History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 14

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 14
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 14
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 14

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PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

voted by Mr. Kirby to the royal game of golf, in the following of which sport he is most enthusiastic.

James T. Kirby married, in 1910, Helen Callahan, who was born and reared in Kingston, Massachusetts, and who died in 1920, the mother of four sons: Wil- liam Gurney, James N., John J., and Marion E. Mr. Kirby and his family are members of the Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church at Whitman, and reside at No. 29 Whitman Avenue.

JAMES HAYDN HIGGINS, M. D .- Educated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island but born in Missouri, the professional career of Dr. James Haydn Hig- gins, of Marstons Mills, has been a notable one and in which he has won a high distinction. In a coun- try where physicians are of general super skill and where competition in the profession is keen and rivalry constant, he has not failed to make his way steadily forward, forming a clientele of patients and friends which are a most satisfactory asset to the scientist of any field. His reputation far and wide is the best, his personal attributes of geniality, skill in his practice and other qualities have endeared him to a multitude of his fellow-citizens of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts and the locality where he has achieved his preeminent success.

James Haydn Higgins was born in Marshfield, Missouri, February 2, 1871, son of David James Mon- roe, and Delia Lexandie (Archibald) Higgins, of Medford, Massachusetts. His father was a watch- maker and a veteran of the Civil War, who died in Marstons Mills in 1912. The son was educated in the public schools of Providence, Rhode Island; at Mount Pleasant Academy, Providence, and was grad- uated from the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons with the degree of Medical Doctor, in 1894. During 1891 and 1892 he served as an interne in the Rhode Island Hospital at Providence, coming to Marstons Mills in 1894, where he established a general practice in medicine and surgery. He takes pride in the fact that he is the second oldest prac- ticing physician on Cape Cod, being outdistanced only by Dr. Hawes, of Hyannis. He has been town and school physician for many years and for twenty years served on the Board of Health. During the World War he was Food Administrator of Barn- stable, under Governor Calvin Coolidge. He holds membership in the American Medical Association and in the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is also a member of Mariners' Lodge of Cotuit, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Sutton Commandery of New Bedford; and of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is Past Master of Mariners' Lodge and Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty-eighth Masonic District of Massachusetts. His church is the Congregational.

Dr. Higgins married Grace Goodwin Babbitt, daughter of Dr. Henry Smith and Harriet (Smith) Babbitt, in Boston, September 17, 1895. Their chil- dren are: 1. Marjorie Anne, born February 8, 1897. 2. Roger Wolcott, born April 23, 1898. 3. Katharine Keane, born January 22, 1900. 4. Priscilla Philippa, born April 29, 1902. 5. Donald Ellwood, born June 2, 1904.

MARCUS N. HARRIS-Practically the whole career of Marcus N. Harris has centered in Barn- stable Township, Barnstable County, as indeed all of it has been spent here save for a period of some

vears during his youth, when he went to sea. Con- stantly he has participated in enterprises directed toward the public good, and is known widely as one of the public-spirited citizens of the community.

Captain Thomas Harris, father of Marcus N. Har- ris, was a sea captain of the old school, who on his many voyages, covered the greater part of the world. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, December 7, 1802, and went to sea at the age of eleven years. At the age of twenty-two he was master of a ship, and thence onward to the close of his full life, he was known in shipping circles and among his ac- quaintances on land as captain. It is said that he was the first American to receive a gold medal from Queen Victoria of Great Britain; it was conferred upon him by her majesty in September, 1846, for his action in rescuing the crew of the British brig "Britannia." In entirety the sea career of Captain Harris spanned forty-six years, and in tribute to his many successful efforts in saving human lives, the Massachusetts Humane Society presented him with a medal, attesting to valorous conduct in this connec- tion over a period of seventy-eight years. During the later time of his life Captain Harris served as deputy sheriff of Barnstable County, for fourteen years, and for six years held office as high sheriff, having been promoted to it by the Governor of the State and was reelected by popular vote. He built his home on the location that is now (1928) occupied by that of his son, a site beautiful in its rusticity, overlooking the sea. Commenting upon the Harris home site, Daniel Webster once declared with en- thusiasm that it was the most perfectly and charm- ingly situated place for a home in Massachusetts. Fraternally, Captain Harris was active, notably in the Free and Accepted Masons; politically he held influence, and applied it locally as he desired, quietly, unfailingly to the welfare of the community. When he died, March 22, 1889, at the age of eighty- six years, three months and five days, his passing was regretted sincerely throughout Barnstable County, and his memory survives warm in the hearts of those who knew him, today. Captain Thomas Harris was united in marriage with Mehitable Nye, who was a native of Brewster, Massachusetts.

Marcus N. Harris, son of Captain Thomas and Mehitable (Nye) Harris, was born in Barnstable Township, September 19, 1848, on the site which his father purchased and upon which he (Marcus N.) as present continues to make his residence. He attended the public schools of the town, and perhaps it was natural that he looked forward to a life upon the sea; in any event he did go to sea, at the age of fourteen years, embarking on a craft bound for the East Indies and way, calling at numerous ports of trade. The cruise lasted three years, and after his return to New England, Mr. Harris was con- vinced that a career as seaman would fail to satisfy him. He abandoned it forthwith, and since that time has engaged in farming, on the old home- stead. though in recent years he has retired from the heavier burdens of an agricultural life, still, however, directing it. For eighteen years Mr. Har- ris was secretary of the Barnstable County Agri- cultural Society, and is now member of the organiza- tion's executive committee. He is president of the Old Colony Freezer Company, a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Yarmouth, and a director also of the Barnstable County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Toward charity he has always dealt largely, giving generously

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

within the limits of his means to all worthy ap- peals; and he is a communicant of the Unitarian church.

In October, 1872, at New Bedford, Marcus N. Harris was married to Anstis L. Lewis, daughter of Nathan and Anstis (Crowell) Lewis, of New Bedford. Mrs. Harris died on August 4, 1914, and left two children: Eliza L., and Edward.

DR. SOLOMON F. HASKINS-For more than thirty years Dr. Solomon F. Haskins has been suc- cessfully engaged in general medical practice in Cotuit, Massachusetts, where he has long been known as one of the most faithful and skilled of physicians. Dr. Haskins is a graduate of the Dartmouth Medical School, and in addition to the care of his large gen- eral practice is a member of the staff of Cape Cod Hospital and has been school physician for his district.

Dr. Solomon F. Haskins was born in North Pres- cott, Massachusetts, September 8, 1858, son of Henry W. Haskins, who was engaged in business as a furn- iture manufacturer in Orange, Massachusetts, where he is buried, and of Susan (Wheeler) Haskins, daugh- ter of Captain Wheeler, who was a captain of the Massachusetts Light Infantry. As a boy he attended the public schools of Orange, Massachusetts, and later, after he had decided upon the medical profes- sion as his future field of activity, he entered the Medical School of Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880, receiving at that time the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Haskins was en- gaged in practice for a short time at Colerain, Mas- sachusetts, but he soon removed to Orange, Massa- chusetts, where he was successfully engaged in general practice for a period of eight years. In 1896, after sixteen years of practical experience, he came to Cotuit, Massachusetts, where he opened his office and engaged in general practice. During the more than thirty-one years which have passed since that time he has been continuously caring for a general practice which has grown through the years, some- times rapidly and sometimes slowly. When the building of good routes brought increasing numbers of tourists and of summer people to this section of the country, the permanent population also in- creased as a result of enlarged opportunities for making a living, and Dr. Haskins' practice grew in proportion. He is a member of the general staff of the Cape Cod Hospital, and had for several years served as school physician. He takes an active in- terest in the affairs of the community. He has served as a member of the school committee, and as chair- man of the Reading Committee of the Cotuit Library Association. Professionally, he is identified with the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is a member of Mariner's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Cot- uit; Crescent Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Orange, Massachusetts; and of Orange Commandery, Knights Templar. His religious membership is with the Con- gregational church.

Dr. Solomon F. Haskins was married, October 12, 1882, to Grace Baker, of Yarmouth, Massachusetts, daughter of Sylvester, a merchant of Yarmouth, and of Mary Ann (Childs) Baker, a native of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Dr. and Mrs. Haskins became the parents of two children: 1. Henry S., who was born in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, September 7, 1883, and is in the employ of the Lippincott Publishing Com-

pany; married Olive Hunt, of Worcester. 2. Florence, born in Orange, Massachusetts, June 16, 1890; mar- ried Bertranı Rider, and they have two children: Virginia, and Richard Haskins Rider.

ROBERT E. FRENCH-One of the younger and progressive men of Hyannis is Robert E. French, who, coming to this community a comparatively short time since, has established himself in his pro- fession as general practitioner of the law.

Robert E. French was born in Brandon, Vermont, August 10, 1893, a son of John A. and Alice (Coke- man) French. He attended the public schools of Brandon, and graduated from high school in 1913. After graduation from high school Mr. French went to New Bedford and there secured employment with the street railway company, spending his days in work for the organization and his nights in study. This continued through the next three years, until 1916, when he entered the service of the New Bed- ford Police Department, and the year following, 1917, soon after the entrance of the United States in the World War, Mr. French enlisted in his country's cause, for duty in the navy. After his release from active duty, in December, 1918, he returned to New Bedford and the police department, in which he re- mained until 1921. Meanwhile he had decided upon the law as a career, and, having accumulated a suf- ficient capital for tuition and general expenses, he matriculated in the law school of Boston University, whence he was graduated in 1924, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. That same year he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, and the next year he was admitted to practice before the United States District Courts. He returned to New Bedford immediately he had received his degree, and became associated with George E. Lilley, United States Commissioner. This connection lasted until May, 1926, when Mr. French came to Hyannis, opening an office for the independent practice of his profession. He specialized in probate and land court activities. His has appointment to be one of the examiners of the Land Court came in the summer of 1926, and in 1927 he was appointed by Governor Fuller of Massachusetts a Master in Chancery.

Mr. French was first attracted to Hyannis and Cape Cod during his days in college, when it was his habit to spend summer vacations in Barnstable County. The Cape had from the first a great at- traction for him, in its rugged beauty, its history, and its people. Since installing himself as a citizen of Hyannis he has taken an interested part in all local affairs. His favorite recreation is boating, and for indulgence of this there is ample opportunity and fellowship. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is a member of Star in the East Lodge, New Bedford; he has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rites and is a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a mem- ber of the American Legion, Post No. 1, New Bed- ford. A Republican, Mr. French is staunch in sup- port of the party's principles of government, and takes an active and influential part in local matters. He continues to retain membership in the Masonic Club, of New Bedford, and in Alpha Chapter of the na- tional college fraternity of Lambda Chi Alpha.

CHESTER BEARSE-For nearly forty years, un- til 1922, Chester Bearse was actively engaged as

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

architect and builder, with offices and residence in Centreville where he now (1928) resides and con- ducts a prosperous business in real estate and insur- ance, and where he is accounted one of the most prominent men of the community.

Chester Bearse is a native of Centreville, and was born September 27, 1859, a son of Nelson and Clorida A. (Hinckley) Bearse. Nelson Bearse was a seaman, and ship owner and captain, and spent his whole ca- reer on the sea, which he loved with an understanding by no means uncommon to the men and boys of Barnstable and Plymouth counties. He was a hardy, high-principled man, and he inculcated in his son a proper regard for discipline and courage, and taught him, besides, some carpentry. Chester Bearse at- tended the public schools of Centreville, and later, in Brockton and Boston, attended evening classes in which he studied architecture and subjects calcu- lated to assist him in that direction. While in Boston, over a period of two years, he worked by day in a fruit and produce warehouse; and it was in Centre- ville in 1885 that he first engaged in business for himself as carpenter, builder and architect. As an architect he was so successful that within a compar- atively brief time he was commissioned to design and erect buildings, in many cases in centers quite dis- tant from Centreville, and after a few years more his enterprise took him to all parts of New England. He attained to particular recognition in the planning and construction of fine summer houses, and many of the showplaces of New England and along the Cape are from his draftsman's board. As he had dealt in the construction of buildings for so long a time, Mr. Bearse acquired a thorough knowledge of real estate, and in 1922, at last found his interests in country lands and town plots requiring the major portion of his time. It came about naturally, there- fore, that he devoted his whole commercial activity to this, and to insurance.

In the general affairs of Centreville Mr. Bearse is constantly a participant. He is a director of the Hyannis County Co-operative Bank, the Hyannis Board of Trade, a director of the Cape Cod Hospital and a director of the Cape Cod Chamber of Com- merce. In Centreville proper he has been president of the Free Library Association for twenty-five years, and is a trustee of the Howard Hall Association. His chief recreation is yachting, for, like his father, a love of the sea is inborn. In this connection he is a member of two yacht clubs, the Osterville and the Wianno. During the World War, although some- what advanced in years for service in the military, Mr. Bearse did serve, and most usefully, on the vari- ous boards and committees in charge of the prosecu- tion of the conflict from within this country, and was instrumental in securing many subscriptions to the Liberty Loan campaigns. He is a member of the Congregational-Universalist church, and in matters of charity deals with large heart.

Mr. Bearse married Miriam Houghton Crocker. a descendant of Governor Winslow, daughter of Watson E. and G. (Farrell) Crocker, of West Barn- stable, Massachusetts. Watson E. Crocker was a farmer. To this union have been born four children: 1. Genevieve C., who conducts an antique shop in Centreville. 2. Louise, wife of William Law. of Bos- ton. 3. Nelson, civil engineer, graduate of North- eastern University, married Phyllis Gerauld. . 4. Con- stance.

In addition to his recreation of yachting Mr. Bearse

entertains three hobbies, two of which have to do with the sea. He is fond of pictures of ships, par- ticularly of sailing craft, and has acquired a large col- lection. Also, he collects books pertaining to the sea, and his marine library is a source of great pleas- ure to him and to his friends. The third hobby is the cultivation of a fruit orchard, in which Mr. Bearse takes justifiable pride, as it is one of the finest in the locality.

JAMES H. ADAMS-For nearly a score of years James H. Adams has been engaged in the retail drug business in Sagamore, Massachusetts, where he is taking care of a very large patronage. He is a native of Provincetown and is known as one of the reliable business men of Sagamore. His father, John D. Adams, also has been engaged in the retail drug business for many years, in Provincetown, where he is actively interested in local public affairs, and is still in business. He married Jennie M. Holmes.

James H. Adams, son of John D. and Jennie M. (Holmes) Adams, was born in Provincetown, Mas- sachusetts, March 18, 1883. He received his early education in the public schools of his birthplace, and then became a student in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1906. While studying in the Massachu- setts College of Pharmacy he was also gaining practi- cal experience and financing his education by work- ing for his father in his retail drug business in Prov- incetown. The connection with his father was maintained until 1908, when Mr. Adams came to Saga- more and engaged in the retail drug business for himself. Since that time he has been successfully conducting a prosperous and steadily growing busi- ness and he has for many years been known as one of the able and successful business men of the town of Sagamore. He has always been interested in the welfare of the town and for three years served as a member of the school committee of Sagamore. Fra- ternally, he is identified with King Hiram Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Provincetown; and with the Bourne (Massachusetts) Lodge, Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and his religious membership is with the Methodist church.

James H. Adams was married in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in 1907, to Cora Mckay, daughter of Angus and Lottie (Matheson) Mckay. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the parents of four children: 1. Char- lotte M. 2. W. Osborne. 3. Marjorie Holmes. 4. J. Stuart. The family home is in Sagamore, Mas- sachusetts.

GEORGE W. BAILEY-On the highest point of land in Cotuit, Cape Cod, just beyond the village, on an elevation which rises directly from the beach, stands Cotuit Inn and its two comfortable cottages. Here, from year to year, an exceptional class of people find rest and recreation and contented fellow- ship. Here, too, tourists find excellent service and a first-class cuisine. Surrounded by natural advantages. Cotuit Inn carries the old English significance of the word. and its atmosphere of contented home com- fort is one of its chief charms. The proprietor of this well-known public place is George W. Bailey, who, after twenty years of success as owner of a prosperous shoe-finding business in Brockton, Mas- sachusetts, purchased Cotuit Inn, February, 1926. Mr. Bailey is an ideal host, and he has succeeded in

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

making his establishment one of comfort and charm. Mr. Bailey is a native of Nova Scotia.

George W. Bailey spent the earliest years of his life in Nova Scotia, the place of his birth, but as a young child he was taken by his parents to Rockland, Maine, and when he was ten years old he was taken to Brockton, Massachusetts. There he attended the public schools, making the most of his opportunities, and at the same time preparing to become self-sup- porting. The local shoe factories furnished the nat- ural opening for remunerative work for a lad, and Mr. Bailey early became one of the vast throng whose labors furnish footwear for the millions in this country. For a period of fifteen years he continued his work in the shoe factories of Brockton, and then, being of an ambitious and practical turn of mind, he engaged in business for himself as proprietor of a shoe finding business. In this enterprise he was suc- cessful, and for twenty years he continued this suc- cessful line of activity. In February, 1926, he came to Cotuit and purchased Cotuit Inn from Dexter Paterson, and in this new business he has already achieved a very substantial success.

As has already been stated, Cotuit Inn is located on the highest point of land in Cotuit. The main dwelling is an attractive rambling structure with broad verandas, a place which, like Topsy of old, "just grew," but it managed to grow in such a way as to best meet the needs of its existence, and it has been made thoroughly modern in its arrangement and equipment. An assembly room, a living room with a big, open fireplace, two pleasant and well-lighted and well-ventilated dining rooms, with the office, kitchens, etc., occupy the first floor, while on the two upper floors are twelve well-appointed bedrooms and three baths, so arranged that two or three-room suites may be enjoyed. Cottages near the Inn, and used in con- nection with it, give privacy and freedom from worry of those who have small children, and both the Inn and the cottages are surrounded by a shaded lawn, while behind the Inn are tennis and croquet courts and individual garage accommodations. Nearby farms supply fresh vegetables, eggs, and milk; and sea-food, especially shell fish, for which Cotuit is widely famed, come directly from the waters of the bay. The Inn and the cottages are well furnished, lighted throughout by electricity, and supplied with the purest of well water. In addition to the summer guests who find a pleasant seasonal home here, auto- mobile tourists make use of the excellent roads lead- ing to Cotuit Inn from all directions, and have car- ried the fame of the Inn's special tourist service and special Saturday and Sunday dinners throughout the country. Mr. Bailey is a member of Monletgo Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Brockton, Massachusetts; and he is also a member of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and of the Massachusetts Hotel Men's Association.

George W. Bailey was married to Elizabeth Went- worth, of Randolph, Massachusetts, daughter of Si- mon Wentworth. Mrs. Bailey died April 16, 1906, leaving one son, William Murray Bailey, who was born February 3, 1906.

DR. SAMUEL M. BEALE, Jr.,-Since 1906 Dr. Samuel M. Beale has been engaged in general and special medical practice in Sandwich, Massachusetts, where he has his offices on Main Street. He makes a specialty of obstetrics, and is known as one of the

skilled physicians of this locality. Dr. Beale is a graduate of Brown University and of Jefferson Medi- cal College, and is active in local affairs.

Dr. Samuel M. Beale was born in Somerset, Bris- tol County, Massachusetts, January 28, 1876, son of Rev. S. M. Beale, who was a Methodist minister at Sandwich for many years and is now retired (1928) at the age of eighty-nine years, a descendant of the pioneer who settled in Cohasset in 1638, and of Nancy (Magown) Beale, a descendant of the original set- tlers of Pembroke, Massachusetts. After preparing for college in the East Greenwich Academy, Rhode Island, Dr. Beale matriculated in Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. As he had decided to enter the medical profession, he then began professional study in Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he completed his course in 1902, receiving at this time the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After serving as an interne in the Rhode Island State Hospital for one year, he was engaged in practice in Southern Rhode Island for a period of six and a half years and then came to Sandwich, Massachu- setts, in 1909. Since that time he has been continu- ously and successfully engaged in practice here, and he has made for himself an enviable reputation for skill and for faithfulness in ministering to the needs of his large practice. In addition to his general prac- tice he specializes in obstetrics, and he is known as an expert in this field. He is a member of the medi- cal staff of the Cape Cod Hospital, at Hyannis, and a member of the board of trustees of the Barnstable County Sanitarium at Pocasset. In Sandwich he takes an active interest in educational affairs, serv- ing as chairman of the Sandwich School Committee and also as chairman of the Sandwich Henry S. Wing School Building Committee. He is a Past Master of Charity Lodge, No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons, at Hope Valley, Rhode Island; and a member of Chapter No. 7, Royal Arch Masons, also at Hope Valley, Rhode Island, and a member of De Witt Clinton Lodge at Sandwich. Professionally, he is identified with the Barnstable County Medical So- ciety, the Massachusetts State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is actively identified with the Sandwich Board of Trade, and is one of the public-spirited citizens who can be counted upon to contribute his full share to the task of ad- vancing the general welfare of the community. His religious affiliation is with the Sandwich Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is president of the board of trustees.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 14

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874- Publication date: 1928 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642