USA > Massachusetts > One of a thousand, a series of biographical sketches of one thousand representative men resident in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, A.D. 1888-'89; > Part 76
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Mr. Randall was a member of the state Senate in 1883 and '84, serving upon the
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committees on mercantile affairs and en- grossed bills, acting the latter year as chairman of the committee on mercantile affairs.
Although he has engaged in no active business since his return from Europe, he is a director and stockholder in various manufacturing companies.
Mr. Randall was elected to the national House of Representatives (51st Congress) in 1888.
He was married in New Bedford, No- vember 10, 1851, to Sarah Spooner, daugh- ter of Jireh and Nancy (Nye) Perry. Of this union were two children : Harriet
CHARLES S. RANDALL.
(Mrs. Walter Clifford, New Bedford) and Sarah (Mrs. John W. Griswold, Troy, N.Y.)
Mr. Randall is a lineal descendant on his father's side from Tristram Coffin, who landed in Nantucket in 1640. His grand- mother was Jerusha Coffin, a descendant of Tristram. On his mother's side his descent is direct from Samuel Sturtevant, a surveyor, who was in Plymouth as early as 1637, and Richard Bourne, one of the incorporators of Sandwich in 1637. Mr. Randall now owns the farm in Plym- outh county (Rochester) settled in 1699 by Charles Sturtevant, who married the grand- daughter of Rev. Samuel Arnold, the first minister settled over the town of Roches-
ter. Charles Sturtevant, the grandfather of Mr. Randall, was in the battle of Lex- ington, corporal of a company of militia from Rochester.
RANDALL, WILLIAM PRITCHARD, son of George and Martha (Sturtevant) Ran- dall, was born in New Bedford, Bristol county, November 30, 1832.
He was educated at the Friends' Acad- emy in New Bedford, at Andover, and later was four years in the College du Havre, at Havre, France. After graduat- ing he chose the sea as his profession, and was an experienced navigator and ship- master at the opening of the war in 1861, and was about to sail in command of a merchant ship at that time. He gave up his command, offered his services to the United States, and on the 24th of July, 1861, was appointed an acting master in the United States navy. As an endorsement for his standing and ability, he had pre- viously presented to the government a cer- tificate signed by the president of every insurance company in New Bedford, to the effect that their offices would insure any vessel under his command at the lowest rates of insurance.
He was first ordered to the "Cumber- land," and served on that vessel at the capture of Forts Clarke and Hatteras, and in the contest with the "Merrimac " at Newport News, March 8, 1862. He was in command of the after pivot-gun, which was the last gun fired on the ship in that mem- orable contest. On the 28th of May, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of volunteer lieutenant, and served on the gun-boat " Port Royal " through that summer. From January 26, 1863, he commanded the Unit- ed States bark " Pursuit " until August 12, 1864, and from that date he commanded the United States bark " Restless" until Feb- ruary 23, 1865, when he took command of the United States steamer "Hendrick Hudson," and remained in that command until March 9, 1865. On the 17th of March, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of volunteer lieutenant-commander. On the 19th of December, 1865, he was honor- ably discharged from the United States navy, with the rank of lieutenant-com- mander. On the 26th of November, 1866, he was appointed as acting master in the regular navy. March 12, 1868, he received a commission as ensign, and was promoted to lieutenant, March 21, 1870.
Since that time Mr. Randall has served in that rank, and has rendered very valu- able service to the government. His rec- ord is without spot or stain. He was de-
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sirous of remaining on the active list, but when the time for promotion came, al- though mentally and morally qualified, he was found physically disqualified, and on February 15, 1882, he was placed upon the retired list as a lieutenant.
In the action between the "Cumber- land" and the "Merrimac" in 1862, he received the injuries which later on pre- vented his promotion, but which through- out his twenty years of service had not in- terfered with the prompt and entirely effi- cient performance of his duties. By a special act of Congress, passed in 1885, he was retired with the rank and pay of a lieutenant-commander, which he would have received had he remained in the service.
RANNEY, AMBROSE A., son of Wait- still R. and Phœbe (Atwood) Ranney, was born in Townshend, Windham county, Vt., April 16, 1821.
He fitted for college at the Townshend Academy, and was graduated from Dart- mouth College in the class of 1844. His early life was spent on the home farm until he was nineteen years of age. His father was the leading physician of his native place, and was, for two years, lieu- tenant-governor of the state of Vermont.
After graduation he studied law with Hon. Andrew Tracy in Woodstock, Vt., and was admitted to the bar in Vermont in December, 1847. He immediately re- moved to Boston, and was admitted to the Suffolk bar in June, 1848.
Mr. Ranney was married in Cavendish, Vt., December 4, 1850, to Maria D., daugh- ter of Addison and Maria (Ingals) Fletcher.
Of this union were four children : Fletcher Ranney (now a partner in his law firm), Maria F., Helen M., and Alice Ran- ney (now Mrs. Thomas Allen).
He was city solicitor for Boston 1855 and '56 ; member of the House of Repre- sentatives 1857, '63 and '64; elected to Congress in 1880, as a Republican, from the 3d congressional district ; was twice re-elected, serving through the 47th, 48th and 49th Congresses. He joined the Re- publican party at its organization, and has ever since remained a staunch and active worker in its ranks.
He served two terms in Congress on the committee on elections, investigating frauds and rendering most valuable service in the interests of fair elections and the integrity of the ballot-box, dealing, as had been his wont at the bar, heavy blows in his condemnation of all frauds and in- fringements of the rights of citizens.
RANNEY.
During the last term he was a member of the judiciary committee and was ap- pointed at the head of a special committee on the Republican side of the House to in- vestigate the famous Pan Electric scheme, involving the reputation and conduct of high governmental officials and exciting great public interest. His services on this committee are a matter of honorable record.
His absorbing aim and ambition was, however, in the profession of the law. In this, before entering Congress, he had achieved eminent success in faine and for- tune. He had been only a few years at the bar when the office of city solicitor was conferred upon him, and his duties therein were discharged with entire satis- faction to all. He had little taste for politics, and political honors have at all
AMBROSE A. RANNEY.
times been thrust upon him, rather than sought for. But during his legislative service, both state and national, he won the respect and esteem of all parties, and impressed the public generally by his manly bearing, his fidelity to duty, as he understood it, and his great ability as a profound lawyer, and a successful legisla- tor. He may be said to have achieved a national reputation. While his return to private life, and his chosen profession, may
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have been more congenial to him, his loss to the public service was the cause of deep regret among all who knew him and appre- ciated his virtues.
RANNEY, HENRY SEARS, son of George and Achsah (Sears) Ranney, was born in Ashfield, Franklin county, March 5, 1817.
His early education was obtained in the common schools of his native town and in Sanderson Academy.
He began life as a clerk in mercantile business in Ashfield, 1833, in which busi- ness he remained eight years.
Between the years 1841 and '58 he was in the same business on his own account for fourteen years, and in same business four years in Boston, in partnership with his brother-in-law, the late George C. Goodwin.
He has spent the greater part of the last twenty-five years in Ashfield, his pres- ent residence. His tastes lead him into agricultural pursuits, in which he passes the time not given to the public service as a justice of the peace, town clerk and general factotum for the village. Possess- ing the confidence of his townsmen, he has held various municipal offices, has been town clerk forty-one years, and justice for thirty-eight years. He served the Com- monwealth as representative from his dis- trict during the years 1852 and '68.
Mr. Ranney was married in Ashfield, June 20, 1844, to Maria Jane, daughter of Anson Goodwin of Ashfield. Mrs. Ranney died January 14, 1855, leaving two chil- dren : Ralph H. and Ella L. (Mrs. Albert Packard) Ranney. Both are now deceased. Mr. Ranney's second marriage was at Ash- field, June 26, 1856, to Julia A., daughter of Francis Bassett.
RANTOUL, ROBERT SAMUEL, son of Robert Rantoul, Jr., and Jane Elizabeth (Woodbury) Rantoul, was born in Beverly, Essex county, June 2, 1832. In 1769 his paternal ancestor, Robert Rantoul, at the age of sixteen, came to Boston from Kin- ross in a British man-of-war, and subse- quently commanded Salem ships and was lost at sea, off Virginia capes, in the "Iris," in March, 1783. The name is traced in Kinross as far back as 1359.
His early educational training was re- ceived at the Beverly Academy and the Boston Latin school, where he prepared for college. He entered Harvard, gradu- ating in the class of 1853, and choosing the profession of the law, was graduated from the Dane law school, Harvard Uni- versity, class of 1856.
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Mr. Rantoul was married in Salem, May 13, 1858, to Harriet C., daughter of David A. and Harriet C. (Price) Neal.
Mr. Rantoul represented Beverly in the lower branch of the Legislature in 1858, and the city of Salem in 1884 and '85. He was appointed by President Lincoln, in 1865, collector of the port of Salem and Beverly, and served until 1869.
He was active in bringing the water from Wenham Lake into Salem, 1863-'68 ; was arbitrator between the Commonwealth and the Massachusetts Historical Society in the matter of the Hutchinson papers in 1873 ; was orator at the centennial cele- bration of American independence, at Stuttgart, Würtemberg, 1876, and at the commemoration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Winthrop's landing at Salem, in 1880. He is a vice-president of the Essex Institute. He resides at Salem in the winter, and at Beverly Farms in the summer months.
Among other writings he has published the following : " Notes on Wenham Pond " (1864) ; "The Cod in Massachusetts His- tory " (1865) ; "Address on Taking the Chair of the Essex Liberal Conference" (1869) ; "Port of Salem " (1870) ; " Notes on Old Modes of Travel " (1872) ; report as arbitrator between the Commonwealth and the Massachusetts Historical Society (1874) ; "The Essex Junto," "The Long Embargo," " The Great Topsfield Caucus of 1808 " (1882) ; "Authenticity of the Por- traits of Governor Endicott " (1883) ; re- ports to the Massachusetts Legislature against abolishing the poll-tax qualifi- cation (1885), and against the biennial amendments (1884-'5) ; " Material for a History of the Name and Family of Ren- toul - Rintoul - Rantoul " ( 1885 ) ; "A Contribution to the History of the Ancient Family of Woodbury " (1887), and "The Spirit of the Early Lyceums " (1888).
RAY, JAMES PAINE, son of Joseph and Lydia (Paine) Ray, was born in South Mendon (now East Blackstone), Worcester county, August 1, 1820.
He attended the common and high schools in Bellingham and Uxbridge, and the Manual Labor School in Worcester, and at the early age of fifteen he took charge of a district school in Northbridge, which he taught one term. He was then employed as a clerk in a store in Upton, and subsequently worked in a cotton fac- tory in South Mendon.
In 1837, lacking four years of his major- ity, with a capital of seven dollars, he be- gan to make cotton batting on his own
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account in Franklin. In 1839 he moved to Unionville, adding to his plant the manu- facture of wicking.
On May 31, 1843, at Franklin, he mar- ried Susan, daughter of Captain Alfred and Eleanor (Hawes) Knapp, of Franklin. Their children are : Edgar Knapp, James Francis, and Alfred Knapp Ray.
Mr. Ray continued until 1844 in the manufacture of cotton batting, wicking, twine, etc., in Unionville, when he was brought into financial embarrassment by the partner of a Boston commission house which was handling his goods. He was enabled, however, to get an extension of time, and in 1847, having met the last of
JAMES P. RAY.
his obligations, he resumed his business career, which has since been most prosper- ous. He represented the town of Franklin in the state Legislature of 1861, and fur- nished all the recruits for the war, paying for them out of his own pocket, and waited until the town had a right to reimburse him.
In 1865 Mr. Ray removed to Woon- socket, where he remained until 1871, when he returned to Franklin. He again represented that town in the Legislature of 1877, and was a member of the state Senate in 1886 and '81.
Up to the time of removing to Franklin the firm had seen many changes ; two
RAY.
brothers had been associated, then a third was taken in as a partner. In 1860 the firm of Ray Brothers was dissolved, Francis B. retiring, and the business being con- tinued by James P. and Joseph G., under the firm name of J. P. & J. G. Ray. In 1873 the firm of Ray, Rathbun & Co. was organized at Woonsocket. Previous to this time the Ray brothers had bought and enlarged a mill in North Bellingham for the manufacture of satinets, under the firm name of Ray's Woolen Company, James P. Ray, president. Ray, Rathbun & Mc- Kenzie built a factory in Franklin for the manufacture of felting, and in 1877, J. P. & J. G. Ray built a factory for the manu- facture of fancy cassimeres.
In 1878 the Messrs. Ray purchased the property of the Putnam Manufacturing Company, Putnam, Conn., and made a stock company, of which James P. Ray is president. They also bought the interest of Mr. Eaton, in the firm of Eaton & Wil- son, Medway, and now manufacture batting there under the firm name of Ray & Wilson. James P., with Edgar K., his son, bought the George C. Ballou mill in Woonsocket, R. I., where they manufacture cotton goods under the firm name of J. P. & E. K. Ray. The same firm own the Windsor Mills at Greenville, R. I.
The progress of James P. Ray and his associates since 1847 has been steady and successful. Beginning in both branches of the textile industry in their simpler and coarser forms, they have reached the finest fabrics in both, without dropping any one branch or grade of work when taking on another.
Mr. Ray is president of the following corporations : City Mills Company, City Mills ; First National Bank of Franklin ; the Milford, Franklin & Providence Rail- road Company, and the Rhode Island & Massachusetts Railroad Company ( Massa- chusetts division). He is the treasurer of the Franklin Cotton Manufacturing Com- pany, and president of the Woonsocket Horse Railroad Company, owning a con- trolling interest in the latter. He is also the president of the recently organized Dean Co-operative Bank of Franklin.
RAY, JOSEPH G., son of Joseph and Lydia (Paine) Ray, was born in South Mendon (now East Blackstone), Worcester county, October 4, 1831.
Up to the age of twelve years he was educated at the public schools of his native town ; he then passed a year at school at Nashua, N. H., and in 1847, having saved sufficient money for the purpose, he went
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for a year to a school in Walpole, N. H. From the age of eight years he was work- ing mornings and evenings for his brother at Unionville, manufacturing twine. From that time until he left school, he was em- ployed in the various departments of the mill, and became quite an expert in the work carried on there.
JOSEPH G. RAY.
In 1850, with his brother Francis, he started the first rag-picker in that district, and laid the foundation of the first shoddy mill in New England, under the firm title of Ray Brothers. In 1860 this firm was dissolved, Francis B. Ray retiring. The business was then carried on by J. P. & J. G. Ray, who purchased the Bartlett mill at Woonsocket, R. I., and engaged in the manufacture of cotton sheetings. In 1865 they purchased a woolen mill in North Bellingham, for the manufacture of satinets. In 1870 they built a mill at Franklin Centre for the manufacture of shoddy, and in 1877 another in Franklin for the manufacture of fancy cassimeres.
Joseph G. Ray was chosen to represent Blackstone in the Legislature in 1859, he being then twenty-eight years of age. In 1869 he was elected senator by the Nor- folk district, in which he resided. In 1884 he was elected a delegate to the national Republican convention at Chicago, by the
9th congressional district of Massachu- setts. He has for several years past been chairman of the Republican town com- mittee.
He is treasurer of Ray's Woolen Com- pany, City Mills Company, Massachusetts & Rhode Island Railroad, and the Milford & Providence Railroad, president of the Franklin Library Association, a director of the Franklin National Bank, and a trustee of Dean Academy, Franklin.
Mr. Ray was married at East Black- stone, in 1854, to Emily, daughter of Col. Joseph and Annie Rockwood, by whom he has two children : Lydia P. and Annie R. Ray.
The business of Mr. Ray and his asso- ciates, since 1850, has covered all the ground in both cotton and woolen textile industries, from batting to finished cotton cloths, and from shoddy to fancy cassi- meres.
RAY, WILLIAM FRANCIS, only child of Francis B. and Susan B. (Rockwood) Ray, was born in Franklin, Norfolk county, March 2, 1854.
WILLIAM F. RAY.
He enjoyed the educational advantages furnished by the public schools of his na- tive town, preparing for college in Dean Academy, from which he was graduated in 1870. He entered Brown University,
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Providence, R. I., and was graduated in the class of 1874.
He then joined his father in the woolen business, remaining until 1883, when he went into business for himself. He is now treasurer and manager of the Norfolk Woolen Company.
Mr. Ray was married in Chelsea, De- cember 25, 1875, to Harriet Phipps, daughter of Charles A. and Mary J. (Phipps) Richardson. Of this union were five children : Mabel, Maude Louise, Charles A. R., William F., and Alice Mar- jorie Ray.
Mr. Ray has been called to serve his town and state in various offices. He has been chief of the fire department, selectman, member of the school board; has been moderator at the town meetings for many years, and represented the 9th Norfolk district in the House of Representatives in the sessions of 1885 and '87, serving upon the committees on manufactures, pay- roll, and public service, and on the. child labor commission.
RAYMOND, JOHN MARSHALL, son of Alfred A. and Sarah (Buffum) Raymond, was born in Salem, Essex county, June 16, 1852.
He received his educational training in the common schools of Salem, the Friends' boarding-school, Providence, R. I., and the Boston University law school, graduating from the latter institution in the class of 1878.
His first connection in business was as a clerk in a crockery store. He was after- wards connected with the freight depart- ment of the Eastern and Boston & Lowell railroads, at Salem, and still later was station agent at l'eabody.
In October, 1878, Mr. Raymond was admitted to the Essex county bar, and immediately began the practice of his pro- fession in Salem, where he has since re- sided.
In June, 1879, at Salem, he was married to Anna Belle, daughter of John Jackson, by whom he had three children : Eva S., Helen J., and Grace Raymond, the latter dying in 1884. Mrs. Raymond died in January, 1885.
Mr. Raymond is a member of the Essex Lodge of Masons, Scottish Rites, 2d lieu- tenant - commander, Massachusetts Con- sistory; 32d degree Mason; a member of the Winslow Lewis Commandery, K. T .; Sutton Chapter Royal Arch Masons and Council Royal Arch Masons ; is past grand of Fraternity Lodge, I. O. O. F .; president of Salem Mutual Benefit Association, one
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of the oldest benefit associations in the State. He is also president of the Salem Co-operative Bank, and chairman of the trustees of the Salem public library.
In 1880 Mr. Raymond was a member of the executive council, in 1881 and '82 president of the Salem common council, and in 1885, '86, '87 and '88 mayor of the city of Salem.
Four times chosen to the office of mayor, Mr. Raymond was instrumental in estab- lishing the public library of Salem, and also in increasing the rate of liquor licenses before the late act of the Legislature. Many of the reforms which have tended to the growth and improvement of the city of Salem were conceived by him and successfully carried out during his adminis- tration. After two terms Mr. Raymond decided not to again stand for mayor, but in answer to a petition of the leading men of Salem, he once more consented to be a candidate, and was elected by a largely increased majority.
READ, FRANKLIN F., son of Festus and Rebecca (Blackman) Read, was born at Windsor, Berkshire county, June 14, 1827, and moved to Pittsfield in 1836.
He was educated at the common schools ; was in California in 1851-'52, after which he began his first mercantile employment in the groceries and meat business in 1854. Resigning from that occupation in 1876, he devoted his attention to insurance and to the ice business. He is now largely en- gaged as public administrator in the settle- ment of estates.
On the 9th of August, 1857, in Pittsfield, Mr. Read was married to Martha C., daughter of James B. and Lydia (Plant) Butler. Their only living child is : Frank- lin F. Read, Jr.
For four years Mr. Read was assessor and tax-collector in Pittsfield, and for one year served as selectman. He has been treasurer and a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is actively identified with several benevolent societies, being well known in his community as a man of influence and energy, upholding all social and religious movements towards reform.
READ, JOSEPH HENRY, son of Zaccheus and Mary (Heyward) Read, was born in Westford, Middlesex county, August 5, 1835.
After securing a common school educa- tion in the public schools of his native town, he availed himself of a course of study in the Springfield English and Clas-
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sical school, and afterward at Westford Academy
He chose farming for a calling, and has made no change since.
Mr. Read was married in Westford, Jan- uary 13, 1857, to Mary Eleanor, daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Beebe) Falls. Of this union were six children : M. Alice, Carrie E., Nelie A., Abbie M., Henry B. and Florence H. Read.
J, HENRY READ,
He has held the various town offices, as selectman, overseer of the poor, school committee, auditor, etc. He has been a director in the Stony Brook R. R. since 1873, and a director and secretary of the Westford Mutual Fire Insurance Company since 1876.
He was a representative to the General Court in 1872-'3, and has been commis- sioner of Middlesex county, since January, 1876.
His residence is Westford.
READE, JOHN, son of Patrick and Mary (O'Neil) Reade, was born in Kil- kenny, Ireland, December 1, 1825.
Coming to this country at an early age, he obtained the advantages of a common school education. In 1846 he entered the woolen mill at Waterford, Conn., as a spin- ner, remaining there a year and a half. He then went to Milford in 1848, and took
charge of one of the departments in the woolen mill : remained there nearly twenty years, being engaged in the boot and shoe business, and also in the real estate busi- ness, accumulating considerable wealth, the largest portion of which was spent in organizing companies for the war. He removed to Charlestown in 1868, where he still resides, his business being a dealer in real estate, auctioneer, undertaker, and stable-keeper.
In 1851 Mr. Reade was married, in Lei- cester, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Riley) Hogan. Of this union are three children now living : Vincent de Paul, George E., and Nellie T. Reade.
Mr. Reade has been a member of the Democratic ward and city committee for many years ; also a member of the Chari- table Irish Society, and Montgomery Light Guards ; president of the local lodge of
JOHN READE.
the Land League ; treasurer of the Ancient Order of Hibernians ; colonel of Thomas Francis Meagher Post 3, Veteran Union, and has been a member of Post II, G. A. R., for twenty years. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1880, and was re-elected the two succeeding years, 1881-'82.
In 1861 he organized, at his own ex- pense, a company of the 48th Massachu-
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setts regiment, and went with them to the front ; was afterward attached to the 27th regiment, and was taken prisoner at Peters- burg, July 30, 1864. He was the only commissioned officer left when captured at the mine, all the rest being killed, wounded or sick ; was an inmate of the rebel prison for over seven months, and at the end of the war was commissioned captain by Presi- dent Johnson, for his brave and valuable services during the rebellion. He also raised a company for the 57th veterans.
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