USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts of today; a memorial of the state, historical and biographical, issued for the World's Columbian exposition at Chicago > Part 62
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LEONTINE LINCOLN.
Fall River, May 12, 1868, to Miss Amelia S. Duncan, daughter of Rev. John Duncan and Mary A. (Macowan) Duncan, who has borne him two children, Jonathan Thayer Lincoln and Leontine Lincoln, Jr. The degree of A. M. was conferred upon Mr. Lincoln by Brown University in 1889. He is a great lover of books and finds his best recreation in extending his wide knowl- edge of them in his valuable and complete library. Mr. Lincoln is a Republican in politics, believing strongly in the principles of his party, and earnestly advocating protection in every campaign, where his earnest eloquence has contributed much towards the success of the Re- publicans. In his speeches on these occasions he has shown a clear under- standing and a thor- oughly practical grasp of the ques- tions at issue, nota- bly those questions affecting the tariff, on which he has written one very im- portant paper relat- ing to raw material, which has been widely read. His style is forcible, graceful and correct, both in writing and speaking. Mr. Lin- coln's sympathy with all moral and spirit- ual progress is manifest in the unostentatious way in which he devotes his powers to worthy objects apart from business. In his position as chairman of the School Board, it is realized that Mr. Lincoln is likely to have no successor who will conduct the important duties of the office with greater discretion, or aid the mem- bers by a larger fund of knowledge of school affairs. His wide knowledge of men and measures renders him a citizen who is well fitted for the duties of public life.
491
FALL RIVER.
F RANK SHAW STEVENS is a native of Rutland, Vt. He was born in that town, Aug. 6, 1827. He received a common-school education, and then entered a store in Westfield, N. Y., as clerk. After four years' service in the store he made a trip with other 'Forty- niners to the newly discovered gold fields of California. He did not find the rough life of a miner to his liking, however, and soon abandoned it to go into partnership with Henry Durfee in the express business. The young men were succeeding finely when high water came on and they were forced to give up their business. Mr. Stevens then went into the restau- rant business, and subsequently ran a stage line between Sacramento and Placerville. When, in 1854, all the stage lines in California were consolidated under the name of the California Stage Company, he was chosen vice-presi- dent, and had charge of an important di- vision until 1866. On his final return East he settled in Swansea. He still resides in Swansea village, where he is held in high esteem. Mr. Stevens has large business interests in Kentucky, and has been prominently identified with many manufacturing and financial enterprises in Fall River since he became a resident of the vicinity. He is president of the Globe Street Railway Company and the Fall River Merino Company, president of the Metacomet National Bank, and a director in ten local corporations. Mr. Stevens was a Democrat till the first year of the war ; since then he has been an active Republican .; was a State senator in 1884 and a delegate to the National Republican
FRANK S. STEVENS.
Conventions of 1884 and 1888. He has been married twice, his first wife having been Julia A. B. Birch, widow of James E. Birch, of Swansea, to whom he was united in July, 1858, and his second and present wife having been Miss Elizabeth R. Case, of Swansea, to whom Mr. Stevens was married April 22, 1873. They have no children. Mr. Stevens's benefactions in recent years, both public and private, have endeared him to the community ; and his genial disposition makes him welcome wherever he goes. In 1890 he gave to the town of Swansea a town hall of modern architec- ture with a tower, bell and clock. The hall is located in Swansea Village, not far from Mr. Stevens's resi- dence, and is known as Stevens Memo- rial Hall. It affords room for the Swansea Public Library, as well as for town elections and kin- dred uses, and for religious meetings. The seating capacity is five hundred. There are three rooms in the building : a town hall, a library, and a selectmen's room. The structure is of wall stone, taken from Mr. Stevens's fields, with Long- meadow brownstone trimmings. The hall was dedicated Sept. 9, 1891, and the occasion was a memorable one. Mr. Stevens is extremely popular in the social life of Swansea and of Fall River, and at his beautiful home there have been many brilliant social gatherings. He is interested in the raising of fine stock, and has many fine specimens on his farm at Swansea. In political as well as in business circles, Mr. Stevens exerts a strong and healthful influence, and is widely esteemed by his fellow-citizens.
492
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
S IMEON BORDEN CHASE, one of the foremost manufacturers of Fall River, is a native of Ports- mouth, R. I., where he was born Jan. 10, 1849, the son of Borden and Elizabeth (Thomas) Chase. His early days were spent in Portsmouth, and he attended school in that town until he was about eighteen years old. He then went to Providence to take a course of study in Scholfield's Commercial College. Having prepared for the first steps of a business career, he was graduated from the college and became a clerk in the office of the Mer- chants' Mill in Fall River. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Chase went to the West, and spent about a year and a half in Nebraska. Return- ing to Fall River, he resumed his place with the Merchants' Mill, in whose office he had become as- sistant book-keeper before he went to the West. In the year 1875 Mr. Chase left the employ of the Merchants' Manufac- turing Company to accept a more re- sponsible position with another corpo- ration. He became treasurer of the Tecumseh Mills, in which connection he continued until about the year 1882, when he returned to the Merchants' Mill as treasurer. In February, 1885, he became treasurer of the King Philip Mills, which office he has held the past seven years. This corporation is a very large and a very solid one ; is one of the oldest mill concerns in the city and one of the most prosperous. Mr. Chase's interests are by no means confined to the King Philip Mills, for he is also president of the Barnaby Manufacturing Company, and a director of the Tecumseh and Davol Mills, the
SIMEON B. CHASE.
Crystal Spring Bleaching and Dyeing Company, and the Stevens Manufacturing Company. He was married in 1874 to Miss Louise Whitman Hills, and their children are Mary Whitman, Annie Borden, Louise, Genevieve and Florence Chase. Mr. Chase was at one time a member of the Common Council of Fall River, but has never otherwise engaged in the affairs of municipal government, nor held prominent offices of any kind aside from business. He has for many years been an earnest student of economic questions, especially of the tariff, and the result of his study and in- vestigation has led him to a belief in the protective policy. He is a Republican, and in recent politi- cal campaigns has made many clear, direct and effective speeches in behalf of the principle of protection as it is advocated by the Republican party. His ability as a pub- lic speaker has thus become recognized, and he has delivered many lectures and read many essays be- fore various literary societies of the city. His writings are notable for practical insight and original presentation of his views. Especially by his articles and speeches on the tariff question Mr. Chase has established an enviable reputation and become widely known as a vigorous thinker. The many responsible posi- tions which he holds in the manufacturing world and his extended experience render him one of the highest authorities in the Commonwealth on questions relating to his special interests. In the business as well as in the social life of Fall River, Mr. Chase is highly esteemed and very popular for his personal qualities.
493
FALL RIVER.
A NDREW JACKSON JENNINGS, one of the most prominent members of the Fall River bar, was born in that city, Aug. 2, 1849. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Fall River, and after leaving the high school in 1867 he pursued his preparatory studies at Mowry & Goff's Classical School in Providence, R. I. Upon graduating from this insti- tution in 1868, Mr. Jennings matriculated at Brown University and graduated with high honors in the class of 1872. During his college course Mr. Jennings took a lively interest in athletic r sports, and was cap- tain of the base-ball nines of his class and of the univer- sity. After leaving college, Mr. Jennings was for two years principal of the Warren (R. I.) High School, and in 1874 entered upon the study of law, in the office of James M. Morton in Fall River. He then entered the Law School of Bos- ton University, from which he was grad- uated with the degree of LL. B. in May, 1876. Immediately thereafter he was ad- mitted to the bar of Bristol County, and became Mr. Morton's partner, the firm name being Morton & Jennings. This relation continued until 1890, when Mr. Morton was appointed a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. Mr. Jennings subse- quently formed a law partnership with Mr. John S. Brayton, Jr., which was dissolved about a year ago. He is now engaged in the practice of law alone, and has a large and increasing business. Mr. Jennings is consid- ered one of the ablest corporation lawyers in the Com- monwealth, though he by no means confines himself to
this class of practice. He early acquired an enviable reputation as a hard-working, painstaking and consci- entious advocate, and this reputation has been well sustained. Among the qualities which have assured his success are his earnestness and his ability to identify himself thoroughly with the interests of his client. Mr. Jennings was a member of the School Committee of Fall River for three years, during which time he ren- dered valuable aid to the cause of education. He was elected to the Mas- sachusetts House of Representatives in 1877, and served on the Judiciary Com- mittee in that body. Re-elected the fol- lowing year, he again served on the same committee. In 1881 Mr. Jennings was elected to the State Senate, where he was also a member of the Committee on Judi- ciary. He was one of the most active and useful members of the Legislature, and though a strong Republican he was not biassed by par- tisanship. He has at various times taken an active part in politicalcam- paigns, his speeches 1 being remarkable for the effectiveness of their logic. Mr. Jennings has for sev- eral years been a trustee of the corporation of Brown University. He is also identified with several of the leading corporations of the city, being a director in the Merchants' Mfg. Co., the Globe Yarn Mills and the San- ford Spinning Company. In religion, Mr. Jennings is a Baptist. His domestic and social relations have been very pleasant. On Christmas Day, 1879, he was married to Miss Marion G. Saunders, of Warren, R. I., and they have two children, Oliver Saunders and Marion Jennings.
ANDREW J. JENNINGS.
494
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
THE city of Fall River does not rest her fame alone upon her manufactures, or the fact that she has given her name to the most famous of the world's float- ing palaces. She excels in the character of her public men, and to none of them does she offer a more gen- erous meed of respect than to the gentleman upon whose career this slight sketch is based. James Fred- erick Jackson, son of Elisha T. and Caroline (Fobes) Jackson, was born in Taunton, Mass., Nov. 13, 1851. In his boyhood he attended the Taun- ton public schools, and after proper preparation entered Harvard University in 1869, and was graduated therefrom four years later. He went from college, where he studied dil- igently, to the law office of Hon. Ed- mund H. Bennett, in Taunton, and sub- sequently pursued a course in the Boston University Law School, being gradu- ated in 1875. In the September fol- lowing graduation Mr. Jackson opened a law office in Fall River. He practised his profession alone until 1878, when he formed a law partnership with John J. Archer, Esq. Mr. Archer dying in 1882, Mr. Jackson formed a partnership with Mr. David F. Slade, the firm name being Jackson & Slade. In June, 1891, Richard P. Borden, Esq., became a mem- ber, and the firm name was changed to Jackson, Slade & Borden. This firm is at present (1892) one of the leading law firms of Fall River. Mr. Jackson was mar- ried on June 16, 1882, to Miss Caroline S. Thurston, daughter of the late Rev. Eli Thurston, D. D., who was an honored pastor of the Central Congregational Church of
JAMES F. JACKSON.
Fall River, and of Julia A. Thurston, who survives her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have one child, a daughter, Edith. Mr. Jackson has not been without some military experience, having become connected with the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in 1879 ; served as second lieutenant of Company M, First Regiment Infantry ; served as paymaster on Colonel A. C. Wel- lington's staff, and having been elected major and lieu- tenant-colonel, which latter office he resigned in 1891. He was solicitor of Fall River from 1880 to 1889, with the ex- ception of one year, and was elected mayor of the city on the Republican ticket in 1888, and again in 1889. In his practice as a law- yer, both before and since his acceptance of the mayoralty, he has been connected with many very im- portant cases, and has been quite as conspicuous in his legal services in other parts of the State as in Fall River, while his con- duct as city solicitor of the case of the city in the water suits pending dur- ing his administra- tion as mayor was recognized as excep- tionally able and honorable. Mr. Jackson has been connected for years with the Central Congregational Church, of which he is an influential member ; was the first president of the present Fall River Young Men's Christian Association; and is an active promoter of public enterprises, both by reason of his connection with the Fall River Board of Trade and in his capacity as a sound and able business man. On all questions of municipal policy and government, Mr. Jackson's word carries great weight.
GLOUCESTERS
CCUPYING a prominent position on the northern promontory of Massachusetts Bay, a headland about five miles in average breadth and extending about nine miles from the mainland into the Atlantic Ocean, named Cape Ann by Prince Charles of England in honor of his mother, the consort of James I., Gloucester combines in an unusual degree the attractions of woodland, hillside, beach and sea.
Its wholesome ocean breezes, seaside delights and facilities for sailing, fishing and bathing ; its lovely inland byways and rural drives and rambles ; its sweet-scented pastures, covered with the fragrant bayberry, sweet-fern, and acres of wild roses ; and its sightly hills, commanding the most beautiful prospects by sea and land, have made it a favorite summer resort for thousands from all parts of the land.
Its natural location and the enterprising, adventurous and hardy character of its early settlers have made it the leading fish-producing port of the western continent. Its keels part all waters, from the outlying banks of the New England, Canadian and Newfoundland coasts to far-away Greenland, Iceland, and the North Sea. Its white-winged messengers of fishing commerce vie in symmetry of outline, staying qualities and speed with the costly pleasure yacht of the lordly millionnaire. Its hardy sons know no fear, and are deterred by no danger in their pursuit of the finny tribes, and its enterprising merchants are prompt to adopt every device to place their product upon the market in the most attractive and inviting guise.
The first occupation of the territory by white men was in 1623, when a fishing vessel sent out from England completed its cargo in Massachusetts Bay, and proceeded with the same to Spain, leaving fourteen men "in the country at Cape Anne" to commence a plantation. Returning the next year with another vessel, both proceeded to England after an unsuccessful season, leaving thirty-two men behind. In 1625 three vessels were sent out from England with " kine and other provisions," and Roger Conant was summoned from Plymouth as governor of the new colony. But from various causes the enterprise failed, the plantation was broken up, and Mr. Conant and some of the men went further west to Naumkeag to establish the colony at Salem. How soon thereafter Glou- cester became the residence of new settlers it is impossible to tell. It seems to have had permanent residents in 1633 ; fishing operations were conducted as early as 1639, and it was incorporated as a plantation in 1642.
It is now a city of 26,000 inhabitants (incorporated in 1873). Its leading industry is fishing, in which it employs a fleet of 375 vessels, of some 25,000 tons, and from 4,000 to 5,000 men. It has also a large net and twine factory, an anchor factory, three marine railways, and other manufactures incidental to the fisheries ; a shoe factory and other business enterprises ; an excellent system of water supply, gas and electric lighting plants, an electric street railway, railroad and steamboat connection with Boston, a free public library, and numerous institutions of charity and benevolence.
The loving loyalty of her sons is shown by the Old Ladies' Home, the gift of Joseph F. Huntress ; the Home for Aged Men and Women, the Gilbert Hospital, and other benefactions from Addison Gilbert, who left his entire estate for local public benevolence ; the Sawyer Free Library, Ravenswood Park, and charitable endowments from Samuel E. Sawyer, a princely benefactor ; a fund of $10,000 for temperance work from Charles Saunders, and prospective benefits from the estates of John Woodward Lowe and George O. Hovey.
Last summer Gloucester observed the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of her incorporation as a town, with a three days' celebration on a scale of magnificent proportions. The White Squadron and many beautiful private yachts graced the waters of her beautiful harbor ; her sons and daughters came home from distant States to exchange their congratulations with their old-time school-fellows ; her streets were thronged with visitors from far and near to witness the spectacular exhibit ; and statesmen, soldiers, sailors, artists, merchants and men eminent in every walk of life sat at her hospitable board.
Entering thus upon a new era, with bright prospects ahead and energy to secure them, who shall predict her future career? The beauty which Nature provides will always endure to attract visitors to her health-giving shores ; the sea will not refuse its harvests to recompense the toil of her valiant sons, and, with a past to rejoice in, she may confidently look forward to further advance, additional triumphs, and a glory yet to be won.
496
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
A SA G. ANDREWS, mayor of Gloucester, was born in West Gloucester, June 24, 1843. When a child his parents removed to the neighboring town of Essex. Here he spent his childhood, and obtained a good common-school education among a sturdy and well-to-do people, amid pleasant scenes and intelligent companionship. At the age of twenty-one he left this home and branched out for himself, and for five years was in the grocery business at Concord, N. H. He then went to Glou- cester and entered the employment of Charles Parkhurst & Son, and later on acted as agent for the Parkhurst ma- rine railways, which position he filled with ability for six- teen years. Mr. An- drews has been closely identified with the affairs of the city, and has always acted with the Republican party, serving on the city committee for a number of years. In 1880 he was hon- ored by the citizens of Ward Three with an election to the Common Council, and re-elected in 1881. In 1882 he was elected alder- man, and re-elected in 1888 and 1889, the latter year serv- ing as president of the board with credit. During his term of service he was a valuable, conservative and conscientious member of the committees on Public Property, Police, Fire Department and Accounts. As chairman of the Committee on Public Property he had charge of the erection of the handsome new high school building, the new police court house and armory, buildings of which any city may well be proud. His care and attention, and his practical business methods,
made quite a saving in the cost of these well-planned buildings. He was also a member of the board of trustees of the Huntress Home for Aged Ladies. In December, 1890, he was elected mayor by a handsome majority, was re-elected in 1891 and in 1892, and is now serving his third term, an honor which never before has been accorded to any citizen, proving his popularity as a man and a public official. He now devotes his whole time to the affairs of the city, and citizens are sure of a careful hearing when they call on His Honor at the City Hall during office hours. In 1892 the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of Gloucester as a town was celebrated, an arduous year for one occupying the position of mayor. The chief executive acquitted himself with great credit, and proved to be the right man in the right place, taking a great interest in for- warding matters, and aiding the anniver- sary committee in every way to make the occasion, as it proved to be, one of the most successful and well -conducted celebrations ever attempted in the Commonwealth, long to be remembered by all who came from far and near to do honor to the good old city by the sea. Mr. Andrews is a veteran Odd Fellow and a member and past sachem of the Red Men. He is a charter member, director, and member of the invest- ment committee of the co-operative bank. He married, Dec. 21, 1863, Almira C. Haskell, of West Gloucester, and has two daughters living,-M. Addie, wife of Charles H. Coos, of East Gloucester, and Miss Edith G. Andrews.
ASA G. ANDREWS.
497
GLOUCESTER.
S YLVANUS SMITH was born in Sandy Bay (now Rockport), Gloucester, March 10, 1829. He was a son of William and Charlotte (Poole) Smith. Cap- tain Smith's great-grandfather was born on Castle Island, in Boston Harbor, in colonial days, and served as a privateersman in the Revolutionary War. His father, William, lived to a venerable age, dying in Gloucester, May 18, 1883, lacking only a month of the age of 85. His mother belonged to a family long and intimately connected with the history of the town. Captain Smith's edu- cation was received in the public schools of his native village. In those days the boys had to "lend a hand," and at eleven years of age he started out to earn a living as an operative fisher- man. By hard work, perseverance and a determination to suc- ceed, he worked his way up to be master of his craft, then owner and outfitter of a large fleet. In 1864 he entered into partnership with Cap- tain Joseph Rowe, also a successful mas- ter-mariner in the fishing trade, engag- ing in the business on an extensive scale. In 1867 the copart- nership was dis- solved,Captain Smith continuing the business with Addison Gott, Jr., the firm continuing for ten years, when Mr. Gott retired, and later Captain Smith took as a partner his son-in-law, E. Archer Bradley, and afterwards admitted his son, Howard F. Smith, under the style of Sylvanus Smith & Co. The business is still conducted on an extensive scale, fitting a large fleet and handling large quantities of fish. In politics Captain Smith is an ardent Repub- lican, and he is now serving his second term as a mem-
SYLVANUS SMITH.
ber of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he has made a good record as an industrious and useful member, particularly on matters connected with the fishing and maritime interests, in which he is well versed. He is popular in his party and out of it, and no doubt will win other honors in the political field if he desires to do so. He has represented the fishery interests of his native city on several occasions at Washington, Halifax, etc., when practical information was desired to pro- tect the rights of the fishermen and out-
fitters. He has been a director of the Gloucester Mutual Fishing Insurance Company for the past twenty-five years; for nearly twenty years a director of the First National Bank of Gloucester ; vice- president and di- rector of the Glouces- ter Net and Twine Company for the past eight years, and pres- ident of the Glouces- ter Board of Trade in 1890 and 1891. Captain Smith has been twice married, -first to Sarah P. Atwood, who died without issue. His second wife is Eliza C., daughter of Charles and Harriet (Smith) Rowe, of Rockport, by whom he has had twelve children, five of whom are now living, viz., two daughters, -Martha, wife of E. Archer Brad- ley, and Eliza, wife of Fred. A. Fisher,-and three sons, Howard F., Horace and Sylvanus. He is an excel- lent representative of the hardy men who have done so much to develop the fishery interests of Gloucester, and, having accumulated a handsome estate, is content to commit a portion of the responsibility to younger men, and devote his time to public duties.
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