USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 37
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MacColl, Rev. John A., pastor of the North Congregational Church of New Bed- ford, was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., in 1856, a son of Rev. Alexander MacColl, a Presbyterian minister, and Mary Jane Newcomb, his wife, and, as the name would indicate, he is of Scotch descent. He was graduated from the University of New York in 1879 and from the Union Theological Seminary of the same city in 1883, in which year he was licensed to preach by the New York Presbytery. His first charge was the Memorial Congregational Church in Sayersville, R. I., where he was in- stalled on the 31st of January, 1883; but this pastorate was of short duration, for in the latter half of the same year he accepted a call from the church at St. Albans, Vermont, where he was installed in May, 1884. In this parish he consolidated and greatly enlarged a somewhat divided congregation, added materially to the mem- bership and force of the church, and especially endeared himself to all, and so great was the attachment of people to pastor that the question of the expediency of his removal was a grave one; but desiring a larger field for his efforts, he accepted the
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call to his present pastorate and was installed in January, 1800. One of the chief features of Rev. MacColl's work in the North Congregational Church has been the development of the missionary spirit among his people, and the beneficence of the congregation in this respect has been most liberal. For the past eight years it has wholly supported a missionary in South Africa and has also contributed largely to the support of the Y. M. C. A. and the City Mission. In the Y. M. C. A. work Rev. MacColl has taken a constant and active interest. He is a corporate member of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions and a member of the Win- throp Club of Congregational Ministers of Boston and vicinity, and his entire pas- torate in New Bedford has been characterized by energetic zeal and constant effort, and but for abnormal losses through death and removal, the congregation would have been nearly doubled. Rev. MacColl has been paid the following tribute: " He is a gifted preacher, sound in the faith, unspotted in character, and fitted for eminent usefulness." He married, iu 1883, Jeannette Kyle, a daughter of James Kyle, a New York merchant, and they have three children: Jeanette Montgomery, Grace Beatrice, and Robert John.
Macomber, Eliza M., daughter of Robert and Sarah (Tripp) Lawton, was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., November 2, 1838. She received her education in the public schools of her native town and the Pierce Academy at Mid- dleborough, Mass. Mrs. Macomber remained at home until her marriage on Febru- ary 18, 1853, to Robert F., son of Orrin aud Sarah (Dennis) Macomber. Mr. Ma- comber was born in New Bedford, Mass., May 12, 1832, and was engaged in blacksmithing for a number of years, and in 1852 went to California, where he re- mained for five years when he returned to Westport and engaged in farming until his death, September 80, 1889. They had three children born to them: Sarah E., wife of Herbert F. Tripp, who died August 28, 1890; Mable, wife of Jesse F. Pierce; and Jessie S.
Macdonald, Robert B., was born in Philadelphia, July 11, 1845. His father, Ed- ward Macdonald, was a native of Manchester, England, and came to the United States in 1840. settling in Newark, N. J. In 1854. he came to Adamsdale, and in 1859 to Attleborough, where he was identified in the calico works. He married Mar- garet Broadbent, and died in 1876. Robert B. Macdonald was educated in the pub- lic schools and in 1869 learned the jewelry trade in Attleborough with Freeman & Co. In 1873 he came to Attleborough and established the business of making swivels; in 1880 he enlarged the business and was one of the first manufacturers to use the jig saw in the business and the first one to make fancy hair and hat pins. He organ- ized the firm of Macdonald, Culver & Teed, Mr. Teed retiring in 1897, and at the present time the firm carries a line of silver novelties. In 1869 Mr. Macdonald mar- ried Lydia B. Wilmouth, and their children are R. B. Macdonald, jr., Mrs. Alice Chase and Hattie R.
Mackreth, M. B., was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1834, and came to the United States in 1850, settling in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained three years, and then came to Attleborough Falls and finished learning the jewelry business in Attle- borough with Thompson & Hayward. In 1856 he engaged in business for himself and the firm was obliged to suspend during the panic of 1857. After that he went to Mansfield and engaged in the manufacture of horn goods; later he entered into part-
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nership with W. D. Fisher, manufacturing chain trimmings and continued in that up to 1893, when he retired. In 1961 he married Adelaide, daughter of Willard and Rebecca Robinson, and they have one daughter, Fanny. Mr. Mackreth is one of the self-made men of Bristol county, serving as park commissioner and taking au intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions; is recognized as a man of sterling integrity who has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.
Maglathlin, Edward B., was born in Duxbury, May 15, 1852, a son of Edward D. Maglathlin, who was a native of the same town. Their ancestor, John Maglathlin, was a native of Glasgow. Scotland, and settled in Duxbury about 1700. Edward D. married Persis Walker of Pembroke, a lineal descendant of Gov. William Bradford; and his life was identified with shipping interests at East Boston, where he died in 1868. Edward B. Maglathlin was graduated from the Boston public schools, the State Normal School of Bridgewater, Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio; and pursued a course in theology in Harvard University. In 1876 he visited Europe and in 1877 was appointed principal of the Partridge Academy at Duxbury, remaining there for six years. While in Duxbury he served as a member of the board of School Committee and as a director of the Plymouth County Teachers' Association. On June 1, 1881, Mr. Maglathlin was ordained to the Christian ministry by the Plymouth and Bay Ministerial Association, and in 1882 was installed as pastor of the Unitarian Church at Harvard, Mass., where he remained until 1885. Mr. Maglathlin then taught in the Cambridge High School, supplying at the same time the pulpit of Grace Chapel at Green Harbor, and in the summer of 1887 accepted a call to the pas- torate of the Unitarian Church in Westford. In 1889 he resigned his charge at West- ford to accept the position of superintendent of schools at Easthampton, Mass., and in 1891 was elected superintendent of schools in Easton, also serving as one of the three directors of the Bristol County Teachers' Association, from 1891 to 1896. Since October 1, 1894, in addition to his work in the Easton Schools, Mr. Maglathlin has had charge of the Unitarian pulpit in West Bridgewater. In 1898 he was elected a trustee of the Howard Seminary. In 1877 he married Clara, daughter of Olcott Webb of Northfield, Mass., and they are the parents of five sons; Webb C., Leon E., Sydney A., Carl W. and Ralph H. Mr. Maglathlin is one of the progressive men of Bristol county, devoting his life energies to the advancement of religious and edu- cational institutions and to the welfare of his fellow men.
Makepeace, D. E., was born in Norton, June 9, 1848, a son of David W. and Abi- gail S. (White) Makepeace. The family trace their descent from William Makepeace, who came from England. D. E. Makepeace was educated in Norton and Mansfield and in 1867 came to Attleborough and learned the jewelry business. In 1888 ho established the business for himself, and at the present time (1898) is making a spe- cialty of gold and silver rolled plate. In 1873 he married Myra, daughter of Isaac N. Johnson, and they have two daughters: Lulu B. and Edna M. Mr. Makepeace is one of the conservative men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in educa- tional and religious institutions. He is a member and master of Ezekiel Bates Lodge, F. & A. M. ; treasurer of King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter; member of Bris- tol Commandery and Aleppo Temple of Boston; of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. ; Orient Lodge of Odd Fellows; A. O. U. W .; Royal Arcanum; Com- pany C Association; and chairman of the building committee of the Odd Fellows Building Association, and director of the Co-operative Bank.
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Marvell, Edward T., deputy collector of customs, son of Ira and Mary (Tracy) Mar- vell, was born in Slatersville, R. I., and obtained his education in his native town. He left home at the age of fifteen and went to Danielsonville, Conn., and engaged in the cotton mill business. Later he removed to Massachusetts and at the opening of the Civil war came to Fall River. In 1861 he enlisted in the 7th Mass. Vols., and was in the Army of the Potomac for eighteen months, when he received his dis- charge on account of ill health. In 1870 he was appointed deputy collector of cus- toms at Fall River, and has since held this position. This is a long term of service, he having been in the employ of the government a period of over twenty-seven years. In December, 1865, he married Anna C. Wilbur, daughter of Dr. Thomas Wilbur of Fall River. Of this union are four children.
Mason, Dennis S, is a member of one of the oldest and most respected pioneer families in Bristol county. He is a lineal descendant on his father's side of William White, who came to this country on the Mayflower in 1020. The next in line of de- scent is Resolved,' Samuel, John," John," William,' William,' Hannah," Reuben.' Dennis S. is the tenth in descent and was born in the town of Acushnet, July 5, 1860. His boyhood days were passed on the farm and in 1888 be succeeded Caleb Slade in the mercantile business, which he has since conducted. Mr. Mason has always been more or less active in public affairs, and in April, 1889, was elected town clerk, treas- urer and tax collector. Iu May, 1890, he was appointed postmaster of the Long Plain post-office, which position he now holds; he is also justice of the peace. No- vember 3, 1887, he married Bertha W., daughter of James A. and Mary D. (Chace) Lawrence, and they have two children: Reuben 8d, born June 27, 1891, and Law- rence, born October 6, 1896.
Mason, George A., was born at Attleborough. February 12, 1834, a son of Noah and Harriet (Fisher) Mason, and grandson of John Mason, who was one of the pioneers of the town. He was educated in the common schools and for some years was engaged in the mercantile business, late years being engaged in dealing in fine horses. In 1837 he married Mary A. Cushman of Middleborough, Mass., and they have two sons, Frederick G. Mason, teller of the First National Bank, and William H., a manufacturer. Mr. Mason is one of the conservative men of his town, of ster- ling integrity, whose word has proven as good as his bond.
Mason, Henry W., chief of police of the city of New Bedford, was born in Port- land, Chautauqua county, N. Y., November 25, 1840, a son of Norman and Sarah A. (Allen) Mason. During his carly boyhood he worked on his father's farm and at- tended the schools of that vicinity. Later he attended the Fredonia Academy at Fredonia (now the Fredonia Normal School), and was graduated in the class of 1859. During his course he paid his way by teaching country schools a part of the year. At the outbreak of the Civil war he at once enlisted in Co. D, of the 9th N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, and served in fifty-four engagements, being mustered out at the close of the war with the rank of major, to which office he had risen from the ranks. During a part of his service he was on the staff of Brigadier General Buford of the Army of the Potomac. At the close of the war he engaged in business in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and in September, 1876, came to New Bedford and engaged in busi- ness as a solicitor of patents Mr. Mason has been prominent in Grand Army affairs and in Masonic circles, having been commande .. R. A. Pierce Post No. 190, G. A.
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R., and eminent commander of Sutton Commandery, Knights Templar. He has been a staunch adherent of the Independent citizens' party for a number of years, but in National politics is a Republican and has served for some time as secretary of the Republican City Committee. October 9, 1867, he married Hattie A., daughter of William B. Stanton of New Bedford, and they have four sons: Frederic A., George N., Charles O., and Clarence W,
Mason, Hezekiah, is descended from Sampson Mason the Baptist, a dragoon in Cromwell's army, who came to America. He married Mary Butterworth and they had thirteen children, one of whom was Isaac Mason, and he married Hannah .- , and they had eleven children, one of whom was Hezekiah Hezekiah married Re- becca Martin and had four children, one of whom was Hezekiah (second), born 1793, and he married Parnel West. Their son Hezekiah married Sally Rounsville and they had a son Hezekiah who married Hannah J. Edminster, who are the parents of the subject of our sketch. Mr. Mason was born on the old homestead, in the town of Freetown, Bristol county, Mass., June 4, 1856, and is one of four children: Heze- kiah, Mary E., Evelyn E., and Sarah J. He has devoted his entire life to agricul- ture; has never aspired to political office; and is one of Freetown's honored and re- spected citizens.
Mason, John R., was born in Biddeford, Me. Ilis first business experience was with the Cunard S. S. Line, as a clerk, after which he went into a cotton mill, start- ing at the bottom and finally becoming superintendent in May, 1895, of the Laurel Lake Mill. Mr. Mason is a member of Narragansett Lodge F. & A. M., Council and Commandery, also of the Odd Fellows and other orders. In 1816 he married Edith J. Skillings, a native of Gray, Me. They have two children: John R. E., and Everett V. Mr. Mason's parents were John H. and Catherine P. (Skillings) Mason, and the progenitor of the Mason family came from England to this country early in the sev- enteenth century. The Skillings family of Portland, Me., is also an historic one.
Matthews, Charles Henry, son of Alonzo and Eunice F. (Burdick) Matthews, was born in Nantucket, Mass., May 3, 1843. He attended the public schools of his native town and after finishing his schooling he made two voyages whaling, the first being for two years and the second voyage for fifteen months. He was then engaged in mackerel fishing for several years. Since 1892 he has been associated with Charles W. Howland in the coal business in South Dartmouth village. Mr. Matthews is one of four children; he has two sisters living: Mrs. Thomas L. Snow and Mrs. Andrew A. Butts. Ile is descended on both sides from old Puritan families.
Maxfield, Edmund F , a son of Edmund and Catherine (Clark) Maxfield, was born in New Bedford, May 4, 1841. His father, who died in New Bedford, in 1876, in his sixty-ninth year, was a prominent owner of whale shipping, a member of the Com- mon Council, under the mayoralty of Hon. Abraham H. Howland, 1851, and Hon. William J. Rotch, 1852, and one of the representative business men of the town for several years. He was a man of the strictest integrity and gained and maintained a high reputation. In early life he had been a whaling captain and the experience thus gained rendered him especially well fitted for the shipping business. He had amassed considerable property by the exercise of indefatigable energy and ability. Edmund F. Maxfield was educated in the private schools of New Bedford, and at an
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early age began to learn the machinist's trade, in the shop of Collis & Nightingale, at Providence, R. I. At the outbreak of the Civil war, he at once enlisted in the navy, being commissioned acting third assistant engineer, in which capacity he served fifteen months, and was then obliged to resign on account of ill health. Later he engaged in the transport service, which was fully as hazardous as service in the regular navy, and after the war he worked at his trade until the death of his father, when he took charge of the estate and has since managed it. Mr. Maxfield has always taken an active interest in the fire department and was well known to the old volunters. The Maxfield family were among the earliest settlers of the town of Dartmouth and have been prominent in local history. The family is of English origin.
Meaney, Thomas J., dealer in real estate, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, July 12, 1844, a son of Daniel and Mary (Sexton) Meaney. His father was a steam. boat engineer on a line from Cork to Liverpool, and his mother conducted a variety store on King street in Cork for several years. His education was limited, being confined to a few terms in the Christian Brothers' school in Cork. When he was twelve years old he succeeded in making his passage to St. Johns, New Brunswick, and from there went to Boston, and later to Quincy, where he remained about two years. Ile then began to make fishing voyages to the Grand Banks, and in the win- ter season went South to work as an oysterman. In 1862 he went into the United States Revenue service, shipping on a revenue cutter, and in 1865 he went into the employ of the Armstrong & Hotchkiss line of packet ships to the West Indies, where he became a mate in the service. In 1868 he came to New Bedford and re entered the revenue service, remaining in it about four years. In 1872 he was appointed to the New Bedford police force and served one year in Mayor Dunbar's administra- tion, and later two years under Mayor Abram 11. Howland. For the last sixteen years he has been in the real estate business. Mr. Meaney has been the architect of his own fortunes and, having come to this country a friendless youth, his success is all the more remarkable. He has always been a staunch Democrat and has been active in Democratic political circles, having been for several years district member of the Thirteenth Congressional District of the Democratic Committee. He repre- sented Ward 6 one time in the Common Council and he has served as president of the St. Lawrence Catholic Temperance Society for seven years, is a member of the Knights of Columbus and treasurer of the New Bedford Literary Association, and a member of the Irish American Historical Society. He married, in 1868, Mary Mc- Auliffe, late of New Bedford. Seven children were born to them, four of whom sur- vive: John J., Mary E., Alice C. and Agnes G.
Mitchell, John, was born in Scotland, October 17, 1858, a son of William and Ann Mitchell, educated in the common schools and at fourteen years of age became a seafaring man, which he followed until he settled in Orange, N. J., in 1884. Here he formed a partnership for the manufacture of rubber goods, with stores located in New York. In 1890 he moved to Mansfield and has since lived a retired farmer. He married Emma M., daughter of Julius and Caroline H. Felt of Jaffrey, N. H., and their children are Harold, William and Arthur Julius. Mrs. Mitchell is a gradu- ate of Jaffrey High School. Melville Academy and Bridgewater Normal, and taught five years in the Normal College, University of Nashville, Nashville, Tenn., and has
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traveled extensively in the old country. Mr. Mitchell is a member of St. James F. & A. M. of Mansfield and is actively interested in affairs of his town and county.
Moran, William, son of John K. and Margaret (Baker) Moran, was born in Lan- cashire, England, September 6, 1855. When he was an infant the family removed to this country, settling in Fall River. Mr. Moran attended the public schools for a short time and then began work for the American Printing Company, and after a three years' service in the print works went into the mills as weaver, which occupa- tion he continued at until 1877. At this time he began to learn the barber's trade under Edward Connell. with whom he remained two years and then established himself in the business which he still continues, being located on Rodman street. Mr. Moran has always been active in political circles. He has served for two years as secretary and for two years as permanent chairman of the Democratic City Com- mittee. In 1893 he was elected representative from the Fall River district and re- elected in 1894. During these terms, 1894-95, he served in 1894 on the committee on federal relations and in 1895 on the committee on labor. In 1896 he was elected by a large majority State senator and was re elected in 1897, serving in his first term on the committee on labor and insurance, and in his second term on labor, insurance, and public charitable institutions. During his long residence in Fall River he has gained a host of warm friends and is held in high estimation by all who know him. He is an ardent and sincere advocate of temperance and has done much to aid the cause of total abstinence.
Moore, Charles Sturtevant, principal of the New Bedford High School, born in Boston in 1852, was the son of the Rev. E. D. and Harriet J. Moore. His paternal grandfather was Dr. Aaron Moore of Winsted, Conn., and his maternal grandfather, the Rev. Elisha Fiske, for fifty-two years the Congregational minister of Wrentham, Mass. His father, a Congregational minister, preached in Kingston, Barre, Natick and Boston, and was the first editor of " The Congregationalist," then known as "The Recorder," and was on the staff of the first anti-slavery paper published in Massachusetts. He was on the staff that edited the State republication of the Mas- sachusetts and Old Colony Records. He contributed many of the articles in the "Cyclopedia of Missions," was the author of " Life Scenes in Mission Field," and constant contributor to the Congregationalist and the Evangelist. Mr. Moore's mother was the author of several works which reached their fortieth thousand- among them " The Golden Legacy " and " Anna Clayton." She wrote a number of temperance stories which had a large sale and contributed many articles for gift books and for the current periodicals. The Hon. Henry Wilson, when he came to Natick a poor boy, received substantial help and encouragement from the Rev. Mr. Moore, who directed his studies and opened to him his library. Mr. Wilson through- out his public life was a warm friend of the Rev. Mr. Moore and his wife and was a constant visitor in their home. Mr. Moore prepared at the Boston Latin School for Harvard, completing the six years' work in four years. Graduating from Harvard in 1878, he accepted a position in the Private Classical School of Mr. John P. Hop- kinson in Boston, where he remained four years. During the first two years, in pur- suance of a desire to study medicine, he took several courses in physics and chemis- try at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and studied in the laboratory of the Harvard Medical School under Prof. Jackson. Deciding, however, to make
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teaching his life work, he accepted, in 1877, the principalship of the Taunton, Mass., High School, going thence, in 1885, to the head mastership of the Cathedral School of Saint Paul, in Garden City, L. I., an endowed private school upon the model of West Point, where he remained until 1893, when he came to his present position in New Bedford. A member and officer of numerous educational associations, Mr. Moore is the author of many addresses and papers, mainly upon educational topics. For two years he was chairman of a committee of the Massachusetts State Teachers' Associa- tion to procure greater uniformity in college admission requirements, and was one of the founders of the Bristol County Teachers' Association. He is second vice-pres- ident of the Y. M. C. A., a vestryman of Grace Church and also clerk of the parish; trustce of the Teachers' Annuity Guild and vice-president of the Teachers' Benefit Association and member of many literary and religious clubs. Mr. Moore is mar- ried and has two daughters.
Morton, Charles H., president of the First National Bank of Fairhaven and treas- urer of the Fairhaven Institution for Savings, was born in Fairhaven. October 15, 1841, a son of Charles F. and Hannah (Slade) Morton. Ilis father was a cooper and farmer, and a respected citizen of Fairhaven for many years. For some time be was a director of the First National Bank. During his boyhood Mr. Morton attended the schools of his native village, and studied privately. His first business experi- ence was as a carpenter, which trade he began in New Bedford under John M. Foster, and completed in Fall River. He then went to Kingston, N. Y., where he worked at his trade for a short time and then returned to Fairhaven. At the out- break of the Civil war he was one of the first to enroll his name, joining the 7th Mass. Vols. As this time he was under age and his father, who held Quaker views, protested so strongly with the authorities that he was rejected. In 1862 he ro-enlisted in Co. I), of the 3d Mass. Vols., under Capt. A. D. Wright aud served nine months. Returning at the end of this time he was commissioned second lieutenant and be- came adjutant for the superintendent of recruiting in Norfolk county, stationed at Readville. He served in this capacity until the organization of the 58th Mass. Vols., in which regiment he was commissioned first lieutenant of Co. G. He served through- out the Grant campaign and in September, 1864, was taken prisoner and held at Libby, Salisbury, N. C., and Danville, Va., until exchanged in February. 1865. Soon after he was commissioned captain of Co. C, of the same regiment, and served until the regiment was mustered out at the close of the war. About this time the oil fever in Pennsylvania was at its height and Captain Morton went to the oil regions, but not being able to gain a satisfactory foothold. returned in a few months. He now engaged in various mercantile pursuits, conducting a real estate business in Boston for some time, and also serving on the State police. In 1873 President Grant appointed him postmaster at Fairhaven and he served his town faithfully in that capacity for a period of fourteen years. In 1878 he became a trustee and member of the board of investment of the Fairhaven Institution for Savings and in June, 1886, was made treasurer of the institution. Ile is still serving in that capacity. He is also president of the First National Bank, with which he has been connected for a number of years as director and president. Mr. Morton is deeply interested in the welfare and public good of Fairhaven, and has been prominently identified with many projects designed to promote the best interests of the community. . He
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