History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 38

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 38
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 38
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 38

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was then called Plymouth-now Halifax-building his house in Middleboro and living there until it was burned by the Indians. He was active in King Philip's War, holding a commission as lieutenant- commandant. After the conclusion of this war he built a frame house near the site of his log cabin which had been burned down and there continued to live to the time of his death, June 16, 1696. This same house was occupied by four successive genera- tions of his descendants. His wife died March 21, 1714, in her eighty-eighth year. Mr. Andrews is also descendant, through his mother, of Silas Wood, who fought on the patriot side during the War of the Revolution.

William A. Andrews was born at Middleboro, Plymouth County, July 31, 1859, a son of the late William S. and Maria Adeline (Wood) Andrews. His father was born in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, but later removed to Middleboro, where he established, in 1859, the retail shoe business con- ducted by him to the time of his death in 1906, and since that time carried on by his son. His mother was a member of an old Plymouth County family, a descendant of John Thomson or Thompson, of Plymouth Colony, mentioned at length above, and of Silas Wood, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. She was born in Middleboro and died there in 1896. Mr. Andrews was educated in the public schools of his native town, at Adams Academy, Quincy, Massa- chusetts, and at the Bellevue Hospital Medical School. However, he did not complete his medical studies, but became associated in the retail shoe business with his father in Middleboro. Of this enterprise he has been the sole owner since his father's death in 1906, the business dating back to 1859. In recent years it has been located at No. 61 South Main Street and for many years it has been one of the best-known and most highly re- garded retail establishments of the town. Since 1883, Mr. Andrews also has been extensively and very successfully engaged in cranberry culture. For many years he has taken an active and effective part in the public life of the community. He has served for twelve years on the Middleboro School Board, of which he was chairman for four years. For eight years he was chairman of the Gas and Electric Board and, in 1902 and 1903, he represented his native town in the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives. He is a supporter of the Republican party and its principles and stands high in the local councils of his party. His religious affiliations are with the Congregational church and more particu- larly with the Central Congregational Church, of Middleboro.

Mr. Andrews married, in 1883, Mary W. Tilden, a native of Weymouth, Norfolk County, and they are the parents of four children: Wales H .; Myra Adeline; Annie and William C., the last two being twins. The family residence is located in Middleboro.

WILLIAM EGGER-Engaged in the furniture business on Centre Street, Middleboro, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, for more than a quarter of a century, Mr. Egger. in 1919, also entered the un- dertaking business and since then has continued to carry on both with great success. He is considered one of the leading and substantial business men of the town, in the welfare and development of which he has always taken an active and helpful interest. He

is also prominent in fraternal affairs and in the re- ligious life of the community, where he is greatly re- spected for his many fine qualities.

William Egger was born at Sagamore, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, July 15, 1868, a son of Philip and Barbara (Hendricks) Egger, both natives of Germany, the former for many years successfully engaged in farming to the time of his death in 1906, the latter surviving her husband until 1914. He was educated in the public schools of Sagamore and · Middleboro, entering afterwards the employ of the Star Mills of Middleboro, with which company he remained for five years. He then removed to Brock- ton, Massachusetts, and there worked for the George E. Keith Company for another five years. At the end of this period he went to Minneapolis, Minne- sota, where he remained for three years, being en- gaged in the real estate and insurance business. Re- turning East, he settled for a time in New York City as a real estate auctioneer. In 1895 he returned to Middleboro and established himself in the real estate and insurance business under his own name. Five years later he entered the furniture business on Centre Street, in which he met with marked success and in which he has continued ever since, with headquarters in recent years at No. 48 Centre Street. In 1919, he bought out the undertaking es- tablishment of Thomas F. Washburn, which he since has carried on in connection with his furniture busi- ness. He is a member of the Middleboro Com- mercial Club, and in 1926 was chairman of its house committee. He is also a member of Middle- boro Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; Middleboro Lodge, No. 1274, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Nemasket Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is a supporter of the Re- publican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Baptist church.

Mr. Egger married, in 1914, Blanche Merriam, a native of Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachu- setts, and they are the parents of two daughters, Dorothy Arline and Virginia Gertrude. The family home is located at No. 61 Pearl Street, Middleboro.

BERDETTE M. COTTON-Since 1916, Ber- dette M. Cotton has been a resident of Hyannis, and is here well known as a prominent man of business and public-spirited member of the community, the proprietor of a large dyeing and cleaning establish- ment, employing from twelve to fifteen hands the year round. In all activities for the advancement of Hyannis Mr. Cotton is involved, and through this participation as well as in the successful and ever- expanding business under his control, he contributes liberally to the general welfare.

Mr. Cotton was born at Linesville, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1875, the son of Marvin L. and Alice S. (Woodard) Cotton, his father having been a native of Vermont and for many years, until the time of his death. a merchant dealing in drygoods and hardware, at Linesville; and his mother a native of Pennsyl- vania, where she spent her life. Berdette M. Cotton attended the public schools of Linesville, Pennsyl- vania, and began at the age of twenty-one years to learn the craft of tailoring. in his native town. He became associated with D. G. Lacey, and they founded a business in men's tailoring which they continued, in Andover, Ohio, for three years, after which period Mr. Cotton returned to Linesville, opening a tailor- ing shop under his own name. This he operated for

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two years, removing to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the termination of that time, there to become en- ployed by several organizations as tailor. He worked in this capacity for the house of Boggs & Buhl, tailor- ing in women's ready-to-wear apparel, and for the Meyer-Johannason Company and the McCreery Com- pany. In all, Mr. Cotton was thus employed in Pitts- burgh for seven years, then returned to Linesville and,« became assistant postmaster, in which office he served the community two years, until 1916, when he came to Cape Cod and located in Hyannis. He opened a shop for business in dyeing and cleaning at once, later took into partnership C. F. Proctor, in 1921 pur- chased the interest held by Mr. Proctor, and since that date has carried on the work of the organization under his own direction.

Mr. Cotton is a thirty-second degree member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Fraternal Lodge, of Hyannis; Orient Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; New Bedford Council, Royal and Select Masters; Massa- chusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons; the Princes of Jerusalem; Patron of Matta- kese Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; and member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem; Hyannis Rotary Club, Board of Trade, and Chamber of Commerce, and the Trowel Club. He is a member of the National As- sociation of Dyers and Cleaners, and is a member of the executive board of the New England District. During the World War, though somewhat advanced in years for service in the military, Mr. Cotton did serve tirelessly on boards and committees in charge of prosecution of the conflict from within this country, and was of great assistance to organizations in the securing of subscriptions to the Liberty Loan cam- paigns. His religion is of that practical sort that is honestly good without regard for forms and cere- mony; he is temperate in manner, kindly, and endowed liberally with those attributes of character which cause men to be regarded with warm esteem by others with whom they come in contact.

On Christmas Day, December 25, 1896, when he was twenty-one years of age, Mr. Cotton married Edith I. West, a daughter of Wilbur A. and Mary E. (Proctor) West, and the union was happily blessed with one child: Doris, who married Lloyd H. Win- nell. Mrs. Doris (Cotton) Winnell was born in Linesville, March 16, 1900; she is the mother of one child, Margie E .. Winnell.

Mr. Cotton takes his relaxation from affairs in the fraternal societies and clubs of which he is a mem- ber, and in fishing, which he considers to be his par- ticular hobby. In this, there is of course, ample op- portunity to indulge, on Cape Cod, and many friends to share the pleasure with him.

MORRILL S. RYDER-For more than a quarter of a century Morrill S. Ryder was actively engaged in the manufacture of paint and varnish, identified with the well-known concern founded by Silas Bur- bank, of which Mr. Ryder's father was the original Burbank partner. The concern was known as Bur- bank & Ryder, and from 1901 to 1917, Mr. Ryder was one of the owners of the enterprise. He was also one of the founders and part owner of the New England Oil, Paint & Varnish Company, and of the Hoffman Paint & Varnish Company, but since 1917, he has been enjoying the leisure, which he has so well earned, and the freedom from active business responsibility, which is the reward of early achieve- ment and wise management.

Nathaniel F. Ryder, father of Mr. Ryder, was born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, and throughout his active career was engaged in the business of manu- facturing paint and varnish. He, with Charles G. Burbank, a son of Silas Burbank, who had estab- lished a thriving manufacturing concern in 1825, formed a partnership under the firm style of Bur- bank & Ryder, and from then until the time of his death, which occurred in 1900, he was one of the well-known men in the trade. A man of marked business ability, he was an important factor in the successful development of this very large manufac- turing interest, and after his death his son succeeded him in the partnership. Along with his business responsibilities he found time for important civic and political service, and for four years served as a member of the Governor's Council, under Gov- ernors Greenhalge and Wolcott. He married Joanna S. Smith, daughter of Israel and Joanna Simth, who was born in Middleboro, and who still resides there.

Morrill S. Ryder, son of Nathaniel F. and Joanna S. (Smith) Ryder, was born in Middleboro, Mas- sachusetts, October 25, 1867. He received his ear- liest education in the public schools of Middleboro, and then prepared for college in the Eaton School, after which he became a student in the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology. Upon the completion of his technical training be became identified with the firm of Burbank & Ryder, which concern had paint and varnish factories in Middleboro and in Boston. Ten years later, in 1901, he was made a partner in the business and elected treasurer and general manager of the organization. From that time to the time of his retirement in 1917, he devoted to the interests of that manufacturing concern ability of a high order and also unswerving faithfulness. He became widely known in his field, and as time passed became officially associated with two other important paint and varnish manufacturing concerns, both of which he helped to organize. One was the New England Oil, Paint, & Varnish Company, which he served as treasurer from the time of its organiza- tion to 1917, when he retired from all active busi- ness responsibilities The other was the Hoffman Paint & Varnish Company, which he continued to serve as a member of the board of directors to the time of his retirement. A man of foresight and of sound judgment, he combined with thorough techni- cal knowledge and long experience those qualities of leadership and those executive and administrative talents which assure success in any field, and to him financial success came surely and early. He has shared with others the success he has won, in fact he has always conducted his business operations in connection with others, and thus has always made his economic success a social achievement, always it has been teamwork, and his organizing and execu- tive ability has brought to others as large return as it has brought to himself. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Middleborough Savings Bank and a director of the Middleborough Trust Company, in both of which financial institutions his judgment and his keen sense of values render valu- able service.

Mr. Ryder has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and his retirement from business did not mean for him complete leisure, but more particu- larly it meant more time for public service. In 1921, he was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, and he served most efficiently in the

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House of Representatives for six years. He has al- ways been ready to contribute his share to local public affairs, and during the World War served as one of the "four-minute" speakers who rallied the population to the work in hand. He also served as assistant regional director for Section No. 6 on the War Resources Committee, resources and conver- sion sections. He is a member of the Massachu- setts Republican Club and of the Roosevelt Club, and is an interested member of the Old Middleboro Historical Society. He has always been active in the Middleboro Commercial Club, as well, and is known as a public-spirited citizen who is always willing to do his part in the affairs planned for the general good. Fraternally, he is identified with Mayflower Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Old Colony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar; with Middle- boro Lodge, No. 1274, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of Nemasket Grange, Patrons of Husbandry,

Morrill S. Ryder was married, in Middleboro, Mas- sachusetts, June 19, 1901, to Susan A. Dorrance, who was born in Middleboro, September 30, 1869, daughter of Edwin B. and Rebecca (Clark) Dorrance, and who died there, December 16, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Ryder became the parents of four children: Nathaniel D., Morrill S., Jr., Edwin M., and Fran- ces C.

MERTIE ELIZABETH WITBECK-One of the very well-known citizens of Middleboro is Mer- tie Elizabeth Witbeck, who since 1925 has been helping the residents of that place to secure the kind of reading matter they wish, at the time they want it. As librarian, she is making the Public Library of Middleboro increasingly valuable, and is giving to the reading public able assistance in the matter of choosing some of their book friends.

Mertie Elizabeth Witbeck was born in Lynn, Mas- sachusetts, January 23, 1893, daughter of George Al- fred and Mertise Susan (Pray) Philbrook, the first- mentioned of whom is superintendent and gencral manager of the Middleboro gas and electric plant, superintendent of the fire alarm system, and deputy chief of the Middleboro Fire Department. The Philbrook family is one of the old and honored families of New England, the name appearing fre- quently among the officials of the New England colonies. Deacon Joseph Philbrook served as a representative in the General Court in 1644; James Philbrook and his son, Joseph Philbrook, gave Revo- lutionary service, and Thomas Philbrook, who was in Watertown in 1630, sold his estate and moved to Hampton, New Hampshire. His son, James, mar- ried Ann Roberts, daughter of Thomas Roberts, who came to Dover, New Hampshire, in 1623, and was the first governor of the colony of Dover, New Hampshire, in 1640. Thus the name Philbrook is closely associated with the early history of New England.

Mrs. Witbeck graduated from Middleboro High School in 1911, and her high school training was followed by short courses in Simmons College. She was married in Middleboro, June 11, 1913 and in 1921 engaged in library work. In 1925, she was made librarian of the Middleboro Public Library, and since that time she has been rendering most efficient service in that capacity. She is past secretary of the

Daughters of the American Revolution, and a mem- ber of Hannah Snow Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and is also a member of the Cabot Club and of the Thimble Club Daughters. Her religious af- filiation is with the Central Congregational Church.

LEONARD A. BAKER, M. D .- Thorough prep- aration, long experience, and faithful devotion to professional duty have enabled Dr. Leonard A. Ba- ker to render valuable service as physician and sur- geon in Middleboro and vicinity during the past twelve years. Dr. Baker is a member of the staff of St. Luke's Hospital, and is known as a skilled surgeon. He is also well known in fraternal circles and takes an active interest in civic affairs.

Leonard C. Baker, father of Mr. Baker, was born in Duxbury, Massachusetts, learned the trade of ship-chandler, and was engaged in that capacity in Boston to the time of his death, which occurred August 20, 1923. He married Mary E. Chandler, who was also a native of Duxbury, and there they made their home for a number of years.

Dr. Leonard A. Baker, son of Leonard C. and Mary E. (Chandler) Baker, was born in Dux- bury, Massachusetts, December 28, 1881, and re- ceived his earliest school training in the public schools of that He chose the medical pro- fession as his field of activity, and with professional study in view prepared for college in Partridge Academy, at Duxbury. When his preparatory course was completed he matriculated in the Medical School of Harvard University, from which he was graduated in 1904, with the degree of medical doctor. He then served his interneship in the Bridgewater State Hos- pital, and after that period of service was completed, remained with that institution for eleven years, first serving as assistant physician, and later as medical director of the hospital. In 1915, after eleven years of valuable experience and faithful service, he came to Middleboro, Massachusetts, and opened an office at No. 2, Sullivan Building, in Middleboro. Since that time he has been engaged in general medical and in surgical practice here and has made for him- self an enviable reputation as a skilled general practi- tioner, and also as a surgeon. He has for several years been a member of the staff of St. Luke's Hospital, and he is well known throughout this section of the State. He is a member of Bristol County Medical Society, of Massachusetts Medical Association, and of the American Medical Associa- tion, through which affiliations he keeps closely in touch with the developments and activities of his profession throughout the country. With all his professional responsibilities, however, he finds time for civic service and for fraternal and other social interests. Politically, he gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. He is interested in civic affairs, and for three years has served as a member of the Middleboro Board of Health. During the participation of the United States in the World War, he served as a member of the Draft Board for Plymouth County. Dr. Baker is a member of Fellowship Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Bridgewater; of Middle- boro Lodge. No. 1274, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and he is also a member of the Middleboro Commercial Club. He served as the first president of the Middleboro Agricultural Society. and he is an interested member of the Old Middle-

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boro Historical Society. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church, of which he is an atten- dant. Dr. Baker married, June 22, 1915, Eldoretta C. Cushing.

AMASA R. GLIDDEN-Among the well-known and successful merchants of Middleboro, Plymouth County, is Amasa R. Glidden, founder and proprietor of the big general merchandise business which is housed in the Glidden Building on Centre Street and which is operated under the firm name of A. R. Glidden & Sons. The concern was founded in 1913, and is one of the well patronized and thoroughly re- liable retail merchandise stores of the community.

Benjamin Rendall Glidden, father of Mr. Glidden, was born in Parsonsfield, Maine, and for more than fifty years was associated with the original Old Col- ony Railroad, which ran between Fall River and Boston. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served with Company A, Seventh Regiment, Mas- sachusetts Volunteers, and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and interested in its activities to the time of his death, which occurred in 1905. He was married to Mary Manuel, who was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, and died in 1905. Both were held in high esteem among their associates.

Amasa R. Glidden, son of Benjamin Rendall and Mary (Manuel) Glidden, was born in Fall River, Mas- sachusetts, August 10, 1857. His father removed to Middleboro when he was a small child, and he re- ceived his education in the public schools of that place. Upon the completion of his school training he found his first employment with the George T. Ryder Company, of Middleboro, a concern which was engaged in the retail drygoods business. Mr. Glid- den remained with this concern until it sold out to Whitman and Sparrow, and then he continued with the business, which became known as the Whitman Store. For a period of thirty-seven years he main- tained his connection with that enterprise, the first part of that term of service being the time spent in the employ of the George T. Ryder Company. In 1913, however, he decided to engage in business for himself. In association with his son, James R. Glid- den, under the firm style of A. R. Glidden & Sons, he located in the Patzor & Clar Building on Centre Street, and established a first class general merchan- dise business. In 1918, however, the business was removed to its present quarters in what was then the Sullivan Building, but is now known as the Glid- den Building, on Centre Street. The building was purchased by Mr. Glidden's sons in 1926, at which time the name was changed from the Sullivan Build- ing to the Glidden Building. Meantime, in 1925, Mr. Glidden had purchased the old John Howe estate, at Chatham, Massachusetts, which for many years was operated under the name of the Boston Store. This name, too, was changed to Glidden's, under which style a first-class general merchandise business is conducted, carrying the same line of stock that is sold in the Middleboro store. A. R. Glidden & Sons are the largest merchants in their line in Middleboro, the volume of their business requiring five thousand square feet of selling space. Their stock is first class in every respect, and their sound business methods have won for them the confidence of a very large patronage. Mr. Glidden is a member of the Middle- boro Commercial Club, and has served on its mer-

chants committee since its organization. His re- ligious interest is with the Central Congregational Church, of which he is an attendant.

Amasa R. Glidden was married, in 1884, to Mary Pickens, who was born in New Bedford, Massachu- setts, and died in Middleboro, in 1924, daughter of James M. Pickens, a native of Middleboro, who was a member of the board of deacons of the Central Congregational Church, and a subscriber to its build- ing fund. Mr. and Mrs. Glidden became the parents of six children: 1. James R., who is associated with his father in business. 2. Mary Pickens. 3. Mildred Kingman. 4. Marion, deceased. 5. Roger. 6. Benjamin K., served in the United States Merchant Marine during the World War.

GEORGE N. DUPONT-As owner and manager of the most up-to-date and exclusive ladies' wearing apparel shop in Southeastern Massachusetts, George N. Dupont is well known in this section of the State. His shop is located at Nos. 14-18 Bank Build- ing, Centre Street, Middleboro, and he is ministering to the needs of most of the well-dressed women of Middleboro and vicinity. Mr. Dupont was originally engaged in the retail shoe business, with stores in Middleboro and in Plymouth, but since 1922 he has handled women's wear exclusively.

The Dupont family of which Mr. Dupont is a mem- ber traces descent to one of two cousins who came from France to Acadia (Nova Scotia). One of the cousins settled in Acadia, but the other came to this country and settled here. From this last-named Du- pont are descended the duPonts of Delaware. The one who settled in Acadia became the ancestor of the branch of the family to which George N. Dupont be- longs. His name was Francis Joseph Dupont, and throughout his life he was engaged in business as a gunsmith in Acadia. He married and reared a fam- ily of children, among whom was Louis Dolphis Dupont, grandfather of Mr. Dupont. Louis Dolphis Dupont was a merchant in Coaticook, Province of Quebec, Canada, and among his children was Louis N. Dupont, father of George N. Dupont. Louis N. Dupont was born in the Province of Quebec, and throughout the entire period of his active career was engaged in business as a general merchant in Ware, Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth Cotnoir, who was born in Juliet, Province of Quebec, Canada, and they became the parents of George N. Dupont.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 38

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