USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 39
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Smith's Homoeopathic Pharmacy in New York city, but on the death of his father returned to New Bedford to assume the management of the estate. In 1885 he again took up the study of medicine at Harvard University, School of Medicine, and was graduated M. D). in 1890, but has never been in active practice. Mr. Parker be- came associated with the firm of Gifford & Company in 1989, and now owns the en- tire interest. This clothing store, now located on Pleasant street, was established by Nathaniel Gifford in 1838, and consequently may be remembered among the old- est establishments of its kind in the city.
Parker, William Crowell, lawyer, was born February 19, 1850, in New Bedford, Mass., where he has always resided. His grandfather, Benjamin Parker, and great- grandfather, Sylvanus Parker, both lived in Falmouth, whence his father, William C. Parker, came to New Bedford when a young man, learned the trade of painter, and died in 1876, aged sixty-four. The latter was for many years one of the leading master painters in the city. He married Huldah N. Potter of New Bedford, who died in 1883. William Crowell Parker, their sixth child and second son, was edu- cated in the New Bedford public schools, read law in the offices of Barney & Knowl- ton, attended the Albany (N. Y.) Law School one year, and was admitted to the bar of Massachusetts in 1876. Since then he has successfully followed the general practice of his profession in New Bedford. Ile has had but one law partner, Robert F. Raymond, in 1883-84. Mr. Parker has long been a prominent Republican, and for several years was a member of the New Bedford Common Council. In 1872, when twenty-two years old, he was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature, in which he served in 1873 and 1874, having been re-elected. He was the youngest member of that body. In 1873 he was a member of the labor committee, and at the close of that session was appointed a member of the special committee to investigate the accounts of county officers, of which he was made the secretary. He drew the report of that committee, which was submitted to the Legislature. In 1878 and and again in 1880 Mr. Parker served as city solicitor of New Bedford. Ile was married in September, 1882, to Abbie G., daughter of William Tallman, jr., of New Bedford, Mass.
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Paull, Elbridge Gerry, son of Elbridge Gerry and Abby (Parris) Paull, was born in Freetown, April 21, 1836. His father was a native of Berkley, Mass., and for many years conducted a saw mill in Freetown. He removed to Fairhaven in 1875 and lived there until his death in 1886. Mr. Paull attended the Freetown schools and when sixteen years of age began to learn the machinist's and blacksmithing trades in the machine shop of D. E. Strange, for whom he worked five years, acquir- ing a thorough knowledge of his business. He then went to Taunton, where he was employed by the Dean Cotton Machine Company as a blacksmith for two years, and at the end of that time went to Somerset, where he was employed in the same capac- ity for seven years by the Mt. Hope Iron Company. In 1865 he came to Fairhaven with Cyrus D. Hunt and Russell Hathaway to start the American Tack Company and was employed in the plant as a blacksmith until 1886, when he became superin- tendent. In 1891, when the company was merged into the present Atlas Tack Company, he became superintendent and agent. He is now general superintendent of all the mills of the Atlas Tack Company, three of which are located in Taunton, one in Plymouth and one in Fairhaven. Mr. Paull has been enabled to fill his re-
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sponsible position with success, partly owing to a native business ability, and partly to the fact that he is a practical machinist and tack maker. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He has served on the School Committee and as assessor and is now a member of the Sewer Commission. He is a prominent member of the Village Im- provement Society, and actively interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the village in which he has resided for over thirty-three years. Mr. Paull is a member of Concordia Lodge, F. & A. M., the Chapter and Council. For a number of years he has been a member of the Unitarian Church of Fairhaven. In 1859 he married Nancy M., daughter of Malbon Hathaway of Freetown, and they have two sons: Norman M. and Alton B.
Pearse, William G., son of William H. and Rosanna (Gardner) Pearse, was born at Bristol Ferry, in 1848, and obtained his early education in the district schools of that vicinity. When he was quite young the family removed to Cumberland, near Woonsocket, R. I., where he worked on his father's farm until 1867. At that time he located in Swansea and formed a copartnership with David Mason, under the firm name of D. Mason & Co., to deal in live stock, principally horses and cattle. He continued in this and in other minor enterprises for ten years. In 1877 he en- gaged in the wholesale fruit and produce business on Second street in Fall River, associating himself with E. O. Easterbrooks, under the firm name of Pearse & Easter- brooks. Three years later they added agricultural implements to their stock, as well as a line of hardware, and still later they dropped the produce business and added harness and horse clothing. At this time Mr. Easterbrooks withdrew and his inter- est was taken by his brother, Charles E. Easterbrooks. Soon after the latter also retired, and Mr. Pearse became sole proprietor. In 1897 he took his son, William H. Pearse, into the firm, the name being then changed to William G. Pearse & Son. In August of the same year George Marvell was also admitted, at which time the firm name took its present form of W. G. Pearse & Co. Mr. Pearse has resided in Swansea for nearly thirty years. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact and is one of the leading business men of Fall River. He was married in 1870 to Elizabeth M., daughter of Gardner Slade of Somerset. Of this union one son survives, William H. Pearse.
Peck, Charles C., was born in Barrington, R. I., February 7, 1881, a son of Leonard and Harriet (Short) Peck. His father was a farmer and hotel proprietor and died in 1863. Charles C. Peck was educated in the common schools and in 1847 came to North Attleborough, where he learned the jeweler's trade with Morse & Bailey and Tift & Whiting, traveling from New York for them. He spent two years in Cincin- nati with R. Clayton, also two years with L. D. Sim. April 18, 1861, bo enlisted in Co. A, 6th Ohio Vols., for three months, then re-enlisted for three years and took part in the battles of Rich Mountain, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, going out as a private and re- tiring with rank of first lieutenant, and received an honorable discharge June 28, 1864. He then returned to Cincinnati and spent two years in Omaha, and fifteen years in Nebraska stock raising. In 1880 he returned to North Attleborough. In 1852 he married Frances M., daughter of Othaniel and Julia Blackinton. Mr. Peck is one of the conservative men of his town, serving as overseer of the poor, and mem- ber of the public and town committee. He was one of the founders of the G. A. R., Post No. 192, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town.
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Peck, Lydia D .- Capron Peck was born at Attleborough, February 4, 1797. He was descended from Hezekiah,' Hezekiah,' Hezekiah,' Jonathan,' and Capron," who were all born on the same place, which is still owned by the family. Jonathan Peck was born in 1769. The family trace their descent from Joseph Peck who came from England in 1638. Jonathan Peck married Sabra, daughter of Joseph Capron, and he was prominent in his town. Capron Peck, the fifth generation to reside in Attle- borough, married Lydia M., daughter of Hon. Ebenezer Daggett, and was identified in the cotton manufacturing industry at Attleborough. His death, which occurred September 7, 1874, was a loss not only to his family, but to all who knew him. Of him it can well be said, " An honest man is the noblest work of God." He was con- servative and unassuming in character; his judgment was sought and respected by all who knew him; and his hand ever aided any enterprise intended to benefit his town and town's people.
Peckham, Anson C., physician and surgeon, son of Reuben M., and Elizabeth (Churchill) Peckham, was born in Somerset, Mass., September 3, 1855, and moved with his parents to Fall River when three years old. He received his preparatory education in the public schools of Fall River, then studied under the instruction of Isaac Smith, A. M., M. D., matriculated at the medical department of Dartmouth College, received his medical degree from that institution October 30, 1877, and on November 15 of that year commenced the practice of his profession in Fall River, where he has since met with continued success. When the Fall River Hospital was opened he was appointed a member of the surgical staff. on which he served three years and resigned to accept an appointment on the medical staff of the same insti- tution. Dr. Peckham has served as president of the Fall River Medical Society. In the fall of 1897 he was appointed one of the medical examiners of the Fall River Pension Board. He is a member of Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; past chancellor Annawan Lodge, K. of P., and represented that lodge at the Grand Lodge in 1892. He is medical examiner for the National Life Insurance Company, Montpelier, Vt., and Mt. Hope Lodge, United Order of Pilgrim Fathers. November 7, 1882, Dr. Peck- ham married Ida L. Waite of Tiverton, R. I , and they have one daughter, Sadie. Dr. Peckham's grandfather, Henry Peckham, was born in Rhode Island, served in the war of 1812, and for many years was town clerk of Newport.
Peirce, Charles M., jr., who died in New Bedford, September 12, 1875, in his fifty- third year, was for years a prominent figure in political and business circles of New Bedford. He was engaged for many years in an extensive brick and lime business on North Water street, was a member of the Common Council six years, two of which he served that body as president, and he represented this district for several terms in the State Legislature, served on the School Committee several years, and at the time of his death, was a member of the General Court. Mr. Peirce was a man of indomitable energy and possessing the courage of his convictions, had the man- liness to support them without subterfuge or hypocrisy, and he was for many years an active and valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Peirce was of good New England stock, being eighth of the line of that branch of the fam- ily headed by Michael Peirce, who was born in England and came to America about 1645, locating in Hingham, Mass., and in the following year in Scituate; he was
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commissioned a captain by the Colony Court in 1669; Charles,' Barnard,' Joshua," Mial,' Ephriam,' Ephriam,' aud Michael.1 Mr. Peirce married first Susan A. Durfee and of this union was one son, Frank O. For his second wife he married, November 28, 1800, Amanda E. Ilill, daughter of Thomas J. and Betsy (Brown) Hill, who sur- vives him, and they had six children: Annie C., William C., Mary A. II., Emily 11., Albert B., and Elizabeth S.
Peloquin, Pierre F., grocer and member of the School Committee of Fall River was born May 26, 1851, at Sorel. Canada. After completing his preparatory studies in the government school he spent one year at Sorel University and was graduated from Montreal College in 1872. He then moved to Fall River, becoming one of the earliest French residents of the city, and was employed as bookkeeper in a grocery store for six years. In 1878 he engaged in the grocery and provision business for himself on Bedford street, and by diligence and industry has since prospered. He is a shareholder in the Fall River Laundry, Fall River Ice Company and is treasurer of the Sand Rock Gold Mining Company of Arkansas. Mr. Peloquin is one of the trustees of St. Matthew's church of Fall River, for seven years has been president of the Ligue de Patriote (an influential organization of Frenchmen in Fall River with about 1,000 members). He was elected a member of the School Committee in 1896 for a term of three years. Ile holds a high social position among the French element and is an enterprising and progressive citizen of Fall River.
Perkins, Thomas Peleg Whittridge, son of Josiah and Asenith (Clark) Perkins, was born in Middleborough, Mass., December 2, 1820. His father was also a native . and lifelong resident of Middleborough, and died there in the eightieth year of his age, honored and respected. Mr. Perkins, like his father and grandfather, has fol- lowed the blacksmith's trade all his life. He began when fourteen years old in his father's shop in Middleborough, having previously been given the advantages of the common school. He came to Fairhaven in 1869 and established a shop on the south- east corner of Main and Bridge streets; three years later he built a shop on the cor- ner of Privilege and Bridge streets, which he has ever since occupied, a period of twenty-eight years. Mr. Perkins has ever been a staunch adherent of Democracy, and has always been deeply interested in the welfare of the town and many years ago was earnestly identified with a project for the extension of Privilege street across the old pond by Bridge. This project failed, but the step has been taken, justifying his earlier course. Mr. Perkins married, first, Laura A., daughter of John Bennett of North Rochester, and second, Betsey W., daughter of Zebulon Canedy of Lakeville, Mass., and of their children, two are now living: Oscar T., and Olive B., wife of Henry Sherman of New Bedford.
Peterson, Charles A. B., physician, is descended from (1) Joseph Peterson of Plym- outh; (2) Jonathan Peterson, whose wife, Lydia Thacher, died May 26, 1756, aged seventy-seven years; (3) Reuben Peterson, sr., born April 8, 1710, married July 6, 1732, Rebecca Simmons, who died January 25, 1764; (4) Reuben Peterson, jr., born April 10, 1749, died May 22, 1845, married Abigail Soule, who was born May 20, 1757, died January 13, 1842; (5) Charles Peterson, born November 11, 1788, married Thank- ful Clark; and (6) Sylvester H. Peterson, born in South Plymouth, Mass., January 15, 1822, died there October 14, 1870. Thankful Clark, who married Charles Peter- son (5) was descended from (1) Thomas Clark, who came to Plymouth in the ship
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Ann in 1623 and died March 24, 1697; (2) James Clark, born in 1636, died in 1657; (3) Thomas Clark, called " Silver Headed Tom" because he was scalped by the In- dians and afterward wore a silver cap; (4) Josiah Clark, born in 1690; (5) Israel Clark, born in 1710; (6) Thankful Clark, born in 1750, married Miles Long in 1770; and (7) Betsey Long, who married John Clark in 1791. Thankful Clark, daughter of John and Betsey (Long) Clark, was born April 26, 1793, in Plymouth, and married. January 2, 1810, Charles Peterson, a carpenter, who died November 17, 1845, in Dux- bury. They had seven sons and three daughters, the fifth child being Sylvester H. Peterson (6). He was graduated from Amherst College and engaged in school teaching, but spent much of his life as a publisher in Philadelphia, Pa., where he married, July 22, 1850, Matilda Scattergood, who died November 15, 1886. Their children were. John M. S., born April 22, 1852; William S. H., born February 24. 1854; Charles A. B., born November 12, 1855; and Louise M. S., born August 20, 1863. Dr. Charles A. B. Peterson was born and began his education in Philadelphia, and when a lad returned with his parents to Plymouth, where he also attended school. He read medicine in New Bedford and at the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the Long Island College Hospital with the degree of M. I). in 1886, after which he spent a year in the Long Island City Hospital. He has practiced his profession in New Bedford since 1887. Dr. Peterson is a member of the Massachusetts State, Bristol County, and New Bedford Medical Societies, the Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, and has served one year as physician and three years as a member of the New Bedford Board of Overseers of the Poor. January 20, 1876, he married Stella J., daughter of George G. Gifford of New Bedford, and their children are Ethel Louise, Helen Lawrence and Ruth Merritt.
Phillips, A. S., was born in North Attleborough, April 15, 1851, a son of John Phillips, a native of Gloucester, R. I., who came to North Attleborough in 1840 and through life was identified as a farmer. Ile married Lydia, daughter of William Wolcott. A. S. Phillips was educated in North Attleborough and Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Providence. He learned the jeweler's trade, which he followed up to 1886 and then purchased a business of coal, wood and livery. In 1878 he mar- ried Emma H., daughter of Mr. Kenyon, and they have two daughters, Alberta W. and Marjorie. Mr. Phillips is one of the self-made men of Bristol county, conserva- tive and unassuming and has served his town as street commissioner, taking an in- telligent interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best inter- ests of bis town and its peopie.
Phillips, Arthur Sherman, attorney at law, was born at East Bridgewater, Mass., December 13, 1865; his ancestors settled in Marshfield and Weymouth prior to 1680, and in the town of Bridgewater early in the following century. Of his paternal an- cestors, John Phillips was a sergeant in General Washington's life guard, and of his maternal ancestors, Capt. William Pratt commanded the colonial militia in the de- fense of New Bedford. Mr. Phillips came to Fall River in 1871, was graduated from the Fall River High School with the class of 1883, and from Williams College in 1887. Ile began the study of law in June, 1800, as a student in the office of Morton & Jennings in Fall River, and was admitted to the Bristol bar in May, 1891. In June, 1892, he was graduated from the Boston Law School. From 1892 to 1894 Mr.
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Phillips was associated in the practice of law with Hon. Andrew J. Jennings, and during that time was connected with many of the most important cases tried in the county. In July, 1894, he opened an office in the Granite block, and in October, 1805, became senior partner of the firm of Phillips & Fuller, now located in the Union Bank building. Mr. Phillips is secretary of the Fall River Bar Association, and is a practitioner in the courts of the United States. September 18, 1893, he married Elizabeth L. Cheney of Waltham, Mass. They have two children: Lurena and Kathleen.
Phillips, Edward Marion, was born in Taunton, September 29, 1859, a son of Capt. J. B. and Maria D. (Burt) Phillips. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Taunton and the Bristol Academy. At the close of his school days he went with his father in a coasting vessel and followed the sea for about five years and then went with Briggs & Co. as weighing clerk at their mill. Later he was em- ployed by the Taunton Stove Lining Co. and stayed with them until 1888, when he, with his brother, J. Arthur Phillips, engaged in the grocery and provision business for themselves and have continued it up to the present time. Mr. Phillips is a mem- ber of Sabbatia Lodge, I.O.O.F., Naomi Encampment and the A.O.U. W. He mar- ried Emma H., daughter of John and Maria (Wyman) Trussel of Bucksport, Maine, and they have one daughter, Addie Maria.
Phillips, Ferdinand H., son of Grafton G. and Mary M. (Cottle) Phillips, was born in Dartmouth, April 30, 1846. His early boyhood was spent in acquiring an educa- tion in the common schools of his native town and in farming. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Co. A, 1st R. I. Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and upon his return found employment in the shops of the Providence & Worcester Railroad, where he remained four years. At the end of this period he engaged in the planing mill and general lumber business in Dart- mouth and continued successfully for eight years. Since 1878 he has given his entire attention to farming. Mr. Phillips married, March 4, 1869, Fannie E , daughter of Israel and Caroline (Blount) Burlingame, and of their union one son has been born, Frank B. In politics Mr. Phillips has always been an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of Post 190, G.A.R., of New Bedford, and for many years has been a deacon in the Christian Church of Shawmut.
Phillips, Jacob Arthur, was born in Taunton, February 10, 1858, a son of Jacob B. and Maria D. (Burt) Phillips, and educated in the public schools and Bristol Acade- my. After leaving school he went coasting for a short time and then was employed by Church & Allen, later going with H. W.Church & Co., remaining with them about ten years, and then engaged in business with his brother in a full line of groceries and provisions. Mr. Phillips is a member of Good Samaritan Lodge, I. O. O. F., Naomi Encampment and Canton Cohannet. He was married in December, 1878, to Annie H., daughter of Cyrus Presbrey of Taunton.
Pierce, Alfred, was born in Rehoboth, December 81, 1821, son of Jeremiah Pierce, who was a native of the same town and who married Candace, daughter of Shubel Wheeler, through life having been identified as a carpenter and farmer. He died March 23, 1837. Alfred Pierce was educated in the public schools; afterward learned the carpenter's trade and went to Pawtucket, where he remained four years. In
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1844 he came to Attleborough, leaving, in 1851, for California, where he remained two years, also spending a year in Australia, and in 1854 returned to Attleborough, where he engaged in business, and has been actively engaged in contracting and building for fifty-three years. Ile has erected and rebuilt four or five hundred pub- lic and private buildings in Bristol county. In 1872 he organized the firm of Pierce & Carpenter, dealers in lumber, coal and wood. In 1865 he married Martha R., daughter of Thomas and Polly Richardson Williams, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Marion W. Carter. Mr. Pierce is one of the self-made men of his town; takes an intelligent interest in school and church matters; and is recognized as a man of sterling ability and one whose word is as good as his bond.
Pike, E. C., was born in Attleborough, November 4, 1841, a son of William F. Pike, born in Attleborough in 1810, and grandson of Stephen S. Pike, born on the old homestead on Pike's avenue in 1777. William F. Pike married Harriet H. Hodges, and was engaged through life in farming. E. C. Pike was educated in the public schools and learned the jeweler's trade with Thompson, Richardson & Co. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 47th Mass., and received an honorable discharge in 1868. He established a stable business in 1870. He entered the employ of Hayward & Briggs, remaining with them until 1878, when he established the first dining rooms on Bank street in Attleborough. In 1883 he established his carriage repository, in which he still continues. In 1862 Mr. Pike married Catherine E. Conway, and they have two children: Charles A. and Florence M. Mr. Pike is one of the self-made men of Bris- tol county; one of the charter members of Orient Lodge No. 165, and has ever ad- vanced the best interest of his town and townspeople.
Poisson, Joseph, merchant, was born September 15, 1858, in Gentilly, Canada, P. Q., where he received his education. He came to Fall River in 1872 and was a clerk in a dry goods store until 1879, when he removed to New Bedford, where he has since resided. On arriving in New Bedford Mr. Poisson formed a copartnership with D. A. Roy and opened a dry goods store on Purchase street, near the Parker House. About 1885 the firm of Poisson & Roy dissolved and Mr. Poisson continued the business there alone until 1892, when he bought the property at 822 Purchase street, erected the present building and formed the present firm of Poisson Brothers, the junior member being Laurent Poisson. This is one of the largest and best dry goods and clothing houses in the north end of New Bedford. Mr. Poisson is a director of the New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company, a trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank, and a member of the Board of Trade, the New Bedford Zouaves, and the Franc Tireur (sharpshooters). In 1882 he married Emma Allaire, a native of Canada, and they have one son, Alfred L.
Poisson, Ludger, merchant, was born in Gentilly, Province of Quebec, Canada. August 29, 1868, a son of Nere Poisson, a prominent citizen and wholesale dealer in grain and hay. Mr. Poisson gained his preparatory education in the schools of his native parish and later spent two years in the College of the Brothers of Ste .- Croix, at Three Rivers, Canada. Shortly after completing his course (1885) he came to New Bedford and began work as a clerk for his brother, Joseph Poisson, who is elsewhere mentioned in this work. He continued in the capacity of clerk until 1890, when he formed a copartnership with his brother, Gideon Poisson, to engage in a general dry goods and clothing business, under the firm name of G. & L. Poisson.
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