Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2), Part 30

Author: Alanson Borden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 645

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 30

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).

Greene, William Stedman, ex-mayor of Fall River, son of Chester W. and Abby (Stedman) Greene, was born in Tazewell county, Ill., April 28, 1841. He came with his parents to Fall River in 1814, was educated in the public schools, and at fifteen became a clerk in a store, where he remained two years. In 1858 he engaged

Digitized by Google

ret of

for of

L * in

ree

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

in the insurance business with John P. Slade and in 1865 went to Buffalo and later to New York city, where he prospered in the same business. The firm of Greene & Son, engaged in real estate and insurance in Fall River, was formed in 1866 and has since been continued, both members having become widely known as successful business men. Mr. Greene was a member of the Fall River City Council from 1876 to 1879 inclusive, and was president of the body during those years. In 1879 he was elected mayor, served two years in that office and then resigned to accept the position of postmaster, which was tendered him by President Garfield in 1881. He filled a full term of four years. He was elected mayor again in 1885 and served one year. In 1888 Governor Ames appointed him superintendent of prisons for the State of Massachusetts. In 1894 he was again elected mayor by the Republican party and has been twice re-elected to that office. The career of Mayor Greene in his business operations and in public life has been a continued success. He possesses rare ex- ecutive and administrative abilities, is a gentleman of exemplary habits, and posses- ses many of the strong characteristics which win popular favor. He is an influential member of St. Paul's M. E. Church and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. In 1865 he married Mary E., daughter of Pardon A. and Elizabeth W. (Spink) White of Fall River, and they have three children: Mabel Lawton, Chester White and Foster Regnier. Mr. Greene is a member and past master of Mt. Hope Lodge, F. & A. M., Chapter, Council, and Commandery; also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the order of Odd Fellows.

Grime, George, attorney at law, was born in Manchester, England, September 7, 1859, and came to Fall River with his parents, William E. and Ruth (Mellors) Grime, when he was seven years old. He attended the public schools, spent three years in the Fall River High School and then entered Brown University, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1886. Deciding to take up the study of law he passed one year in the office of Hon. Milton Reed of Fall River and then entered Harvard Law School and after taking a three years' course was graduated LL. B. in 1890. He practiced his profession alone in Fall River for a short time, and upon the accession of Hon. Henry K. Braley to the Superior Court bench of Massachusetts, he formed a copartnership with Marcus G. B. Swift and they have since conducted a large and lucrative practice under the firm name of Swift & Grime. Mr. Grime was city so- licitor during the the years 1898 to 1896 and performed the duties of the office with exceptional abiltity. He is one of the two special justices of the Second District Court of Bristol county, having been appointed in the spring of 1806. He was counsel for the city of Fall River in 1897 to conduct the public investigation of charges of corruption made against the committee on public instruction in relation to charges of bribery in awarding contracts for the building of school houses. Mr. Grime is a member of Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar, Mt. Hope Lodge of Masons, Puritan Lodge No. 88, Knights of Pythias, Fall River Lodge of Odd Fellows, Quequechan and Columbian Clubs.

Grover, Charles L., was born in Mansfield, October 17, 1850, a son of Lewis F. and Sarah E. (Braman) Grover. He was educated in the public schools and learned the jewelry business. In 1870 he established a business in Mansfield and in 1875 came to Attleborough, organizing the firm of Chas. L. Grover & Co. in 1895, admitting L. W. Teed in 1897, under the name of Grover & Teed. In 1872 Mr. Grover married

Digitized by Google

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Estelle, daughter of W. W. Knapp, and they have two sons: Louis E. and Arthur W. A daughter was born June 1, 1873, and died at the age of two years and seven months.

Gurney, Jonathan R., is of English descent and traces his ancestry to two broth- ers, John and Joseph, who came to this country and settled in Whitman, on what is now Plymouth street, Plymouth county, Mass. Mr. Gurney is a son of Jonathan R. and Deborah (Reid) Gurney, born in Abington (now Whitman), Plymouth county, Mass., March 20, 1819, and his early days were spent in the employ of his father, who was engaged in the manufacture of small nails and tacks. In November, 1841, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of Rev. James and Anna (Gurney) Gurney, and they have two children: Anna, wife of Zachariah Spooner of Dartmouth, and James L., who married Anna Washburn of Middleborough. Mrs. Gurney died Au- gust 29, 1853, and on August 2, 1856, he was married to Lucy P., daughter of Abisha . II. and Lucy (Cummings) Chase, and they have seven children: William A., Herbert F., Jonathan R., jr., Franklin A., Charles E., Jennie, wife of Charles S. Maywhinney, and Nellie, wife of Samuel Taybor. Mr. Gurney's second wife died October 10, 1895. Mr. Gurney has always taken an active part in town affairs, having held the offices of assessor, selectman, school committeeman, road commissioner, and offices of minor importance. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of East Freetown.

Gustin-Mackie, Dr. Laura V., is the daughter of Charles M. and Ellen Grant Gus- tin. She was educated in the schools of Westbrook, Me., and is also a graduate of the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, in the class of 1874. She has since taken postgraduate courses in Philadelphia and Boston hospitals. She first prac- ticed in New Bedford, but in 1876 removed to Attleborough, where she built up a large practice, until in 1888 she opened the Attleborough IIome Sanitarium, which makes a specialty of nervous diseases and gynaecology. This sanitarium has received the support and hearty endorsement of the leading physicians and citizens of Attle- borough and neighboring towns. Dr. Gustin-Mackie is a member of the Massachu- setts and the American Medical Associations. She is not only a highly successful physician, but also a woman of unusual strength of character, with power to win the confidence and trust of all who know her. She has been for twelve years a valued member of the School Board and by her interest in and knowledge of child life has rendered great assistance to the moral and physical good of the schools. She is in- torested in every movement for the good of the community and a valued member of the various societies instituted for this purpose. Dr. Gustin . Mackie is a strong and unusual argument for the broadest culture and highest spheres of woman's work and influence.

One of the most widely known of Attleborough's citizens is the Rev. Ellen Grant- Gustin. Mrs. Gustin is one of the pioneer women in the American pulpit; for sev- eral years she was the only ordained woman in New England and is still the only one in Bristol county. She was born in Frankfort, Me., and married very early in Ilfe to Mr. Charles M. Gustin, also of Maine. IIer natural gifts were such that al- most without her own volition she was called to preach. A member from her early girlhood of the Christian Church, she was formally ordained as a minister in 1869 and for thirty years was engaged in active service as a pastor. She filled pastorates in Lynn, in Westerly, R. I., and in West Mansfield, Mass., covering a period of

Digitized by Google

100

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

twenty-three years. She has rendered much service, not only to her own denomina. tion and to the citizens of her various places of residence, but to the general cause of Christianity and of woman's advancement, by her gracious and persuasive personal- ity, enforced by her high standards of Christian citizenship. No woman before the public in those early trying years of woman's upward efforts has more successfully proved that the most womanly women are also the bravest and strongest and most successful, both in their own homes and in the hearts of the public. Mrs. Gustin has one child, Laura V. Gustin-Mackie, and is now associated with her in the man- agement of the Attleborough Sanitarium, where is found a singular blending of the results that should follow the united working out of the best, in two strong, highly trained and successful women, winning results impossible to women less than a gen- eration ago.

Ilaffenreffer, Rudolf F., jr., son of Rudolf F. and Catherine (Burkhardt) Haffen- reffer, was born in Boston in 1874. He attended the Chauncey Hall School and later took the course in chemistry at the Boston Institute of Technology, from which he was graduated. He completed his education in Germany and then returned to take the course of the United States Brewer's Academy in New York city. Mr. Haffenreffer's father has been for many years one of the most prominent brewers of Boston. He is a native of Germany and came to this country in 1870. He has long been connected with the Boylston Brewing Company of Boston as superintendent and owner. Rudolf F. Haffenreffer, jr., obtained his first business experience as assistant superintendent of the Boylston Brewery, where he remained nearly three years. At the end of that time he came to Fall River, and in April, 1895, organized the Old Colony Brewing Company; this company was incorporated the same year and he was made treasurer in addition to his duties as brewer and manager. He has a thorough knowledge of the business in all its forms and under his efficient management the present prosperity of the company has been attained. He also has charge of the construction of the Hub Brewing Co. of Boston; this is to be the mod. ern brewery of New England.

Hall, Frederick Stanley, son of Richard Henry and Susan Jane (Drake) Hall, was born in Norton, February 10, 1861, was educated in the public schools of Taunton, was graduated at Harvard in the class of 1882, and entered the Boston University Law School, from which he graduated in 1885. He commenced his active practice at once alone in Taunton, was a member of Massachusetts Legislature in 1887 and 1888, and formed a partnership with Judge E. H. Bennett in 1802. At the present time he is associate judge of District Court and a member of the School Board and is also president of Taunton Board of Trade. Mr. HIall was married November 20, 1888, to Bessie H. Perkins of Taunton, and they have two children: Stanley Perkins and Frederick Hastings.

Hambly, George H., son of Joseph and Patience D. (Brown) Hambly, was born in Tiverton, R. I. (now Fall River, Mass.), March 5, 1858. After attending the public schools he worked on his father's farm until 1875, when he went to Fall River, where he was employed by William Durfee at steam and gas fitting and remained for four years, thoroughly learning the plumber's trade. He then returned to the farm and has since devoted his time to agriculture, being also engaged in the milk business. April 26, 1878, he married Mary E., daughter of Humphrey II. and Synthia M.

Digitized by Google

101

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

(Wordell) Wordell of Westport. Mrs. Hambly's ancestors were of English descent and were among the early settlers of this part of New England. Mr. and Mrs. Hambly have four children: Gladys L., born June 8, 1880; Inez W., born September 7, 1882; Avis C., born July 28, 1888; and George II., jr., born December 10, 1803.

Hamlin, Ezra, was born in Sandwich, Mass., January 10, 1839, a son of Cornelius F. and Martha (Munroe) Hamlin, and educated in the public schools of Sandwich and the East Greenwich Academy at East Greenwich. R. I. He then returned to Sandwich and went to work in the glass works, remaining fourteen years with them, with the exception of one year in the military service. Mr. Hamlin enlisted in Sep- tember, 1862, in Co. 1), 45th Mass. Vol. Militia and received his discharge about one year later. In 1870 he came to Taunton and traveled for L. B. West, as tin peddler, and was then in the store of L. B. West & Co. fo: eight years; in 1886 he left there and went to the Dighton Furnace Co., where he was employed for seven years and then came to the firm of L. B. West and bought an interest in the business and to- day is manager of the Home Furniture Co. He is a member of the G. A. R. De- cember 25, 1858, he married IIannah C. Fish of Sandwich, and they have one son living, Edward M.

Hammett, Charles Warren, was born in Taunton, October 1, 1868, a son of Will- iam and Mary J. (Cahoon) Hammett. He is a graduate of the public schools of Taunton, and at the close of school days went to Boston to study dentistry at the Boston Dental College, which he entered in 1887 and was graduated from there in 1890. He then came to Taunton and opened an office of his own in the same place where he can be found at present. He is devoting his whole time to city practice and is one of the successful practitioners in his line to-day. June 24, 1896, he mar- ried Mindora L. Codding of Taunton, daughter of Ilenry H. and Laura J. (Ricket- son) Codding.

Hammett, Shubael Franklin, was born in Taunton, May 7, 1852, and is a son of William and Mary J. (Cahoon) Hammett. He received his early education in the Taunton public schools and Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Providence, R. I. In 1869 he engaged as a clerk with E. H. Reed, where he remained one and one-half years and then went with Washburn & White as bookkeeper, where he remained until June, 1872, and then went to the freight office of the old Taunton branch rail- road. During the many changes of the road Mr. Hammett has remained in the same office and has advanced until now he is local freight agent of the Consolidated Railroad. He is a member of King David Lodge, F. & A. M., and Sabbatia Lodge, I.O.O.F. November 24, 1875, he married Isabella W. Macomber of New Bedford, a daughter of George B. and Sarah (Brewster) Macomber, and they have two children: George B. and Harold .M.

Hammond, Caleb, is the son of Ammittai and Eunice (Chandler) Hammond and a grandson of Caleb Hammond, and was born in Fairhaven, Mass., November 19, 1829. His ancestors came to this country from England about 1682 and have always been respected citizens of Eastern Massachusetts. His materal grandfather, Joshua Chan- dler of Fairhaven, served in the Revolutionary war, and his father, Ammittai, was a farmer and lumberman. Mr. Hammond when eleven years old went to Mattapoi- sett to live, but in 1844 came to New Bedford, where he learned the carpenter's trade

Digitized by Google

108

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

with E. C. Chandler (an uncle) and William Gifford. When eighteen he became a journeyman, and at the age of twenty-two began contracting, opening a shop where the Cummings block now stands. In 1855 he moved into his present shop at 177 North Water street. Mr. Hammond was successively a partner of Simcon Ashley and Otis T. Sherman. He continued the business of contracting, carpentering and stair building for many years. About 1882 he took his son Edgar B. into partner- ship, under the firm name of C. Hammond & Son, and since then their business has been the practice of architecture. Mr. Hammond is one of the oldest carpenters and contractors in New Bedford, and has always conducted an extensive business. As an architect he has been equally successful. He has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and has served as an alderman, as a member of the City Council, a member of the School Committee, and as city surveyor, in which capacity he built the New Bedford and Fairhaven bridge in 1871 and laid out some of the first city cemeteries. He was also a member of Phoenix Engine Co. No. 4 and foreman of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, and has always been more or less active in temper- ance work. In April, 1852, he married Anna, daughter of Perry Hazard and Anna Tompkins of Westport, Mass., and they have two sons: Edgar B., a civil engineer and architect, and Henry F., a carpenter, both of New Bedford.

Harding, David E., was born in Mansfield, May 26, 1826, a son of Alfred Harding and grandson of David Ilarding, who settled in Mansfield about 1775. Alfred Hard- ing married Eliza, daughter of Obediah Pierce, and through life was identified as a farmer. David E. Harding was educated in the common schools and about 1850 entered the employ of John Rogers, dealer in straw goods, and later the firm became Rogers, Corney & Co., Mr. Harding being the company. In 1882 he organized the firm of S. W. Card & Co., which in 1893 was incorporated as The Card Manufactur- ing Company. Mr. Harding married, in 1848, Frances E. Rogers, and they have three daughters: Eva L., Mabel F. and Florence. Mr. Harding served as a member of the Legislature in 1875; president of the Co-operative Bank and takes an active interest in educational and religious matters.

Harrington, George Stanley, a son of Andrew J. and Eliza Catherine (Davenport) Harrington, was born in Utica, N. Y., September 20, 1857, and received his early education in the public schools of New York city. In 1872 he went to work for the drug firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co., remaining there a year and a half, when he en- gaged with L. M. Bates & Co, dry goods, remaining with them three years, and then was employed with E. S. Jaffray & Co., as salesman for five years, at which time he went to Colorado Springs on account of ill health. In the spring of 1883 he engaged in the dry goods business for himself at Grand Junction, Col., under the name of Harrington, Bliss & Co., where he stayed three years, and then came to Taunton and went to work in the City Hotel as clerk; here he remained until 1893, when he started in the publishing business and later mercantile printing, which he follows at the present writing. December 25, 1888, Mr. Harrington married Lydia A. Roebuck, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Roebuck of Taunton, and they have three children: Russell C., Ruth and Katherine.

Harrington, Randall A., lessee and manager of the Taunton Theatre, came to Taunton from Providence and assumed the control of this house in February, 1896. Up to this time the theatre had been managed by two different parties and neither

Digitized by Google

103

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

cared to continue. Mr. Harrington took it and made an effort to book all first class attractions and he has put the house on a paying basis. He has played many of the star attractions of the day and varies the prices of the house to fit the company he is playing. It is one of the best equippedl houses on the New England circuit and is fitted with all the latest inventions for the safety and comfort of its patrons. There is not a cosier theatre in New England than this.

Haskell, Edward, was born at Still River, Mass., about 1828, a son of Deacon Cal- vin and Ann (Hersey) Haskell. He was obliged to leave school at an early age owing to the business reverses of his father, and he entered the employ of a Boston firm for whom he came to New Bedford to dispose of a stock of goods. He managed the venture successfully and his employers decided to keep him here in trade. In 1849 he began, in a small way. a dry goods business for himself, locating on the west side of Purchase street between William and Union streets. He was full of energy and a popular young man and soon gained a good trade. Later he moved across the street, the business meantime rapidly increasing under the impetus of the remarkable business ability which he developed, and the store being enlarged into several departments. In 1876 he organized the firm of Edward Haskell & Company and the four stores then operated were consolidated. forming a large department store, one of the first in New Bedford. Mr. Haskell continued in the business until his death in December, 1882. Although his early education had been limited, he developed a fine literary and artistic taste. He was an enthusiastic lover of flowers and all that was beautiful in art and nature. He was a devoted member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and received a silver medal at its exhibition in 1881 for his collection of "nymphacas " Mr. Haskell was a strong friend, a pleasant, courteous, hospitable and generous man. As a speaker he was remarkably fluent nud effective. For many years he was a member and deacon of the North Congre- gational Church and served as superintendent of the Sunday school eleven years. Ile married first, Sarah Claflin of Pawtucket, R. I., and of their union one son was born, George Edward Haskell, who became a member of the Boston firm of Abram French & Company. For his second wife Mr. Haskell married Louisa B., only daughter of Alexander H. and Louisa (Crandall) Seabury of New Bedford, who sur- vives him. Their children are Mary Crandall and Helen Parker.

Seabury, Alexander H., who died in New Bedford, July 17, 1887, in the eighty-first year of his age, was one of New Bedford's most prominent business men. He was born in Tiverton, R. I., and when a mere lad commenced his business career in a grocery store of which he finally became proprietor, an early evidence of a remark- able business ability which he later exhibited in larger interests. When twenty- seven years of age he came to New Bedford and opened a grain and provision store which he conducted for twenty-five years, having from time to time as partners his brother, Pardon G. Seabury, Joseph Ricketson, and from 1845 to 1857 his nephew, Albert G. Corry. In the latter year William Baylies and the late Nathaniel S. Can- non were admitted and upon the death of Mr. Corry the active management of the concern was taken by them, although Mr. Seabury still retained an interest and gave the firm the benefit of his advice and experience. For many years he successfully conducted various other enterprises. He established packet lines to New York and Albany and his vessels brought large quantities of grain and flour to this market.

Digitized by Google

104

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

He also became heavily interested in the packing business of beef and pork in asso- ciation with men in Indiana. Much of this product was used in fitting New Bedford whalers. He was agent from 1836 to 1841 for five whaleships and later became an extensive owner of whale shipping. He also engaged in stock raising and in real estate enterprises near the city of Lafayette, Ind. Mr. Seabury was also a leading spirit in establishing the city of New Bedford as a manufacturing center and invested in nearly every industrial concern started in the city. He was one of the chief pro- moters of the Mt. Washington Glass Works and the Pairpoint Manufacturing Com- pany; he was one of the incorporators of the Five Cents Savings Bank and for many years its vice-president; a director in the First National Bank, and in a number of the cotton manufacturing corporations of New Bedford and Fall River. On August 23, 1880, he married Louisa Crandall, a native of Tiverton, R. I., and a member of a prominent Rhode Island family. One daughter was born to them, Louisa B., who married Edward Haskell of New Bedford. Mr. Seabury was a man of strong per- sonality and possessed of indomitable will. He was most public spirited and his name will go down as one who aided materially in the development of New Bedford.

Hastings, John, from his connection with the famous oil manufacturing firm of Hastings & Co., can be justly said to have been at one time one of the foremost business men of New Bedford. He was born at Hatfield, Mass., March 17, 1817, a son of Samuel and Lucy (Andrews) Hastings. The family trace their genealogy back through the Puritans to the time of William the Conqueror, who married a daughter of the House of Flanders from which the " Hatfield Hastings" are proved to have descended. When John Hastings was an infant, his father, a successful merchant, removed to Heath, in Franklin county, Mass. His education, though limited, was thorough, the schools of the vicinity being good. A few miles away, in Greenfield, the firm of Allen & Root conducted a large general store, and when he reached the age of fourteen a position as clerk for this firm was obtained for him and he remained in their employ, receiving an excellent business training, until he reached his majority. Being a young man of adventurous spirit he now decided to go west, and settling in Cleveland, Ohio, was employed there for one year in a whole sale grocery store. He then went to Illinois, which at this time was largely unde- veloped, and bought out a squatter who had settled on a tract of 1,000 acres about three miles from Rockford on the Rock River. This land be afterward purchased at the government rate. He at once began to engage in extensive farming opera- tions, having under cultivation in the first year over 100 acres of corn and in follow- ing years growing large crops of corn and wheat, besides giving much attention to stock raising. At the end of a period of five years he advantageously disposed of his land and soon after came east to Springfield, Mass., where, in company with his brothers, Waitstill and George Hastings, he engaged in the manufacture and sale of lard oil. The enterprise was successful from the start and in about three years the firm removed to Boston, where they engaged in a general oil business. This led to a removal in 1854 to New Bedford, where a factory was erected and wharves for the accommodation of a large business acquired. The main office of the firm was then established in New York city. The firm gained a reputation for their product which was almost world wide, for while they sold oil in every State in the Union, nearly one-half of their trade was in foreign countries, the bulk of this being in England,

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.

Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2), Part 30

Author: Alanson Borden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Number of Pages: 645

Author: Alanson Borden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 645