USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Digitized by Google
154
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
has served for eight years on the School Committee. Mr. Morton has married twice; first, he married Anna M., daughter of Capt. Joseph W. Black, and of this union four children survive: Charles II., jr., Anna B., Linnaeus W. and Helen T. Ilis second wife was Adeline L. Allen, daughter of Seth Alden of Fairhaven. The Morton family is of old Puritan stock, Mr. Morton being ninth of the line of George Morton, who settled in Plymouth in 1623.
Morton, James M., jr., attorney at law, was born in Fall River, Mass., August 24, 1869, a son of Hon. James M. and Emily (Canedy) Morton. He obtained his pre- paratory education in the schools of his native city, graduating from the High School in 1886, and from Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, in 1887. He then en- tered Harvard College and was graduated cum laude from that institution in 1891. He passed the succeeding three years in Harvard Law School and received the de- grees of LL. B and A. M. in 1894. At the Harvard commencement that year Mr. Morton was the law orator, being selected as the representative of the Law School on that occasion. He was admitted to the Bristol county bar at the April sitting of the Supreme Court at Taunton in 1894, and began the practice of his profession at Fall River in July following, forming a copartnership with Hon. Andrew J. Jennings under the firm name of Jennings & Morton. June 10, 1896, Mr. Morton married Miss Nancy J. B. Brayton, and they have one son, James M. Morton, the fourth of that name.
Neill, ITon. Joseph O., son of William and Margaret (Grenough) Neill, was born in Calais, Me., January 31, 1838, and obtained his education in the public schools. He was engaged in various pursuits as a young man, at one time (1857) making a voy- age to Cuba in the ship Plumas. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, 4th Mass. Vols., Captain Gordon. This was the first regiment to reach Virginia, landing at Fortress Monroe. He was discharged July 22, 1861, but re-enlisted from Taunton, in Co. F. 29th Mass. Vols., on November 21, 1861. In this company he was first sergeant, second lieuten- ant and first lieutenant, resigning from the latter office to return home and raise a company for the 60th Mass. Regiment under Colonel Wass. He was commissioned captain of Company D, from Fall River, in July, 1864. In civil life Mr. Neill has long been prominent in the official and business circles of Fall River, where he set. tled in 1865. He was first employed by Mr. P. D. Conant, a hardware dealer ou Second street, where the post offce now stands. Some years later he was admitted to partnership and when Mr. Conant retired in 1886 he succeeded to the business, which had been moved to its present location on Bedford street. Mr. Neill was a candidate against Robert Howard of Fall River, for State senator in 1886. 1887, 1889, 1890, 1891 and 1893, but was defeated. In 1888 he received a certificate of election over Mr. Howard, but the seat was successfully contested on the ground of a mis- spelled ballot. He was senator from the Second Bristol district in 1894, 1895 and 1896; was chairman of the committee on Federal relations and a member of the committees on public charitable institutions and woman suffrage in 1894; chairman of the committee on harbors and public lands, and a member of the committees on printing and charitable institutions in 1895; chairman of the committee on charita- ble institutions, and a member of those on harbors and public lands and public ser- vice in 1806; House chairman of the committee on public charitable institutions and a member of the committee on street railways in 1897. Mr. Neill was a member of
Digitized by Google
155
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
the Fall River Common Council in 1867, alderman in 1878 and 1879, and water com- missioner in 1801, 1892 and 1893. He is a member of Mt. Hope Lodge, Fall River Chapter and Council of Masons and of Fall River Lodge No. 219. I. O. O. F., also past commander of Richard Borden Post No. 96, G. A. R. He is a director of the Metacomet Bauk. In July, 1863, he married Mary J., daughter of P. D. Conant, and their children are Jessie, wife of Sidney W. Bateman of Newport, R. I .; Jennie L., wife of William N. Emery of Jacksonville, Fla .; and Lena May.
New Process Twist Drill Co .. The .- The inventor of this process of manufacturing twist drills was Edwin O. Williams of Taunton, and after perfecting his patents and machines, he formed a company for their manufacture and started in business in February, 1884. The peculiarity of the manufactures of this company is that their drills are hot forged, and not milled. The company claim that they are the only concern in this country, and, they believe, the only one in the world making hot forged twist drills, and that other companies have tried to do this over and over again but without success. The present officers are B. L. Dwinell, president; Peter H. Corr, treasurer; John M. Goodwin, general manager; Arnold C. Hopkins, super- intendent of works.
Newell, Fred A., was born in Franklin, August 8, 1845. His father, Hiram Newell, was a native of Cumberland, R. I., and the family were among the early settlers. Hiram Newell married Clarissa Scott and through life was engaged in boat building at Franklin and was the pioneer of that industry; he died April 26, 1859. Fred A. Newell was educated in the public schools and for a time was engaged in the straw business. In 1874 he engaged in the jewelry business and at the pres- ent time Watson & Newell are the leading manufacturers in the two Attleboroughs. In 1892 Mr. Newell married Alida, daughter of Capt. Samuel D. Walden. Mr. Newell is one of the self-made meu of Bristol county, conservative and entirely un- assuming and has ever taken an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions. In 1804 he enlisted in Co. G, 5th Mass., and was one to answer the last call of Abraham Lincoln for volunteers.
.
Nichols, John B., was born in Rehoboth, Mass , December 1, 1859, a son of Charles B. and Sarah A. (Nichols) Nichols. As a boy he attended the district schools and worked on his father's farm. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the plumb- ing and tinsmith trade with George H. Davol & Co. of Fall River, and in June, 1893. purchased the business of A. C. Wyatt, who was located at the corner of Third and Rodman streets, and has since conducted it at this location with success, dealing in stoves, glass, tin, and woodenware and conducting a general plumbing business. He has made a speciaity of installing heating apparatus and has placed plants in many public and private buildings in the city, notably the plant in the Episcopal church on Rock street, and that in the Emergency Hospital. Mr. Nichols married Elvira B., daughter of Frank W. Eddy, a well known citizen of Fall River. They have five children: Sarah F., Nettie W., Alton A., Mildred B. and Milton B.
Nicholson, John G., son of James and Agnes (Greenhill) Nicholson, was born in London, England, August 24, 1865. He is, however, of Scotch descent, both of his parents having been natives of Scotland. During his early youth he attended pri- vale schools and later for two years the City of London College. Having completed
Digitized by Google
156
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
his schooling he entered a London broker's office when but fifteen years of age and remained there until he reached his twentieth year. At that time he came to this country, settling first in Norwich, Conn., where a cousin was conducting a large re- tail dry goods store. He worked in this store as a clerk for a period of two years and then went to Fall River to engage in the life insurance business. Leaving Fall River within a year he accepted a position as bookkeeper for William II. Washburn, a dealer in builders' supplies, and in this position gained an extensive knowledge of the lumber trade, and in 1892, with Elzeard Fournier, formed a copartnership for the conduct of a general planing mill business under the name of Fournier & Nicholson. They started the enterprise in a small way, with little capital and machinery, and having met with a large measure of success are now carrying a large stock and op- erating a plant of the first class. During his business career in New Bedford Mr. Nicholson has gained many friends. Ile is a member of Eureka Lodge of Masons, and the Chapter, Council, Commandery and Shrine. In 1898 he was appointed a member of the Cemetery Commission for a term of three years by joint convention. He married first, Annie M. Priestley, daughter of George Priestley of New Bedford; his second wife, Helen E. Priestley, was also a daughter of George Priestley.
Nickerson, Capt. Henry O., was born in Fall River, January 23, 1845, and began sailing at the age of twelve. In March, 1862, he enlisted in the 3d Rhode Island Artillery and served for three years. After the war he returned to sailing, which has been the occupation of his life. Ile has been on the Fall River Line of steamers for over thirteen years, the last ten years of which he has been a captain. He has been a captain of the steamer Pilgrim for four years. Capt. Nickerson is a member of Narragansett Lodge, F. & A. M., Chapter, Council and Commandery, and of Rich- ard Borden Post, No. 46, G. A. R., of which he has been senior vice-commander. November 16, 1877, he married Ida M. Innis and they have one son, Benjamin O. Capt. Nickerson's father was Benjamin Nickerson, his mother Bersheba (Young) Nickerson. Benjamin Nickerson was the son of Benjamin, who was the son of Ben- jamin, son of Benjamin, son of Samuel, son of Samuel, son of William Nickerson, who came from Norwich, Norfolk county, England, and landed at Plymouth in 1637. He is frequently mentioned in the old records of Plymouth Colony and became owner of all the land in and about Chatham. He was also in the militia with Miles Stan- dish, and his son William participated in King Philip's war.
Nickerson, John Wesley, deputy sheriff of Bristol county for the past thirty years, is one of the oldest and best known citizens of New Bedford. He was born in Plym- outh, Mass., May 5, 1818, a son of Israel and Rebecca (Young) Nickerson. During his boyhood he worked on the farm and attended school the usual three months which were accorded to a boy in those days, and he also worked at the carpenter's trade under his father, who was a practical carpenter and a respected citizen in Plymouth for many years. When he reached the age of seventeen he came to New Bedford and found employment as a clerk in a grocery owned by Jonathan Bourne, with whom he remained about two and a half years, and then found a similar posi- tion with the dry goods firm of Barney & Head, where he remained an equal length of time. IIe then engaged in the dry goods business for himself, locating on South Water street, where he remained in business for about five years and at the end of this time he sold out; made a voyage of six months in a merchant vessel, and when
Digitized by Google
157
PERSONAL REFERENCES.
he returned formed a company and bought a ship in which he sailed as supercargo and part owner for eleven years, mostly in the trade with Brazil, Africa and the Cape Verde Islands. A short time after the ship had been sold he was appointed deputy sheriff of Bristol county, which position he has ever since held, and he has also held commissions as deputy sheriff of Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes coun- ties. Mr. Nickerson has been a member of the Star in the East Lodge of Masons for some years and is also a member of Adoniram Chapter and was a charter mem- ber of Pacific Lodge of Odd Fellows. He was first a Whig and has been a staunch Republican since the organization of that party, serving at different times on the city committee and as delegate to State and county conventions. He represented Ward 2 in the Council for two terms and Ward 4 a like number of times, being a member of the first Council elected after the incorporation of the city. In the ad- ministrations of Mayors G. II. Dunbar and Abram H. Howland he served as chief of police. Mr. Nickerson descends from a hardy settler of Cape Cod, William, by name, who came from England in 1730. In 1838 he married Mary G. Chase of Nan- tucket, and of their eight children only three survive: Elizabeth R., wife of James W. Ilerrey. of New Bedford; Thomas, and Louise, wife of P. F. Brownell, of Otta- wa, Canada.
Nooning, William B., who died in New Bedford, May 30, 1874, was one of the promising young business men of the city, and noted as well for a most charitable and benevolent spirit. He was born in Bristol, Mass., January 31, 1836, a son of Jonathan and Eliza (Bowler) Nooning, educated in the schools of the vicinity and very early in life learned the sailmaking trade under his father. At this trade he continued until 1865, when he removed to New Bedford and in a small way started a millinery business on Purchase street. To this he gave all his energy and ability and had soon increased the business to considerable proportions. He was a trustee and valued member of the Pleasant Street Methodist Church and one of the origin- ators of the Young Men's Christian Association movement in New Bedford. Fra- ternally, he was a member of the Eureka Lodge of Masons, Sutton Commandery and Acushnet Lodge of Odd Fellows. He was a faithful friend of the poorer classes and in a quiet, unassuming way did much to improve the condition of cases which came under his notice. Mr. Nooning married, in 1857, Hannah H. Sherman, daugh- ter of Justice and Clarissa (Gifford) Sherman, and they had three daughters, one now survives, Clarissa, wife of James H. Gorham of New Bedford. The millinery busi . ness which Mr. Nooning established on Purchase street is still continued at the same location by Mrs. Nooning.
Normandin, Louis Zephirin, M. D., is the son of Antoine and Amelia Normandin, aud was born in St. Jacques-le-Mineur, Canada, October 9, 1851. He pursued an eight years' course at the College of the Sulpician Fathers in Montreal and after- wards entered Victoria College, in the same city, for the study of medicine and surg- ery, receiving the degree of M. 1). therefrom in 1879. The same year he settled in New Bedford, where he has since practiced his profession. In 1883 he also engaged in the drug business, first at 620 and since 1890 at 598 Purchase street. Dr. Nor- mandin is one of the leading physicians of New Bedford, and for many years has enjoyed an extensive practice. He served for six years as a member of the School Committee and is now (1898) a member of the Board of Aldermen. He is a member
Digitized by Google
158
OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
of Alpha Lodge, I. O. O. F., M. U. and of the Elks, and also of several French organizations. In 1881 he married Mary Goulet of New Bedford, and they have four children: Azelia, Romeo, Alfred and Ella.
Nottage, Herbert H., physician and ophthalmologist, was born in Chelsea, Mass., October 1, 1863. He obtained his preparatory education in the schools of his na- tive town, graduating in 1882 with high standing in the sciences. He then entered Harvard Medical College, received his medical degree in 1886, and was then offered a position on the medical staff of the Boston Free Hospital for Women. He was assistant editor for one year of the Annals of Gynaecology, of which Dr. Cushing was editor in chief. Dr. Nottage resigned this position to engage in the general practice of medicine, beginning at Westport, Mass., where he succeeded at once in his profession. In 1895 he became assistatt to Dr. Giles of New York, in the Man. hattan Eye and Ear Infirmary. Here in the doctor's private practice, at the Demilt Dispensary and in the Post Graduate School he had excellent advantages for ad- vancement in his profession. He next went to London, spending some time in Moorfields Hospital, where as many as 500 cases are treated daily. After returning from England he opened an office in Fall River and was soon thereafter elected a member of the New England Ophthalmological Society, and the same year was ap- pointed attending surgeon to the Roger Williams Eye, Ear and Throat Infirmary in Providence and for a time filled the appointment by going back and forth between the two cities. Increase of his work at Providence led to his residence there while he still retained the bettor part of his practice in Fall River. Dr. Nottage has long been a student of oriental philosophy and comparative religions and has followed the development of psychical research. He writes occasionally for medical journals and for "The Christian," edited by Rev. H. L. Hastings. In 1888 he married H. May, daughter of Rev. H. L. Hastings. Of this union are two children: Percy H. and Nathaniel. Dr. Nottage is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Med- ical Club of Rhode Island, and the Massachusetts Meteorological Society.
Nute, Joseph E., was born at South Woodstock, Oxford county, Maine, Septem- ber 3, 1863, a son of Orsamus and Lavina (Davis) Nute. When he was an infant his parents removed to Boston, Mass., where he was educated, attending the common schools, the English High School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he was graduated in the class of 1885. His first business connection was as an engineer on the engineering staff of the United Gas Improvement Company of Philadelphia, engaged in building holder tanks for different gas plants throughout the country. Ile remained in this capacity for a period of two years and then was made superintendent of distribution of the Jersey City works of the same company, where he remained three years. Mr. Nute removed to Fall River to take charge of the plant of the Fall River Gas Works Company in 1890, and has since filled that re- sponsible position with ability. He is a member of the American Gas Light Associ- ation, the New England Association of Gas Engineers and a recognized authority on all matters pertaining to gas construction. May 30, 1887, he married Harriet G., granddaughter of Samuel G. Wilkins, a city missionary of Boston. They have four children: Helen, Raymond Edson, Warren Wilkins and Alden Davis.
Nye, Pemberton Hutchinson, ship chandler, is the son of 'Thomas and Susan W. (Case) Nye, and a grandson of Thomas and Hannah (Hathaway) Nye, and was born
Digitized by Google
159
ยท PERSONAL REFERENCES.
in New Bedford, Mass., September 23, 1870. Thomas Nye, sr., a native and resident of Fairhaven, was a master mariner in the merchant service for many years and later an agent of merchant ships in his native town, where he died in 1844. Thomas Nyc, jr., was born in Fairhaveu, November 9. 1801. IIe, too, was master of mer- chant ships for many years and afterward an agent for whaling vessels in company with his brother, Asa R., the firm name being T. & A. R. Nye. He was a director and president of the National Bank of Commerce from 1860 to 1868, and died March 22, 1882, being survived by his widow. They had two sons: Pemberton H., of New Bedford, and Richard Mott, who died in infancy. Mrs. Nye is a daugh- ter of Pardon Case of Westport Point, Mass. Pemberton II. Nye was graduated from the Friends' Academy in New Bedford in 1887, and afterward made several voyages in merchant ships for pleasure. In the fall of 1894 he formed a copartnership with Frederick V. Hadley, and under the firm name of Nye & Hadley engaged in the ship chandlery business on the corner of Frout street and Taber's wharf. In May, 1896, Mr. Hadley withdrew and since then Mr. Nye has conducted the business alone. He is also an agent for vessels in the coasting service. October 28, 1891, he married Jennie B., daughter of Alexander B. Crapo of New Bedford.
Osborn, James Edward, treasurer of the American Linen Company, was born in Fall River, Mass., January 24, 1856, a son of James and Mary B. (Chace) Osborn. He was educated in the public schools of Fall River and was graduated from the High School in the class of 1872. He began his business career in the office of the Merchants' Mills, where he remained three years and afterwards engaged in the cotton brokerage business. He became a member of the firm of Covel & Osborn, dealers in mill supplies at Fall River in 1884. Mr. Osborn was elected president of the Hargraves Mills in 1394 and for several years has been a director in the Parker Mills, the Fall River Street Railroad, the Pocasset National Bank, the Manufactur- ers' Mutual Insurance Company, the Fall River Electric Light Company and the American Linen Company, all of Fall River, and in the Carr Manufacturing Com- pany of Taunton. Since 1800 he has been treasurer of the American Linen Com- pany.
Pardee, Charles A., coal dealer, son of Isaac and Gertrude (Munger) Pardee, was born at Kingston, N. Y., June 29, 1841. His ancestors were French Huguenots, who came first to Connecticut and from there moved to the vicinity of Chatham, N. Y. His great-grandfather, James Pardec, was a mounted officer in the army of the Revolution. After completing his education in the public schools and the Kingston Academy, Charles A. Pardee was engaged for two years with the Pennsylvania Coal Company as weighmaster at Port Ewen, N. Y., and during the winter looked after the floating stock of the company at Williamsburg (now Brooklyn). N. Y. He next was given the position of foreman on the docks of the Delaware & Hudson Coal Company at Rondout, N. Y., and from there was transferred to Weehawken, N. J., by the same company, to take charge of their coal depot there. In 1869 the company sent him to Grand Tower, Ill., to look after their coal shipments and local sales. In 1878 he removed to Fall River, where he engaged in the coal business with M. T. Bennett, jr., & Co. In 1878, with John M. Young, he formed the firm of Pardee & Young, and they have since carried on a large coal business on Davol street, Fall River. Mr. Pardee was married at Kingston, N. Y., to Kate Eltinge Deane of Port Ewen, and they have three children: Emma C., Catherine A., and Charles A.
Digitized by Google
160
OUK COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.
.
Pardee, Lewis O , son of Lewis R. and Mahala (West) Pardee, was born in See- konk, Bristol county, Mass., December 5, 1843. He attended the public schools of his native town and after gaining an education began to learn the mason's trade under Hiram S. Read at Providence, R. I. After an experience of five years in Providence, three of which were spent with Mr. Read, and two as a journeyman, he removed to New Bedford, where he also remained for five years. Mr. Pardee set- tled in Fairhaven in 1885 and in 1898 formed a copartnership with Zenas Dodge to conduct a general contracting business. The latter retired in 1897 and Mr. Pardee has since continued alone with excellent success. He is a Republican iu politics, has always been interested and ready to assist in the development of the village in which he lives and is a member of the Village Improvement Society. He is also a member of Concordia Lodge, F. & A. M. In June, 1883, he married Emma J., daughter of Benjamin P. Tripp of Fairhaven, and they have five children: Bessie Lewis, Bertha Tripp, Charles Elmer, Olive Mosher and Byron Matthews.
Parker, A. T., was born at Cranston, R. I., December 18, 1852. His father, Thomas K. Parker, came from Nottingham, Eng., to the United States in 1840, with his father, John Parker, who was the pioneer of the spooling of cotton. Thomas K. married Anna Reynolds, and was an expert machinist. Arthur T. Parker was edu- cated in the public schools and Friends' School of Providence, R. I., and followed civil engineering for thirteen years. In 1884 he came to North Attleborough and entered the insurance business, which in 1885 was reorganized as A. T. Parker & Co. In 1879 he married Eserphine G. Miner, who died in 1888, and later he married Min- nie F. Hall, and he has four sons and one daughter: Lawrence and Grace by the first wife, and Carlton, Sanford and Richard by the second. Mr. Parker is one of the representative business men of his town, is treasurer of the Plainville Loan As- sociation, a member of Bristol Lodge, F. & A. M., and Aurora Lodge of Odd Fel- lows.
.
.
Parker, Henry W., son of Ward M. and Marcia F. (Lewis) Parker, was born in New Bedford, November 2, 1849. Ilis father, a native of Falmouth, was in early life engaged in the coasting trade commanding a vessel running to Charleston, S. C. He later engaged in procuring live oak timber in Florida, under contracts with the government, and finally embarked in the whaling business at Wood's Holl, where he built the ship Bartholomew Gosnold, and by shrewd management he acquired a large estate. For nearly forty years he was a director in the Marine (now First National) Bank, and for many years was in the direction of the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad, the Gas Light Co., the Commercial Insurance Co., the Taunton Locomo- tive Works, and the Taunton Copper Co., of which he was president several years. He died in New Bedford, August 6, 1881, in his ninety-seventh year, a man univer- sally respected and of many friends. Henry W. Parker attended private schools in New Bedford and Falmouth, preparing for college at New Bedford under the late Charles P. Rugg, who was for twenty-five years principal of the High School, and in 1868 he entered Brown University and took the A. B. degree in 1872. In the same year he began the study of medicine at Harvard University, School of Medi- cine, but discontinued his medical course at the end of the first year and established . a drug store in New Bedford, locating at the corner of Middle and Purchase streets. At the end of a period of four years he sold out and became connected with
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.