USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 105
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 105
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 105
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On January 1, 1885, in East Dennis, Prince M. Crowell was united in marriage with Mary E. Sears, daughter of David H. and Laura A. (Crosby) Sears. To this union was born one child, a daughter, Miriam, a graduate of East Dennis High School and the Quin- cy Mansion School, of Quincy, Massachusetts, who was married to Joshua Mayo Sears, November 6, 1927.
CHESTER WILLIAM ELLIS-One of the younger men taking a deep interest in local civic affairs, while attending with successful care his busi- ness of operating a garage with its attendant duties, is Chester William Ellis, of Orleans, Constable and Chief of the Fire Department. There was nothing
haphazard in his manner of beginning. Before attempting an independent business of caring for and repairing all sorts of motor driven vehicles, Chester W. Ellis learned thoroughly the mechanical end of the trade by hard work and close study in successful shops and garages. His efforts in preparing himself for the work have been proportionately rewarded.
Chester William Ellis was born in Yarmouth, July 19, 1891, a son of James W., of Yarmouth, and Lilla (Howland) Ellis, of Brewster. His father was a farmer and Chester, after an education in the Yar- mouth public schools, worked on the land. He then went to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he worked for one year with the Riverside Chemical Company, then going to the Williams Garage and Machine Shop in Waterbury, where he learned the business in which he later engaged for himself. In 1912 he came to West Falmouth, where for one summer he managed a garage for Robert T. Bowman, thence to Orleans, where he worked for George C. Kinear. In the win- ter of 1915 he opened a business in Orleans for him- self, which he has since conducted with success and growing trade. Republican in politics, he has been entrusted with public office, while his fraternal society brothers have honored him with positions of trust within their bodies. He is a Methodist in religion, a member of Fraternal Lodge, No. 132, of Orleans, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Lodge No. 1476, of Plymouth, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Rebekahs of Orleans, and Encampment of Providence. He has been Inside Guardian of his Odd Fellows Lodge, and on the Investigating Com- mittee of the Elks.
Mr. Ellis married, at Eastham, December 27, 1915, Olive K. Walker, daughter of Abbott H. Walker, former captain of the Nauset Coast Guard station. a hero of many life-saving battles, now retired. Their children are: 1. Lawrence LeRoy, born May 6, 1918. 2. Leighton Williams, born December 8, 1921.
CARROLL H. FULLER-In the modern develop- ment of Cape Cod, Carroll H. Fuller, of Osterville, occupies a high place in his position of owner and manager of the Osterville Electric Company, of Oster- ville, which organization he founded in 1923 and has ever since continued to conduct with great success this steadily increasing enterprise. Mr. Fuller, who is a member of one of the oldest Cape Cod families, is one of the youngest and most prominent men in the business life of this vicinity, in addition to which he displays a deep and active interest in civic and social affairs, being an active supporter of all plans and campaigns which tend to advance the well-being and improvement of his community. His success in business is due to his untiring energy and rightly directed ambition, having always followed out his splendid principles of service and quality, giving to his clients and customers, the most prompt attention and superior workmanship obtainable.
Mr. Fuller was born in the village of Marstons Mills, town of Barnstable, September 15, 1902, son of Calvin H. and Mary A. (Hallett) Fuller, both of Marstons Mills. Calvin H. Fuller is the son of Ansel Fuller, who was a veteran of the Civil War, and a respected and esteemed citizen of this locality. Mr. Fuller is a painter, residing with his wife at Marstons Mills.
Carroll H. Fuller was educated in the public schools of the town of Barnstable, after which he studied at the Hawley Electrical School, in Boston, and com-
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pleted a course in electrical engineering. After fin- ishing his formal education, he accepted a position. with H. L. Hinckley, of Osterville, a local electrical contractor and spent seven months in this connection, familiarizing himself thoroughly with the practical details of his profession and gaining valuable experi- ence which stood him in good stead when he organ- ized his own present enterprise. Since its inception, the business has expanded to large proportions and Mr. Fuller has achieved an enviable reputation for service of the highest type and utmost dependability. In fraternal circles, he is a popular member of Cape Cod Lodge, No. 226, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, while his religious adherence is given to the Congregational church.
WALTER I. FULLER-A native of Middlebor- ough, Massachusetts, but since early childhood a resi- dent of Osterville, Barnstable County, Mr. Fuller, after having been engaged there in the retail grocery busi- ness for some fifteen years, entered the real estate and insurance business in 1922. In this field he is considered one of the most successful and able opera- tors. He is also associated actively with the manage- ment of several local financial institutions and takes a keen and useful interest in the civic, fraternal and religious life of the community.
Walter I. Fuller was born at Middleborough, Massa- chusetts, December 19, 1882, a son of the late David B. and Eunice L. (Cathcart) Fuller. His father fol- lowed the sea for many years, having first gone to sea when he was only ten years old. At the age of eighteen he returned to Barnstable and he was the first man from the town of Barnstable to join the Union forces after the outbreak of the Civil War, during which he served with Company D, Forty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers. After the war was over, he returned to the sea, continuing to follow it until he was about forty years of age, when he retired and settled down at Osterville. During his many years as a sailor he had many exciting experiences and traveled all over the world. Mr. Fuller's mother was a native of Nantucket, but spent the greater part of her life at Osterville. The subject of this article was educated in the public schools of Barnstable and at Mt. Hermon School, Northfield, Massachusetts. Later he was for some time a student at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He then returned to Osterville and for some fifteen years conducted a successful retail grocery business. In 1922 he sold this business and since then has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Osterville, with offices on Main Street. He is also vice-president of the Barnstable Mortgage Company, a director of the Hyannis Co-operative Bank, and agent of the Middle- boro Co-operative Bank. During the World War he served as a second lieutenant in the Massachusetts State Guard, seeing active service during the Boston Police strike, when President Coolidge was Governor of Massachusetts. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, being locally prominent in its affairs and being secretary and treasurer of the Republican Town Committee of Barnstable. He is also a mem- ber of the Barnstable School Board, a director of the Cape Cod Real Estate Board and the Cape Cod Cham- ber of Commerce, a director and assistant treasurer of the Central Cape Realty Corporation, a member of the Cape Cod Council of the Boy Scouts of Amer- ica, a member of Barnstable Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, a charter member of the Barnstable Trowell Club, and president of the Osterville Men's Club, as
well as a member of Fraternal Lodge, of Hyannis, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Cape Cod Lodge, No. 226, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious affiliations are with the Community Church of Barnstable.
Mr. Fuller married, at Osterville, October 11, 1905, Esther Crocker, a daughter of Henry P. and Olive (West) Crocker. Mrs. Fuller's father was a sea captain and later engaged in the retail grocery business at Os- terville. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are the parents of five children: Virginia M., Henry C., Marjorie I., Walter I., Jr., and David G. Fuller. The family residence is lo- cated at Wianno Avenue, Osterville.
RAYMOND C. HOLMES, D. D. S .- As a dental surgeon, Dr. Raymond C. Holmes has demonstrated his ability to the satisfaction of his many patrons in Braintree, Massachusetts, where he has been engaged in general practice since 1923. He is a graduate of Tufts College, and is well known and highly esteemed in this community. He is school dentist for all the schools of Braintree, and in this capacity is render- ing efficient service.
Dr. Raymond C. Holmes was born in Vassalboro, Maine, November 26, 1900, son of George W., who is engaged in the grocery business in Vassalboro, Maine, and of Mary (Condon) Holmes. He attended the public schools of his birthplace, and at an early age decided upon the dental profession as his future field of service. Accordingly, when his preparatory course was completed he became a student in Tufts Dental College, where he completed his course with graduation in 1923, receiving at that time the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He began practice in Braintree in 1923, as a dental surgeon, and since that time has been successfully engaged in practice here. His offices are located at No. 365 Washington Street, where he is taking care of a large and steadily growing patronage. He is a member of the Norfolk County Medical Society, of the Massachusetts Medical Soci- ety, and of the American Medical Association. His political faith is that of the Republican party, and he is actively interested in the general welfare of the community in which he lives, serving at the present time (1928) as school dentist for all the schools of Braintree. Fraternally, he is identified with the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and with the Royal Arch Masons, and he is a member of the Cocka- too Club of Braintree. His religious affiliation is with the Universalist church. During the four years of his practice in Braintree, Dr. Holmes has made many friends, and there is every prospect that his already prosperous practice will continue to grow.
JOSEPH CASTELL KELLEY-An active career in the sea-faring life of Cape Cod has been that of Joseph Castell Kelley who has braved the hazards of the deep in pursuit of his various duties, and is now living retired at Chatham. Captain Kelley has always been a well-known figure in the life of the vicinity, and it was he who furnished Joseph C. Lincoln, the famous novelist, with the nautical material for his book, "Rugged Waters." The author presented him with a copy of the book, with the following inscrip- tion: "To Captain Joseph Kelley, who led his crews many times through many miles of 'rugged waters' and never let it lick him. With the sincere and grate- ful regards of his friend and fellow Cape Codder. (Signed) Joseph C. Lincoln, September 26, 1924." Captain Kelley was born in Brewster, January 15, 1873, son of William Kelley of Harwich, who died in
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1874, and Delia Freeman (Ellis) Kelley of Brewster. William Kelley followed the sea all his life. The son received his education in the local public schools, and at the age of fourteen, went to Tremont, where he was employed in the cranberry bogs. Later, he returned to Chatham, working in a bakery for several years. His ability and personality caused him to advance and he was appointed supervisor for John C. Randall, in which position he served two years, and then hearing the call of the sea, became attached to the fishing fleet from Chatham. When he was twenty-five, he entered the Peaked Hill Life Saving Service and was transferred to Chatham, May 1, 1898, in the rank of surfman. His brave and daring deeds won him promotion, and in 1902, he was appointed as officer-in-charge at Monomoy Point, with the title of captain, and he remained in this position until April, 1915. He was then transferred to the Old Harbor Coast Guards as warrant officer, holding this appointment for eight years, until he was retired in 1923. Captain Kelley takes an active interest in the civic welfare of the town and is a prominent member of the Board of Trade. In politics, he follows the principles of the Republican party, and his religious affiliations are with the Universalist church.
Joseph Castell Kelley married, September 10, 1901, at Chatham, Chestena Batchelder. daughter of Joseph WV. Batchelder, who was born in Chatham, and .Lilla Menetta (Rogers) Batchelder, who was born in Orleans. Their children are: 1. Joseph Castell Kel- ley, Jr., born January 29, 1903; married Dorothy Crowell of Dennis. 2. Chestena Freeman, born Sep- tember 5, 1904. 3. Embretta Josephine, born Septem- ber 2, 1905. 4. Susanna Pearl, born November 24, 1909. 5. Rosanna Marie, born November 24, 1918.
JOHN ANTHONY PAIGE-After an eventful career at sea and in the service of the United States Coast Guard, in which occupations he put in a total of nearly fourteen years, John Anthony Paige, a native of Massachusetts, came to Provincetown and joined his brothers, William and Albert, in the auto- mobile garage and sales distribution business which they had established. The business has been pros- perous and is considered a valuable asset to the enter- prises of the town, the brothers are highly reputable citizens, devoted to their business and to the best interests of the community wherein they live and work.
John Anthony Paige was born in Gloucester, June 23, 1886. His father was John Silvia, born in the Azores, who followed the sea all his active life, com- manding many fishing vessels out of Gloucester for the Grand Banks. He was forced, by ill health, to abandon that strenuous life for a permanent residence ashore and here conducted a grocery store on Brad- ford Street. His son, John, received a common school education in the public institutions of Province- town and at the age of fourteen went to work on a farm, where he remained for nine years. He then went to sea, following that life for four years, aban- doned that to take a position with Judge Welch in the ice business and left that to help in the construction of the Pilgrim Monument at Provincetown. In 1910 he joined the Coast Guard, in which he spent nine years and three months at Nantucket and nine months at Peaked Hill Bars. Leaving that service, he came to Provincetown and joined his brothers in their busi- ness. He is a Republican in politics but has not held office and does not seek it. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men and attends St. Peter's
Roman Catholic Church. His mother was Christina Clara Paige, a native of Fayal, Azores Islands.
Mr. Paige married, in Nantucket, Massachusetts, August 14, 1917, Mary Wing Vincent, a native of Nantucket, daughter of Charles S. and Mary (Wins- low) Vincent, also natives of that island. They have one child, Meredith, born June 27, 1918.
HENRY H. SEARS-Among the residents of East Dennis who have lived long and active lives and are now enjoying the leisure of their well-earned years of retirement from active business life, is Henry H. Sears, who was engaged in business as a general mer- chant here for more than thirty-five years, and who has served in numerous public offices, including that of representative in the State Legislature. He is vice- president and a member of the board of trustees of the Yarmouth Savings Bank, and is one of the hon- ored and respected citizens of this part of the Cape.
Nathan Sears, father of Mr. Sears, was a member of one of the old Cape Cod families. He went to sea as a young lad and for many years continued to fol- low .the sea. In later years he was engaged in the fishing business in East Dennis, where he spent the remainder of his life and where he is buried. He married Sarah C. Howes.
Henry H. Sears, son of Nathan and Sarah C. (Howes) Sears, was born in East Dennis, Massachu- setts, July 17, 1845, and received his education in the public schools of his birthplace. When school days were over he became associated with his father, and continued that connection for a number of years. Later, he became the proprietor of a general store and in that line he continued successfully for a period of thirty-five years. During all this period he was active in the local public affairs and in the promotion of the civic welfare of the community. He served as a member of the Board of Selectmen, as overseer of the poor of East Dennis, as a member of the school committee, and the esteem in which he was held by his associates is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen by his associates to represent his district in the General Court, 1913-14, in which capacity he served with credit to himself and to the entire satis- faction of his constituents. He is, as has already been stated, a member of the board of trustees and vice- president of the Yarmouth Savings Bank, and he is well known in fraternal circles here, being a member of Mount Horeb Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of West Harwich; of the Improved Order of Red Men; and of the Knights of Pythias. His religious affiliation is with the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
Henry H. Sears was married, at East Dennis, Massachusetts, in 1870, to Mary C. Homer, daughter of Stephen and Mary B. (Chapman) Homer. Mr. and Mrs. Sears are the parents of two children: 1. Henry E., who was born in East Dennis, October 6, 1870, and is a banker in Boston. 2. Joseph Homer, born in East Dennis, April 6, 1873. There are two grandchildren, Richard Henry Sears, born April 23, 1901; and Catherine H., born August 4, 1906.
SUMNER CROSBY, attorney-at-law, Falmouth, Massachusetts, was born January 10, 1886, at Center- ville, Massachusetts, and is the son of Aaron S. and Lucy D. (Greer) Crosby
He received his education in the public schools, Tabor Academy, Dartmouth College, class of 1908, and Boston University Law School, class of 1912, from which latter school he received an additional
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degree of Master of Laws in 1914. Practicing in Boston for two years, he removed to Falmouth, Mas- sachusetts, in 1916 in which town he is at present engaged in the practice of law.
Mr. Crosby is a member of the Barnstable County Bar Association, Falmouth Rotary Club, Falmouth Marine Lodge of Masons, Wareham Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Falmouth Lodge of Odd Fellows, and a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
In 1919, he married Melvina Dean, daughter of George E. and Melvina (Keith) Dean of Falmouth. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby have one daughter, Melvina Crosby, and reside on Hewins Street, Falmouth, Mas- sachusetts.
EDWIN CLAPP-The name of Clapp in New England is inextricably interwoven with the shoe industry, and in the forefront of the members of this remarkable family stood the late Edwin Clapp, of Weymouth, who succeeded to the command of a thriv- ing business established in 1853 by his father and car- ried on worthily by his brother. Edwin Clapp per- formed three signal services for his concern: First, he adhered to the slogan "highest grade only;" sec- ond, he brought about a proper expansion of plant facilities to meet a tremendously increased demand; third, he anticipated the needs of the public by putting out new and sensible styles in footwear. By insisting on the finest quality of product, Mr. Clapp sewed into each pair of his shoes the full measure of his own character, with the idea of giving to the people the best combination of fit, comfort, appearance and wearability, his idea having been that the best is the cheapest in the long run. How well this ideal was received by the trade is evidenced in the tremendous expansion of plant and business, its sound financial condition and the reputation achieved by the execu- tives headed by Mr. Clapp. But we must look beyond a mere commercial success in appraising the worth of this unusual man. The accumulation of money was entirely incidental with him; he cared far more for the love and respect of his associates and contem- poraries, and for the satisfaction felt by millions of satisfied purchasers of his footwear. Above all, per- haps, he was a kindly, helpful man, ever mindful of the condition of his workers and his neighbors, and active in the alleviation of suffering and distress, so that when his time on earth was at an end his passing was the occasion for many expressions of genuine sorrow and regret, and loving hands bore him to his last resting place.
Edwin Clapp was born in Scituate, Massachusetts, February 6, 1844, son of James Sylvester and Eliza- beth (Bates) Clapp. This branch of the Clapp fam- ily proceeded from Thomas Clapp, a native of Eng- land, who came to what is now Dorchester, a part of Boston, in 1633; he was a son of Richard Clapp, of Dorchester, England. Thomas Clapp removed in 1638 to Weymouth, and later settled at Scituate, where in 1647 he became a deacon in the church, in 1649 was elected to the Great and General Court, and held numerous other offices in which his great native abil- ity found adequate expression. It was at Scituate that his descendant, James Sylvester Clapp, was born in 1801, and here too Edwin Clapp was born, after which event the family removed to Weymouth, with whose history they have been prominently identified ever since. From Thomas Clapp the descent to Edwin Clapp is through Samuel and Hannah (Gill) Clapp; Joseph and Abigail (Allen) Clapp; Samuel
and Sarah (Curtis) Clapp; Michael and Sarah (Lam- bert) Clapp, parents of James Sylvester Clapp.
Four generations are represented in the growth and development of the Clapp shoe concern: James Syl- vester Clapp, founder, who died in 1885; his sons, James Henry Clapp, born 1831, died 1882, who made the first big extensions, and Edwin Clapp, of whom further; Edwin Clapp's son, David Bates Clapp, born 1877, died 1901; and now Edwin Clapp Lincoln, born 1899, grandson of Edwin Clapp. From a memorial volume prepared by the concern the following illumi- native account is quoted:
The old saying: "From small beginnings come great end- ings," was never better illustrated than by the boot and shoe industry of the United States. In the early days the work was done in the kitchens of the homes, being carried on in the evening on rainy days and during the winter months, when the regular work of the farm could not be performed, for the artisan in those days was generally a farmer first and bootmaker afterward.
When in the course of events a particularly good work- man found that by his skill and craftsmanship he had at- tracted to his door more work than he could possibly do alone, and was obliged to employ one or more assistants, the kitchen workroom became too small for requirements, and the "ten-footer" (a shed ten feet square) came into being. It was in one of these shops that James Sylvester Clapp plied his vocation; and it was here that his son, James Henry, and later, his son, Edwin, received their early instruction in the rudiments of what was destined to become their life-work.
As each of the boys grew to manhood, he turned his whole attention to footwear, and since from the first they em- phasized "quality," having been taught by their father that "the best was none too good," there began to develop a steady demand for the product of this particular shop. As time went on and the demand increased, they found it neces- sary to overflow into an adjoining building, and finally in 1853, James Henry Clapp left the ancestral home and erec- ted a small factory in which he began to manufacture on his own account. When Edwin, who was quite a few years younger than James Henry, came of age, he was invited by his brother to join in partnership, and the firm became J. H. Clapp & Company. Soon they began to need more room, and an ell was added to the original factory. Here the business continued to flourish, and was carried on without interrup- tion until the death of James Henry Clapp on March 27, 1882. Upon the death of his brother, Edwin became sole proprietor. Feeling the need of increased facilities and a more favorable location, he abandoned the old factory and erected a new and larger one on Charles Street, near his home. Additions were made from time to time, first on the southeast end, then the east wing, followed by successive additions until in the course of years, the factory grew into the commodious and modern plant which is now occupied.
It is a rare thing to find a man who combines all the qualities necessary for the conduct of an important business. In a partnership it often happens that one of the members is particularly well equipped to specialize in one depart- ment, while the other partner is gifted in another direction, and a strong, well-balanced firm is the result.
Edwin Clapp, however, was exceptional in that he possessed in a rare degree an all-round ability for business. As a manufacturer this ability was nothing short of genius. . .
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