USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 21
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
Brightman, Abner Potter, son of Samuel and Esther G. (Gifford) Brightman, was
Digitized by Google
85
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
born on the old Brightman homestead about eight miles southwest of the city of New Bedford, in the township of Dartmouth, March 28, 1828. His father was born and reared in Westport, as was also his mother. Mr. Brightman has devoted his entire life to agriculture and is a sagacious and successful farmer, greatly respected in the community. January 25, 1855, he married Helen E., only daughter of William and Abbie B. (Macomber) Howland, and they have six children: Zelotes A., William A., Abbie, Norah, Stella M. and Harold W.
Brightman, Charles, son of Thomas and Emily D. (Manchester) Brightman, was born in Fall River, Mass., May 8, 1848. After finishing his education in the public schools of his native city he was apprenticed to the iron moulder's trade and continued to follow this calling, in the employ of others, for nine years. He then engaged in the poultry business which he carried on until 1804, when he removed to Westport and rebuilt the grain mill at that place and has since conducted a large and growing business. On December 24, 1884, he married Annie, daughter of Archibald and Catherine (McAulay) McDonald, and they have seven children: Alice M., Oliver T. Omar D., Irvin A., Walter D., Henry and an infant.
Brightman, Charles Oliver, contractor and builder, is the son of Oliver P. Bright- man (which see), and was born in New Bedford, Mass., March 28, 1858. He was educated in the public and high schools of his native city and in 1870 went to Provi- deuce, R. I., where he learned the carpenter's trade, remaining five years. After- ward he spent three years in Hartford, Conn., and in 1878 returned to New Bedford, where, in 1879, he engaged in the stair building business, which he had previously learned in addition to his trade. In 1881 he became a general contractor and builder, a business he has since followed with success. Among the numerous structures erected by him are the Wamsutta block, the Haskell & Tripp stores, Adelphia rink, House of Correction, St. Luke's Ilospital, the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank building, the Emerson building, the Union for Good Works building, the Unitarian Chapel, the Parker House addition, the Slocum building, the Howland and Rotch Mills, the Bennett Mill No. 2, the Columbia Spinning Mills Nos. 1 and 2, and the Samuel P. Richmond, Clarence A. Cook, Charles M. Tripp, Charles S. Kel- ley, Edmund B. Wood and other residences, all in New Bedford; the U. S. Fish Commission buildings at Wood's Holl; the Globe Yarn Mill No. 3 in Fall River ; and many other dwellings, blocks, public buildings, etc. He is one of the leading build - crs in southeastern Massachusetts. Mr. Brightman was elected to the City Council in 1887, was for three years a member of the Board of Public Works, served as sec- retary of the New Bedford Republican City Committee for several years, and has been a member of the Massachusetts State Central Committee since 1893. He is also one of the commissioners appointed by the governor to build the new jail in Fall River. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in all the bodies, and is also a member of the Elks and the Wamsutta and Dartmouth Clubs of New Bedford and the Quequechan Club of Fall River. In May, 1876, he married Anna Cronan of Brooklyn, N. Y., and their children are Oliver C., Ella D., and Mar- shall C.
Brightman, Charles P., city treasurer and tax collector of Fall River, was born in that city August 5, 1848, a son of Horatio Nelson and Rebecca Loraine (Drake) Brightman. His first American ancestor came from England to Rhode Island early
Digitized by Google
36
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
in the seventeenth century, and soon moved to the site of Fall River, being one of the first settlers in that vicinity. He was a prominent man among the colonists, being a member of the governor's staff. According to the old records he was made a free- man in 1670. Mr. Brightman attended the public schools and while pursuing his studies in the high school, enlisted, in 1864, in the 21st Unattached Company. M. V. M., in the three months service. When his term expired he returned to school and at the age of eighteen began to learn the trade of a machinist in the shops of Gifford & Houghton in Fall River, following that occupation five years. Through the in- fluence of Congressman Buffinton he was appointed to a position in the city post- office, where he remained thirteen years, having in the mean time been promoted to the place of chief clerk. In 1886 he was elected by the City Council to the office of city treasurer and tax collector, which office he has since held by annual re-elec- tion. By virtue of this office he is treasurer of the trust and sinking funds of the city, and he is one of the trustees of the Fall River Savings Bank, Mr. Brightman was married twice, first, to Susie Harrison, who died fifteen months after marriage. His second wife was Abbie J., daughter of David Albert of Fall River. They have two children: Harold and Gladys Loraine Brightman.
Brightman, Philander H., son of Elias P. and Dianna A. (Manchester) Brightman, was born June 22, 1839. He attended the district schools until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to learn the trade of pattern maker, where he remained for a short time, and forming a dislike for this business, resigned his position and shipped aboard the brig Kate Cory, under Captain Weston 'Tripp, and was twenty-two months on a whaling voyage. In 1861 he returned home and went to California and en - gaged in mining for ten years, when he returned again to Westport and for five years ran a yacht boat. He then established himself in the lumber business, which he conducted until 1884, when the present firm of Brightman Brothers was formed, which copartnership continues as it was then organized. October 30, 1884, Mr. Brightman married Elizabeth A., (born April 2. 1862), daughter of John W. and Elizabeth M. (Hall) Babbitt, of Fairhaven, and they have two children, Ralph H., born August 4, 1885, and Guy L , born June 13, 1887.
Brown, John Peaslee, was born in Raymond, N. H., October 12, 1888. His early education was obtained in the country schools and at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., afterwards graduating from Dartmouth in the class of 1860. After spending a year in the south as a private tutor, Dr. Brown came north and entered Harvard Medical School, graduating from there in the class of 1865. He was immediately appointed assistant physician at the Asylum for the Insane at Concord, N. H., re- maining there until March, 1878, and then came to Taunton to take charge of the Taunton Lunatic Hospital. March 16, 1865, Dr. Brown married Caroline A. Ste- vens of Mount Vernon, N. H., and they have one daughter, Gertrude S.
Brownell, Charles H., son of Alanson P. and Mary A. (Sherman) Brownell, was born in Westport, April 23, 1838. His father was also a native of Westport and with the exception of the last two years of his life always resided there, being engaged in farming and in the wholesale and retail meat business for many years, and a prominent and respected citizen. For a considerable period he served as collector of of taxes and held other minor offices at different times. In the main Charles H. Brownell is self-educated for he attended the schools of the vicinity but a short time
Digitized by Google
37
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
and then began to learn the carriage-making trade under Holder White with whom he remained three years. The very day his time was out he started in husiness for himself and continued for twenty-one-years. At different times he added carriage painting and undertaking to his business enterprises. Mr. Brownell removed to New Bedford in 1879 and established himself in the meat business, and out of this his present grocery business grew. For some time he conducted three stores, but now has only two, one of which is the largest and best appointed retail grocery in the city, and employs a force of several clerks. He has been an intelligent and hard worker in building up his business, for which he is well fitted, having a natural capacity for making friends and for handling men. Some of his present employees have worked for him over twenty years. For some years Mr. Brownell was a mem- ber of Star of the East Lodge, and was a charter member of Noquachoke Lodge, South Westport, but now holds membership in Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Chapter and Commandery and of Vesta Lodge of Odd Fellows. For two years he represented Ward 3 on the Board of Aldermen. July 20, 1860, he married Mary A., daughter of Benjamin F. Tripp of Westport, and three children have been born to them: Elmer W. (deceased), Elmer W., and Ulysses G., both in business in New Bedford.
Brownell, David, jr., son of David and Ruth (Sisson) Brownell, was born at Ports- mouth, R. I., April 21, 1822. After being educated in the public schools, he worked on his father's farm until 1849, when he took a steamer for California, which trip consumed about six months' time; after a short stay in California he returned to Massachusetts and engaged in farming, which he has since followed. September 24, 1855. Mr. Brownell married Caroline A., daughter of Christopher and Susan (Sanford) Almy. Mrs. Brownell's ancestors were of English descent, and she was born July 13, 1843, in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass. ; they have five children: Deborah Alma, wife of James T. Wilbur; Carrie Anna, wife of John F. Little, David, George and Edith.
Brownell, Ezekiel J., third son of George H. B. and Nancy O. (Rounds) Brownell, was born in Tiverton, R. I. (now Westport, Mass.), October 7, 1854. His first busi- ness experience after leaving school was in the meat business with his father in Fall River, where he was employed for five years. He then engaged in teaming, which he carried on for a short time, when he was offered a position in a mill as fireman and remained there for about a year. He then spent some three months in Florida, after which he returned to Westport and has since been engaged in farming. On January 23, 1878, he married Mary E. (born in the town of Blackstone, Mass.), daughter of Charles O. and Elizabeth (Fuller) Taft, and they have three children: Vilola W., Nellie M. and Grace R.
Brownell, Pardon Cornell .- Prominent among the representative citizens of Bris- tol county is the subject of this notice, who is a son of Ellery and Phoebe (Cornell) Brownell, and was born in the the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., April 14, 1824. His first business experience after leaving the public schools was aboard a whaling vessel, and he was engaged in that occupation for five years. In 1840, dur- ing the gold excitement in California, he spent a year in that State, after which he returned east and engaged in farming, which business he has since followed. Mr. Brownell has always taken an active interest in public affairs, but has never aspired
Digitized by Google
98
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
to public office; he was, however, road surveyor of the town for a time. He has been twice married; his first wife was Ruth M. Tucker, and of this union were two chil- dren: James Ellery and Mary Almy. His second wife was Ruth J., daughter of David Brownell.
Bryant, Thomas Ruggles, jr., son of Thomas R. and Nancy (Sturtevant) Bryant, was born in New Bedford, Mass., February 22, 1828. After obtaining a liberal edu- cation in the public schools he shipped aboard the whaling bark " Herald " for one voyage, then before the mast on the " Elizabeth," with Capt. Michael Baker, for one voyage, and as third mate for one voyage on the same ship. He then shipped as third mate on the bark "Stafford," and later with Capt. Obed Pearce on the bark "Catalpa." During this voyage he was promoted to the position of second mate, and sailed as such until 1871. He then returned to Dartmouth and engaged in farm- ing and in the production of milk for market. He has for many years carried on an extensive milk business and is well known in New Bedford. Mr. Bryant has always been a staunch Republican. He was one of three children, having two sisters who reside with him at the old homestead, near the village of Smith's Mills. The family is an old Puritan one, the first representatives in America settling near the present site of Plympton, Mass., about 1635.
Bryson, G. S., D.D.S., was born at Portsmouth, N. H., May 24, 1871, and was educated in the public schools and at Becker's Business College, Worcester. He then entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which he was grad- uated in 1896. He practiced his profession for five years in Worcester before grad- uating, and acquired a high reputation in that city for dental skill. He opened his office in Fall River, October 1, 1897. He is a member of the C. N. P. Dental Society and of the Royal Arcanum Dr. Bryson's parents were Robert S. and Emily F. (Tallman) Bryson. The family is American for generations back, and of Scottish origin.
Buck, Augustus Walker, M.D, was born at Slatersville, R. I., February 7, 1866. a son of Rev. E. A. Buck and Elmira Walker, his wife. Shortly after his birth the family removed to Fall River, and he has since resided in that city, being now one of its most prominent and successful physicians. He secured his preliminary educa- tion in the public and high schools of Fall River and then entered Williams College, from which he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of A. B. Following his col- lege course he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania and was graduated in 1892 with the degree of M. D., shortly after was appointed resident physician to the Methodist Episcopal Hospital at Philadelphia, in which capacity he served one year, returning at the end of that time to Fall River to en- gage in active practice. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Fall River Medical Society, of which he served as president for one year; also a member and chairman of the city Board of Health. In 1897 he was appointed city physician for a term of three years. This office he resigned in 1898, having been appointed medical examiner for Bristol county by Governor Wolcott. Dr. Buck was married in April, 1806, to Jennie, daughter of Rev. O. T. Laupher, of Beverly. He is a member of the staff of the Fall River Hospital and visiting physician to the Emergency Hospital.
Digitized by Google
89
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Buckminster, Joseph, son of David and Dorcas (Scamman) Buckminster, was born in Saco, Me., March 7, 1821. His ancestry is as follows: (1) Thomas Buckminster, a descendant of John Buckminster. of Peterboro, Northamptonshire, England, came to Massachusetts prior to 1630 and settled in Scituate, whence he removed to Boston. He had nine children. (2) Joseph Buckminster, son of Thomas, lived at Muddy River, and died November 20, 1668. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh Clark, and had two children. (3) Joseph Buckminster, son of Joseph, was born July 31, 1666, became a tanner and in 1708 settled in Framingham, where he died, April 5, 1747. He was selectman seventeen years, representative twelve years, and be- came a captain and colonel of militin. May 12, 1686, he married Martha, daughter of John Sharp, who bore him eight children. He married, second, February 7, 1716. (4) Col. Joseph Buckminster, son of Joseph and Martha, was born in 1697. lived in Framingham, was town clerk thirty-two years, selectman twenty-eight years, representative nineteen years, commissioned colonel of militia in 1789, and active in the French and Indian wars and at the opening of the Revolution. He died May 15, 1780. He married Sarah Lawson and had seven children. By his second wife, Mrs. Hannah Kiggell, he had one son (5) Thomas, born August 18, 1751, who became a noted tavern keeper, deacon, selectman, town treasurer, etc., and who died July 7, 1826. He married, first, Hannah, daughter of David Rice, who bore him ten children, and second, widow Keziah (Perry) Bacon, by whom he had three children. (6) David Buckminster, son of Thomas and Hannah, was born March 2, 1786, moved to Saco, Me., and married, first, Eleanor Means, who bore him two children, and, second, Dorcas Scamman, by whom he had six children: Hannah R. (Mrs. Sylvanus Caldwell), Joseph, Anna F. (Mrs. Thaddeus M. Mason), Ellen M., 1st, Ellen M., and George B. Joseph Buckminster was educated in the public schools and at Thornton Academy in Saco, worked as a clerk in a general store four years, and later made four voyages to Europe. February 22, 1845, be set- tled permanently in New Bedford, where he was for five years a clerk in the dry goods store of George M. Eddy. June 17, 1850, with William C. Macy, as Buck- minster & Macy, he engaged in the dry goods business, and after twenty years sold out to his partner. Soon afterward he was elected treasurer of the New England Mutual Aid Society and served five years. Since April 15, 1879, he has been treas- urer of the Liberty Hall Association, and since April, 1881, has served as treasurer of the relief committee of the Union for Good Works, which he assisted in organiz- ing. He was a member of the militia home guards during the Civil war, served as alderman five years, and was a member of the Legislature in 1876 and 1877. He was also in the Legislature in 1875, but owing to a contest was unseated. In politics he has always been a Republican. April 24, 1850, he married Mary J., daughter of John Belcher, of Randolph, Mass., by whom he had one son, Frank L., born in 1852, died in 1869. She died November 11, 1890.
Buffington, Arthur E., son of Benjamin T. aud Parthenia (Baker) Buffington, was born in New Bedford, December 31, 1850. When he was eight years old the family removed to Swansea, and he was educated in the schools of that vicinity. At an early age he began to learn the mason's trade under his father, and later with Will- iam Andrews, in Providence, R. I., where he remained three years. Following this experience he returned to his home in Swansea, and, until 1879, was associated with
Digitized by Google
40
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
his father, their work being principally in Fall River. In 1879 he came to New Bed- ford and began work for William B. Jenney, in 1881 becoming a partner of Mr. Jen- ney, and the association has ever since continued under the firm name of Jenney & Buffington. This establishment has taken a place in the front rank of masons and contractors; and has in its history erected many important buildings in this city, among them being the I. O. O. F. building; Winslow building, on the corner of Union and Sixth streets; Monte Pio building; nearly of the plant of the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company; additions to the plant of the Morse Twist Drill Company; and the New Bedford Cordage Company. Mr. Buffington is at present a member of the School Board. He married, in 1881, Carolina F., daughter of Isaac Peckham of New Bedford, and they have three children: Everett F., Oscar and Dawn Emily.
Buffinton, Arthur Lincoln, is descended from one of the early Plymouth colony families. He is the son of Luther Lincoln Buffinton and Elizabeth Ann Earle, daughter of Slade Earle, and was born in Fall River, Mass., July 18, 1870. His grandfather was Israel Buffinton. Luther Lincoln Buffinton, son of Israel, was born in Fall River in 1848, became a carriage dealer and later a general merchant, and died May 4, 1885, aged thirty-seven. His wife, Elizabeth A., died October 11, 1888. at the age of forty-one. In 1883 the family removed to New Bedford, where Arthur L. Buffinton received a public school education, and where, in 1885, he entered the general meat and provision store of Elnathan C. Brownell as a clerk. In 1895 be was admitted to partnership under the firm name of E. C. Brownell & Co.
Buffinton, Benjamin, son of Israel and Nancy B. (Lincoln) Buffinton, was born in Fall River, Mass., April 9, 1884. His ancestors for several generations were worthy and consistent members of the Society of Friends and were influential citizens of Bristol county. His father, a most exemplary man, was identified with the growth and prosperity of Fall River for more than half a century and for many years was president of the Massasoit Bank. He was also interested in the cotton industry and owned a large amount of real estate. He was a strong advocate of temperance, an ardent supporter of the anti-slavery cause, and one of the agents of the * under- ground railroad," interested in assisting fugitive slaves from capture by their mas- ters. Benjamin Buffinton was educated in the schools of his native city, and while attending school employed his leisure hours acting as clerk for his father, who was then engaged in the cotton waste business. He remained associated with his father for several years. He served on the State delegation of Fire Commissioners under appointment of Gov. A. 11. Rice from 1875 to 1879. and was agent for the overseer of the poor from 1879 to 1881; was on the State detective force from 1881 to 1885; was city assessor from 1885 to 1888; member of the Board of Health from 1880 to 1893; and since 1898 has been agent for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Relief Military Aid and for the burial of soldiers of the Civil war. Mr. Buffinton has always been active in politics and has been an influential member of the Republican party for many years. He takes great pleasure in the study of local history and has written many valuable articles on historical subjects relating to Fall River and southeastern Mas- sachusetts. The compilers of this publication are under many obligations to Mr. Buffinton for the assistance which he has so cheerfully given while the book was in course of preparation. In 1862 Mr. Buffinton married Maria Hart of Fall River, and their children are Benjamin Thomas, a civil engineer, Elizabeth (wife of John B. Durfee), and Clarissa Holmes.
Digitized by Google
41
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
Buffiuton, Elisha Wilbur, electrical engineer, son of Bradford and Frances Free- love (Forbes) Buffinton, was born at Somerset, Mass., March 12, 1844. He attended the district schools and then worked on his father's farm for several years. In July, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, 60th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in the 100 day service. The regiment, under command of Col. Ansell D. Wass, was first sent to Maryland to guard the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the balance of the term of enlistment at Indianapolis, Ind., guarding the Confederate prisoners at Camp Morton in that city. The regiment returned to Boston, Novem- ber 80, 1864, at the expiration of the term of service. Mr. Buffinton then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years at Somerset, and then moved to Fall River, where in 1882 he entered the employ of the Edison Company for isolated lighting. When the Edison Electrical Illuminating Company began business in Fall River he became the superintendent and filled that position for eleven years. At the expiration of this time he associated himself with William B. Edgar under the firm name of Edgar & Buffinton in the sale of all kinds of electrical supplies, phonographs, etc. They also follow the business of electricians. Mr. Mr. Buffinton is a member and quartermaster of Post 46, G.A. R., and was a member of the Common Council in 1896. In December, 1869, he married Maria F. Braley of Freetown, and they have three children: Fred W., Viola F. and Henry C.
Burnham, C. H., son of George and Amanda Burnham, was born in Hartford, Conn., November 16, 1852, and resided there fourteen years, attending the public schools. He learned the trade of plumber in Fall River with the Fall River Steam and Gas Pipe Co., remaining in their employ eight years. He afterwards worked for different firms for a period of four years, and in 1801 established his present business. Ile occupies a prominent place among the plumbers of the city, and has done a great deal of plumbing work in residences and mills, being capable of hand- ling contracts of any magnitude. Mr. Burnham married Barbara Francis on Jan- uary 17, 1878. They have one son, George. The family has been American for generations back, but was English originally. Mr. Burnham is a member of Narra- gansett Lodge, F. & A. M., Friendly Union Lodge No. 219, I.O.O.F., and the Royal Arcanum.
Buron, Joseph H., druggist, was born at St. Thomas, P. Q., January 16, 1866, and was educated at Joliette College, from which he was graduated in 1886. Soon after coming to Fall River he began to learn the drug business in Martelle's drug store, and in 1804 started in business for himself, locating at 1653 Pleasant street, where he now conducts a large trade. Mr. Buron represented Ward 6 in the Common Council in 1897. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Citizens' So- cial Club, organized in October, 1897. He is also a member of the Ligue des Pa- triotes, of which he has served as recording secretary for six years. Before engag- ing in the drug business Mr. Buron studied law with Hon. Hugo A. Dubuque for four years. In 1893 he married Rosanna Bisaillon, and they have four children: Rose Alma, Roland, Romulus and Rodrigue.
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.