USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 63
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 63
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 63
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
On December 19, 1892, at Eastport, Maine, Mr. Eldredge was united in marriage with Emma M. Spates, daughter of George Edward and Mary (Griffin) Spates.
ALBERT AMBROSE THOMAS-From New Hampshire to Nebraska, thence back to Massachu- setts, Albert Ambrose Thomas, of Middleborough, has made a steady success of the business life he has followed and is one of the distinctive citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Albert A. Thomas was born in Nashua, New Hamp- shire, September 15, 1879, son of Albert Shaw Thomas, a grocery merchant and school teacher, and of Am- anda J. (Hall) Thomas. He received his education at the elementary schools and was graduated from the high school at York, Nebraska, afterward attending Burdett Commercial College, in Boston, Massachu- setts. He came to Middleborough, where he be- came cashier of the Middleborough National Bank, then a director in and secretary of the Middleborough Trust Company. Other posts he has held or does hold at this writing are: Director, Plymouth National Bank; director, Middleborough Co-operative Bank; town clerk, treasurer and collector of the town of Middleborough; Deputy Income Tax Assessor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and State Supervisor of Assessors of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is a member and Past Master of Mayflower Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; member of Brockton Council, Royal and Select Masters, a Past Illustrious Master; Hannah Shaw Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star of Massachusetts, a Past Grand Patron. He is also a member of the Middleborough Commercial Club, of which he is past president. He attends the Central Congregational Church of Middleborough.
Mr. Thomas married, in Middleborough, September 27, 1911, Susan Whitehouse.
JOSEPH BELCHER-Among the substantial citizenry of Massachusetts none stands among his fellows with a well-won pride of work of more value than Joseph Belcher, of Randolph, who devoted thirty-five years of an active life to teaching and who has occupied several posts of importance in the educational field.
Joseph Belcher was born in Randolph, October 3, 1854, son of Caleb Belcher, of Holbrook and of Julia (Hollis) Belcher, of Randolph. His father was a merchant in Randolph for many years, during which he attained to a high position of respect among his fellow-citizens, his death occurring in 1902, his wife having died twenty years earlier. Joseph Belcher was educated in the public schools of the town and
was graduated from the Normal School at Bridge- water in the class of 1878. He thereupon began the profession of teaching which he followed for a third of a century and is now retired. He was chairman of the School Board of Randolph and held other offices, among them a seat from Randolph in the State Legislature during 1915 and 1916. During the World War he was chairman of all Red Cross ac- tivities of the locality and headed the Committee of Public Safety there. He is a Republican and attends the Winthrop Congregational Church. He is also president emeritus of the Stoughton Musical So- ciety. His fraternal affiliations include membership in Norfolk Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Grand Master of the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Belcher is a public speaker of high reputation, an acknowledged historian and the author of several poems of high literary worth.
Mr. Belcher married Anna M. Wilde, of Randolph, in 1878, of which marriage was born Wade B., whose death occurred when he was twenty years of age.
KENNETH L. NASH-Prominent among the successful members of the legal profession in Nor- folk County is Kenneth L. Nash who, since 1916, has been engaged in general practice in Boston. Mr. Nash is a Brown University man, and a graduate of Boston University Law School, and he has served in both Houses of the State Legislature.
Kenneth L. Nash was born in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, July 14, 1888, son of Thomas J. Nash, a native of South Weymouth, who was engaged in agricultural activities until his death in 1908, a di- rect descendant of Captain Thomas Nash who fought in the Revolution, and of Alice A. (Holis) Nash, a native of Plymouth County, Massachusetts, who survives her husband. Kenneth L. Nash received his early education in the public schools of Wey- mouth, and after completing the course in Wey- mouth High School matriculated in Brown Univers- ity, from which he was graduated with the class of 1912, receiving at that time the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He had decided to enter the legal profession, and the following fall began professional study in the Law School of Boston University, from which he was graduated in 1916, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the Massachu- setts bar and became a member of the law firm of Plympton, Perrin & Nash. In 1918 that partnership was dissolved and since Mr. Nash has been success- fully engaged in practice alone, with his office at No. 950 Park Square Building, in Boston. In 1918 he was appointed special justice of Norfolk District Court, by Governor McCall. Mr. Nash has always been active in political affairs, and he has served well in public office. In 1914 he began his term as repre- sentative in the Massachusetts State Legislature and served one term, 1914-16, at the end of which time he was elected to the State Senate, where he served in 1917 and 1918, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. During the World War he served as a member of the Legal Advisory Board of Norfolk County. He is a member of Wessagusett Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, also of Orphan's Hope Lodge; Pentalpha Chapter, Royal Arch Mas- ons; South Shore Commandery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Theta
237
PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE
Delta Chi College Fraternity. He is well known in club circles, being a member of the Boston City Club, of the Boston Square and Compass Club, Nor- folk Club, University Club, Brown University Alumni Association, Boston University Alumni Association, and New England Graduate Association. He is fond of baseball and golf and has a host of friends in Boston and in Weymouth, as well as in numerous other communities in this section of the county. His religious interest is with the Congregational church, of which he is an attendant.
MR. AND MRS. WALTER D. BAKER-Promi- nent in the business and social life of Cape Cod, Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. Baker head one of the new, unique and rapidly-growing industries in this locality, the Colonial Candle Company of Cape Cod. In their organization, which has grown so amazingly since its inception in 1908, they specialize in the making of bayberry and solid colored candles, and in originating and producing artistic novelties, for which such a great vogue has recently developed. In these days, when electric lighting has reached such a state of perfection, it is rather anomalous that the demand for candles should increase, but their graceful beauty and soft light appeal greatly to modern civilization. From the idea which came to Mrs. Baker of making bayberry candles for Christmas gifts to friends has evolved an industry which, at the present time (1928), produces more than six thousand candles a day and maintains sales agencies in a number of the principal cities of this country, as well and in Canada and England.
Mr. Baker was born in Hyannis, October 1, 1874, son of Henry H. Baker, who was born in Hyannis in 1835 and died in 1900, and Lucy A. (Rose) Baker, born in this State in 1840 and died in Hyannis in 1926. Henry H. Baker was one of the leading merchants of this vicinity, having established his successful business in 1853.
Walter D. Baker received his education in the local public schools, and after graduating from the Barnstable High School, entered Childs Business Col- lege at Springfield. After completing his course, he returned to Hyannis and became associated with his father's business, being taken into the firm known as H. H. Baker and Son, which continued from 1894 to 1900, when his father died. Mr. Baker then car- ried on the business under his own name, ever mind- ful of the excellent reputation it had previously es- tablished, and it continued to grow and prosper, his success being due to his splendid policy of service and honest dealing, coupled with great energy and thorough application to detail. In 1921, he sold the business, which had increased to the proportions of a modern department store, and devoted all his time to the Colonial Candle Company of Cape Cod, for which he had been active business manager since its inauguration. Mr. Baker takes an active interest in community affairs and is an enthusiastic leader in all projects for its welfare and advancement. He is prominently identified with the Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Industries of Massachu- setts, the Hyannis Board of Trade, the Business Historical Society of Cambridge, the Cape Cod Cham- ber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Hyannis. His religious affiliations are with the Federated Church of Hyannis, of which he acts as clerk. Mr. Baker married in Danvers, September 1, 1907, Mabel M. Kimball.
Mabel M. (Kimball) Baker was born in Danvers, daughter of William H. and Sarah E. (Kimball) Kimball, both of Massachusetts, who were very dis- tantly related and are now deceased. She received her education in the public schools of Danvers, and after high school, entered the State Normal School at Salem and also took special work at the State Normal School at Hyannis. She later taught in the public schools of Wendell, Malden and Danvers, in this State, and in Los Angeles, California, after which she returned East and became principal of the primary department of the Training School at Hy- annis. While teaching in Malden, Mrs. Baker took a special course in drawing and color, and at the Hyannis Normal School, taught handicraft, basketry, weaving and methods in reading. Shortly after her marriage, while endeavoring to secure something original for Christmas gifts to her friends in 1908, she conceived the idea of making candles out of the bayberry bush, having read about the early Colonial method which was used, even in the days of John Alden and Priscilla. Proceeding in the exact manner of the Colonial housewives, who were skilled in the art of making their own candles from the waxy ber- ries of the bayberry which grows so plentifully in New England, she cooked the berries and skimmed off the bavberry wax and then dipped her wicks, finally evolving a beautiful, tapered candle. The sur- prise and pleasure of her friends on receiving these works of art and still of great practical use, was un- bounded and they induced Mrs. Baker to make more. Mr. Baker decided to place some for sale in his de- partment store, and the demand for more exceeded all expectations. Soon other retailers in Boston and other cities began to order and reorder and bayberry pickers were hired, extra help crowded Mrs. Baker's little kitchen and throughout Hyannis, many hands were busy dipping the candles. Mr. Baker in ad- dition to conducting his department store, gave a great part of his time to his wife's enterprise, and the rapid increase in the business was due principally to his idea for producing a solid color hand-dipped candle, and it took many weeks of experimentation by chemists with wax-soluble pigments before the beautiful colored candles were perfected. The Co- lonial Candle Company was the first concern to pro- duce solid color candles, which they now make in thirty-seven colors in their present large and spacious plant. Mrs. Baker's previous training in art and handicraft was of special value to her in her enter- prise, and it was Mr. Baker's long business experi- ence which was of the greatest benefit in merchandis- ing and managing the candle business. Mrs. Baker has always been prominently active in the social life of the community, and for three years was president of the Hyannis Women's Club, and served as super- intendent of the Primary Department of the Sunday school at the Federated Church. At present, she is a member of the board of trustees of this church. She is a director of the Cape Cod Hospital, trustee of the Hyannis Public Library, secretary of the Town Planning Board, director of the Society for Preven- tion of Cruelty to Children, and a member of the Troop Committee of the Girl Scouts, the Art Com- mittee of the Massachusetts State Federation of Wo- men's Clubs and many other organizations. Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of old and esteemed New England families. On his paternal side, Mr. Baker is descended from Francis Baker, who came down from Plymouth in 1639 and married Isabel
238
PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE
Twining at Barnstable, this being the first marriage of white settlers on the Cape. On his maternal side, he is a descendant of John Howland, who was one of the "Mayflower" company. Mrs. Baker is a descend- ant of Richard Warren, who also came on the "May- flower," and it is quite probable that her own an- cestresses made bayberry candles in the early days of the colony in precisely the same manner which she followed, and through which she has made such a contribution to Cape Cod industry by her original idea which has grown into the Colonial Candle Com- pany of Cape Cod, which Mr. and Mrs. Baker con- trol and operate so successfully.
WILLIAM R. THOMAS-Few men of the legal profession in Quincy are better known than is Wil- liam R. Thomas, whose office is located at No. 1419 Hancock Street. Mr. Thomas has been engaged in practice in Quincy since 1900, has been active in local public affairs, and served as a member of the State House of Representatives for three years.
His father, William W. Thomas, was born in Wales, but came to this country as a young man and settled in Quincy, where he was one of the first to engage in the granite manufacturing industry. His business was known as the Thomas and Owens Gran- ite Company, and he was noted as one of the finest granite cutters in Quincy. He made the soldiers' monument in Bridgewater, which is considered one of the best exemplifications of granite work in the country. His death occurred in 1911. He married Mary Swithin, who was born in Scotland and who died in 1924, daughter of Thomas Swithin, who was well known as a contractor in New England, and who put in the sewage systems of the city of Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Among the children of William W. and Mary (Swithin) Thomas was William R.
William R. Thomas was born in Quincy, Mas- sachusetts, September 24, 1871, and received his early and preparatory education in the local public schools. After finishing his high school course, he became a student in the Law School of Boston University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900, receiving at that time the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admit- ted to the bar that same year, and since that time has been engaged in general practice in Quincy, with office located at No. 1419 Hancock Street. He has been admitted to all the courts of the State and to the Federal courts, and has made for himself an assured place in the legal profession. He is a Republican in his political principles and has always taken an active interest in public affairs in Quincy. From 1905 to 1907, inclusive, he served as city solicitor, and from 1909 to 1911, inclusive, he represented Quincy in the Massachusetts House of Representa- tives. During the period of the participation of the United States in the World War he served as a member of the Legal Advisory Board of Norfolk County, and he has always been ready to give gen- erous support to any project which promised ad- vancement to the general welfare of Quincy. Fra- ternally, Mr. Thomas is identified with Quincy Lodge, No. 943, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler. He is fond of all out-of-door sports, and has a host of friends in this community. His religious affiliation is with Christ Episcopal Church.
William R. Thomas was married, in 1911, to Daisy
B. Blood, who was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and who is a direct descendant of Francis Eaton of the "Mayflower."
HERBERT M. PLIMPTON-The town of Nor- wood can boast of no more active and enterprising citizen than Herbert M. Plimpton, president of the Plimpton Press, a book manufacturing concern which prints and binds books, and which has developed a business of national scope. Mr. Plimpton is also treasurer of the Holliston Mills, founded by his brother and himself for the purpose of manufacturing book cloth for publishers. In the affairs of Norwood Mr. Plimpton takes an active and helpful part, and he is also active in philanthropic and club affairs.
Born in Walpole, Massachusetts, May 13, 1859, Mr. Plimpton is a son of Calvin Gay Plimpton, who was engaged in the manufacture of spring axles and in general foundry work, and who died in 1864, and of Priscilla G. (Lewis) Plimpton, whose death oc- curred in 1886, both natives of Walpole. After at- tending the local public schools, Mr. Plimpton con- tinued and completed his studies in Williston Acad- emy, and then, in 1882, after learning the trade of bookbinding of George W. Alexander, New York City, established the firm of H. M. Plimpton & Com- pany of Boston, Massachusetts. In 1897 the business was moved to Norwood, and a complete book-making plant was established. He steadily developed and enlarged his enterprise until at the present time (1928), after forty-six years of expansion, the Plimp- ton Press is handling a volume of business which requires the services of more than eight hundred employees. The concern prints and binds books of all kinds, drawing its patronage from all over the country. The Holliston Mills were founded in 1893 by Mr. Plimpton and his brother, Howard E. Plimp- ton, who died in 1899, Harold E. Shaw being presi- dent, and Herbert M. Plimpton treasurer. The mills now employ about one hundred hands and each year brings a substantial increase in the out- put. In addition to the responsibilities already men- tioned, Mr. Plimpton is a member of the board of di- rectors of the Norwood Trust Company, of the Ded- ham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and a trustee ยท of Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts. He is a Republican in his political sympathies, and is an ac- tive, public-spirited citizen of the town of Norwood. During the World War he served as chairman of the Public Safety Committee, and was also chairman of the committee for procuring the "four-minute" speakers for the various drives. He is well known in club circles, being a member of the Algonquin Club, of Boston; the Brookline Country Club, and of practically all of the local clubs and societies. He is a member of the State Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and president of the Norwood Hospi- tal. He has been untiring in his effort to secure for Norwood the best in the way of educational and civic advantages, and he has always been a generous sup- porter of all projects for the advancement of the wel- fare of the town. His religious affiliation is with the First Congregational Church, which he has served as clerk for thirty years.
Herbert M. Plimpton was married, in 1889, to Frances A. Winslow, of Norwood, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Plimpton are the parents of two sons: 1. Hollis W., who is a graduate of Amherst College, and who married Erma F. Wheatley. 2. George
239
PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE
W., also a graduate of Amherst, who died March 22, 1928.
JOHN JOSEPH HANNIGAN-The residents of Norwood, Massachusetts, have acquired a comfort- able feeling of security, so far as danger from fire is concerned, since John Joseph Hannigan became chief of the fire department of that town. Mr. Han- nigan has been holding that office since May 1, 1926, and during that time he has placed the entire depart- ment on a very sound and efficient basis and has equipped it with thoroughly modern fire-fighting ap- paratus. Some twenty years of experience as a mem- ber of the New York City Fire Department prepared him most thoroughly for his present position, and the citizens of Norwood appreciate the quality of the service he is rendering. Mr. Hannigan is a veteran of the World War.
John Joseph Hannigan was born in New York City, June 8, 1880, son of Patrick Hannigan, a native of County Limerick, who died in 1884, and of Katherine (O'Neill) Hannigan, who was born in County Wexford, Ireland, and who survived her husband, her death occurring in 1925. After attend- ing the public schools Mr. Hannigan completed his education in La Salle Academy, and then, on April 1, 1904, entered the employ of the New York City Fire Department. That connection he maintained continuously until August 25, 1917, when he went to the Officers' Training School, at Plattsburg, New York. He had enlisted as a member of Company D, 201st Regiment, in 1898, for service in the Span- ish-American War, and ranked as a corporal. After the close of the war he became a member of Com- pany E, Signal Corps, Regular Army, and served in the Philippines and in China. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War he was commissioned as first lieutenant in the Signal Corps and was assigned to duty with the Three Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment, Eighty-ninth Division, and served with the American Expeditionary Forces on several battlefronts in France, receiving his dis- charge, October 29, 1919, with the rank of first lieutenant. Meantime, on May 12, 1919, he had again been made a member of the New York City Fire Department, and this time he remained in that con- nection until March 1, 1926, completing in all twenty- one years and eleven months of service there. In March, 1926, he was made chief of the Fire Depart- ment of Norwood, Massachusetts, and since he took charge he has accomplished a great work in modern- izing and making effective the Norwood fire-fighting organization. He is popular among the firemen as well as among the residents of the town in general, and life and property in Norwood are the safer be- cause of his efficient service. Fraternally, Mr. Hanni- gan is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of several local clubs. His religious affiliation is with St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church.
John Joseph Hannigan was married, in 1906, to Julia T. Gillmann, and they are the parents of two children: 1. Dorothy, who was born June 13, 1907. 2. John J., Jr., who was born October 11, 1909.
CHARLES W. JONES-The name of Stretton in New England stands for good underwear, art silk lingerie and dresses, and the name of Charles W. Jones is indissolubly linked with the firm of Charles Stretton & Son, manufacturers of Stretton under-
wear, at Stoughton, Massachusetts. Mr. Jones has been connected with Charles Stretton & Son since he was fourteen years of age. He is a grandson of the original Charles Stretton, an Englishman and head of the family in this country who started the business with the use of a hand machine. When all the Strettons had died he was the logical man to carry on the enterprise, which he has done with marked ability and foresight, to the extent that the company has prospered greatly and taken its place among the important industries of New England.
Charles W. Jones was born February 1, 1874, at Canton, Massachusetts, son of Abraham Jones, a farmer, of Canton, who died about 1873, and the late Mary (Stretton) Jones, of England. He at- tended the public schools several years, but left at the age of fourteen to make his own way in the world. He started winding yarn and served in vari- ous capacities until 1921, when the last surviving member of the Stretton name, Thomas Stretton, died. Mr. Jones then purchased the business with the aid of his brother-in-law, A. S. Southworth, Mr. Jones being president and treasurer and Mr. South- worth vice-president and general manager. The company employs more than fifty people and its products are worn all over the world. The follow- ing monograph prepared by a member of the firm sheds helpful light on the history of the business:
Mr. Charles Stretton, the originator of the Charles Stret. ton & Son Company, was born in Leicester, England, in 1823. When a very young man he learned to operate a ma- chine by hand called a "hand frame," making stockings, lisle thread gloves and fancy knit goods. He gained the reputation of being one of the most expert noted knitters, and could imitate any stitch that was crocheted by hand. In 1851 he was induced by the Charles Spencer Company, of Germantown, Pennsylvania, to come to America, where they promised him a good position. He accepted this offer and sailed for America in 1852. He soon made a home for his family and sent for them the next year. His family con- sisted of a wife and four children, of whom Thomas Stretton was the youngest, being one year old on the day they sailed, November 12, 1853. They came over in what we would call today a small sailing vessel and under the present laws would condemn as unsafe. After seven weeks of very rough weather they docked in Philadelphia, half starved.
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.