USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 26
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Davol, Abner P., city assessor, son of Stephen and Sarah F. Chase Davol, was born December 1, 1852. His father was a prominent cotton manufacturer of Fall River. Abner P. was educated in the public schools, spending one year in the high school, and then passed three years in Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass., graduating in 1872. The same year he entered the employ of the Pocasset Manu- facturing Company, for which his father was agent, and his brother, Col. Bradford D Davol, treasurer. For nineteen years he filled the positions of clerk and book- keeper at the Pocasset Mills, and in March, 1805, assumed the duties of city assessor, being elected for a term of three years. He was re-elected in 1898. Mr. Davol was a member of the Common Council from Ward 8, in 1893 and 1894, and was president
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of that body both years. He has been a director in the People's Co-operative Bank for six years; and has long been a member of the Fall River Board of Trade, serv- ing as the treasurer of that body since 1898. June 18, 1879, he married Harriet J., daughter of Ira and Mary (Tracy) Marvel of Fall River. . They have two daughters, Alice Tracy and Clara Freeborn Davol.
Davol, Bradford D., son of Stephen and Sarah F. (Chase) Davol, was born in Portsmouth, R. I., March 30, 1841. He has, however, always been a resident of Fall River, the family having removed there shortly after his birth. After obtaining an excellent education in the public and high schools, he secured a position in the office of the Pocasset Manufacturing Company as a clerk. Mr. Davol was employed by this concern in the capacity of clerk, bookkeeper and treasurer for a period of thirty- three years. He has been prominent in the manufacturing interests of Fall River during his entire business life. His father was for over fifty years agent and treas- urer of the Pocasset and Troy Mills. Mr. Davol has served three years as council- man, president from May to December the last year, and three years as alderman from the Fifth ward. He is a member of King Philip Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Chapter and Commandery. He was second lieutenant three months since 1864, afterwards commissioned by the Commonwealth of Massachusets as first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the 3d Regiment, M. V.M. At one time be was president and later treasurer of the Flint Mills, and is now a director of the Pocasset Manufacturing Co., Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory, Flint Mills, Mechanics' Mills, Fall River Bleachery, Barnaby Manufacturing Co., Fall River Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Massasoit National Bank; president and director of the Barnard Manufacturing Co. and the Dighton, Somerset & Swan- sea Street Railway Co. He has seen the city grow from about 13,000 population to over 100,000, and from less than 200,000 spindles to more than 2,800,000. On the 17th of June, 1897, he was appointed chairman of the Board of Police of Fall River by Governor Wolcott. December 1, 1875, he married Cornelia W., daughter of Minor S. Lincoln of Boston.
Davol, William C., cotton broker and ex-chief of the fire department, was born in Fall River, July 26, 1841, a son of William C. and Martha (Russell) Davol. His father was one of the most prominent cotton manufacturers of Fall River during his time. The Davol Mills, erected and put into operation in 1866, were named in honor of him and he became president of the corporation. William C. Davol received his educational training in the public and high schools of Fall River, and at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. He began his business career in the office of Josiah Brown, a noted civil and mill engineer of Fall River, with whom he remained sev- eral years. Ile then entered the employ of Marvel & Davol, who were extensively engaged in the manufacture of cotton mill machinery. His father, who was a part- ner of this firm, achieved more than local distinction for improvements in cotton ma- chinery. For a period of fifteen years Mr. Davol was treasurer of the Davol Mills. In 1882 he formed a copartnership with C. V. S. Remington, under the firm name of Remington & Davol, for the conduct of a cotton business. This firm still continues. For twenty years Mr. Davol was chief of the Fall River Fire Department; he was a member of the Common Council in 1873-75. He married Elizabeth G. Cotton, daughter of John S. Cotton of Fall River, and they have one daughter, Martha G.
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Dawson, Benjamin, son of Isaac and Anna (Chappell) Dawson, was born in Lan- cashire, England, January 4, 1837, and after attending the public schools began his life in the cotton mills. In 1858 he came to America and first settled in Harrisville, R. I, where he followed the trade of weaver in a cotton mill until 1864, when he re- moved to New Bedford. Mr. Dawson was employed in the Wamsutta Mills from that time until January, 1869, when he engaged in the retail grocery business, which he continued about fifteen years. In 1885 he established his present wholesale liquor store at the corner of Purchase and Hazard streets, where he has built up the largest concern of the kind in New Bedford. In May, 1897, his eldest son, Joseph, was admitted to partnership under the firm name of Benjamin Dawson & Son. Mr. Dawson has always been a prominent Democrat, and was a member of the Commou Council three years, overseer of the poor one year, and an alderman two years. In 1859 he married Helen Lee, a native of England, and they have three children: Jo- seph, John T. and Hattie.
Day, Alfred B., was born in Mansfield, Mass., May 26, 1829, a son of Knight and Martha (Grover) Day. His father served in all of the important offices of his town and died at the age of ninety-two years. Alfred B. was educated-in Mansfield pub- lic schools and in 1857 went to Wisconsin and started the basket business there. In 1864-5 he was engaged in building line for the Insulated Telegraph Co. through New England, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and then came east. Ile was for many years one of the selectmen and assessors of Mansfield, has been one of the water commis- sioners since the building of the works in 1887, and treasurer-secretary of the Co-oper- ative Bank since its organization in 1883. In 1891, in connection with Charles C. Hagerty, he engaged in the business of banking under the firm name of Alfred B. Day & Co., which is still continued. In 1850 he married Eliza Howes, who died in 1863, and in 1867 he married Eliza Tobitt. One child, Alfred K. Day of Lincoln, Neb., survives the first union, and Mabel, wife of H. E. King of Mansfield, the second.
Dean, Charles Henry, son of William and Sarah (Williams) Dean, was born in Taunton, Mass., August 23, 1840, and educated in the public schools. In 1861 he went to work for Lawson Blood to learn the trade of blacksmith, and stayed with him five years, then worked for the American Screw Co., aud remained with them three years. In 1869 he bought out the business of Mr. Blood and has carried it on ever since by himself. Mr. Dean is a member of Alfred Baylies Lodge, F. & A. M., and Sabbatia Lodge of I. O. O. F. lle has been married twice, first to Charlotte Naylor (Babbitt) of Taunton, in September, 1870, who died January 1, 1880; his second wife was Lillie, daughter of Spencer and Susan Macomber of Taunton, and they have two children: Viola M., born May 15, 1888, and Charlotte M., born Feb- ruary 2, 1892.
Dean, George A., was born in Attleborough, May 2, 1835, and his father, Asa Dean, was also a native of the same town, where his grandfather, Ephraim Dean of Taunton enme, in 1735; his sons served during the Revolutionary War. Asa Dean married Lucy, daughter of Nathaniel Read, and his life was identified as a farmer. lle died in 1848. George A. Dean was educated in Attleborough; in 1853 he entered the firm of Thompson & Haywood, jewelers; and in 1856 established a business for himself, which he has continued for forty-one years, making a specialty of bracelets
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and chains. In 1857 he married Bessie, daughter of Capt. French Richardson, whose father, Seth Richardson, fought in the Revolutionary war. He is one of the conservative men of his town; was elected to the Legislature in 1877; has been treasurer and water commissioner for a number of years; is director in the First National Bank; vice-president of Attleborough Savings Bank; and president of the Attleborough Gas Company. Ile takes an activo interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best interests of bis town and townspeople.
Dean, Paul Hathaway, was born in Taunton, Mass., December 22, 1875. His early education was received in the Taunton public schools and then he commenced a mercantile life with N. H. Skinner & Co. as clerk in the dry goods business; from there he went to A. B. Cleasby's and remained with him about two years, and then started in business for himself in March, 1896. Mr. Dean is one of the prosperous young men of the city to-day and is constantly adding new lines to his stock and keeping well towards the front in the dry goods business.
Deane. Ralph Denniston, was born in Warren, R. I., November 8, 1872, a son of Abiathar Williams and Elizabeth (Blake) Dean. His early education was received in the public schools of Taunton and in 1892 he entered Harvard Medical University. from which he was graduated in 1896. He came to Taunton at once and opened an office for the general practice of medicine and surgery. Dr. Dean is one of Taun- ton's youngest physicians but at the present time has a very good practice.
Deane, John M., merchant, was born in Freetown, Mass., January 8, 1840. Ile obtained a thorough academic education in his native town, and at Taunton and Foxborough. At the opening of the Civil war he was a lieutenant in the Assonet Light Infantry, Co. G, 3d Regiment Mass. Militia. He had joined this company in 1858 and was made first sergeant, and at the brigade muster at Wareham was elected second lieutenant. On the night of April 15, 1861, he responded to the call of President Lincoln for troops and served three months with his regiment at Fort- ress Monroe, Va., taking part in the destruction of Norfolk navy yard on the night of April 20, 1861. He was commissioned second lieutenant June 1, 1862, in the 29th Regiment Mass. Vols., and in this regiment was promoted first lieutenant, adjutant, captain and major and commanded his regiment during the Appomattox campaign. In the spring and summer of 1863 he served as post-adjutant at Paris, Bourbon county, Ky. ; he was in the fight with Cluke's guerillas at that place and has as a trophy which he captured, a weapon called the " Yankee Cleaver," which he found hid under the parlor carpet at the house of Colonel Cluke's father-in-law while search- ing the house in the effort to find the guerilla leader. In September, 1863, while near Cumberland Gap on the march with the 9th Army Corps into East Tennessee, he was ordered to take charge of a recruiting party and report with it at the draft rendezvous, Boston harbor. He remained on duty there until May, 1864, when he was relieved at his own request that he might join his regiment, which had been home on veteran furlough. While on duty at the draft rendezvous he was often de- tailed to take squads of recruits to the front, and in March, 1864, took about two hundred colored recruits to the 54th and the 55th Mass. Colored Regiments then on Morris Island, South Carolina. In the spring of 1865 he was made provost-marshal of the 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, on the staff of Gen. O. B. Willcox, with the 20th Regiment as his provost squad. In May, 1865, he was made provost-marshal
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at Georgetown, D. C., and in July, 1865, provost-marshal and pass officer of the district of Washington, which position he held when mustered out of service. He was appointed major of U. S. Volunteers brevet "for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Fort Steadman, Va., March 25, 1865" and received honor- able mention in the official records of the Union and Confederate armies published by the U. S. Government; and in the report of the adjutant-general of Massachusetts for the year 1865 for his good conduct at Fort Steadman. He was awarded a medal of honor by the secretary of war " for most distinguished gallantry in action at Fort Steadman, Va., while serving, with other volunteers, a previously silenced and aban- doned gun, mounted en-barbette, at Fort Haskell, being exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's sharp-shooters." During the fight at Fort Steadman he captured and disarmed a North Carolina captain and a Georgia major and still has their re- volvers in his possession. Excepting his service with General Burnside in the west and at draft headquarters in Boston, he was with the Army of the Potomac, where he experienced hard fighting with the 2d, 5th and 9th Army Corps. He was mus- tered out August 8, 1865, having served three and one-half years. His discharge certificate gives him the credit of having been in twenty-one engagements with an exceedingly brilliant and meritorious record. After the close of the war Major Deane returned to Freetown, and in May, 1866, began the retail grocery and provi- sion business in Fall River in partnership with Alonzo Hathaway, under the firm name of Hathaway & Deane, on Bedford street. This partnership was dissolved in 1872 on account of the ill health of Mr. Hathaway and Mr. Deane then continued the business for himself. In 1876 he removed to the Borden block on South Main street, where he now has one of the best appointed general merchandise stores in New England, employing about thirty-five men. Major Deane served Richard Borden Post as commander five years; was a member of the Department of Massachusetts Council of Administration, in 1889, chief mustering officer in 1800, assistant quarter- master-general in 1893, junior vice department commander in 1895, senior vice-de- partment commander in 1896 and department commander in 1897. November 22, 1866, he married Mary G. Pearce, and of their union are five children: Milton Irving, Richard Boynton, Charles Learned, Anna Louise Andros, and Wallis Pearce. Three of his sons are in business with their father. Mrs. Deane was department president of the Mass. W. R. C. in 1802, and has served her corps in Fall River in some capacity ever since its organization. In 1897 she was chairman of the execu- tive committee of the National Organization and also chairman in the Massachusetts department of the committee on patriotic teaching in public schools.
Dedrick, Dr. Albert C., physician and surgeon, was born at Cranston, R. I., De- cember 10, 1864, a son of Dr. Albert C. and Sarah (Abbott) Dedrick. Early in life his parents moved to Centreville, R. I., where his father for thirty-five years was a successful physician. He was a graduate of the Albany Medical College in the class of 1857, and during the war was assistant surgeon of the 4th Regiment of Rhode Island Vol. Infantry. Dr. Dedrick was educated in the public schools of Centreville, and in Mory & Goff's English Classical School at Providence, R. I. After five years passed in the study of medicine under his father's instruction he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College at New York and graduated from that institution in 1888. He practiced for a few months with his father at Centreville and in June, 1888,
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moved to Fall River, where he has since resided and has won success in his profession. He is a member of the Board of Pension Surgeons at Fall River and is examining surgeon for the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company at Fall River; for the United Order of Workmen and the Pilgrim Fathers. Ile is also a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Sons of St. George. January 24, 1894, Dr. Dedrick married May Leslie Law of Fall River.
De Moranville, Dennis, was born in East Freetown, March 25, 1852, a son of Den- nis and Sarah A. (Braley) De Moranville. His father, who died in 1894, was a na- tive of East Freetown, born on the homestead, which has not been deeded out of the family for several generations. The family is of French extraction, descending from Louis De Moranville, who was one of the first settlers of what was called " Philip's Country." The subject of this notice was educated at the " Furnace School" near his birthplace in East Freetown and began work in New Bedford at an early age. In 1874 he purchased the farm in East Freetown on which he now resides and has ever since been engaged in farming. He also conducts a black- smith shop and is universally well known and respected throughout the section where he has spent the greater part of his life. He is a member of Middleborough Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. In 1878 he married Francina Reynolds, daughter of Calvin Reynolds of Freetown. Their children are Estelle V., Dora F .. Angeline A., Oscar D., Calvin J., Ethel M., Bertha E. (died February 17, 1892) and Morris A.
Denham Family, The .- One of the thirty-six owners of the town of Dartmouth (1652), which has since been divided into Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford and Fairhaven, was John Denham (also spelled Dunham and Donham). This John, who arrived at Plymouth before 1033, held several public offices, among which was that of representative. He sold his share in the Dartmouth purchase, and it was not till during the first quarter of the present century that Tilson Denham, sixth in descent from John, moved to New Bedford, with his family, after having lived several years in Rochester, where several of his children were born. Among his children was Tilson Bourne Denham, born April 5, 1813, who carried on the baking business dur- ing the palmy days of the whale fishery. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1854 and 1855, and was prominent in politics. The incorporation of the city of New Bedford was largely due to his exertions, he being one of the few who desired it, against the many who preferred the town government. He was instrumental in forming the New Bedford Guards and interested in the fire department, in his youth, and later in life accepted, after much solicitation, the position of captain of the first steam fire engine in the city, temporarily, or till the force of the opposition to this innovation had somewhat declined. His eldest child is Sarah M. B., wife of Andrew H. Potter; his second child is Thomas Mendell Denham, born February 2, 1840, who established the shirt factory in New Bedford in 1868, and who, like his father, is in- terested in politics, and like the first John has been a member of the State Legisla- ture, 1895-1898. During his term of membership he has served on the prison com- mittee (the same committee his father served on), and has made prisoners and refor- mations a special study and devoted much time to the study of woman's suffrage. A second son is Giles Leach Denham, now living in Flint, Mich., born October 3, 1843. The third son is Edward Denham, a partner in the shirt business. He was
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born October 80, 1849, and is an antiquary and member of many historical societies in America and Europe. Cushing's Dictionary of Initials and Pseudonyms calls him "journalist." Besides carrying on a large correspondence with students and spe- cialists who seek his assistance, he has found time to make, for many years, the indexes of the publications of several historical societies, as well as other historical works. His article on the "Man in the Iron Mask" in Frey's Sobriquets and Nick- names has been highly prized both in this country and England. His summer vaca- tions have been spent in traveling with his camera over the localities made famous in American history and the result is a collection of valuable photographs, while as a student he has collected a very large private library which contains some rare books.
Desmond, Jolin, collector of customs, is a son of Dennis and Mary (Desmond) Des- mond and was born in Fall River, August, 1857. He received his education in the public schools and was first employed in a provision store. He later engaged in that business for himself in Fall River. When the city store department for the relief of the poor was originated in Fall River, during the mayoralty of Dr. John W. Cough- lin, Mr. Desmond was elected to the office of superintendent. He remained in that position, doing excellent service, until he was appointed collector of customs for Fall River by President Cleveland in 1895. He has filled this position with great credit. Mr. Desmond was a member of the City Council in 1882 and 1883 from Ward 8.
Destremps, Louis G., architect, son of Louis G. and Agnes (Genereux) Destremps, was born in Montreal, Canada, May 9, 1851. He received his early educational training in his native city. In 1870 he came with his parents to Pittsfield, Mass., remaining there six months, when they moved to Woonsocket, R. I. In 1872 his parents returned to Canada and Louis came to Fall River, where he followed the carpenter's trade for three years and engaged in contract work for one year. In 1875, when the great fire occurred at St. John's, Canada, he went there and followed his trade until 1881, in which year he went to New York and studied architecture in the Sixth Avenue High School, from which he was graduated, completing the course of four years. In 1885 Mr. Destremps, well prepared to pursue his occupation, came to Fall River and began business, first as an architect and builder, but since 1890 he has turned his entire attention to architecture. Hespent the years 1888 and 1889 at Newport, R. I., and while there was architect for the State Agricultural College at Kingston, and also built a private residence for Mr. Hodgson, the noted florist. Of late years he has been architect of many large structures in Fall River, including St. Matthew's Church; Notre Dame church, costing $350,000, and rectory; St. Jo- seph's Orphanage, a fine building of five stories high, costing $225,000; Jesus of Mary Convent; Convent for Dominican Sisters; three large eight room public school buildings in Fall River; Convent school building and rectory for Notre Dame parish at Waterbury, Conn .; and was supervising architect of the magnificent St. Ann's church of Fall River built at a cost of $750,000, and one of the finest edifices in New England. He was also supervising architect of the Fall River armory recently built and has drawn successful plans for many other public buildings of Fall River. Mr. Destremps was married in 1874 to Celina Mayer of Fall River. They have six chil- dren: Louis E., Philias, Arthur, Victor, Charles and Albert.
Devoll, Daniel Tucker, lawyer, is the son of Pardon and Mary (Hathaway) Devoll, and a grandson of Capt. Pardon Devoll of Dartmouth, and was born in New Bed-
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ford, Mass., May 8, 1857. On his father's side the family was long prominent in the whaling industry. His mother's ancestors were very early settlers of Fairhaven, her father, Samuel Hathaway, being a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Devoll was graduated from the New Bedford High School in 1875, took a two years course under a private tutor, and in 1877 entered the office of Stetson & Greene as a student at law. He was graduated from the Boston University School of Law in 1879, returned to Stetson & Greene's office, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1880. He began active practice in the office of his preceptors, and in 1882 became an office associate of A. Edwin Clarke, with whom he remained until 1894. Since then he has prac- ticed his profession alone. Mr. Devoll was a member of the City Council of New Bedford three years. In 1889 he removed his residence to Long Plain in the town of Acushnet, where he now resides, and where he was for six years chairman of the School Committee. June 20, 1889, he married Mary F., daughter of Adoniram Gil- more of Long Plain.
De Wolf, Alfred Ward, hardware dealer, was born in New Bedford, Mass., Febru- ary 4, 1856, and is the son of Charles De Wolf and Eliza M. Ward, and the grandson of Areli De Wolf of Acushnet. His father, who was born in Acushnet, Bristol county, was a carpenter and builder. Mr. De Wolf graduated from the New Bed- ford High School in 1874, and in September of the same year he went to Boston as a clerk in the hardware storeof Benjamin Callender & Co. He remained there three years, and afterward spent a similar period in Woonsocket, R. I., having charge of the hardware establishment of G. Darling & Son. Ile returned to New Bedford in 1880, and in March, 1881, formed a copartnership with Mark T. Vincent, which still continues. The firm of De Wolf & Vincent purchased the old hardware store of Ambrose Vincent, on the corner of Union street and Acushnet avenue, on March 21, 1881, and on July 1, 1892, they also bought the store of Sullings, Kingman & Co., at 149 Union street, which had been founded by them July 1, 1845, and where they have since conducted the business of the combined establishments. Mr. De Wolf is past grand of Acushnet Lodge No. 41, 1. O. O. F., a member of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of Massachusetts; past chancellor and charter member of Union Lodge No. 7, K. of P., and a member of the Wamsutta Club. In 1891 he married Clara, daughter of David S. Bliss of New Bedford, and they have two children; Ward and Rachel.
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