USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 34
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Inman, John T., was born in Droylsden, England, August 18, 1860, and came to
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the United States in 1868, settling in Attleborough, where he was educated in the public schools. He afterward learned the jewelry business with Streeter Bros., Bliss Bros., and Watson & Newell, and in 1882 organized the firm of Lindsay & Inman, changing the name in 1890 to J. T. Inman & Company, making a line of sterling silver novelties. In 1882 he married Minnie E., daughter of Mortimer Guild, and they have two children: Roy W. and Mary B. Mr. Inman is one of the self made men of his town; takes an intelligent interest in school matters; is a member of the Order of Red Men; and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.
Irish, Benjamin, is the son of John and Nancy (Little) Irish, and a grandson of Samuel Irish and Fobes Little, all of Little Compton, R. I., and was born there Jan- uary 9, 1814. John Irish, who succeeded to the old homestead of his father Samuel, was born in Little Compton on the 14th of April, 1776, and died December 24, 1859. His wife, Nancy, was born October 20, 1774, and died March 21, 1854. Benjamin Irish received a limited education in the district schools of his native town. When thirteen years old he came to New Bedford and entered the grocery store of Samuel Little and subsequently the shipping office of William H. Stowell. In 1842 he be- came a bookkeeper for Isaac Howland, jr., & Co., with whom he remained until 1873. Since then he has devoted his time to the care of large real estate interests in New Bedford. Mr. Irish was auditor for the New Bedford Institution for Savings for several years. He has been married three times and has had four children, of whom three survive, viz. : Benjamin T., George O. and Charles S., all of New Bed- ford.
Jackson, Albert, son of James O. and Phoebe (Rogers) Jackson, was born at Hal- let's Cove, Queens county, N. Y. (now Astoria and a part of Greater New York), July 29, 1885. He attended the district schools of his native village for a short time and when he was ten years old removed with his father's family to New York city. When eighteen years of age he left school and began a three years' apprenticeship at the machinist's trade. After completing this term he worked as a journeyman at his trade until 1861, when he entered the regular navy as a third assistant engineer, serving throughout the Civil war on the frigate Roanoke, the sloop of war Canan- daigua, and the gunboat Spirea, being in charge of the machinery on the two vessels last named, and taking part in many engagements. At the close of the war he resigned as second assistant engineer from the service and was variously em- ployed until 1876, when he went into the lighthouse service. Since then he has been chief engineer on the lighthouse tender Verbena for fourteen years; of the lighthouse supply steamer Armeric two years; and for the past five yours of the lighthouse tender Azalia. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Knights of Honor. He has been an active member of the Fairhaven Methodist Church for over ten years and is now serving the congregation as steward. In March, 1862, he married Eliza- beth, daughter of Howlett Roe of New York city, and they have four children: Elenor, adopted from infancy, Albert R., Estelle and Susan P. On the maternal side Mr. Jackson is a descendant of John Rogers.
Janson, Arthur F., money order clerk in the Fall River post-office, and a son of Beloni and Denise (Giroux) Janson, was born in Fall River, December 19, 1875. Beloni Janson, who is of French ancestry, came to Fall River from Canada when
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he was nine years old. He followed the trade of carpenter for some time and after wards was engaged in various enterprises for fifteen years. He next embarked in the real estate and fire insurance business, in which he prospered, and by energy and enterprise became an influential citizen of Fall River. In 1886 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Bristol county. Denise Giroux, the wife of Beloni Janson, and mother of Arthur Janson, was born in Champlain, N. Y., of French parentage. Her ancestors were from La Colle, Quebec Canada, being descendants of the Longtin family, influential people of that country. Arthur F. Janson obtained his education in the public schools of Fall River, graduating from the high school in 1893. . He was employed for one year with the Kerr Thread Company and then passed a civil service examination, and was appointed money order clerk of the Fall River post- office.
Jackson, Col. A. M., M. D., was born in Lee, Me., October 19, 1840, and was edu- cated at the Litchfield Liberal Institute and Waterville College, Me., from which he was graduated in 1861. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 24th Maine Vols., was appointed second lieutenant of Co. F. 24th Me. Vols , detailed to Signal Corps and sent to the department of the Gulf; in 1863 was promoted to first lieutenant 24th Maine Vols., and commissioned second lieutenant Signal Corps, U. S. A., served through Port Hudson campaign in Western Louisiana and Texas; in 1864 in Indian- ola, Texas, and in charge of secret service department at General Camby's head- quarters; commissioned major 10th U. S. C. A. (Hy) in December: in 1865 was president of court martial for several months, provost-marshal city of New Orleans from July, 1865 to June, 1866, provost-marshal general department of Gulf to wind up office; mustered out February 22, 1867. breveted lieutenant-colonel U. S. A. for faithful and meritorious service throughout the war; from 1867 to 1871 was in the dry goods business; from 1874 to the present time in practice of medicine in Fall River, chairman of School Board in Fall River for eight years, three years post commander of Richard Borden Post No. 46, G. A. R .; in 1890 on Governor Brackett's staff with rank of colonel, and in 1897 president of the Common Council of Fall River; elected same year mayor of Fall River on the Republican ticket. June 1, 1865, he married Susan A. Noe at New Orleans. They have three children: Amy L (wife of Edward S. Hawkins), Dr. O. H. Jackson, and Ruel H.
Jackson, Hon. James F., son of Elisha T. and Caroline (Forbes) Jackson, was born in Taunton, November 18, 1851. He attended the public and private schools of that city and in 1869 entered Harvard College. He was graduated in 1878 and began the study of law in Taunton, in the office of Judge Edmund H. Bennett, later enter- ing the Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1875. In September of the same year he opened an office in Fall River, forming a copartner- ship with John J. Archer, which continued until the death of Mr. Archer in 1882. Soon after he formed a copartnership with David F. Slade. Richard P. Borden be- came a member of this firm in 1801, and Philip E. Tripp in 1807, the firm name being Jackson, Slade & Borden. Mr. Jackson became connected with the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in 1870, when he was elected second lieutenant of Co. M, 1st Reg. Infantry. He was afterward appointed paymaster on the staff of . Col. A. C. Well- ington; then elected major and subsequently lieutenant-colonel, leaving the service in 1891. He was city solicitor of Fall River in 1880, being elected every year there-
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after until 1889, with the exception of 1886. In 1889 he was elected mayor on the Republican ticket and was re-elected the following year. He was appointed a mem- ber of the State Ballot Law Commission in 1897. In 1899 he was nominated as a judge of the Superior Court but declined the nomination. June 16, 1882, he married Caroline S., daughter of Eli and Julia A. (Sessions) Thurston.
Jackson, Dr. John Henry, physician and surgeon, a son of John and Sarah (Cun- ningham) Jackson, was born at Lee, Penobscot county, Me., March 26, 1888. His ancestors came from England and settled in Massachusetts about 250 years ago; his grandfather, John Jackson, was a soldier in the Revolution, entering the army when quite young. Dr. Jackson obtained his preparatory education in the academy at Litchfield, Kennebec county, Me., then entered Colby University at Waterville, Me., receiving the degree of A. B. in 1800 and A. M. in 1863. He taught in the high schools of Maine and later in Wisconsin until 1865, when he entered the medical de- partment of Bowdoin College at Brunswick, Me., remaining three years and receiv- ing the degree of M. D. from that institution in 1868. He began practice at Vassal- borough, Me., continuing there until 1873, when he came to Fall River, where during the past quarter of a century he has had a large practice and become widely known as a successful physician. Dr. Jackson is a member of the Fall River Medical Soci- ety, and the Massachusetts and American Medical Associations. Since 1893 he has been professor of theory and practice of medicine in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Boston. January 29, 1862, he married Clara Wentworth of Waterville, Me. They have one son, Dr. R. W. Jackson, who is also a practicing physician in Fall River.
Jewett, William N., son of Nelson E. and Amanda M. (Leavitt) Jewett, was born in Providence, R. I., October 29, 1866. The family removed to New Bedford when he was an infant and he was educated in the common schools and in the High School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1883, and he then began his business life as a clerk in the heavy hardware business of Watkins & Handy and continued with Mr. Handy, who purchased the interest of Mr. Watkins, until the former's death in 1895. At this time Mr. Jewett was placed in charge of the business and has since conducted it with success. He married, in 1898, Edith H., daughter of Captain William Washburn, of Fairhaven.
Jones, Edward C., who died in New Bedford, March 16, 1880, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, was one of the ablest and most successful owners and agents of whale shipping that New Bedford ever produced, and for many years was prominently and closely identified with whaling interests. He was born in Nantucket, Mass., in 1805, and having removed to New Bedford at an early age received his education in pri- vate schools and at the Friends' Academy. Very early in life he began his business experience in a counting room, where he acquired habits of industry and a good knowledge of business methods, which contributed to the foundation of his subse- quent prosperity. When a young man he formed a copartnership with Capt. Elisha Dunbar, a whaling captain who had engaged in mercantile life, and under the name of Elisha Dunbar & Co., they carried on an extensive business as ship chandlers and . agents, importers and dealers in bar iron, and attained a high standing. After the death of Captain Dunbar, which occurred in November, 1839, Mr. Jones continued the business alone and especially gave his experience and great executive ability to
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the management of his whaling interests with a view of increasing them largely; this purpose he carried out during thirty years of close application, using great cau- tion in selecting officers for his ships with exceptionally profitable results and acquir- ing a large fortune. In his later years he relinquished the shipping business and devoted his time to the care of his other investments. He was a member of the board of directors of the Marine (now the First National Bank), and of the New Bedford Gas Light Company nearly from their organization. Although not college bred he was a man of culture and fine literary taste. He especially loved English literature and poetry. Mr. Jones was truly a man of sterling worth; he was of quiet, unobtrusive disposition, and had no ambition to shine in public office, the only position of this kind he ever held being as assessor of the town of New Bedford.
Jordan, Charles E., was born in the town of Thompson, Conn., November 28, 1833. His father, Lorenzo Jordan, married Sarah B., daughter of Joel Barnes, and settled in the town of North Attleborough, where he was known as a farmer; he died in September, 1894, in his eighty-seventh year. Charles E. Jordan married Mary S., daughter of Augustus and Lillis G. Haskill Holmes, and they have two sons: William H. and Lorenzo A. Mr. Jordan is one of the practical and successful farmers of his town, serving as selectman and taking an active interest in school and church matters, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.
Keith, Frank P., is descended in regular line from Rev. James Keith, the first minister of Bridgewater. which is as follows: (1) Rev. James Keith, born 1643, died July 23, 1719; (2) Joseph Keith, born February 14, 1675, died September 27, 1780; (3) Eleazer Keith, born January 11, 1703, died April 16, 1794; (4) Lemuel Keith, born December 19, 1741, died September 13, 1821; (5) Eleazer Keith, born May 12, 1780. died May 6, 1868; (6) Charles E. Keith, born September 20, 1818, died August 27, 1897; Charles E. Keith married, November 26, 1839, Elizabeth Drake, daughter of Bartholomew and Betsey (Bonney) Drake. Mrs. Keith is still alive and a descend- ant from a family in England, 1360, and a lineal descendant of Thomas Drake, who settled in Weymouth, Mass., in 1635. Mrs. Keith was educated in Wheaton Female Seminary, Norton, Mass., and in her early life taught school in Easton for several years. Charles E. and Elizabeth had six children, of whom the fifth is (7) Frank P. Keith, and he was born in Easton, Mass., May 25, 1851, in the house that has been owned by the Keith family for nearly a century. The oldest house now standing in Easton was built in 1717 by Josiah, son of Rev. James Keith. His father in his early life taught school in Wrentham and Easton, but afterwards be became a farmer. For a number of years he was a member of the superintending School Committee and in politics he was a staunch Democrat, having always voted that ticket, his first vote being for Marcus Morton, and he claimed that his vote elected him governor of the State. He missed but two gubernatorial elections and no presidential vote. Mr. Keith was an honored member of Paul Dean Lodge of Free Masons and always took a deep interest in matters pertaining to that frater- nity. On November 27, 1889, he celebrated his golden wedding and the couple were the recipients of many congratulations and handsome presents. Frank P. Keith was educated at the public school and afterwards studied at the High School of Easton. He commenced work in 1869 for the O. Ames and Sons Corporation, as
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clerk in their store, and is still in their employ. He married, October 7, 1879, Susan E. Earl, daughter of Alexander and Sarah Drew Earl, and they have four children: Earl Wadsworth, Laurence Frank, Helen Isabelle and Kenneth Walter. Mr. Keith is a notary public and justice of the peace of the Commonweath of Massachusetts; is a director and clerk of the North Easton Boot and Shoe Manufacturing Company; has been a director of the North Easton Co-operative Bank for eight years; is chair- man of the board of the Prudential Committee of the North Easton village district, and other minor offices. His is a member of Paul Dean Lodge of Free Masons of Easton, having held the position as secretary of that order for several years, and has been senior deacon of the same; is also a member of the Bay State Commandery of Knights Templar of Brockton. He takes a general interest in his town and towns- people; in politics is a Republican, and is a man of sterling and energetic qualities.
Kelly, Michael, physician and surgeon, was born in Ireland, April 20, 1856, and attended the schools of his native country until fourteen years of age, at which time he came to this country, settling in Fall River where he has since resided. His pre- paratory education being completed, he entered Holy Cross College at Worcester, Mass., and was graduated with the degree of A. B. in the class of 1879. Three years later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by the same institution. In 1881 he began his medical studies in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York city. He was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1885. In the same year he be- gan a practice in Fall River which he has since continued with success. Dr. Kelly is a member of the Fall River Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is also a member and medical examiner of several fraternal and insurance or- ganizations. He was city physician and chairman of the Fall River Board of Health for three years, and is now a member of the board of instruction of the Home Train- ing School for nurses, and a member of the medical staff of the Seaside Home and of the Emergency Hospital. In 1890 he married Caroline Cantwell of Fall River, and they have three children: Christopher, Philomena and Eva.
Kelly & Sutcliffe .- These gentlemen are now and have been for twenty five years the proprietors of the St. James Hotel, which they have enlarged and improved un- til it is now one of the best equipped hotels in Fall River, capable of accommodating 100 guests, and admirably fitted up in every particular and detail. George H. Kelly, senior member of the firm, was born in Ireland, December 8, 1844, and came to America in 1865. He first worked for J. B. Nye, where the Talbot store now stands, for six years, then with his brother two years, and later was a part owner of the Mechanics' House. In 1872 he became associated with James Sutcliffe and William Hickey in the St. James and in 1872 the firm of Kelly & Sutcliffe was formed. Mr. Kelly has been a member of the fire department since 1868. He was foreman of the old Reinder Hook & Ladder Company, and has served under seven chief engineers, being now a call man. He is a member of the Firemen's Mutual Relief Association and was one of its organizers. He is also a member of the Veteran Firemen's As- sociation and the Order of Foresters. Mr. Kelly was first married to Christina Macomber, who died leaving two children: James F. and Minnie J. His second wife was Hanora Riley, who died leaving one daughter Hanora. His present wife was Mary Ann Roach. Of this union are two children: William II., and Elizabeth. James Sutcliffe, junior member of the firm, was born in England, February 22, 1844,
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and came to America when four years old. His people settled in Boston and thence removed to Providence. He began working in a mill at nine years of age and con- tinued in various capacities until twenty-three. He became overseer of a mill, and enjoyed the distinction of being one of the youngest overseers in this section. He later engaged in the produce business with William Hickey, where the city hall now stands. In 1871 he was employed in the city hall, and in 1872 purchased the St. James with Mr. Kelly and Mr. Hickey. Mr. Sutcliffe is a member of the Firemen's Mutual Relief Association and is also a veteran fireman. He has been treasurer of the Firemen's Relief Association since its organization. Mr. Sutcliffe married Bridget McGuire and they have two children: James H. and Maud M. Sutcliffe.
Kelley. Charles Sampson, banker, was born in New Bedford, Mass., August 2, 1846, and is a grandson of William and Abigail C. Kelley, natives of Haverhill, Mass., and New Bedford, respectively. Henry C. Kelley, his father, was for several years a leading dry goods merchant in New Bedford. He joined the New Bedford Protecting Society in 1843, became its vice-president, and died November 9, 1862, from injuries received at a fire on October 24, while discharging his duties as a mem- ber and officer of that organization. He married Ann Howland Allen, daughter of Joseph Howland and Sarah (Howland) Allen, Quakers and natives of New Bedford. She died December 7, 1889, in her sixty-ninth year. She was descended from Henry Howland, a Quaker, one of three brothers, who came from England to Duxbury, Mass., in 1625. Charles S. Kelley received a public school education, and at the age of sixteen was obliged to aid in the support of his widowed mother. He was first a clerk for two years in stores. In April, 1864, he entered the banking office of Ed- ward L. Baker, who had established himself in business in 1848. Mr. Baker was succeeded in May, 1865, by Samuel P. Burt, and Mr. Kelley continued with the latter as clerk and bookkeeper until April 22, 1875, when the firm of S. P. Burt & Co. was formed, consisting of Mr. Burt, Gardner T. Sanford and Mr. Kelley. June 2, 1884, by the death of Mr. Burt, the firm name became Sanford & Kelley. This has long been one of the leading banking houses in southeastern Massachusetts, and has occupied its present building since September 21, 1896. Mr. Kelley was one of the founders and has been continuously a director of the Mellin's Food Company of Bos- ton. He was especially active in reorganizing the Board of Trade, being one of its incorporators, and to him is largely due its entire success. He was also very prominent in the Industrial Exhibitions in New Bedford in 1887 and 1888, and was the prime mover in securing the Wamsutta Club House, serving as treasurer and as an active member of its building committee; this body, in 1891, elected him an honorary member, the first and only person holding that distinction. He was an organizer of the Y. M. C. A., April 30, 1867, served thirteen years as its first treas- urer, and was largely instrumental in causing the erection of the present building, serving as chairman of its construction committee and treasurer of the building com- mittee. In 1890 he organized the Veteran Firemen's Association and was its first president. He is also president of the New Bedford Protecting Society, and in poli- tics is a prominent Republican. He was active in the publication of the Board of Trade souvenir in 1889 and has issued two or three booklets containing valuable statistics relating to New Bedford. June 8, 1871, he married Sarah, daughter of Edmund Anthony, founder of the New Bedford Standard. She was born in Taun-
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ton, Mass., May 22, 1843. Their children are Sarah Elizabeth, Caroline S. and Charles S., jr.
Kelley, William Laban, jeweler, is the son of Charles and Judith B. (Paddock) Kelley, and a grandson of John Wing Kelley, and was born in Sidney, Me., Novem- ber 16, 1839. His mother's father, Peter Paddock, was one of the first sea captains out of Nantucket. His paternal great-grandfather and grandfather were both natives of Dennis, Cape Cod, the latter moving from there into Maine. Mr. Kelley was ed- ucated in his native State, first in the common schools and afterward at Oak Grove Seminary, which was conducted by the Society of Friends. He is a birthright Qua- ker, as were his ancestors. When twenty-one years old he came to New Bedford to learn the jewelry business with Ezra Kelley. On August 21, 1863, he enlisted in Co. A, 3d Mass. Cav., and served nearly three years, being on detached duty as clerk in the quartermaster's department most of the time. Returning to New Bedford after receiving an honorable discharge he again entered Ezra Kelley's jewelry store, at 106 Union street, and three years later succeeded to the business, which he has ever since conducted, moving it to the present location on the corner of Purchase and Union streets about 1878. Mr. Kelley is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to Rural Lodge of Sidney, Me., to the Chapter and Commandery in New Bedford, and to the Consistory of Boston. In 1867 he married Rebecca C., daughter of Charles H. Clark of Nantucket.
Kennedy, Joseph P., born in New Bedford in 1865, succeeded to the cooperage business established by his father, M. F. Kennedy, upon the death of the latter in 1888. In 1890 Mr. Kennedy engaged in the wholesale paper and twine business, his present occupation, abandoning the cooperage business in 1894.
Kent, H. P., was born in Wrentham, October 29, 1859. His father, Henry Nelson Kent, was a native of Barrington, R. I., where the family were among the pioneer settlers. H. N. Kent married Josephine, daughter of William G. Porter of Wrent- ham, Mass., and through life was identified with the jewelry business. H. P. Kent was educated in the public schools of Attleborough and then learned the jewelry business with Lincoln, Bacon & Company of Plainville, Mass., in 1887 becoming a member of F. W. Weaver & Co., manufacturing jewelers of Attleborough, Mass - specialty ladies' jewelry. He has been a member of the School Committee, and of the Republican Town Committee In 1879 he married Etta F., daughter of William E. Barney. They have two sons: Ralph P. and Earl B. Mr. Kent is a representa- tive of one of the oldest families in Bristol county; takes an active interest in school and church matters, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town.
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