History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 20

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 20
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 20
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 20

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Fraternally, he holds membership with the Ma- sonic Order, and is Past Master of Baalis Sanford Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of the Satucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Brockton Council, and the Bay State Commandery. He also belongs to the Commercial Club, and the Rotary Club, of Brockton. Mr. Crocker and his family are attendants of the Unitarian church.

Harold S. Crocker married, in 1917, Sally A.

Perry, of Brockton, daughter of Frank Perry and Elizabeth (Sanborn) Perry.

MORRIS F. WHITON-For many years Morris F. Whiton was actively identified with important manufacturing and steamship supply interests, but of recent years has devoted his attentions and execu- tive ability to the direction of public utility and finan- cial organizations, and is regarded as one of the most active and prominent citizens of his commun- ity, Hingham, Massachusetts. Thomas F. Whiton, father of the well-known Hingham business man and financier, was also a native of Hingham, where he died in 1872. His wife who, before her marriage, was Hannah S. Lincoln, was born in this town, where she now resides, having passed her ninety-seventh year.

Morris F. Whiton, son of Thomas S. and Han- nah S. (Lincoln) Whiton, was born April 12, 1855, at Hingham, Massachusetts, and derived a thorough education as a student at the Derby Academy and also the Comer's Business College. In 1876, the firm of M. F. Whiton & Company was formed to take over the interests of his father in the cordage and ship chandlery business in Boston. He finally dis- posed of those interests, however, to participate in the organization of the Hingham Water Company, of which he is a member of the board of directors and also treasurer. Mr. Whiton is also president of the Hingham Institution for Savings, one of the leading banks of the vicinity. He is at all times active in matters having to do with the welfare of Hingham, being a member of the board of trustees of the Hingham Public Library and in the past con- nected actively with various public offices for serv- ices in which he was selected by his fellow-citizens. He is president of the trustees of Derby Academy, of Hingham. He is a staunch Republican in po- litical affiliation, and prominent in the affairs of that party. The religious connections of Mr. Whiton are with the Third Congregational Church at Hingham.

Morris F. Whiton married, in 1887, Julia Mikell, a native of Charleston, South Carolina; she died in 1913. Mr. Whiton resides at Hingham, where he is ever in close touch with his various business interests and also with civic affairs, which latter receive a large portion of his time and attention.

WILLIAM H. McCARTHY is one of the out- standing citizens of Rockland, beloved by those who know him well, and respected by all with whom he comes in contact. Long identified with music, and the business side thereof, Mr. McCarthy has also participated in the civic affairs of his community. And although he is going onward through this world without the blessing of physical vision, he is never- theless one of the most active men in Rockland. He has not only served as a Representative to the State Legislature in the past, but he was, in 1926, reelected to this important office for the term of 1927-1928. This testifies to the position he holds in the hearts and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

Born on April 4, 1877, at Rockland, Mr. Mc- Carthy is a son of John and Mary (Flynn) Mc- Carthy, both born in County Cork, Ireland. John McCarthy was for many years identified with the shoe industry in New England, and died in 1910; while Mary (Flynn) McCarthy died in 1908. Wil- liam H. McCarthy received his early education in the school system of the community in which he was

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

born, and graduated from Perkins Institute. In- mediately after the completion of his studies in 1900, he became a piano tuner. He continued in this ty ~~ of endeavor for some time, after which he formed a partnership with E. B. Beal, under the firm name of Beal & McCarthy, dealers in pianos, musical in- struments and musical merchandise. The company was originally founded by J. Q. Beal, in 1880, now the oldest establishment of its kind in Southeastern Mas- sachusetts. Under the competent management of Mr. McCarthy and E. B. Beal the concern took on new life, broadening its scope of business and its sales until it had become a decided factor in the commercial life of Rockland, its reputation based upon the high standard of integrity and keen busi- ness foresight of present new owners. In 1920, a third partner was admitted to the firm, H. C. Smith, and for five years thereafter this partnership con- tinued. In 1925, however, E. B. Beal died, and the responsibility of ownership and management fell upon the shoulders of the remaining partners. That they have carried on successfully is evidenced by the fact that they not only operate the store in Rock- land, but also a large and well-equipped branch store in Brockton, Massachusetts.

In his political views, Mr. McCarthy is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, and as such, he was elected a Representative from his District to the Massachusetts State Legislature for the term of 1923-1924, and reelected for the term 1927-1928. Mr. McCarthy is a competent leader in local Democratic affairs, and has served on many town and county committees. During the World War he was also of great help in general committee work, doing much to advance the needs at home in order to properly support troops at the front. Since the resumption of normal home and community life throughout the land, Mr. McCarthy has turned his attention to the general advancement of his township. He held the posi- tion of chairman of the successful Sesqui-Centennial Celebration of Rockland, and was enabled to do much to spread a general knowledge of the exceed- ingly interesting history of Rockland Township and the immediately surrounding territory-of which same history Mr. McCarthy himself will always be known as one of the prominent figures of this generation. He is a trustee of the Parkwood Beach Association, and a member of the New England Music Trades Association, and he is president of the Commercial Club of Rockland. He is affiliated, fraternally, with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hi- bernians, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Wampatuck Club, of Rockland.

William H. McCarthy married, in 1909, Louise J. Lucey, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret (Cole- man) Lucey, of Brockton, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy have three children: 1. Marion L., born October 6, 1912. 2. Robert, born August 11, 1916. 3. William H., Jr., born May 17, 1922. Mr. McCarthy and his family reside in Rockland, and are devotees of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family.

HAROLD C. SMITH, member of the firm of Beal & McCarthy Music Company, leading musical in- struments and musical merchandise dealers of Rock- land and Brockton, Massachusetts, was born on Jan- uary 17, 1886, at Abington, Massachusetts, a son of Reuben and Mary A. (Thomas) Smith, both now deceased. Reuben Smith was identified with the

shoe industry in Massachusetts. He was also a vet- eran of the Civil War, having served in the Mas- sachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He died in 1913; while Mary A. (Thomas) Smith was born in Hol- brook, Massachusetts, and died in 1905.

Harold C. Smith received his early education in the public and high schools of Abington, and gradu- ated from a business college. After being engaged in various types of endeavor, Mr. Smith was admitted to membership in the firm of Beal & McCarthy Music Company, in 1920, a concern with whom he has remained ever since. This company, founded in 1880 by J. Q. Beal, was carried on with increasing success by E. B. Beal and William H. McCarthy, until the advent of Mr. Smith into the firm, when all transactions were enlarged, a new branch store was opened in Brockton, and the general business of the enterprise was broadened in scope. A detailed description of this concern will be found under the history of William H. McCarthy, which appears else- where in this work. Suffice to say here that the Beal & McCarthy Music Company is not only one of the best-known concerns in this section, but it is also the oldest establishment of its kind in Southeastern Massachusetts. It enjoys a particularly high reputa- tion for its prompt and efficient service, its marked integrity, and the keen foresight and general com- mercial alertness of the men who own and operate it. In addition to the responsibilities of the work in which he is engaged, Mr. Smith has found time in which to take an interest in civic affairs. He is vice- president of the Rockland Commercial Club, of which William H. McCarthy is president. For several years president of the Retail Merchants Association, he holds membership in the Credit Union. During the World War, he served on many town committees related to the work of the war and he was also treasurer of the Rockland Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Harold C. Smith married, in 1910, Elsie I. Pratt, a daughter of Henry M. and Alice M. (Hollis) Pratt, of Rockland. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two daugh- ters: 1. Alice C., born January 2, 1911. 2. Marjorie E., born August 30, 1913. Mr. Smith and his fam- ily reside in Rockland, in which community they at- tend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Smith is superintendent of the Sunday school, and a member of the official board.

ISAM MITCHELL-In the broadest meaning of the term, Isam Mitchell was a truly constructive force in the town of Bridgewater, Plymouth County, where first for many years he was engaged as a building contractor, and for the greater part of his long and useful career as a lumber merchant, whose business he had developed to extensive proportions. His was a name to conjure with for personal in- tegrity, uprightness of dealing and permanency of an enviable reputation. His versatility carried him into orange culture in California and into a real estate enterprise in Brockton, in addition to his im- portant and widely ramifying lumber business in Brockton, whose people remember him as a sub- stantial man, of marked ability and influence for good.

Born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, December 26, 1836, Isam Mitchell was a son of Simeon Wood and Keziah (Leonard) Mitchell. He left school at the age of seventeen years, and became an apprentice in the carpenter's trade to Charles Worth in North

John @ Petey Thin

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

Bridgewater. After one year spent under him, he passed another year with Horatio Wilbur of Middle- boro. He was about nineteen years of age when he launched out into the contracting and building busi- ness on his own account. He surrounded himself with a desirable line of customers in his native town and the neighboring countryside. Later he entered a partnership with George Hayward under the style of Hayward & Mitchell, and this arrangement con- tinued for about two years. Mr. Mitchell then re- sumed business under his own name and continued as such until 1870, when he established the business of dealing in lumber and builders' supplies, which he developed to his most important enterprise. His success was of the consistently increasing kind which led him, in 1887, to incorporate the business under the laws of Massachusetts as Isam Mitchell & Com- pany, of which he became president. Since the death of his son, Herbert Isam Mitchell, he had been the sole proprietor of the establishment, until he himself was taken away, on September 4, 1924.

The annual business of the Isam Mitchell & Com- pany ran into hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Brockton yards of the concern handle several hun- dred carloads of lumber each year, and about one million feet is kept in storage, as well as a complete line of sash, doors, blinds, builders' hardware, glass, etc. Another enterprise to which Mr. Mitchell gave much attention personally was his large orange groves in Redlands, California. Here he was ac- customed to spend his winters for a number of years, and from the groves he shipped some fifty carloads of oranges per year. He was the owner of the "Red- lands" apartment building in Brockton, which he named after his California estate. In his political alliance, Mr. Mitchell was a consistent Republican, but in no sense the politician, not an aspirant for public office. He was affiliated with Massasoit Lodge, No. 69, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Commercial Club of Brockton.

Mr. Mitchell married (first) Clarinda E. Beals. daughter of Solomon and Susan Beals, of Middle- boro. She was descended from Revolutionary stock, and was a member of Deborah Sampson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Brock- ton. She died, November 14, 1908, in Brockton, and Mr. Mitchell married (second), in 1909, Marion E. Besse of Wareham, Massachusetts. Children of the first marriage: 1. Nellie, married George M. Hart, and died in Brockton. 2. Herbert Isam, who was as- sociated with Isam Mitchell & Company as a mem- ber and manager, died May 28, 1900. 3. Grace E., married Madison M. Baker of Chelsea, Massachu- setts, and has a daughter, Mildred. Child by the sec- ond marriage: Willard I., born in 1912.

PHILIP MULVIHILL, of Rockland. Massachu- setts, a director and general manager of the Rock- land plant of Rice & Hutchins, Incorporated, shoe manufacturers, was born May 2. 1887, at Cincinnati, Ohio. the son of Michael and Katharine (McCarty) Mulvihill. Mr. Mulvihill's father was engaged in the undertaking business in Cincinnati for many years, and died in 1921.

Philip Mulvihill received his early education in pri- vate schools in Ohio, and later attended the Jesuit College of St. Xavier. at Cincinnati. Immediately af- ter the completion of his studies, Mr. Mulvihill be- came connected with a shoe manufacturing concern in: Cincinnati. He remained with this company for

more than four years, after which he removed to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he became identified with the Rickard-Gregory Shoe Company. Mr. Mul- vihill remained with this concern until 1913, when he became identified with Rice & Hutchins, Incorpora- ted. This change was not easily made, however, for Mr. Mulvihill had been promoted to the position of assistant treasurer of the Rickard-Gregory Company, and they were loath to let him go. However, he went ahead rapidly with Rice & Hutchins, and in 1916, he was made general manager of their plant at Rockland, Massachusetts, which position he is now filling. In 1922 Mr. Mulvihill was also made a di- rector of the corporation, securing at the same time a larger financial interest in the business. The et- ficient manner in which he has handled the work allotted to him has been such that today, the Rock- land plant is now a model of its kind, ranking high among the shoe manufactories of the Eastern United States.

Despite many exacting duties of his work, Mr. Mulvihill has assumed a number of outside interests, among the more important of these being the office he is filling as a trustee of the Rockland Savings Bank. He has shown a keen interest in civic im- provement and has been a willing worker in all community enterprises, and he is non-partisian in his political views, preferring to see the best man elected irrespective of the nominating party. He is one of the active members and a past president of the Com- mercial Club of Rockland; a member of the Kiwanis Club; and the Boston Chamber of Commerce. In his fraternal affiliations he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. During the World War he was a valu- able member of the Public Safety Committee.

Philip Mulvihill was married, November 21, 1917, to Alice G. Mansfield of Rockland, a daughter of John and Jane Tirell (Locke) Mansfield. Mr. and Mrs. Mulvihill maintain their residence at No. 230 Markes Street, where they attend the Holy Family Catholic Church.

JOHN ANDERSON PETTEY, M. D .- John Anderson Pettey, M. D., a well-known physician of Brockton, Massachusetts, was born July 23, 1886, at Fall River. He is a son of Franklin Steele and Wilhelmina (Smith) Pettey. Frank Steele Pettey also was born at Fall River, and was for the most of his active career engaged as a dairyman in that city, where he still resides. Wilhelmina (Smith) Pettey was born at Bainville, Scotland; she died in 1893, at Fall River.

John Anderson Pettey received his early education in the public schools of the community in which he was born, and graduated from Durfee High School. He obtained his professional training at the Tufts Medical College, graduating from there with the class of 1908, when he received his degree as Doctor of Medicine. He spent a season as a member of the staff of the Boston Floating Hospital, although his official interneship was served during the following eighteen months at the Brockton City Hospital. In 1909 he established his office at No. 63 Main Street, later moving to the Cook Building where he is now located.

Despite his many medical duties, Dr. Pettey has nevertheless found time in which to serve the people of Brockton in a political capacity. He is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Republican party; and has served as a councilman for the city of Brock-

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

ton. He also served as a member of the medical and surgical staff of the Brockton City Hospital for fifteen consecutive years, during the last five years of which he has taught the nursing staff on the subject of medical diseases.

Offering his services to the government on July 20, 1917, he was commissioned a first lieutenant, Medi- cal Corps, United States Army, and was almost im- mediately sent overseas to France. In August, 1917, he was a member of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, and on November 14, 1917, for meri- torious service already performed, he was promoted to the rank of captain, in the same branch of the service. Soon afterwards, however he was assigned to duty with the Fifteenth Scottish Division, which comprised the Seventh and Eighth Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, and he took part in the battles of the Somme the Aisne, the second battle of the Marne, the Oise Aisne, Feuchy Fan- poux, Buzancy, and Loos Hulluch. On April 12, 1918, Captain Pettey was gassed, and on June 26, 1918, he was wounded. He was awarded the British Military Cross during the latter months of his service, and re- ceived his discharge June 18, 1919.

Dr. Pettey is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Plymouth County Medical Society and the Brockton City Medical Society, in which latter organization he filled the office of treasurer for three years. He has also been active in his club and social life, and is affiliated with Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Knights of Pythias, and Brockton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also holds membership in the Brockton Commer- cial Club, and the American Legion. His leisure hours are spent in his garden and in fishing.

Dr. John Anderson Pettey married (first), in 1911, Hannah E. Dustin, of Middleboro, Massachusetts, and they were the parents of one son, John Anderson Pettey, Jr. Dr. Pettey married (second) Mrs. Inez A. (Bryant) Brown, who was born, in Brockton, and was the mother of a daughter, Clara.

ALBERT H. FULLER-A good citizen, a devoted son, husband and father, a kindly, considerate em- ployer, and a modest worker for the welfare of his community are attributes of no little worth to any man. All these have been said about Albert H. Ful- ler. He was prominently identified in the newspaper field in which he has left an indelible mark of success and accomplishment, and although he died recently his policies and purposes, which he so steadfastly ad- hered to, are firmly impressed upon his associates that his influence will continue to make itself felt in the work to which he had given his life. Ac- tively interested as he was in civic enterprises, he never cared for the prominence of public office, but rather contented himself in serving his community helpfully in his own ways without the glare of spot- lights and publicity. He was the son of Charles T. and Mary (Benson) Fuller of Pilgrim ancestry.

He was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, in Oc- tober, 1848; attended the public schools of the town, and was a student and later teacher at Peirce Acad- emy. About 1870 Mr. Fuller came to Brockton, where he first found employment with his father in the shoe repairing business. A little later he was em- ployed as a laster of shoes at the Porter & South- worth Shoe Factory, where William L. Douglas, later to become a figure of national repute in the shoe in-

dustry, and Governor of Massachusetts, was the fore- man. For a few years thereafter he was engaged in card printing, which he advertised in publications of national circulation, offering to send by mail printed calling or address cards. This was his introduction to the newspaper work. The business grew to con- siderable proportions, and before long he had thirty- five hands in his employ. At that time "shin- plasters" or paper money in denominations of ten and twenty-five cents, were in circulation, but the government changed to silver coins, which people semed loath to risk in the mails, and Mr. Fuller was forced to abandon his card printing business as a re- sult. He now turned his attention to the newspaper field. Mr. Fuller believed that the time was propi- tious for another paper in addition to the "Gazette." On May 6, 1876, he issued the first number of the "Brockton Weekly Advance," published by the A. H. Fuller Company. He sold this paper to Folger & Rich, a Nantucket firm, in 1878, but within a short time it met with reverses and passed from their con- trol. With S. Heath Rich, Mr. Fuller then organized the "Weekly Enterprise," which appeared for the first time July 4, 1879. On the following January, it was made a daily and was the first in the history of the young shoe city. Confidence is ofttimes the greater part of success. The editors had sufficient confidence mingled with the will to do, but that was all, and it proved enough. The first few months of the paper's existence there was no press, the type was set by hand on the second floor of a small building on Centre Street, and type forms taken by wheel- barrow to the A. T. Jones "Gazette" press, where the papers were printed. This condition did not last long, and soon a press was acquired; then within a short time Frank E. White built the Enterprise building for its occupancy and all the modern ma- chinery and facilities were added. It is now the fore- most news medium of the city. Mr. Fuller was a member of various newspaper publishers' associations in the work of which he was actively interested and was treasurer of the New England Daily Newspaper Association. Many other business enterprises claimed his attention, and at one time he was the owner of the "Daily Citizen" of Asheville, North Carolina. He was among the first of the developers of Point In- dependence at Onset, Massachusetts, where he built the Pine Tree Inn, and he was extensively active in cranberry culture, owning a summer home on the border of a pond at Easton Furnace in the center of the cranberry bog development and was president of the Smith-Fuller and Hammond companies, large producers and growers. He served as treasurer of the Brockton Hospital Corporation for many years, and was a member of Paul Revere Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, Satucket Chapter, Brockton Council and Bay State Commandery. As a member of the Commercial Club he had been one of the few surviving charter members of that organization. With his family he attended the Porter Congregational Church of Brockton.

Mr. Fuller married Phebe Alden, who was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and had moved with her parents to Kidder, Missouri, where the ceremony was performed in 1870. They returned to Brockton and were the parents of the following children: Myron L .. of Brockton; Charles L., of the "Enterprise;" and Mrs. Walter C. Dunbar of West Bridgewater, who has two children: Marion and Walter C., Jr.,

After half a century of active service Mr. Fuller

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

on the advice of his physicians went to Phoenix, Ari- zona, accompanied by Mrs. Fuller. He returned East in the latter part of January, 1926, and lived in Boston, where on March 20 of that year he died from bronchial pneumonia, which had not been con- sidered serious until a few days before the end. Sim- plicity, in a manner befitting his life, marked the funeral services at which a brief eulogy was given by Rev. Horace F. Holton of the Porter Congrega- tional Church and a single hymn, "Abide with Me," was sung. Brockton's civic, fraternal and commer- cial world was represented at the services, and the numerous floral tributes were testimonials to the esteem in which he was held. His partner and friend of so many years, S. Heath Rich, wrote for the "En- terprise" this estimate of Mr. Fuller as he knew him as a man and a business associate:

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 20

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