USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 17
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Almy, Giles Pardon, son of Giles and Aeria (Slocum) Almy, was born in the town of Dartmouth. Bristol county, Mass., December 14, 1856. Ilis parents were natives
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of Dartmouth and his father died when he was but two weeks old. Mr. Almy was educated in the common schools of his native town and at an early age was thrown on his own resources. He has always been engaged in farming and is now one of the most successful and enterprising in the county. Everywhere he is recognized as a liberal and public-spirited man who takes a deep interest in the development of his native town.
Almy, Norman L., son of Warren W. and Sarah Louise (Gray) Almy, was born in Tiverton, R. I., May 2, 1872. He is a member of a family which, for several gener- ations, has been of prominence in this vicinity. ITis father, who still resides in Tiv- erton, is a well known and respected citizen of that place. Mr. Almy attended the schools of Tivertou until he was fifteen years old and then came to New Bedford to complete his education in the New Bedford High School. In 1889 he entered the crockery store of Purrington & Brown as a clerk, in which capacity he continued for a period of four years. For two years following he was employed by the reorgan- ized firm of Purrington, Brown & Richards, and then went into the employ of C. F. Wing. in the wall paper department. In 1896 Mr. Almy married Henrietta C., daughter of the late Samuel P. Burt of New Bedford. They have one daughter, Madeline Eleanor, and one son, Roger Warren.
Amiot, Joseph Edward, son of Joseph and Therese (Leroux) Amiot, was born at St. Simon, P. Q., Canada, January 24, 1853. He is of French extraction and a de- scendant of Jean Marie Amiot. His father was a notary public, and also owned several farms in St. Simon. As a young man he attended the parish schools of his native town and St. Hyacinthe College. After leaving school he engaged in farming for about two years and then came to the United States, being at that time but six- teen years of age. He settled in Forestdale, R. I., and learned the weaver's trade. Ile removed to Fall River in November, 1871, and found work at the Mechanics' Mill, later being employed in the Union Mill. When he first came to Fall River he was obliged to sell a portion of his wearing apparel in order to pay for board. After working in the mills for some time he began to learn the carpenter's trade, but in a short time accepted a position in a grocery store. In May, 1873, Mr. Amiot entered the employ of Louis Reeves, a baker, and a year later started a bakery of his own on William street, conducting it three years and then selling out to engage in the meat market business, which business he conducted for about two years and then started another bakery on Pleasant street, above Mason. In 1886, realizing that he could do better in a business which afforded larger opportunities for the exercise of his ability, he started his present hardware and paint store at 1392-1396 Pleasant street. Mr. Amiot has been very successful. For the past nine years he has paid more taxes than any other French-Canadian in the city. In 1895 he was elected to the Common Council from the Sixth ward, being re-elected in 1806. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., the Knights of Pythias, and St. John the Baptist Society. Septem- ber 29, 1874, Mr. Amiot married Marie Emma, daughter of Peter J. Johnson, of Fall River, and they have thirteen children.
Amsden, Henry HI., M.D., was born in Concord, N. H., July 15, 1872, a son of Charles H. and Helen A. (Brown) Amsden. He was educated in and graduated from the Concord High School, and in 1896 graduated from Boston University School of Medicine. He began his practice that same year in Attleboro, and is one of the
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progressive men of his profession; he is medical examiner for the Pilgrim Fathers. Dr. Amsden takes an active interest in educational and religious institutions, and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.
Angell, William Henry, was born in Lonsdale, R. I., May 17, 1845, a son of Will- iam W. and Annie D. (Hobbs) Angell. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Providence. At the age of five years they moved to Foxboro, where he received the education given by the public schools, and supplemented this at the local academy known as the " Foxboro English and Classical School." In his nineteenth year he was graduated at the Schofield Business College. After teaching school several terms he engaged in the building business in Providence. In 1869 he was married to Eliza A., daughter of Thomas A. and Lynthia C. Lawton, and they have had three children : Nettie W. (deceased), Annie J., and Mattie M. In 1872 he moved to Mansfield. For fifteen years he engaged in the lumber business, together with con- tracting and building. Since then he has continued his lumber business and dealt extensively in real estate. Mr. Angell was particularly interested in the organiza- tion of the fire department, and was its first chief. In 1800-91 he was a member of the Board of Selectmen. In the following year he was elected on the School Board, and served five years, four as chairman; and during his term of office was indefatig- able in promoting the welfare of the public schools. Ile is a member of the Baptist Church, and his fervent love of church and Sunday school is shown by his unceasing activity in the work.
Anthony, Everett F., son of Caleb G. and Margaret (McNelly) Anthony, was born in Fall River, April 17, 1857. He obtained his education in the public schools and the Fall River High School, and during part of the time he was attending school was a live and energetic carrier boy for the Fall River Daily News. After leaving school he worked for George H. Hawes, a cloth broker, for one year. In 1874 he became an errand boy for the Old Colony Railroad Company. Being attentive to duty he soon won promotion and passed onward from one post of duty to another until he reached the head of the freight department of the road. In July, 1893, when the Old Colony Company and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad were consolidated, he became local agent for that company and the Old Colony Steamboat Company, and has since held that position. During his term of service the amount of freight business has greatly increased owing to the rapid growth of Fall River. Mr. Anthony is a member of King Philip Lodge of Masons, Royal Arch Chapter and Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery. He is also a member of Pocasset Council of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Anthony was married to Hannah Davis, of Fall River, in October, 1893. They have one daughter, Elsie D). Anthony.
Anthony, James Yale, was born in Taunton, Mass., July 14, 1846, a son of James H. and Harriet M. (Yale) Anthony. He received his early education in the public schools and Middleboro Academy and then attended a commercial school in Prov- idence, R. I., for a business education, graduating from the latter place in 1866. He immediately went to work for his father as an accountant and surveyor in the lumber business, where he remained until 1808, when he engaged in the tack busi- ness with Mr. Cushman, under the firm name of Anthony & Cushman, which firm continues at the present writing. Mr. Anthony was married in 1876 to Ella W.
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Hersey of New York, who died in December, 1885, leaving two children, Ralph, now in Harvard, and Mildred M.
Arden, Thomas Ilill, was born in Fall River, Mass., February 16, 1861, a son of William aud Sarah Jane (Hill) Ardeu. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Fall River and at the close of his school life he entered a clothing store as a clerk, where he remained about four years. He then went to the Durfee Manufacturing Company, and stayed about eight years, when at this time he re- ceived an offer from the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of New York to go to work for them, and was appointed an agent for that company in May, 1886, and appointed assistant superintendent in May, 1888, and in 1890 came to Taunton and took charge of the office here and has increased the business every year. July 17, 1884, he married Jennie Ann Bayley of Fall River, and they have two children: Thomas Hill Arden, jr., and Ella Myrtle Arden.
Ashley, Jarvis Tabor, son of Tabor and Elizabeth (Woodell) Ashley, was born on the old homestead in the town of Dartmouth, Mass., October 12, 1821. He is a mem- ber of one of the oldest and most respected pioneer families of Bristol county. Ilis education in the schools was meager and confined to the elementary grades. Mr. Ashley began his present life when a boy and has always followed farming as his chosen vocation. In April, 1851, he married Mary A. West of Dartmouth, and they have three children: Merton B., Annie M. and Elizabeth E., wife of George F. Mery. Mr. Ashley has held the office of road surveyor almost continuously for twenty years.
Austin, Frederick Ellsworth, was born in Taunton, Mass., August 6, 1865, a son of James and Sarah A. (Godfrey) Austin. His early education was obtained in the Taunton public schools; he fitted himself for Harvard, but on account of ill health was obliged to leave after having been there one year. In 1800 he entered the law office of Charles A. Reed and continued his studies so that in October. 1892, he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice for himself in Taunton, where he still continues to practice. He was in the City Council 1889 and 1890, and for five years was chairman of the Republican city committee; he was also a representative to the Legislature in 1893 and 1894. November 12, 1896, Mr. Austin married Hattie Win- slow, daughter of Charles L. and Ella M. (Ashley) Johnson of Taunton.
Austin, Loring M., third son of Reuben W. and Jane W. (Robertson) Austin, was born in the town of Fairhaven, July 18, 1853. After receiving his education from the public schools of his native town, he embarked in the tanning and farming busi- ness, which he followed for fifteen years. Ile then took up the stone mason's trade, which vocation he has since successfully followed. On August 14, 1871, he married Eunice J., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Tinkham) Ellis, and they had five chil- dren: Myra F. (deceased); Albert L., born August 19, 1874; Frederick L., born February 22, 1882; Minnie F., born July 17, 1886; and Frank (deceased).
Ayer, George A., superintendent for ten years of the City Manufacturing Corpo- ration of New Bedford, was born in Chicopec, Mass., February 8, 1855. He was a son of Albert and Sarah (Ayer) Ayer, both of whom died before he reached the age of sixteen years. Most of his early boyhood was spent in South Hadley, where he worked on a farm in the summer and attended the district schools in winter. He
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was obliged to take entire care of himself, and had few friends to help him. When nineteen years old he decided to learn a trade, and with this end in view went to Holyoke and entered the employ of the Merrick Thread Company in the repair de- partment, where he remained four years and thoroughly learned the machinist's trade. He then went into the thread and yarn department of the same mills, and advanced by successive steps until he became a second hand. He was now offered a position as overseer in the Elizabeth Mills at Hills Grove, R. I., and after a service of three years there went to the Globe Yarn Mills of Fall River to take a similar po- sition, in which he remained two years, and was then made assistant superintendent. One year later he went to Easthampton, Mass., to take charge of the Williston Mills as superintendent, and in 1889 came to New Bedford to accept his present posi- tion of superintendent of the City Manufacturing Corporation. Mr. Ayer is a thor- oughly practical manufacturer, and well equipped by training and natural ability for the responsible duties which devolve upon him. He is a Free and Accepted Mason, a member of Sutton Commandery, Knights Templar. In 1876 he married Melora A., daughter of John and Abby Thayer, of Belchertown, Mass., and they have two children, Albert J. and Sadie M.
Babbitt, Francis Sanford, a son of George H. and Seraphene S. Babbitt, was born in Taunton, December 22, 1843. He was educated in Taunton public schools and Bristol Academy, and at the age of nineteen he enlisted in the 39th Reg., M. V. M., and served from that time (1863) until the close of the war in 1865. On his return from the war he engaged in the manufacture of machinery in Taunton, and contin- ued in this business until 1890. He was a representative in the Legislature in 1888 and 1883; on the Board of Aldermen in 1887; and county commissioner from 1887 to 1893 inclusive. In the fall of 1890 he was elected mayor of the city of Taunton, and served the city in this capacity in the years 1891, 1892, and 1893; was appointed chief of police of the city in 1897, which position he now holds. Mr. Babbitt was married to Abbie L. Hitch, of New Bradford, in 1870, and she died in 1892, leaving one daughter, A. Louise Babbitt.
Babbitt, Isaac N., jr., son of Isaac N. and Almira (Morse) Babbitt, was born in Dartmouth, January 14, 1838. His father was a blacksmith by trade and conducted a business in Dartmouth for twenty-five years, later removing to Fairhaven, where he, in company with J. B. Morse, conducted a large business on what was then called Rodman's Wharf, Ile is still living, having reached the advanced age of eighty- seven years. Isaac N., jr., attended the public schools of Dartmouth until fifteen years of age. When sixteen years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade under his father and followed the business for about six years. At this time he went to Provi- dence, R. I., and began to learn the machinist's trade in a shop owned by E. Shaw. During a part of the Civil war he worked in James C. Bradford's machine shop in New Bedford, building principally turret engines for monitors and other government work, including hydraulic apparatus. In 1865 he secured a position with the Fair- haven Iron Works Company, and for a period of fourteen years traveled for that cor- poration, setting up Fairhaven presses in printing offices in many of the States and in Canada. He then went into the retail stove and hardware business in Fairhaven, at No. 71 Main street, and continued successfully for twelve years, finally selling out to Forest & Long, who at present conduct the business. Mr. Babbitt's principal busi-
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ness interest at present is in the Babbitt Brothers' Loom Crank Manufactory, of which he is treasurer, and associated with four brothers: John W .. Hiram A., Joseph M., and James M. He is a charter member of Concordia Lodge of Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and enjoys an enviable reputation in the community in which he has spent his entire business life for honesty of purp se and strong character. He is a sincere and earnest advocate of total abstinence, and has been frequently nominated for State senator, State representative and other offices on the Prohibition ticket, in all cases receiving a strong vote. especially in his own town. Mr. Babbitt was married in 1865 to Elizabeth G . daughter of Samuel L .. Ward, of Cambridgeport, formerly of Fairhaven, and they have two children. Samuel W., and Mary R.
Baker, Charles A., druggist, was born at Stafford Springs, Conn., February 17, 1883, a son of Henry Church and Eunice (Kingsley) Baker. Ilis father began the business of furniture manufacturing at Stafford Springs, Conn., an enterprise in which he achieved considerable success and which is still conducted by his descend- ants. On the maternal side Mr. Baker is connected with the family of the Rev. Charles Kingsley of England. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Monson Academy. He began busines as a druggist in the store of C. II. Grant in his native town, and two years later went to Hartford, Conn., and was a drug clerk under John H. Pitkin for some time, then entered the employ of Jo- seph T. Brown, the widely known and successful druggist of Boston. He began the drug business for himself on Harrison avenue, Boston. Owing to ill health and a desire to follow his occupation without keeping his store open on Sunday, he sold out his Boston interest in 1858, came to Fall River and opened a drug store at 67 South Main street, where he has since done a very successful business, his store hav- ing sustained a high reputation. He has always kept his store at Fall River closed for general business on Sundays. Mr. Baker was one of the first members of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy at Boston. He is a deacon in the Central Congregational Church of Fall River and deeply interested in church and Sunday school work. Ile was married in November, 1857, to Melissa D. Harding of Boston, and they have two children: Mary A. and Charles L. Baker, attorney at law.
Baker, Charles Lewis, attorney at law, son of Charles A. and Melissa D. (Harding) Baker, was born at Fall River, August 22, 1862. His father, Charles A. Baker, is one of the leading druggists of that city. Mr. Baker was prepared for college in the Fall River High School and entered Brown University, from which institution he was graduated in 1884, with the degree of A. B., receiving the degree of A. M. in 1887. He then entered Boston University Law School, where he spent two years in preparing for his profession. After completing his studies at that institution he returned home and was admitted to the Bristol bar at New Bedford, in June, 1888. Since then he has been engaged in the practice of law in Fall River. He is a mem- ber of the Fall River Bar Association.
Baker, Capt. George Orlando, son of Michael and Jane E. (Dixon) Baker, was born at Bakerville, Bristol county, Mass., April 6, 1835. When a mere boy he went to sen as a cabin boy and advanced from time to time until he became mate and then master of a vessel. Capt. Baker has followed the sea all his life; he has seen many hard experiences and has several times narrowly escaped death. He is a member
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of the old school of sailor-captains who are rapidly becoming a mere memory. In 1864, while whaling in the North Pacific, his ship was captured by the rebel priva- teer, "Shenandoah," burned, and he with the rest of the crew were put in irons and carried to an island in the Pacific where they were kept prisoners for six months, being finally rescued by a United States boat. In 1890, after an active life in which he sailed on all the waters of the globe, he retired and took up his residence in South Dartmouth. Captain Baker has been a member for a number of years of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., of New Bedford. He is a trustee of the village library and has been registrar of voters for the past five years. In August, 1876, he mar- ried Mary E., daughter of John C. and Rebecca H. (Smith) Weeks, and they have two daughters: Jane R. and Alice T.
Baker, Michael Alexander, son of Michael and Jane Eliza (Dixon) Baker, was born in South Dartmouth, March 20, 1839, and is a member of one of the oldest " Cape Cod families," and his father, who died in the ninety-second year of his age, after an active life mostly spent at sea, was well known in this vicinity as a captain in the coastwise trade. Michael A. Baker, like his father and most of his brothers, chose the sea as an occupation, and, after attending the public schools of Dartmouth for a short time, he shipped on a whaler as a foremost hand, being at this time seventeen years old, and he rose by successive steps to boat steerer, third mate, mate and mas- ter. In this capacity he sailed for twenty years, part of the time from New Bed- ford, for Swift & Akins, and Jonathan Bourne; three years from Chili, South America, and the balance of the period for Wright, Boone & Co., James McKenna, and the Pacific Steam Whaling Company, all of San Francisco, Cal. Captain Baker retired from active service in 1895, having gained a reputation among owners as one of the most capable and reliable captains in the whaling business. He is a member of the Star in the East Lodge of Masons, and the Chapter and Council. He married, in 1883, Sarah S., daughter of John C. and Rebecca Weeks of Dartmouth, and they had two daughters: Helen E. and Hettie W. (deceased).
Baker, Timothy Crowell, dealer in stoves, tinware, etc., was born in South Yar- mouth, Mass., May 16, 1838, a son of Orlando and Harriet (Crowell) Baker. ITis early education was received in the public schools and in 1850 he came to New Bed- ford to learn the trade of tin and sheet iron worker, where he remained four years and came to Taunton in 1860 and went to work for I. B. Briggs in the same line. He remained with him until 1895. when he bought out Mr. Briggs and has since carried it on alone. He has added some new lines to the stock and is now one of the leading houses in kitchen furnishings in the city. Mr. Baker was the first master of Charles II. Titus Lodge, F. & A. M., is past high priest of St. Mark's Chapter, R. A. M., a member of New Bedford Council, R. & S. M., and of St. John's Command- ery, K. T. He married Rebecca W., daughter of John and Abby (Hammond) Jen- kins of Taunton, and they have two children: William C. and Charles M.
Ballou, Herbert A., manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, a son of Warren S. and Sarah (Mowry) Ballou, was born in North Scituate, R. I., February 28, 1848. He attended the public schools of his native town and Rhode Island Sem- inary at North Scituate. After leaving school he was employed for three years as loom fixer in the cotton mills at Olneyville, R. I. In 1869 Mr. Ballou began his long and successful service with the Singer Company in the repair shops at Providence,
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R. I., and was bookkeeper for one year there. July 15, 1873, he removed to Fall River, where he has since resided and for twenty-two years has had charge of the company's business. In 1886 his territory was increased and he was given charge of the office and business of the company in Newport, R. I., New Bedford, Mass , sev- eral smaller towns, and a part of Cape Cod peninsula. He has under his manage- ment twenty employees, and sells about 1,400 sewing machines annually. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Ballou was married in 1800 to Emma Ballou of North Scituate, R. I.
Bannister, Andrew, farmer and retired weaver and mill overseer, is a son of Will- iam and Mary Bannister, and was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, March 16, 1825. He came to this country in 1844 and settled in Fall River, Mass., where he learned the weaver's trade in the White Mill. Afterward he followed this trade in New Bed- ford and in Biddeford and Saco, Me., but finally returned to Fall River and for seven years was a loom fixer in the Massasoit Mill owned by Dr. Durfee. In 1860 he became overseer of a cotton mill in Dighton, near Fall River, and in 1861 ac- cepted a similar position in the Eagle Mill in Taunton, where he remained twelve years. In 1873 he came to New Bedford as second overseer of Wamsutta Mill No. 3, where he also remained about twelve years, after which he engaged in farming in Dartmouth. In 1893 he moved to a farm at Acushnet, New Bedford, where he has since resided. In politics Mr. Bannister is a Republican. He was a foundation member and one of the first wardens of St. James Episcopal Church, on the corner of County and Linden streets, New Bedford, and one of its building committee. In January, 1847, he married Charlotte, daughter of John Warren, a native of Scotland, and of their nine children three are living, viz .: John W., Mary (Mrs. George Spen- cer), and Sophia (Mrs. Hiram Hime), all of New Bedford.
Barker, John W., son of John and Amy (Howland) Barker, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., May 21, 1819, and was educated in the schools of his native town. After finishing his schooling he entered the employ of Simeon W. Clifford, who was engaged in the meat business in Fairhaven, and with whom he remained for three years. He then accepted a position with the firm of Gifford & Whiting, who were engaged at that time in the meat business in New Bedford. He remained with them for a period of five years, and then accepted a position with his uncle, Isaac Barker. After a service of seven years he formed a copartnership with Samuel Gifford, and under the firm name of Gifford & Barker, conducted a meat business in New Bedford for over thirty years. This partnership continued until 1895 and was then dissolved by mutual consent. In 1867 Mr. Barker married Ruth Pierce, and they have four daughters.
Barker, Richard J., lumber merchant, was born in Tiverton, R. I., January 27, 1849, a son of Benjamin and Catherine Jackson (Dennis) Barker. When he was six years old his parents removed to Olean, N. Y., and he attended the public schools of that town until ten years of age, when his parents returned to Tiverton. He then successively attended the Friends' School at Providence, R. I .; Eagleswood Military Academy at Perth Amboy, N. J., and the Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y. After spending a short time in the office of Nichols & Barker, lumber mer- chants, of Albany, N. Y., he came to Fall River and established the lumber firm of Barker & Company, which still continues. At first the business was mainly retail,
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