History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 52

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 52
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 52
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 52

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Harry Howard Snow married, January 29, 1918, Adeline S. Cullum, of Concord, New Hampshire, who was born in England, daughter of William J. Cullum.

ROBERT J. BAIN-To his increasing business at Hyannis as a plumber and steamfitter, Robert J. Bain has brought the elements of both recognized ability and experience, his activities in the World War hav- ing been along the same lines in which he has secured his present success in the fitting of public institutions and private residences. Mr. Bain is one of the most expert and valued factors in his trade in this section; where he is loyally interested in township growth and progress.

Robert J. Bain was born March 1, 1886, at Paris, Ontario, Canada, a son of Robert Anderson Bain, who came from Galishels, Scotland, and who is an overseer in the spinning department of the American Woolen Company's plant, at Uxbridge, and of Eliza- beth (Ford) Bain. After attending the public schools at Gilbertville, Massachusetts, Mr. Bain was a student at Maynard High School, Maynard, Massa- chusetts, and at the Coyne Trade School, where he took the course in plumbing. He was then engaged as a tradesman at Sagamore, from 1907 to 1912, and from 1913 to 1918, he established himself in the' plumbing and steamfitting business at that town.

During the World War, Mr. Bain was assigned to the shipyards at Squantum, where he was active in the plumbing and the steamfitting of torpedo de- stroyers, and since coming to Hyannis in 1920, he not only has had a very large share of the business of plumbing all over the Cape, but he personally con- ducted the installation at Hotel Ferguson, and the Colonial Candle Company in this town.

Fraternally, Mr. Bain is affiliated with Fraternal Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Hyannis; and the Knights of Pythias at Bourne; and he is also a member of the Board of Trade, Chamber of Com- merce, Rotary Club, of Hyannis, and the Trowel Club at Osterville. He attends the Federated church. Mr. Bain is chairman of the Boy Scout Committee of the Rotary Club.

Robert J. Bain married, November 22. 1918, at Sagamore, Beatrice Gibbs, daughter of William R. and Anne (Crowell) Gibbs. They have two children:

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1. Beverly, born May 24, 1922. 2. Murray Gibbs, born November 18, 1925.

ALFRED WATTERS-A lifelong and practical application to all branches of quarrying and granite manufacture is the foundation upon which Alfred Watters, head of the firm of Alfred Watters Com- pany, at Quincy, has built his success. He is every- where known as one of the leaders in the granite in- dustry, and the product of his firm is distributed in all sections of this country. Mr. Watters is a son of Edwin Watters, a quarry owner in Cornwall, Eng- land, and of Blanche (Coade) Watters, also a native of Cornwall, who died in 1894.

Alfred Watters was born March 2, 1880, in Corn- wall, England, where he attended the public schools, and where he was employed in the quarries for twelve years. While in England he served for three years in the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry. Com- ing to the United States in 1906, Mr. Watters first engaged in quarrying in Maine, and he came to Quincy in 1908 to engage in general granite manu- facture. In 1910, he established his present business under the firm name Moyle, Watters Company, with Richard Moyle as a partner. In 1912, Mr. Watters bought out Mr. Moyle's interest, and he has since conducted the business as the Alfred Watters Com- pany, with his plant located at Gilbert and Roberts streets. This company is engaged in the manufac- ture of a complete line of monuments and memorials for cemetery trade, most of the work being done with New England granite, though some granite is imported.

In the political field, Mr. Watters is affiliated with the Republican party; he has not sought public office, but has a deep interest in all civic matters. During the World War, he served with Company C, Fourteenth Regiment, Massachusetts State Guards. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Sons of St. George; Rural Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Stephen's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and all bodies of the Scottish Rite, inclusive of the Massa- chusetts Consistory; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Taleb Grotto. He is also a member of the Massachusetts State Guards' Veteran Association; Quincy Granite Man- ufacturers' Association; American Granite Manufac- turers' Association; and his hobby is bowling. He is an attendant of Braintree Congregational Church.

Alfred Watters married, August 22, 1912, Jennie Ann McBeth, who was born in Buckley, Scotland; and they have three children: Linda Jane, Isabelle Blanche, and Edwin George.

FRANCIS J. FAHY-Since 1912. Francis J. Fahy has been chief probation officer of the District Court of East Norfolk, located at Quincy, Massachusetts, and in that capacity he has rendered service of a quality which wins for him the warm commendation of those whom he serves in official capacity.

Francis J. Fahy was born in Cambridge, Massachu- setts, February 27, 1875, son of John L. Fahy, who was born in Boston, County Clare, Ireland, came to this country at an early age and settled in Cambridge. Massachusetts, where he was engaged in the real estate business and also in the grocery business, and where he served as councilman in 1880, now deceased, and of Bridget (Diviney) Fahy, who was born in Gort, County Galway, Ireland, and who is also de- ceased. Mr. Fahy received his education in the

public schools of Cambridge and in Comer's Commer- cial College of Boston, after which he studied for one term in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Upon the completion of his education he entered the real estate and insurance business for himself, with offices in Cambridge and also in Boston, and contin- ued both branches of his enterprise for seven years. He then discontinued the Cambridge office, retain- ing the Boston office until 1913. Meantime, for a period of ten years, he had been connected with the Mercantile Marine and Fire Insurance Company of Boston, as an adjuster of claims, carrying the re- sponsibilities of that position along with his general insurance and real estate activities. In 1912 he was appointed chief probation officer of the District Court of East Norfolk, and for a year he conducted his in- surance business along with the discharge of the duties of his office. Since 1913, however, he has de- voted his attention to the increasing duties of his official position, and in his office at Quincy is center- ing a work of wide influence. Fraternally, Mr. Fahy is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. He re- tains his membership in the Quincy Real Estate Exchange, and his interest in local public affairs. Po- litically, he supports the principles and the candidates of the Democratic party, and in 1904-05 he served as a member of the Board of Aldermen of the city of Cambridge. During his incumbency in that office he was a member of important committees, including those on licenses, police, and accounts. During the period of the World War he served as a private in Company C, Fourteenth Regiment, Massachusetts State Guard. He is treasurer of the Granite Mort- gage Corporation, and trustee and executor for sev- eral large estates. He is also a member of the Mas- sachusetts Probation Officers' Association, and of the National Probation Association. He is fond of row- ing, fishing, and hunting, in all of which activities he finds healthful out-of-door recreation. His re- ligious affiliation is with St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and he is also a member of the Holy Name Society. Mr. Fahy has traveled extensively for busi- ness and pleasure throughout the United States, Mexi- co and Canada.

Francis J. Fahy was married, in 1911, to Katherine T. Larkin, who was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, where she was engaged in teaching school before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Fahy are the parents of seven children: Marietta, Virginia, Clare, Katherine, John L., and Jerome and Francis, twins.

EMMA SANBORN TOUSANT-The outstand- ing women of today are pursuing a course of enlight- ened participation in public affairs and are using their influence to further the humanitarian and social wel- fare trends characteristic of the most progressive centers of population today. To this constructive group belongs Emma Sanborn Tousant, lawyer, of Quincy, Massachusetts, and political leader, in the Republican party. Her supreme achievement so far has been the discharge of her responsible duties as Commissioner on the Industrial Accident Board of the State of Massachusetts, a post in which she hears and decides cases arising under the Massachusetts Workmen's Compensation Law. Further advance- ment seems probable, for Mrs. Tousant is being widely spoken of as a candidate for the Judicial Bench of Massachusetts.

Emma Sanborn Tousant was born on a farm in

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Bradford, Vermont, November 11, 1891, the young- est daughter of William Calef Sanborn, who died in Quincy in 1923, and his wife, Abbie (Paine) San- born, who died in Bradford, in 1921. The daughter received her early education in the public schools of her birthplace and at Bradford Academy, after which she took a special course in the Bridgewater Normal School and the Burdett Business College. She began teaching at the age of sixteen years, first in St. Johns- bury, Vermont, and later in Melrose, Massachusetts, where she was assistant principal. Her marriage oc- curred in the first-named town. After the death of her husband in 1915, Mrs. Tousant resolved to enter the legal profession and came to Massachusetts with the intention of becoming a student in the Law School of Boston University, when opportunity of- fered itself. She graduated from that institution in 1924, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

Admitted to the Massachusetts bar that same year, Mrs. Tousant opened her office in Quincy on the day of her admission to the bar, and has since been suc- cessfully engaged in practice as senior member of the firm of Tousant and Sutherland, one of the lead- ing law firms of Quincy. She has been admitted to practice in all the courts of the State and in the Federal courts and has made for herself an assured place in the legal profession. Mrs. Tousant belongs to the Boston Bar Association, the Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers, the Quincy Bar As- sociation, and the Norfolk County Bar Association, among professional organizations. In April, 1927, she was appointed a Commissioner of Industrial Ac- cidents, the highest salaried position held by any woman in Massachusetts. She is the second woman to serve on the board and the first to preside over it. A Republican in politics, and an outstanding party leader, she is chairman of Ward One, Repub- lican Committee of Quincy. She is president of the Quincy Women's Republican Club and a member of the legislative committee of the Quincy Women's Club, and belongs to the Business and Professional Women's Club of Boston, and the Norfolk County Republican Club. Fraternally, she is identified with the Kappa Beta Pi College Fraternity and is a mem- ber of the Rebekah Lodge. She is a communicant of the Melrose Methodist church. Her activity in civic and public affairs has absorbed much of her energy since the death of her husband, John B. Tous- ant, in 1915.

Mrs. Tousant has a host of friends in Quincy and vicinity and is generally recognized as a woman of large ability as well as professional knowledge and skill. She is a leader among the women of her ac- quaintance, a factor to be reckoned with in whatever she undertakes. Her advice and support are much sought in political affairs, and in matters relating to public welfare which are other than official she is always ready to give her time and talent if she can thus advance the interests of Quincy.

ALBERT S. DOUTY-Specialization and thor- ough study of the rudiments of his calling has re- sulted in the attainment by Albert S. Douty of a prominent position among funeral directors of the town of Whitman and vicinity.

Albert F. Douty, father of the well-known Whitman funeral director, was born and reared in Charlton, Massachusetts, and was engaged during his career as a shoe cutter with various manufacturing enter- prises, in addition to following the vocation of farmer

until the time of his death in 1923. Albert F. Douty married Mary J. Snow, a native of Brookfield, Mas- sachusetts.

Albert S. Douty, son of Albert F. Douty and Mary J. (Snow) Douty, was born in Brookfield, Massachu- setts, on July 3, 1887. He acquired his earlier educa- tion in the public schools of Brookfield, was graduated from the high school in that community, and studied for his professional career at the Barnes College of Embalming, New York City. Having mastered the theory and practice of embalming and undertaking, Mr. Douty first engaged in the undertaking business as an associate of Horace Knowles, at Providence, Rhode Island, which connection existed for the fol- lowing two years, then being superseded by an alli- ance with James Riley, likewise of Providence, with whom he remained for three and one-half years, at the expiration of which time he came to Whitman, having chosen this locality as the scene of his future professional activities. In Whitman, Mr. Douty be- came identified with the undertaking business oper- ated by L. Holbrook & Son, with which firm he was retained as an employee until 1922. In the latter year Mr. Douty purchased the interests of the partners of L. Holbrook & Son, and thereafter oper- ated the business on his own account under the firni style of Albert S. Douty, funeral director. It is fit- ting to mention that Mr. Douty is qualified most emi- nently as a member of his profession, not only from the standpoint of thorough collegiate instruction in his specialty, and his long actual experience, but also due to the fact that he was engaged for one and one- half years during his earlier career in connection with the staff of the Worcester State Hospital.

Ever active in business and social affairs, Mr. Douty is an influential member of the Whitman Board of Trade, and of the Massachusetts Funeral Direc- tors' Association. He is affiliated with a number of other organizations, including the Knights of Pythias; the Improved Order of Red Men; Puritan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Pilgrim Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Abington Council, Royal and Select Masters; Old Colony Commandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise affiliated with Lodge No. 13, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with the Rebekah Order, and the Order of the East- ern Star. Politically, Mr. Douty believes in individ- ual discretion and judgment in voting for candidates at the polls; he is interested only in assisting in the election of the most eligible men for their respective offices. He is a regular attendant at the Baptist church, and his hobbies may be listed as those of automobile touring and various healthful out-door sports.

Albert S. Douty married, in 1912, Mary J. Samode, a native of Germany. They reside at Whitman, the location of Mr. Douty's professional interests.

JOHN A. RADCLIFFE-Among the substantial business men of Plymouth County is John A. Rad- cliffe, of Rockland, secretary of the Albert Culver Com- pany, dealers in coal, wood, hay and grain. Mr. Rad- cliffe has been identified with this concern for more than twenty years, and in addition to his interest therein, is also a member of the board of directors of three different banks in this section of the county.

John A. Radcliffe was born in Rockland, Massa- chusetts, September 20, 1866, son of John Radcliffe, who was born in County Down, Ireland, came to this

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country and settled in Massachusetts, where he was engaged in the shoe industry, and died in 1914, and of Jane (Minnis) Radcliffe, also a native of County Down, Ireland, who died in 1922. Mr. Radcliffe re- ceived his education in the local public schools and then secured employment with the Union Company, which connection he maintained for twenty-five years, rising through successive promotions to the position of manager. In 1906, however, he made a change and identified himself with the Albert Culver Com- pany, as manager, and during the more than two decades which have passed since that time he has continuously maintained his connection with that concern. He retained his position as manager until 1926, when he was elected secretary and manager of the company. The enterprise is a very old one, which in 1923 was taken over by J. J. Spence and James W. Spence, who continued the business under the old name of the Albert Culver Company. The firm handles coal, wood, hay, and grain, and is the largest concern of its kind in this section of Plym- outh County. It owns two sidings and an elevator trestle for the unloading of supplies, and it trans- acts a volume of business which requires the services of about twenty-five employees. Their operations cover a territory which includes Rockland and the surrounding section within a radius of fifteen miles, and each year brings a substantial increase both in the volume of business handled and in the extent of territory covered. In addition to his interests and activities in connection with the Albert Culver Com- pany, Mr. Radcliffe is also a member of the board of directors of the North Abington Co-operative Bank, a trustee of the Rockland Savings Bank, and a mem- ber of the board of directors of the Mutual Fire In- surance Company of Abington. He is a Republican in his political principles. Fraternally, he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also with John Cutler Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and Old Colony Commandery, Royal Arch Masons; and he is well known in fraternal circles, being a mem- ber of Union Glee Club, and of the Commercial Club, and he is also past president of the Merchant's As- sociation. His religious affiliation is with the Con- gregational church, which he serves as treasurer. He is a very prominent man in business and financial circles, and his opinion in the matter of investments and real estate values is much sought.

John A. Radcliffe was married, at Rockland, Mas- sachusetts, February 3, 1893, to Evelyn A. Reed, daughter of Frederick and Mary (Holmes) Reed. Mr. and Mrs. Radcliffe are the parents of one daughter, Esther A., who married L. F. Rowson.

CLARENCE E. RICE-As owner and proprietor of the oldest established and the best-equipped mortician's establishment in the town of Rockland, Massachusetts, Clarence E. Rice is well known and is numbered among the successful business men of this part of the State. Along with his undertaking business Mr. Rice also conducts a furniture business. He is actively interested in the affairs of the town and in the Congregational Church of Rockland.

Charles L. Rice, father of Mr. Rice, was born in Brookfield, Vermont, and died in Rockland, Massa- chusetts, in 1915. In 1868, he established a furn- iture business in Rockland, and in 1873, added to this line of activity the embalming and funeral directing business, which he successfully continued to the time of his death, being assisted by his son during all the

later years of his life. He was a veteran of the Civil War, serving first as a member of the Tenth Ver- mont Volunteers, but later commissioned captain of Company A, and still later of Company E, Seventh Regiment, United States Colored Troops. He was promoted to the rank of major, and later of brevet lieutenant-colonel, and after the close of the con- flict was sent to Texas as acting inspector general. He married Harriet E. Perry, of Worcester, Vermont, who survived him, her death occurring in 1921.

Clarence E. Rice was born in Rockland, Massaclıu- setts, August 4, 1869, and attended the public schools of his birthplace, later taking a course in Bryant & Stratton Business College, in Boston. Upon the completion of his training he became associated with his father, with whom he learned the business of the embalmer and undertaker, and also acquired ex- perience in the management of the furniture business. He remained with his father until the death of the latter in 1915, after which the business was operated under the estate of Charles L. Rice. This was con- tinued until 1921, when the concern was incorporated, with Charles E. Rice as treasurer and manager. The undertaking business he took over personally at this time and since then has continued to conduct it in a most scientific and progressive manner. His es- tablishment is at the present time (1928) the best equipped in Rockland, with motor equipment and well- appointed funeral parlors, and it is also the oldest established concern of its kind in town. Mr. Rice is known as an expert in his field, and his courtesy and forethought, together with his quiet and unob- trusive sympathy, have made his services most ac- ceptable to his many patrons. Along with his re- sponsibilities as owner of a successful undertaking business and as manager of a prosperous furniture business, Mr. Rice is also a member of the board of trustees, and clerk of the Rockland Savings Bank. Po- litically, he favors the tenets of the Republican party, in the affairs of which he has always been ready to contribute an active part. Fraternally, he is identi- fied with John Cutler Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of which he has served as Master, of Abington; Pilgrim Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Old Col- ony Commandery, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Rockland Encampment. He is well known in club circles, being a member of Union Glee Club, the Commercial Club, and the Merchant's Association, and his religious affiliation is with the Congregational church, which he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school and as a member of the board of trustees.

Clarence E. Rice was married, April 12, 1892, to Sarah E. Tolman, of Hanover, Massachusetts, daugh- ter of Charles and Elizabeth (Hatch) Tolman. Mr. and Mrs. Rice are the parents of five children: 1. Thornton P., deceased. 2. Louise T., a graduate of the Posse School, married J. T. Eagleton. 3. Miriam P., graduate of the Possé School, married Dana S. Collins. 4. Elizabeth, who is a graduate of St. Law- rence University. 5. Eleanor W., a student in Lasell Seminary.

JOHN J. SPENCE, leather merchant of Rockland, Massachusetts, and sole owner of the leather con- cern established by his father in 1875, was born Oc- tober 4, 1864, in Rockland. He is a son of John and Ann (Foy) Spence; a brother of James William Spence, whose biographical history follows; and

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brother of William H. Spence, both of whom were at one time associated with John J. Spence in their father's leather business.

John J. Spence received his early education in the public schools of Rockland, and graduated from Highland Business College. He then began work in his father's leather establishment, and has since been associated with this concern. He has, however, still found time in which to assume a number of out- side commercial responsibilities, among the more im- portant of which are offices he fills as a director of the Rockland Trust Comany, president of the A. Culver Company, and trustee of the Rockland Sav- ings Bank. Reverting to his basic enterprise, it is of interest to note that this, the leather company, was established in 1875, and now is the oldest concern of its kind in the "Twin Counties." The other two sons of John Spence, the founder, were later ad- mitted to membership in this firm, and they continued thus for a considerable number of years, W. H. Spence severing his connections in 1913, and James W. Spence at an earlier date.

John J. Spence, who has always taken a keen in- terest in the civic and general welfare movements of his community, is, in his political views, non-par- tisan, preferring to see the candidate elected who is best fitted for office, irrespective of the nominating party. Mr. Spence is an active member of the Com- mercial Club of Rockland. He maintains his resi- dence in Rockland, where he attends the Church of the Holy Family.

JAMES WILLIAM SPENCE-The late James William Spence was, at the time of his death, the senior partner of the Rockland Welting Company. He had previously been a member of the firm of John Spence & Company, a leather concern estab- lished in 1875 by John Spence, and now the oldest of its kind in Plymouth County. Thus it will be seen just how prominent was the position filled by Mr. Spence in Rockland. Born on January 4, 1862, at Rockland, he was a son of John and Ann (Foy) Spence.

James William Spence received his early educa- tion in the public schools of the community in which he was born, and graduated from Rockland High School. Such was the manner in which he had ap- plied himself to his studies, and such was the esteem in which he was held by the rest of his class, that he was chosen to deliver the valedictory address upon the day of graduation. After the completion of his scholastic work, Mr. Spence began work in his father's concern. This was in 1887, and he was, from then until the time of his death, prominent in the com- mercial world as a leather merchant. Later, his two brothers, John J. Spence and William H. Spence, were also identified with John Spence & Company. A biography of John J. Spence will be found in the preceding review.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 52

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