USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 36
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 36
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
Arthur F. Peterson was born in Brockton, Mas- sachusetts, December 24, 1885. He acquired the usual grammar school education afforded by the excellent institutions of Brockton, was duly graduated from the local high school, and subsequently matriculated at the University of Maryland, having graduated from the medical department thereof as a member of the class of 1916, with Doctor of Medicine degree. His collegiate studies completed, Dr. Peterson served an interneship of two years at Mercy Hospital, Balti- more, Maryland. Following the declaration of war by the United States in 1917, Dr. Peterson visualized an opportunity to serve not only his country but also humanity, and accordingly, in June, 1917, he ac- cepted a commission as first lieutenant, Medical Corps, United States Army, being stationed for three months, at Syracuse, New York, where he was in charge of the tuberculosis examination board; was thereafter assigned to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina, in charge of tuberculosis examina- tions. He was honorably discharged from the serv- ice in 1919, with the rank of captain, and in 1924, was made a major in the Medical Reserve Corps, United States Army.
Dr. Peterson is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the Plymouth County Medical Society. He retains membership in his college medical fraternity, the Phi Chi, and is affiliated with the following fraternal bodies and clubs: St. George Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Brockton Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar; Al- eppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, also Scottish Rite bodies, including the Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; the Knights of Pythias, Unity Lodge; the Englebreckt Lodge of Vassa Ordem; the Vega Club, and Lions International.
Since 1920, Dr. Peterson has served as school phys- ician to the city of Brockton; has been City Phys- ician of Brockton since 1924, and became. in 1919, medical examiner for the United States Veterans' Bureau, in which capacity he continues.
Arthur F. Peterson married, in 1920, Sarah Peer, who was born in the town of Dover, New Jersey. She volunteered, during the World War, for service with the American Red Cross, served as a nurse with that organization, and was on duty overseas for six months. Dr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of
134
PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE
two sons: Robert A., and Allan D. Peterson, one of whom, it is to be hoped, may follow in the footsteps of his father, and achieve merited note as a healer of the ills of humanity.
J. WATSON TAYLOR-A man whose activities have for years been inclusive of special real estate interests in the care of property and the direction of its business affairs, and later of the general buying and selling of houses and lands, J. Watson Taylor is actively engaged in the development of property in Wareham, where he is prominent in community af- fairs, and is highly esteemed as a citizen and a man of business affairs. A direct descendant of Seth Taylor, who settled in Barnstable in 1670, Mr. Tay- lor is a son of J. Watson Taylor, who was born in Boston and died in 1908, and of Mary Elizabeth (Macdonald) Taylor, a native of Brooklyn, New York, who died in 1916. J. Watson Taylor, Sr., was assistant United States Assessor of the Boston Dis- trict for many years, and for twenty years was as- sociated with the Grover & Baker Sewing Company, of Boston.
J. Watson Taylor was born August 29, 1870, in Boston, and attended the public schools of Brookline and Cambridge. He entered upon his business career as an office boy in the Boston office of the Lewiston Mills, of Lewiston, Maine, of which Charles G. Ray- mond and Gerard C. Tobey were trustees in liquida- tion, continuing in the employ of Mr. Tobey to the time of the latter's death in 1911. He then con- tinued in the activities of the care of the estate, under the employ of Horace P. Tobey as his confidential secretary, to the time of Mr. Tobey's death, May 14, 1918, and he was named as one of his executors.
Mr. Taylor was still retained in the employ of Mr. Tobey's niece, Mrs. Alice Tobey Jones, to the date of her death in 1922, and continues to the present as agent of the Alice Tobey Jones estate. In political matters, he is affiliated with the Republican party.
J. Watson Taylor married, August 15, 1916, Alice Scribner, who was born in Malden, Middlesex County.
FRED E. SHARP-For nineteen years Fred E. Sharp has been most efficiently serving as town clerk of Whitman, Massachusetts, and he has also served as town accountant for the past eight years. Mr. Sharp is a member of Revolutionary and "Mayflower" families, is a Brown University man, and is one of the active, public-spirited citizens of Whitman.
Gibbeus Sharp, father of Mr. Sharp, was born in South Abington, Massachusetts, and throughout his active years was engaged as a tack maker, continu- ing in that occupation to the time of his death, which occurred in 1906. He served in the Civil War as a private in Compnay C, Thirty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was badly wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, as a result of which he lost a foot and an eye. He was a member of David A. Russell Post, No. 73, Grand Army of the Republic, of Whitman, and was a man held in high esteem among his associates. He married Mary F. Sproul, who was born in South Abington, Massachusetts, and among their children was Fred E., of further men- tion.
Fred E. Sharp, son of Gibbeus and Mary F. (Sproul) Sharp, was born in Norristown, Pennsyl- vania, July 30, 1872, and received his earliest educa- tion in the public schools of that town. Later his parents removed to Whitman, Massachusetts, where
he became a student in the high school, after which he continued study in Thayer Academy, in South Braintree, Massachusetts, later taking special courses in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island. Upon the completion of his education he found em- ployment as a musician and as an advertising man, and continued in those two lines of activity until 1907, the year following the death of his father. In that year he was elected town clerk for Whitman, and in that official capacity he has continued to serve to the present time (1928). Mr. Sharp supports the prin- ciples and the candidates of the Republican party, and has always taken an active part in local public affairs, serving as clerk and treasurer of the Whitman Water Board from 1910 to 1918, and from 1918 to the pres- ent time as town accountant. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Puritan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Whitman; Pilgrim Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Abington Council, Roy- al and Select Masters; Old Colony Commandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Ara- bic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also of Pil- grim Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is Past Chancellor. He is a member of Plymouth Rock Lodge, No. 43, Knights of Pythias; of the Sons of the American Revolution; and of the Sons of Vet- erans; and is an active, interested member of the Whitman Board of Trade. He finds his favorite recreation in reading, and his religious affiliation is with the Baptist Church of Whitman. Mr. Sharp is, on the paternal side, a direct descendant of Gibbeus Sharp, a soldier of the Revolution, and of Dr. Fuller of the "Mayflower." On the maternal side he traces descent from Robert Bruce, of Scotland.
Fred E. Sharp was married, June 1, 1912, to Louise J. Noyes, who was born in Whitman, Massachusetts, daughter of Elmer W. and Anna (Reed) Noyes. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp reside at No. 25 Gold Street, in Whitman.
JOSEPH F. PHANEUF, M. D., well-known phys- ician of Brockton, Massachusetts, engaged in general practice, is also a public-spirited citizen, sponsor of Christian activities, a popular clubman, and an ad- vocate of out-door sports as a stimulant to bodily health and general physical well-being. Toussaint Phaneuf, father of Dr. Phaneuf, was born and reared in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and is engaged in the contracting and building business. The mother of Dr. Phaneuf was, prior to her marriage, Miss Eve- line Martin, likewise a native of Quebec.
Joseph F. Phaneuf, son of Toussaint and Eveline (Martin) Phaneuf, was born in the Province of Que- bec, Canada, January 26, 1888. He derived his rudi- mentary education in the public schools of British Columbia; was graduated from the high school at Pawtucket, Rhode Island; thereafter matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Boston, Mas- sachusetts, and was graduated from the last-men- tioned institution as a member of the class of 1913, with Doctor of Medicine degree. Following comple- tion of his collegiate medical studies, Dr. Phaneuf was an interne at the Boston City Hospital, and in the latter part of the same year, 1913, entered into the practice of his profession as a duly qualified physician and surgeon, with offices at No. 688 North Main Street, Brockton, Massachusetts.
Dr. Phaneuf is identified with the principal organ- izations for medical research, including the American
135
PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE
Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety, the Plymouth County Medical Society, and the Brockton Medical Society. Fraternally, he is af- filiated with the Brockton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Knights of Columbus; the Société de St. Jean Baptiste; Garde D'Honneur, and the Club Nationale. He is vice-president of the Franco-American Society at Brockton, is a lead- ing member of the local branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, and, being enthusiastically in- clined toward clean, wholesome sports, indulges in the recreations of tennis and volley ball when op- portunity is afforded. Dr. Phaneuf is a communicant of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church at Brockton. Politically, he adopts the standpoint of an Independent, preferring to vote for the office-seek- er on the basis of merit, rather than as an adherent of any certain political organization.
On September 14, 1910, Joseph F. Phaneuf married Eglantene M. Caty, a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in which community Dr. Phaneuf was a high school student. This union has been blessed with two children: Joseph S., and Rose M.
WILLIAM H. BASSETT, prominent citizen of Bridgewater, has not only builded for himself a sub- stantial business enterprise but has also been active as a factor in the financial, civic, fraternal and po- litical affairs of his native community.
J. Gardener Bassett, father of William H. Bassett, is a native of Bridgewater. He was engaged in the earlier years of his life in the capacity of school teacher, and during more recent years entered into the brick manufacturing industry as proprietor of the Bridgewater Brick Company. J. Gardener Bassett died in 1915. His wife, who was, before her marriage, An- nie H. Taylor, was born in New Bedford, Massa- chusetts.
William H. Bassett, son of J. Gardener and Annie H. (Taylor) Bassett, was born in the town of Bridge- water on February 12, 1881, and attended the public and high schools of this city. He then engaged in learning the plumbing business, and thus continued until 1901, in which year he entered business under the firm name of William H. Bassett Company, as agent for Ford motor cars. This line he continued until 1908, when he gave up the Ford agency, and substituted the Buick agency, and sold these cars until 1911, when he took over the agency for Lenox motor cars, for which he was a dealer until 1913. From 1913 until 1915 Mr. Bassett discontinued the sale of automobiles, devoting his time to the operation of a repair shop for automobiles. However, in 1915, he again accepted the Ford agency, and is now; thus occupied. In connection with the agency, he main- tains a large automobile accessories business and a filling station for dispensing gasoline and oil to motorists, in addition to possessing facilities for the storage of motor cars. His agency is the largest its kind in Bridgewater, the garage and salesrooms having a total of 30,000 square feet of floor space. Mr. Bassett also was associated, until 1917, with the brick manufacturing business founded by his father. He severed his connection with that concern in the last-named year, to enable him to devote his entire time to his other constantly growing interests, par- ticularly the automobile business. He is one of the incorporators of the Bridgewater Savings Bank, and is a director of the Bridgewater Co-operative Bank. and of the L. A. W. Acceptance Corporation, of
Brockton, Massachusetts. He was vice-president of the Bridgewater Chamber of Commerce, and since 1924 has been a member of the Board of Water Com- missioners of the town of Bridgewater, of which he is chairman. Mr. Bassett's sole hobby, as he ex- presses it, is "work," but he finds some time for re- laxation through his affiliation with various lodges, including: St. Paul's Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Brock- ton Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and Brockton Grotto.
William H. Bassett married, in 1902, Helen H. Glidden, who was born in Natick, Massachusetts, and to this union have been born the following children: 1. William Brigham. 2-3. Elizabeth, and Gardener G., twins.
ALBERT D. ATKINSON -- An officer in the larg- est transportation company in Bridgewater, and one of the largest companies of its kind in Southeastern Massachusetts, Albert D. Atkinson, president of the Atkinson Transport Company, Inc., is carrying for- ward the industry started in 1906 by his father at the former location of one of the old stage stables in Bridgewater. Mr. Atkinson has had wide experi- ence with various companies in New England, and has been associated with the company of which he is now president since 1921. He is actively identi- fied with the business and the fraternal organizations of his city, and has the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.
Born at Charlestown, Massachusetts, July 27, 1893, he is the son of Edwin and Margaret (McLeod) At- kinson. His father was born at Pugwash, Nova Scotia, and engaged in the grocery business in his early business life, and in 1906 started the business of trucking which became known as the Atkinson Transport Company, Incorporated, after his death, which occurred in 1922. His mother was born also in Nova Scotia, at River Dennis, Cape Breton, and is living with him in Bridgewater. Mr. Atkinson re- ceived his education in the public schools of Everett, Massachusetts; Sidney, Nova Scotia; and at the high school in Bridgewater. Upon completing his studies, he became an employee of the Adams Express Com- pany, holding the position as clerk during a period of six years, and for one year was clerk at Hyannis, Massachusetts. He then became assistant to the divi- sion agent at Boston, where he remained for one year, leaving his work there to go to Middleboro, as cash- ier for the Adams Express Company. He later re- signed to become associated with the New England Cranberry Sales Company, with headquarters at Mid- dleboro, and devoted himself to this position for four years. In 1919 he moved to Bridgewater to work with the Continental Gin Company in their shipping de- partment, and as receiver and shipper continued in that capacity for two years. In 1921 he became an associate with his father, and after his death, con- ducted the business as an estate until 1925 when he incorporated the company's affairs and elected of- ficers. He became president, with M. Atkinson as treasurer, Wesley F. Atkinson, as vice-president, and J. Gilmore, as clerk. When his father had started the business, four horses were used for local trans- portation and for livery work. In 1912 the services of horses were discontinued and motor trucks were purchased. The company now has eleven trucks in
136
PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE
its equipment and conducts local and long distance transportation and hauling service which consists of daily trips to New York and to Boston. The garage and office of the company is located at Central Square, on the historic site where, in the years that are gone, passengers and mail were awaited with an eagerness that this century has never matched; when the entire the diversion and progress of the town depended upon the arrival and the departure of the stagecoach.
Mr. Atkinson is affiliated with several fraternal organizations of Bridgewater, including membership in the local Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the American Legion; Middleboro Lodge, No. 1274, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Pioneer Lodge, No. 183, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been secretary of the Bridgewater Chamber of Commerce since it was organized. He is also a veteran of the World War, having enlisted for service in the United States Army, September, 1917. He was assigned to Company L, Three Hundred and Second Infantry and stationed at Camp Devens until his transfer to Battery B, Three Hundred and Third Regiment, Field Artillery. Later he was transferred to Headquarters Detachment, Seventy-sixth Division. He saw service in France for six months with the American Expeditionary Forces, receiving his hon- orable discharge in December, 1918, with the rank of sergeant. He is interested in all sports and athletic activities, and is a member of the Congregational church.
JAMES H. DICKINSON-The press of Plym- outh Colony has an able representative in James H. Dickinson, owner and publisher of the "Bridgewater Independent," and a progressive citizen of the town, in whose municipal affairs he participates with en- thusiasm' and keen interest.
Born in Granby, Massachusetts, October 3, 1866, James H. Dickinson is the son of Rev. Henry A. and Sarah A. (Bullock) Dickinson. His father, a native of Granby, was a Congregational minister until his death, which occurred in 1904. The mother, now deceased, was born in Vermillionville, Illinois. James Dickinson attended the public schools of Huntington, Massachusetts, finishing at the high school of that town. He then got his first smell of printer's ink by beginning service as an apprentice, and after he be- came a journeyman, he followed the trade until 1893.
Mr. Dickinson's entrance into the Fourth Estate was made before he had reached his thirtieth year, when he became one of the proprietors of the "West- field Valley Echo," a weekly newspaper published at Westfield, Massachusetts, and he continued as an owner and treasurer of this paper antil 1905. In that year he disposed of his interest and came to Bridge- water and bought the "Independent," a weekly news- paper, of which he has ever since been the sole owner. This journal was established in 1886 by Henry Pratt, and the property changed hands several times before it came into Mr. Dickinson's possession. Under his able management the "Independent" has been developed into a praiseworthy and influential medium' of information and reflector and moulder of public opinion. Its publisher, too, has infused much of his strong and vigorous personality into the fine tone and desirable features of the paper.
Mr. Dickinson's membership in the Republican party is esteemed a lively asset of the local organiza- tion. He is a trustee of the Bridgewater Library Board. Before he came to the town he served as a
member of the Huntington School Committee for one term. He is a member of the Bridgewater Chamber of Commerce, and secretary of the Bridgewater Lions Club. He is affiliated with Huntington Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a Past Master; and with Evening Star Chapter. He is an attendant of the Central Square Congregational Church, Bridgewater, having served the parish as collector for several years. In the open season he spends much of his time away from his many other duties in the cultivation of his garden-this, it may be said, is his hobby, in which he takes especial delight.
Mr. Dickinson married, in 1902, Florence M. Stew- art, who was born in Westborough, Massachusetts. They have two daughters: Sarah Louise Bacon of Brattleboro, Vermont, and Alice E. Dickinson of the staff of the Newton Public Library.
JOHN H. FAIRBANKS-A remarkable example of activity in advanced age is that of, John H. Fair- banks, nonagenarian, efficient and capable, the oldest merchant in Bridgewater, and conducting his hard- ware business that was established in the time of the Civil War. A man of civic pride, he is interested in every movement, institutional and social, for the benefit of the community; and respected and honored here and throughout the county, he is the recipient of the cane presented him by the Boston "Post" as the oldest man in Bridgewater. He is a son of Aaron B. Fairbanks, a native of Brimfield, a gunsmith by trade, who died in Boston, and of Abigail B. Janes, also a native of Brimfield, and also deceased.
John H. Fairbanks was born November 4, 1834, in Boston, and he attended the public schools in Dor- chester. Learning the tinsmith's trade, he was em- ployed therein until 1860, and afterwards, until 1863, he was a partner with the H. H. Cloud Company, in Abington. Mr. Fairbanks came to Bridgewater in 1863, and establishing himself in the hardware busi- ness, has continued in that line to the present. The business was incorporated in 1907 under the name J. H. Fairbanks & Company, of which Mr. Fairbanks is the president; and, the oldest merchant in Bridge- water, he has continued in business at No. 48 Cen- tral Square, for more than sixty-three years.
In his political views, Mr. Fairbanks is a Repub- lican. He is a trustee of the Bridgewater Savings Bank, and its vice-president; he is a member of Fel- lowship Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Har- mony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and he attends the Swedenborgian Church.
John H. Fairbanks married, in 1861, Harriet Cloud, who was born at East Charlestown, Vermont, and died in 1874. He married, second, Mary E. Smith, who died in 1919. There was a child by the first marriage, Darlie Grace, who is now deceased.
JOHN E. FLYNN-Prominent among the success- ful business men of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, is John E. Flynn, of the firm of Prophett and Flynn, embalmers and funeral directors, who has been en- gaged in' that field of business activity there for nearly three decades. The firm also conducts a prosperous furniture business in Bridgewater, and Mr. Flynn is one of the organizers and a director of the Bridge- water Trust Company. He owns a large amount of real estate in Bridgewater and in Florida, and is one of the public-spirited citizens of the community in which he resides.
John E. Flynn was born in Bridgewater, Massa-
Thomas F Kelleher
137
PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE
chusetts, February 10, 1866, son of Bartholomew Flynn, a native of County Cork, Ireland, who was engaged as an iron worker in Bridgewater for many years, and of Anastasia (Grant) Flynn, who was born in County Waterford, Ireland. Mr. Flynn received his education in the public schools of Bridgewater and in the Social Union of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Upon the completion of his education he entered the employ of William S. Prophett, of Bridgewater, with whom he learned the business of the embalmer and funeral director. He was apt and able and thoroughly interested in his work, and in 1897 he became a part- ner in the business, which from that time on has been operated under the firm name of Prophett and Flynn. In addition to the extensive undertaking business, the firm also handles a furniture business, which is housed in a four-story building at No. 50 Central Street in Bridgewater. In addition to his responsibil- ities in connection with the undertaking business and the retail handling of furniture Mr. Flynn is one of the organizers and a member of the board of di- rectors of the Bridgewater Trust Company, and is also extensively interested in real estate, having val- uable holdings in Bridgewater and in Florida. Po- litically, he gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Democratic party, which he has served for twenty years as chairman of the town committee. He is a public-spirited citizen having the interests of Bridgewater very much at heart, and gen- erously contributing to the advancement of the gen- eral welfare. He served for six years as a member of the board of trustees of the Bridgewater Public Li- brary and few of the projects planned for the good of Bridgewater fail to receive his earnest support. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Bridgewater Council, Knights of Columbus, of which he is Past Chancellor; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of Bridgewater, of which he is Past President; and of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. He is a member of the Bridge- water Chamber of Commerce, to the affairs of which he gives much attention. In golf he finds healthful and pleasurable recreation and is a member of the Temple Terrace Golf Club, of Tampa, Florida, and Thorny Lea of Brockton. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church of St. Thomas.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.