the Northeastern College of Law at Boston, with the degree of LL. B. He then opened an office in Dedham and also in Boston and has devoted his attention to professional activities in the two cities, being recognized as one of the able representatives of the Bar in eastern Massachusetts. Along with those qualities indespensable to the lawyer-a keen, rapid, logi- cal mind plus good business sense and a ready capacity for hard work, he brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts -eloquence in debate and a strong personality. A thorough grasp
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of the law and the ability to accurately apply its principles are factors in his effectiveness as an advocate.
On the Ist of January, 1911, in Dedham, Mr. Roberts was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Freeman, a daughter of the late Leonard A. Freeman, D. D., pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dedham. They have two sons: Philip, who was born February 21, 1912; and Paul, born December 19, 1913. The parents are members of the First Baptist church of Boston and Mr. Roberts is identified with the Twentieth Century Club of Boston. His military record covers service as cadet captain of the Punchard School Cadets at Andover and in Dedham Company of the State Guard. His political views are those of an independent progressive and he keeps in touch with the vital problems and questions of the day, giving his support to the principle of free speech through the Open Forum National Council and the Ford Hall Meetings in Boston which he believes are factors in good citizenship and in promoting a more sympathetic under- standing between the many racial groups in America. Aside from his law practice he is a trustee of the Colonial Associates of Boston, a real estate trust, and he is also secretary of the Boston Baptist Social Union. During the war he is in Washington as a solicitor with the United States Fuel Administration. His native talents and his ac- quired powers fit him for leadership in all that he undertakes and his life record is an indication of the fact that power grows through the exercise of effort.
REV. CORNELIUS I. RIORDAN.
Rev. Cornelius I. Riordan, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church of East Weymouth and of St. Jerome church of North Weymouth, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, January 10, 1853, a son of Patrick and Mary (Dempsy) Riordan, who were natives of Ireland. They came to America in 1846, settling in Lowell, Massachusetts, where they resided throughout their remaining days, the death of the father occurring in 1875, while the mother passed away in 1905.
Rev. Cornelius I. Riordan in 1883 entered St. Joseph's Seminary at Troy, New York, and spent one year there. He was afterward for four years a student in St. John's Seminary at Brighton, Massachu- setts. In 1887 he was ordained to the holy priesthood and after fill- ing various positions as assistant pastor for eighteen years was given
REV. CORNELIUS I. RIORDAN
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BILUEN FA INNA INS L
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charge, in January, 1905, of Rockport parish and there remained until 1914, when he was transferred to East Weymouth.
The first Catholic services within the boundary limits of Wey- mouth were held in East Weymouth in a house which occupied the site of the present Eagle House on Commercial street. This was prior to the year 1850, at which time it seemed that the largest pro- portion of the Catholic people of the town resided in East Weymouth, so that Fathers Roddan and Lynch first celebrated mass in the house above mentioned. But the year 1850 found the Catholics using the hall over the little schoolhouse which then stood on School street but has since been moved and is now used as a blacksmith shop at the corner of Commercial and High streets. In 1859 Father Roche, then in charge of this mission, erected the first Catholic church in Weymouth, at what is known as Gravel Hill, a point supposed to be the most central and best suited to accommodate the Catholics of all parts of the town. In November, 1868, the church was destroyed by fire and the way was open for the building of another church, which was undertaken by Father Hugh P. Smyth, who a short time before had been appointed pastor of Weymouth and the whole district of the South Shore and Plymouth. Various districts wished to have the church located in their midst and Father Smyth promised that the district which collected the most money should have the church. However, he hoped to erect a church for each of the three districts of South Weymouth, Weymouth Landing and East Weymouth. The South Weymouth church was completed in 1870, and for Wey- mouth Landing, Father Smyth purchased an old tavern, and for East Weymouth temporarily secured in 1871 what was known as Randall's Hall, over the shoe shop next to the present church. At length the work of building the present church was begun, the cor- ner stone being laid August 10, 1873, and the church dedicated November 23, 1879, by Archbishop Williams, under the title of the Immaculate Conception. The architect was P. C. Keeley of Brook- lyn, New York. In 1881 a chapel was erected at North Weymouth and dedicated by Archbishop Williams under the patronage of St. Jerome. At that time Father Smyth found the work of attending so many churches too much for one pastor and so East and North Weymouth were set apart as a separate parish and Rev. Jeremiah E. Millerick was appointed the first pastor in October, 1882. He remained until 1887, when he was appointed to the pastorate at Wakefield and Rev. Daniel S. Healy succeeded him. Father Healy died in Julv. 1802, and was succeeded by the Rev. James W. Allison. who remained in charge until his death on the 9th of December. Vol. II-12
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1914. On the 21st of the same month Rev. Cornelius I. Riordan was appointed to the church and is assisted by Rev. Carl F. Dunberry and Rev. William J. O'Brien. The chapel at North Weymouth was burned and Father Allison undertook to build a new church, but death claimed him and the building was completed by Father Rior- dan. It is a fine building of old Gothic style and was erected at a cost of forty thousand dollars. The church is located on Broad street and the parochial residence at 795 Commercial street. Father Riordan is doing excellent work for the church and its activities are well organized.
HON. LOUIS ATWOOD COOK.
The sudden death of Louis Atwood Cook on the 16th of May, 1918, brought great sorrow to his many friends in Norfolk county. He was a native of the old Bay state, having been born in Black- stone, Worcester county, Massachusetts, May 4, 1847, a son of Louis and Orinda (Ballou) Cook and a descendant of Walter Cook, who came from England and settled in Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 1643. His early education was acquired in the common schools of his native county, after which he attended the Phillips Exeter Academy and at the age of twenty-two began teaching in Belling- ham, Norfolk county. Later he was principal of the Bates grammar school of South Weymouth, having in the meantime taught at Black- stone, Smithfield and other places.
In November, 1879, Mr. Cook was elected representative to the general court and in 1880 and again in 1889 and 1890 he was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature. In the meantime he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Plymouth county on the 13th of November, 1884. Soon afterward he became the senior partner of the law firm of Cook & Coughlan and practiced his pro- fession in that connection for several years. In January, 1897, he became clerk of the courts in and for Norfolk county and for more than twenty years he served as special justice of the district court of East Norfolk. He continued as clerk of the court to the time of his death. For twenty-six years he was the moderator of the Wey- mouth town meetings.
In 1876 Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda A. Clark, of Weymouth, and to them was born a daughter, Florence M., who is a teacher at Greenville, North Carolina, and two sons:
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Louis A., who is assistant clerk of Norfolk county; and Sidney R., editor of the Canadian Monthly.
Mr. Cook was always interested in the affairs of Weymouth and had served as park commissioner and school committeeman and was a trustee of the Tufts Library. He belonged to the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, the Weymouth Historical So- ciety, the Dedham Historical Society and at the time of his death was president of the Historical Society of Mendon. His interest in historical matters was evidenced by the membership which he held in those organizations and he was chosen by the publishers as his- torian of this volume and devoted much time to research work, con- tinuing his duties in that connection until his death. His friends were many and the warmest regard was entertained for him by all who knew him.
TIMOTHY FRANCIS DALY.
Timothy Francis Daly, attorney and counsellor at law at Stough- ton, was born in Holbrook, Massachusetts, April 6, 1883, a son of Patrick and Ellen Daly. In the acquirement of an education he attended the Holbrook public schools and was graduated from the Holbrook high school with the class of June, 1901. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he then entered the Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated cum laude with the LL. B. degree in 1904. At once he entered upon the active practice of his profession, which he has since followed, and he has been connected with much important work of the court.
On the 26th of November, 1913, in Stoughton, Mr. Daly was united in marriage to Miss Mary Estelle Hatch, a daughter of Ben- jamin F. and Mary Hatch, the former now deceased. They have become the parents of two sons and one daughter, Francis, Joseph and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Daly attend the Immaculate Conception church at Stoughton and he holds membership with the Knights of Columbus, serving for the fifth term in the office of chancellor. He is also connected with the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, of which he is a past chief ranger. He is likewise identified with Chitcatawbut Club, with the Stoughton C. A. A and the Stoughton Board of Trade, associations that indicate much of the nature of his interests. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. Since 1913 he has filled the
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position of town moderator of Stoughton, making a most excellent record in this connection by the practical and effective methods which he has inaugurated in promoting the public welfare.
ALBERT A. MEAD.
Albert A. Mead, whose record is that of business enterprise, in- telligently directed, has worked his way steadily upward until he now occupies a creditable and enviable position in manufacturing circles in Stoughton as the president of the Upham Brothers Com- pany. He was born November 17, 1872, in Stoughton, his parents being A. W. and Mary E. (White) Mead, who were also natives of Stoughton. The father early took up the business of shoe making and eventually became a shoe manufacturer, spending his entire life in Stoughton, where he passed away in July, 1886, at the age of thirty-nine years. His widow survived him for three decades and passed away in July, 1916, at the age of sixty-seven years.
Albert A. Mead made his initial step in the business world after completing a public school education at Stoughton by entering the dry goods store of George Monk, with whom he remained for six years. He then accepted a position as traveling salesman with the Upham Brothers Company, shoe manufacturers, and contributed in large measure to the development of the trade by his ability as a salesman. Later he was admitted to the firm and the business was incorporated under the name of the Upham Brothers Company, of which Mr. Mead became the president. They control one of the important productive industries of the city, having a well equipped factory and turning out about one thousand pairs of ladies' high priced shoes per day. In addition they also manufacture men's shoes to some extent but largely concentrate their efforts and atten- tion upon the former line and their business has now reached gratify- ing proportions.
In June, 1902, Mr. Mead was united in marriage to Miss Lily Proctor, of Camden, New Jersey, a daughter of Thomas and Henri- etta Proctor, who were natives of England and came to America in early life, settling in New Jersey, where the father engaged in the provision business for many years. He died in 1915 but his wife is still living.
Mr. Mead is a director of the Stoughton Trust Company and has been identified with various interests of public concern in his native
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city. He is now serving as one of the trustees of the public library and for two years has been the president of the Stoughton Board of Trade. He is also a member of the Chicatawbut Club and has a genial social nature which has won him many friends. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and his re- ligious faith is that of the Universalist church. Men who meet him recognize him at once as a "square" man, one in whose record there is nothing sinister and nothing to conceal, a man whose life has been guided by strength of purpose and honorable motives and whose success is the direct outcome of perseverance, determination and laudable ambition.
CHARLES HENRY FRENCH.
Charles Henry French is a well known manufacturer of Canton who is honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward busi- ness methods he has always followed. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in controlling and enlarging this many a man of less resolute spirit would have failed. His training was thorough and his entire record has been marked by close appli- cation, earnest study of every phase of the trade situation and initia- tive spirit.
Mr. French was born in Canton on the 17th of April, 1848, a son of Charles Howe and Almira K. (Everett) French. He acquired a public school education in his native city, supplemented by study in the Chauncey Hall school of Boston, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated with the class of 1866. He then took up the busi- ness of woolen manufacturing as an employe in the factory of French & Ward at Stoughton, Massachusetts, in the year 1867. The firm was at that time composed of his father, Charles Howe French, of Canton, and Henry Ward, of Stoughton. Mr. French of this review bent his energies to the thorough mastery of every phase of the busi- ness and thus continually broadened his capacities and powers. In 1889 he succeeded his father and still carries on the business in con- nection with his brother, Abbott E. French, and Robert Ward, of South Orange, New Jersey, the latter a son of Henry Ward. Thus the business remains in possession of the families of its two founders. Mr. French is well known as a worthy representative of the woolen
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manufacturing industry of New England, the house enjoying an unassailable reputation for the integrity of its business methods and the quality of the goods turned out. He is also well known as a representative of financial interests, for he was formerly president and director of the Neponset National Bank of Canton, occupying the dual position from January, 1889, until April, 1916, when the bank was sold and merged into the Canton Trust Company.
On the 13th of September, 1875, in Canton, Massachusetts, Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Teresa Isabel Noyes, a daughter of Samuel Bradley and Georgiana (Beaumont) Noyes. They have three sons : Charles Howe, Malcom Bradley and Norman Beaumont.
In politics Mr. French is a progressive republican but has never been an aspirant for office. He belongs to Blue Hill Lodge, F. & A. M., of Canton; Mount Zion Chapter, R. A. M., of Stoughton ; and Cyprus Commandery, K. T., of Hyde Park. He likewise belongs to the Appalachian Mountain Club of Boston, to the Unitarian Club of Boston and has membership in the First Unitarian Congre- gational church of Canton. His activities have always been along those lines which call forth the best in the individual and which work for the uplift of the community, and his aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any plan or measure for the general welfare.
CHARLES B. TUPPER.
Charles B. Tupper, alert and energetic, is actively and success- fully engaged in the livery and transfer business in Franklin. He was born in Belgrade, Maine, April 3, 1859, and is a son of George L. and Ruth (Clement) Tupper, who were likewise natives of the Pine Tree state. The father followed the occupation of farming, in Maine, but at the time of the discovery of gold in California he made his way to the Pacific coast, where he remained for three years, searching for the precious metal in the hope of winning a fortune in the mines. On the expiration of that period he returned to Maine and devoted his time and attention thereafter to general agricultural pur- suits, his life's labors being ended in death in February, 1884, when he was fifty-six years of age. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1862.
Charles B: Tupper was reared and educated in Maine and when
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES B. TUPPER
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but thirteen years of age began providing for his own support by work as a farm hand. In 1880 he removed to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and there spent five years as a teamster. On the expiration of that period, having carefully saved his earnings, he engaged in the livery and teaming business on his own account, continuing there for fifteen years. In 1903 he removed to Franklin, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, where he established a livery and transfer business, which he has continuously conducted to the present time, covering a period of fifteen years. He has been very successful in the con- duct of the business and is accorded a liberal patronage.
On the 3d of April, 1885, Mr. Tupper was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Blanchard and to them have been born seven children : Geneva, Florence, Ethel, Raymond, Gertrude, Harold and one child who died at the age of three days.
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