USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 15
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
When cotton manufacturing received a new impetus after the Civil war, Dr. Davis became one of the foremost in the organization of com- panies to engage in that industry. He has been active and influential in fostering and promoting the development of cotton manufactories in Fall River; and is president of the Wampanoag and Stafford Mills, a director in the Merchants' and Robeson Mills, and president of the Algonquin Printing Company.
In the fall of 1848 Dr. Davis married Sarah Congdon Wilbur, daugh- ter of Dr. Thomas Wilbur, of Fall River. She died in 1856, and in 1862 he married Susan A. Haight, daughter of Moses Haight, of West: chester county, N. Y. They have one son, Robert C. Davis, born in 1875, who was graduated from Harvard College in 1897 and is now a student at Harvard Law School.
Digitized by Google
784
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
JONATHAN SLADE.
JONATHAN SLADE, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Somerset, is a lineal descendant in the sixth generation from William Slade, who was admitted a freeman in Rhode Island in 1658. The family is of Welsh origin. In 1680 William Slade, removed to Swan- sea, now Somerset, Bristol county, Mass., where he became a large land owner, some of which is now owned and occupied by the subject of this sketch. He was the first white man to own and operate Slade's ferry, which, tradition says, was previously run by the Indians. This ferry crossed the river between Somerset and Fall River a short dis- tance above the present Slade's ferry bridge, and was operated by the Slade family for nearly two hundred years, or until the bridge super- seded it in 1876. William Slade married Sarah, daughter of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, of Rehoboth, and had three sons and seven daugh- ters, the former being Jonathan, Edward, and William, jr. He died several years later, leaving 535 descendants. Edward Slade (2) was a member of the Society of Friends, and had a son Samuel (3), a native of Somerset, who received the historic ferry from his uncle, Capt. Jon- athan Slade. Samuel Slade was also a farmer and blacksmith, and by his wife, Mary Buffum, of Salem, had nine sons. Jonathan Slade (4), the eldest, was born about 1743 and died in 1811. He married Mary Chace, and their children were Jonathan, William, Nathan, Mercy, Patience, Lydia, Annie and Phebe. William Slade (5) was born in Somerset, then Swansea, in July, 1780, and was a farmer and also owned and operated Slade's ferry until his death, which occurred Sep. tember 7, 1852. He placed a horse-boat on the ferry in 1826 and re- placed this with a steamboat in 1846. He held several town offices, and was one of the original proprietors of the Pocasset and Watuppa Manufacturing Companies of Fall River. He married Phebe, daugh- ter of William Lawton, and their children were Abigail L., Lydia A., Amanda, Jonathan, William L., David and Mary, all born on the an- cestral farm now owned and occupied by the subject of this article. Mrs. Slade, died March 18, 1874, and like her husband was a member of the Society of Friends.
Jonathan Slade, eldest son of William and Phebe (Lawton) Slade, was born in Somerset, where he now resides, September 23, 1815. He attended the common schools of his native town and also spent a few months at the Friends Academy in Providence, R. I., and has always
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
Gabelman Mela Started.
Stephen A Brownell
Digitized by Google
785
BIOGRAPHICAL
followed the ocupation of a farmer, residing continuously on the an- cestral homestead. He also continued to operate the ferry from the time of his father's death until it was superseded by the bridge in 1876. With his brother, William L., and others, he became one of the found. ers of the celebrated Slade Cotton Mills in Fall River in 1871, and served as a director of the corporation until his brother's death July 29, 1895, since which time he has been president. He was also one of the original directors of the Davol Mills, and is now a director of the Meta- comet National Bank of Fall River. In politics he is a consistent Re- publican, and for many years took an active part in the affairs of his party, serving his town as selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor, and school committeman. He also attended county and other Repub- lican conventions, and in 1849 and 1850 served with great ability and efficiency as a member of the lower house of the Massachusetts Legis. lature. He is a public spirited, patriotic, and enterprising citizen, a man of strict integrity and great force of character, and a typical New Englander, represesenting that old school of thought and culture which laid the foundation of modern progress and prosperity.
Mr. Slade was married in July, 1841, to Caroline B., daughter of Dr. John Winslow, of Swansea, Mass. She died February 1, 1845, aged thirty-three, leaving one son, William W., now a farmer in Swan- sea. May 29, 1851, he married for his second wife Emaline, daughter of Salmon and Rebecca Hooper, of Walpole, N. H., born February 23, 1820. They have one son, David F. Slade, born November 5, 1855, who was graduated from Brown University in 1880 and from the Bos- ton University Law School in 1883, and is now a successful lawyer in Fall River.
STEPHEN A. BROWNELL.
STEPHEN ALLEN BROWNELL, one of the most prominent citizens of New Bedford, was born in Westport, Mass., January 5, 1844. He was a grandson of Jirah and Sarah (Kirby) Brownell and a great grandson of Benjamin Brownell and Abigail Milk. Ezra P. Brownell, his father, was born in Westport on the 10th of August, 1819, attended the com- mon schools and Pierce Academy, and died September 6, 1870. He was a member of the school committee of Westport for nineteen years from 1845 to 1866, a member of the auditing committee, selectmen of
99
Digitized by Google
786
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
the town ten years, chairman of the board seven years, member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for nine years between 1857 to 1869, State senator in 1861, and county commissioner from 1865 to 1868. His wife's maiden name was Ann Maria Allen.
Stephen A. Brownell attended the common schools of his native town, was graduated from Pierce Academy at Middleborough, and afterwards taught country school for four terms. From 1864 to 1870 he carried on a general store in Central Village in Westport, serving also as postmaster, and subsequently for six years he was engaged in the live cattle trade, to which was soon added the business of butchering. In April, 1878, he came to New Bedford and entered the wholesale meat house of Pardon Cornell as manager, which position he held for six years, when he became a partner under the firm name of P. Cornell & Co .: In 1890 he succeeded to the business of this firm, becoming the New. Bedford agent for P. D. Armour & Co., of Chicago, under the style of Stephen A. Brownell. In the fall of 1897 a spacious new build- ing was completed on the east side of Front street, between Union and Central streets, and in October of that year John W. Bannister, who had been connected with the business for sixteen years, was admitted to partnership under the present firm name of S. A. Brownell & Co.
Mr. Brownell not only represented the largest wholesale meat estab- lishment in New Bedford, but was also prominently and actively identi- fied with various other enterprises of more than local importance. He was a director of the New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company, the New Bedford Co-operative Bank, the Strange Forge Drill and Tool Company, of which he was at one time president, and was a director for three years of the Dartmouth and Westport Electric Railroad Com- pany, and declined re-election. He was also president of the New Bed- ford Board of Trade, and from 1895 until his death one of the proprie- tors of the Mansion House, his partner being Benjamin Dawson. This famous and popular hostelry was originally the residence of William Rotch. It was opened as a hotel December 18, 1828, by J. Webster, and was enlarged in 1887 and again in 1891.
.
Mr. Brownell's political career began when he was a resident of West- port. He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representa- tives in 1870-71. Afterward he took an active interest in public affairs, and his ability and sagacity as a leader won for him both distinction and honor. In New Bedford he was a member of the Com- mon Council in 1886 and 1887, a member of the Board of Aldermen in
Digitized by Google
787
BIOGRAPHICAL.
1888, 1890, 1891 and 1892, and mayor of the city in 1894 .. In all these positions he not only exhibited the highest qualities of leadership, but served with great fidelity and credit, gaining an enviable reputation as an honest, conscientious, and faithful official. He was justly called the father of New Bedford's extensive public park system, and did more to develop public sentiment in this direction and accomplished more in locating and improving the public parks than any other citizen. And the result of his efforts in this respect during the last fifteen years reflects great credit upon his untiring energy and excellent foresight. In 1898 he was president of the Common Council of. New Bedford, and as such he was a member of the School Committee, the Board of Public Works, the Finance Committee, and the Park Board, and a trus- tee of the Free Public Library, and during his term as mayor he was president or chairman of these same bodies; ' Early in December, 1898, he was again elected to the City Council, and died, in New Bedford :on the 13th of the same month. -
In fraternal circles Mr. Brownell was universally popular. . He was a prominent thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in Non- quochoke Lodge, F. & A. M., of South Westport, which he was chiefly instrumental in organizing, becoming a charter member and its first secretary, and being one of' its past masters. . He was also a member of the Cryptic, Capitular, and Chivalric bodies of New Bedford, being at the time of his death generalissimo of Sutton Commandery, K. T., and a member also of Aleppo Temple, A: A. O. N. M. S., and Massa- chusetts Consistory thirty-second degree, of Boston. He was a mem- ber of Acushnet Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Stella Lodge, Daughters of Re- bekah, of the A. O. U. W. and the Club of Legislature of 1870 .: As a citizen he was widely esteemed and respected, public spirited, benevo- lent and popular.
Mr. Brownell was married in 1865 to Miss Mary L. Sisson, daughter of Charles R. Sisson, of New Bedford, who, with two children, Albert R. and Mabel.W., survive him.
THOMAS MANDELL.
THOMAS MANDELL, who was for many years one of the leading citizens and business men of New Bedford, was born in Fairhaven on August 9, 1792, and died in New Bedford, February 13, 1870. In his early
Digitized by Google
788
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
life he served for a time as clerk in a store at the Head-of-the-River, and before he reached his majority he engaged in business as partner with the late Caleb Congdon in New Bedford. Soon afterward he took 'entire management of a mechanics' store, which he conducted with signal success. While thus employed his exceptional business qualifi- cations attracted the attention of the firm of Isaac Howland & Co., and they offered him an interest in their house. He became a member of the firm in 1819, and it is no more than just to state that to his business ability and industry was largely due the unqualified success enjoyed by that firm for more than half a century. The late Edward Mott Robin- son joined the firm about 1833 and within a short time thereafter the membership consisted of Mr. Robinson, Mr. Mandell, and the late Sylvia Ann Howland.
The new partner brought into the business a spirit of bold enterprise and rare sagacity, and the operations of the house were soon greatly extended. At the same time the sound judgment and the wise fore- thought, of Mr. Mandell were powerful factors in building up the wealthy establishment. Differing widely in their personal attributes and on most subjects outside of business affairs, the two male partners in the firm were perfectly harmonious in their ideas of business integ- rity and of the policy that must underly all successful operations. Be- sides his great responsibility as a member of this firm, Mr. Mandell for more than a quarter of a century had the entire management and care of the estate of the late Sylvia Ann Howland, and her appointment of him as sole executor of her will was a just recognition of his integrity and business ability. Her bequest to him of $200,000 was only an expression of her high regard for the value of his services and a fair remuneration for his labor and responsibility in connection with the estate.
Mr. Mandell was not a seeker for public office of any kind, but he was many years ago one of the Selectmen of the town, and was the first to introduce the keeping of the records of the board. He was a member of the Legislature for the years 1830-36 inclusive and in that body did excellent service for his district. These were the only polit- ical offices held by him. While he sought no public station, he was, nevertheless, never without proofs of the confidence reposed in his probity and discretion, as shown by the various positions of trust and responsibility to which he was called. One of the greatest compliments that can be paid to any man was eminently applicable to him-he was
Digitized by Google
789
BIOGRAPHICAL.
trusted to the fullest extent by all who knew him. A merchant of the old school, he knew nor sought no road to success but that of upright and honorable dealing. Modest and unobtrusive in his intercourse with others, he was still most tenacious of his opinions and beliefs when once convinced that he was right. He was a benevolent man in the truest sense, dispensing his own bounties whenever and wherever he saw they were needed, and never with a flourish of publicity. He never wished to be addressed concerning his numerous charities and his unfailing good deeds were most often hidden from all but their recipients. " He may be forgotten as the honorable and successful merchant, but his memory will live in the hearts of those who have been sustained and cheered by his unostentatious and gentle charities."
Edward D. Mandell, son of Thomas, was born in New Bedford, October 28, 1821, and died in his native place on December 16, 1897. After obtaining his education in various schools and while still quite young, he formed a partnership with the late Charles R. Tucker, under the title of Charles R. Tucker & Co., and engaged in whaling, which business was then developing into its later great prosperity. They fitted out a number of vessels, and upon Mr. Tucker's death, in 1877, Mr. Mandell took in with himself John F. Tucker, son of Charles R., the firm name being John F. Tucker & Co. This connection continued until 1886, when Mr. Tucker died and Mr. Mandell continued alone in a limited way until 1894. During this long business career, extending over nearly half a century, Mr. Mandell showed his possession of many of the high char- acteristics and unusual business qualifications that had distinguished his father. He succeeded in his undertakings, won the respect and confi- dence of the community, and was repeatedly called to responsible posi- tions. At his death he was a director in the Wamsutta and Hathaway Mills, in the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company, and the Mechanics' Bank, and a trustee in the Institution for Savings and of the Swain Free School. In these and various other stations of trust he justified the con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.
Henry B. Stone was connected by marriage with the Mandell family, and his brilliant career during his comparatively short life makes it eminently proper that he should receive mention here. He was born in New Bedford in 1852, and was fitted for college at Phillips Exeter Acad- emy. In 1873 he graduated at Harvard University and then took a year's course in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He de- veloped a wonderful aptitude for mechanics and at once took up actual
Digitized by Google
790
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
shop work, at first for one year in a cotton mill at Waltham, and for a similar period in the gun foundry of the South Boston Iron Works. From there he went to the shops of the Burlington and Quincy Railroad, at Aurora, Ill., where he filled the position of foreman. That was in the year 1877. The railroad authorities soon appreciated his worth and he was.rapidly advanced until he was elected second vice-president of the road. This high position he filled with great credit until 1890, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Chicago and Central Union Telephone Companies, and act as the western representative of the American Bell Telephone Company. These positions he held until July 1, 1897, and four days later, on the 5th of July, he met a tragic death. Thus was cut short a career which promised great achievements. Mr. Stone bore the principal part of the burden of the great struggle between the Burlington road and the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers and firemen, the results of which are well known. In that con- flict he demonstrated his fitness for dealing with large problems where great tact and executive ability are required. It was soon after the termination of that strike that Mr. Stone was promoted to the second vice.presidency of the road, in 1888. During his connection with the telephone companies above mentioned he was made a director of the World's Fair, and took an active part as chairman of one of the impor- tant committees. Passing from life at the early age of forty-five years, Mr. Stone had in that comparatively short period attained a degree of material success worthy of three score years and ten, and gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact ..
GEORGE B. RICHMOND.
, GEORGE B. RICHMOND, for fifteen years past registrar of deeds for the Southern District of Bristol county, was born in New Bedford on November 9, 1821. His parents were Gideon Richmond, of Dighton, and Rebecca Barstow, of Scituate. He was given superior advantages for those times to obtain an education, attending the Friends' Academy in his native village, Pierce Academy at Middleborough, and entering Brown University, from which he was compelled to retire at the close of two years on account of ill health. Immediately after leaving col- lege he returned to New Bedford and began his business life. His natural tastes led him at the beginning of his career to participate in
Digitized by Google
791
BIOGRAPHICAL.
politics and public affairs, and during most of his life since he has occu. pied a prominent position in this respect. In the somewhat famous contest between the New Bedford Bridge Corporation and the People, which extended through the period from 1845 to 1855, Mr. Richmond took a very active part and was instrumental in carrying the case through the courts and the Legislature, thus securing what had become an imperative necessity, the widening of the draw in the bridge from thirty-two feet to sixty feet, to accommodate the increasing commerce of New Bedford, whose whaling fleets were then sailing on every occan.
In 1851 Mr. Richmond was elected on the Whig ticket to the State. Legislature and filled the position with credit. In 1861 he was ap- pointed inspector, weigher, gauger and measurer in the New Bedford custom house, which office he held until January, 1874, when he re- signed. Mr. Richmond has always felt a deep interest in the cause of temperance, and in 1867 was nominated by the Prohibition party for mayor of New Bedford; the nomination was again given him in 1868, but he was defeated in both years. In 1869 he was elected and served with marked acceptance in the responsible office in the years 1870, 1871, 1872, 1874 and 1878. During his administration of this office the city gained a flattering reputation through many neighboring States for the efficiency of its government and the high plane of its morality. Particularly was this true from the temperance standpoint, the com. munity having been during that period influential in improving the liquor laws of the Commonwealth; it was widely cited by temperance advocates as illustrative of the efficacy of prohibitory liquor laws when well enforced. During Mr. Richmond's administration the city was visited by President Ulysses S. Grant, and by King Kalakua, of the Sandwich Islands. A public reception given to each of those distin- guished visitors was gracefully conducted by the mayor, in a manner satisfactory to the citizens and evidently pleasing to the guests.
Mr. Richmond's efforts in the prosecution of offenders of the liquor laws in New Bedford were earnestly sustained by the Boards of Alder- men and Councillors, which were composed of citizens of high charac- ter, who were in thorough sympathy with the mayor in all of his efforts for the promotion of good government. Mr. Richmond's administra- tion was also characterized by a large extension of streets, the rebuild- ing of the Fairhaven bridge, and other important public improvements, which contributed in a marked degree to the prosperity of the city.
Digitized by Google
792
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
On December 31, 1873, just previous to his inauguration as mayor in 1874, Governor Washburn appointed Mr. Richmond one of the Police Commissioners of the Commonwealth, which position he held until the office was abolished. Mr. Richmond has always evinced a deep interest in educational affairs. The beautiful High School building in New Bedford was planned and contracted for during his administration in 1874, and the foundations were laid in the latter part of that year. In 1880 and 1881 he was a member of the State Senate, representing the Third Bristol county district. In the last named year he served as chairman of the committee.on public charitable institutions and the committee on the liquor laws. When the vacancy was made in the office of registrar of deeds for the Southern District of Bristol county in 1883, Mr. Richmond received the appointment. This office he has ever since filled to the entire satisfaction of the district. In 1886 he was appcinted by Governor Robinson a trustee of the Westborough Insane Hospital, and in 1887 was reappointed by Governor Ames for five years; in 1892 he was reappointed by Governor Russell.
In politics Mr. Richmond has always been an ardent Republican and as before stated, has been unyielding in his adherence to the cause of prohibition. For many years he was chairman of the Republican City Committee. In 1888 he was a member of the Republican State Cen- tral Committee. In the same year he was chairman of the Bristol County Committee of the First Congressional District and also of the Third Bristol District Senatorial Committee. In the fall of 1888 he declined all of these positions, desiring to devote his whole time to the exacting duties of his office. In 1889 he was elected a director in the Bristol County Mutual Insurance Company. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the First Baptist Society, and for five years was superintendent of its Sabbath school. He was for many years one of the board of the New Bedford Port Society and is one of the trustees of the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank. For seven years he was president of the local Y. M. C. A. He has been closely identified with many movements for promoting the moral and material welfare .of the city and is now one of New Bedford's most respected citizens.
Mr. Richmond was married in Middleborough, November 5, 1844, to Rebecca R. C., daughter of Rev. Ebenezer and Rebecca (Childs) Nelson, of Middleborough. They have had seven children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Richmond died July 31, 1863. His second marriage took place at New Bedford, December 15, 1864, to Abby S.,
Digitized by Google
793
BIOGRAPHICAL.
daughter of Deacon Nathaniel and Hannah (Smith) Nelson, who died July 30, 1868. His third marriage was at New Bedford, November 3, 1871, to Elizabeth E., daughter of Capt. Charles D. and Mary H. Swift, of New Bedford.
THATCHER T. THURSTON.
THATCHER THAYER THURSTON, managing editor of the Fall River Herald, is a son of Eli and Julia A. (Sessions) Thurston, and was born in Fall River, November 18, 1859. He obtained his rudimentary ed- ucation in the Fall River public schools, and then prepared for Amherst College in the Phillips Academy at Andover; entering Amherst in 1877, he was graduated with honor in the class of 1881. After graduation he secured a position as a salesman in a New York commission house, where he remained three years and then returned to Fall River, and became identified with the newspaper business, being assistant editor of the Fall River Globe and Fall River correspondent of the Providence Journal for a period of eleven years. During this time his vigorous articles and enterprising work gained for him much favorable mention and in 1895 he was called to his present position as managing editor of the Ilerald. Although Mr. Thurston's connection with this publication covers but a short time he has already made his influence felt, and by untiring enterprising efforts has secured for his paper a prominent po- sition in the journalistic arena; a position which gives promise of greater things in the future. He was married in February, 1894, to Ada E., daughter of William A. Dunn of Fall River, and one son has been born to them, Elliot Ladd.
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.