USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 40
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Although they started their business on a small scale, they have in the eight years of their management attained a wonderful growth and are now conducting two stores, one on Purchase street in the North end and the other on Water street in the South end. Mr. Poisson is a member of the B. P. O. E., St. John the Baptist Society, the A. O. U. W., and the Dartmouth Club. He is unmarried.
Pool, Everett E., was born in Easton, December 3, 1847, a son of IIarrison and Mary Jane Pool. His father in his early life was employed as a store clerk and afterwards engaged in the mathematical instrument business. Everett E. Pool was educated in the common schools of Easton and Cochesett, West Bridgewater, Mass. In 1865 he was employed as a clerk in Taunton for several years and afterwards in the same capacity in North Easton, where he is now engaged. In 1878 he married Addie F., daughter of Samuel B. and Rebecca F. Ripley. He is a director of the Co-operative Bank of Easton; secretary and treasurer of the. Republican Town Committee of Easton; is one of the Selectmen of 1896; and also secretary and treas- urer of the Queset Club of Easton, Mass. He is a progressive man, taking an active interest in politics and all other things that are of interest to the town and town's people.
Poole, Lorenzo A., son of Abiathar and Emily A. (Reed) Poole, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county. Mass., February 15, 1861. Ilis boyhood was spent on his father's farm and in the public schools. In 1883 he entered the employ of the lumber firm of Greene & Wood, in New Bedford, and remained with them until 1894, when he bought his present farm (the old Rev. Daniel Hicks farm) and has since been engaged in farming and the production of milk for the market. He married Annie M., daughter of Jarvis T. and Mary A. Ashley, one of the pioneer families of Bristol county, and they have three children: Eugene, born June 29, 1885; Ethel, born January 28, 1890; and Clarence, born June 19, 1894. Mr. Poole is a member of Shawmut Grange No. 210, and is one of Dartmouth's leading citizens.
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Poole, Capt. William H., son of Abiathar and Emily Ann (Reed) Poole, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., April 1, 1845. At the age of nine- teen he shipped aboard the whaling bark, Morning Star, first before the mast and afterward as boat steerer. In June, 1868, he shipped aboard the Minnesota in New Zealand waters and was promoted to the office of first mate, which position he held until the end of the voyage, June 12, 1872. From September 1, 1873, to June 24, 1875, he was first mate aboard the bark Platina on the coast of Chili, South America, and in July, 1883, he was promoted to the position of captain of the bark Bartholo- mew Gosnold, cruising in New Holland waters. After this voyage he remained at home for a time and then shipped as master of the John and Winthrop. In Decem- ber, 1888, he returned home and engaged in blacksmithing until September, 1890. In February, 1891, he again went whaling in the Arctic Ocean as chief mate of the bark Wanderer and the following year as boatheader of the bark Reindeer. In May, 1895, he made another voyage of eighteen months to Hudson Bay with the ship Canton, and since that time has lived in semi retirement. Mr. Poole has been twice married, first to Annie D. Miller, October 3, 1876, and second to Effie M., daughter of Everet and Louisa Wyman of Maine. Mr. Poole is a member of Acushnet Lodge No. 41, and Annawan Encampment No. 8, I. O. O. F.
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Porter, Edmund William, was born in Taunton, Mass., March 11, 1831, a son of William Wallace and Mehitable (Cobb) Porter. Hisearly education was obtained in the public schools of Taunton and New York State. In 1845, when he was fourteen .years old, he went to the Reed & Barton factory and learned the trade of britannia worker. He stayed with them fourteen years and then left to take a position with the Porter Britannia & Plate Co., in the same location as that occupied by the West Silver Co. of to day. Mr. Porter has been in his present location, with the exception of some time spent in the west and through all the changes of the firm about thirty- nine years. In 1878 he went to Aurora, Ill., to take charge of the Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Co. of that city, where he remained twelve years and then re- turned to Taunton and assisted in the organization of the F. B. Rogers Silver Co. In 1887 this firm was succeeded by the West Silver Co. and Mr. Porter remained as . superintendent, which position he holds to day. He was a member of the City Coun- cil about four years, between the years 1865 and 1873. April 6, 1852, he married Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Jireh and Sally (Waldron) Strange of Taunton, and they had one son, Warren Strange Porter, born October 3, 1857, and died September 1, 1861.
Potter, Abraham Joy, is a lineal descendant in the eighth generation from Nathan- iel Potter, who came to this country in 1638 and settled in Portsmouth, R. I. He is a son of Robert and Mary (Joy) Potter, and was born in Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., September 1, 1828. His education was obtained in the public schools of Westport and Dartmouth, and at the age of eighteen he began work at the carpen- ter's trade. In this occupation he remained twenty-five years, with the exception of four years from 1846 to 1850, when he was engaged in business in Smith's Mills and New Bedford. Of late years he has been engaged in farming. He is a member of the South Bristol Farmers' Club; has been elected selectman, overseer of the poor and to other offices of minor importance. January 1, 1852, he married Jane, daugh- ter of Richard and Abigail Winslow, and they have two children: Calista, and Ella, wife of George HI. Brayton of Westport.
Potter, William Sidney, treasurer of the Flint Mills, was born in Fall River, Oc- tober 15, 1847, a son of Thomas Thurston and Selina Sawyer (Crocker) Potter, and grandson of William and Anna (Aiken) Potter. His first American ancestor was Nathaniel Potter, who in 1638 was admitted an inhabitant of the island of Aquidneck, R. I., and who on April 30. 1639, with twenty other emigrants signed a contract acknowledging allegiance to King Charles I. Mr. Potter was educated in the public schools of Fall River and the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University. At the age of twenty-one he entered the employ of Warren Sawyer of Boston, dealer in hides and leather. In 1868 he became entry clerk in the office of Benjamin Cal- lender & Co., hardware dealers of Boston; in 1870 and 1872 he was employed in the office of the Merchants' Mill of Fall River and was then appointed bookkeeper in the Flint Mills. He has been treasurer of this corporation since 1882. December 9, 1888, he married Lula Whitworth of Fall River, and they have one daughter, Gladys Record Potter. Mr. Potter is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in the Boston Consistory and in King Philip blue lodge of Fall River.
Pratt, George Franklin, was born in East Foxboro, Mass., October 6, 1828, a son of Benjamin Franklin and Eliza (Atherton) Pratt. The early part of his life he at-
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tended the public schools of Taunton, but finished his education under the tutorship of Arunah A. Leach. Mr. Pratt commenced his mercantile life as clerk in the grocery store of George B. Atwood, which was located where Oak Hall now stands, and continued in various lines until 1873, at which time he was elected to the office of county treasurer, which position he has held since his first election and when he has completed his present term will make twenty-seven consecutive years in this office. Mr. Pratt married Elizabeth Bayley of Fall River, a daughter of George Marsden and Ruth Barney Phillips Bayley.
Presbrey, Allen Francis, was born in Taunton, April 20, 1846, a son of Daniel B. and Sarah Jane (Howard) Presbrey, and educated in the public schools. He was first employed by James Sproat in a saw mill, and later entered the grocery store of B. L. Burt as bookkeeper, which position he held until 1877, when he started in business for himself and has remained in it up to the present time, 1898. January 4, 1895, he married Charlotte H., daughter of Elmer and Eliza (Danforth) Lincoln, and they have one daughter, Dorothy A., born December 28, 1896, and one son, Ray- mond Lincoln, born September 17, 1898.
Prescott, Oliver, jr., son of Oliver and Helen A. (Howland) Prescott, was born in New Bedford, July 80, 1868, and is descended on both sides from old Puritan stock, and in a direct line from John Prescott, who came from England and settled near the present site of Lancaster, Mass. His father, born in Westford, Mass., came to New Bedford to practice law in 1830, and for many years was judge of the Probate Court and also judge of the Police Court, being one of the leading members of the Bristol bar, and prominent in legal circles throughout that section of the State. Oliver Prescott, jr., attended the Friends' Academy in New Bedford, and in the fall of 1885 entered Harvard University, from which he was graduated with degree of A. B. in 1889, in the same year entering Harvard Law School, where he gained rec- ognition for scholarship and was graduated with honors with the degrees of A.M. and LL. B. He was admitted to the Bristol bar in May, 1892, and in the fall of that year entered the office of Crapo, Clifford & Clifford, of which firm he became a part- ner in 1894 Mr. Prescott represented Ward 5 in the Council two years, 1894-95, serving as president of that body in the latter year. He married, December 31, 1895, Helen M., daughter of Herbert P. and Lydia L. Bryant of New Bedford, and they have one son, Oliver Prescott. In June, 1897, he removed his residence to the neighboring town of Dartmouth and since that time has been a resident of that old town.
Prévost, Rev. John Alfred, pastor of the Notre Dame de Lourdes French Roman Catholic Church of Fall River, was born in Quebec, Canada, October 10, 1849, a son of Magloire and Marguerite (Fournier) Prevost. His father was a farmer and he spent his youth on the farm and attending the parish schools. Later he went to Montreal, and there studied for the priesthood under the Sulpician Fathers. He completed his studies in St. Mary's Seminary at St. Hyacinthe, where he was or- dained to the priesthood, and soon thereafter appointed assistant at Coaticooke, in the Province of Quebec. From there he was removed to Woonsocket, R. I., to assist Rev. Fr. Charles Daurey at the Precious Blood Church, where he remained three years, and in March, 1882, was appointed pastor of the church of the Sacred Heart at New Bedford. At this time this church was the only French Canadian
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Church in New Bedford, and Fr. Prevost had charge of all the French Canadian people there. At the present time there are three churches of this denomination in that city, one of which, the South End church, was partially built by Fr. Prévost, and was named the St. Ilyacinthe church in honor of the place of his ordination. During his New Bedford pastorate he also built the convent occupied by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. After a successful pastorate of six years at the Sacred Heart church, he was removed to Fall River in September, 1888, to take charge of the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, where he still continues, honored and beloved by all his parishioners. Father Prévost's work in building up this church has been re- markable, and the new buildings which he has erected represent much money and patient effort in the face of heavy obstacles. The new church has been built en- tirely in his pastorate; he has also built the St. Joseph's Orphan's Home, intended for the care of the French speaking children of the diocese of Providence, and the rec- tory which adjoins the church. He is now preparing to build a college to be called the College of the Christian Brothers. Father Prevost has under his charge four assistants and his congregation numbers about 12,000 souls. There are at present 330 scholars from all parts of the diocese of Providence in attendance at the Orphan's Home, and the children in attendance at the Catholic schools in his parish number about 1,000. They are taught both English and French, for although the church recognizes the necessity of their being able to use the English language, it does not wish them to forget the language of their fathers. Father Prevost is a man of strong character and is possessed of great executive ability. He preaches eloquently and fervently to a vast congregation each Sunday, and wields mighty influence for good in the community.
Prosser, William, senior member of the firm of William Prosser & Son, dealers in lumber and builders' supplies, was born in Wales in 1831. He obtained his educa- tion in his native country and after learning the carpenter's trade, came to the United States and settled in Fall River in September, 1870. He was first employed by P. D. Conant & Co., for whom he worked several years. He then entered the employ of Spalding Southwick; a dealer in builders' supplies, and after his death conducted the business for some time. Later he engaged in business for himself on Blossom avenue where he now conducts a large trade in lumber, sash, doors, blinds and builders' supplies in general, also operating a planing mill. Mr. Prosser was married in Hereford, England, to Ellen Dunham, a native of Shaftsbury, in Dorset- shire. They have three children: Mary (wife of Joseph Heap), Susanna (wife of Pat- rick Judge), and William A., who is a member of the present firm of William Prosser & Son.
Ralph, Charles W., was born in North Attleborough, May 19, 1850. His father, Daniel Ralph, was a native of Rhode Island and came to Attleborough in 1848. He married Sally F. Warner and through life was a carpenter; he died in 1896. Charles W. Ralph was educated in North Attleborough, and learned the jewelry trade with Jacobs & Pratt, where he remained four years, and then entered the employ of R. F. Simmons & Co., remaining there twenty-three years. In 1891 he established the pres- ent business of dealer in fine cigars and smoker's materials. In 1882 he married Clara E., daughter of Samuel Somers.
Rankin, James, was born in Scotland, December 20, 1881, a son of William and
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Isabella Rankin. His father was superintendent of a farm for several years and afterwards became a farmer. James Rankin was educated in the common school and academy of Rochester, Mass., and in early life worked at farming with his father and afterward for fifteen years was employed by J. S. Fay, of Boston, as manager of the estate. He afterward bought one hundred and twenty-five acres of land in South Easton, Mass., and began the manufacture of "Improved Monarch Incuba- tors" of various sizes, and the culture of ducks, which industry under his careful management has grown to enormous proportions. He has from ten to twelve thou- sand ducks and chickens that he raises each season and ships to Boston and New York markets. He also has three magnificent barns, wherein he has accommoda- tions for sixty or more choice horses, and his stalls are of the very latest modern style, having now about forty horses sent from all points in New England for the winter, some of the horses being valued at $1.500. Mr. Rankin married, in 1856, Harriet Coe, daughter of Joseph and Julia Coe, and they have two children : Julia Rankin, who married Edgar Belcher, and James H. Rankin. He was on the School Committee for several years and he takes a general interest in school and church in- stitutions, and his town and town's people.
Read, E. R., was born in Attleborough, October 30, 1827. His father, Elijah R. Read, was also a native of Attleborough, and the family trace their descent from Nathan Read of Rehoboth. Elijah R. married Lucinda Carpenter and through life was a contractor and builder and deputy sheriff for eighteen years; he died in 1879, in his seventy-seventh year. E. R. Read was educated in Attleborough and fol- lowed the sea for five years; was engaged in contracting and building for thirty years; and at the present time is engaged in the insurance business. In 1852 he married Harriet A. Thurber, who died in 1857; later he married Lydia E. Lee, who died in 1861; then he married Ellen E. Colber. In 1861 Mr. Read enlisted in Co. I, 24th Mass., and took part in the Burnside expedition, siege of Fort Wagner, and was under General Grant in the Army of the James. He received an honorable discharge in 1864, but remained until the close of the war, then returned to Attleborough. Mr. `Read is one of the self-made men of his town, serving as deputy sheriff eight years, justice of the peace, secretary of the Attleborough Fire Insurance Co., and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.
Read, Edmund V , was born in Fall River, Mass., December 11, 1843, a son of `George W. and Eveline (Borden) Read, and was educated in the common schools of the vicinity. When twenty years of age he went to Taunton and learned the ma- chinist's trade with the Mason Machine Co., where he remained five years, at which time he returned to Fall River and engaged with Kilburn & Lincoln, in whose em. ploy he remained, with the exception of a few years at different times in other shops, until embarking in his present business, which he established in 1893 at 61 Turner street. He does all kinds of mill work and the repairing of mill machinery, many of the large concerns in Fall River being among his regular customers. In 1870 Mr. Read married Harriet Peckham, daughter of Josiah Peckham of Fall River, and their children are Edmund, Ada, Louis, all deceased, and Caroline, who resides at home.
Reed, Hon. E. M., was born in Taunton, Mass., July 23, 1832, and is a son of William and Mary (Dennis) Reed. His father was a prominent merchant of Taunton
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and a deacon in the Winslow church of that city up to the time of his death. He was one of the early abolitionists and furnished aid and comfort to fugitive slaves who escaped from the South by underground railroad. Ilis house was a rendezvous for ministers, missionaries, and of all those who needed help in olden times. He was prominent in the early growth of Taunton and traced his ancestry to William Reed of Weymouth in 1636. E. M. Reed was educated in the public schools and Bristol Academy of Taunton, and soon after went into the office of Bassett & Reed, prominent lawyers of Taunton. In 1856 he was admitted to the Supreme Court sit- ting at Taunton, and soon afterwards opened an office in Mansfield, in the old meet- ing house on the common. He was trial justice from 1861 to 1870, then appointed a justice of the First District Court of Bristol county, and in 1877 the Legislature passed an act that a court should be held in Attleborough and he has presided there daily ever since. In 1861 he was chosen town clerk and treasurer of Mansfield, which office he held for many years. He was enrolling officer during the Civil war. He was a member of the Legislature in 1864 and 1867; has been trustee of Bristol County Savings Bank, Taunton, for twenty-five years; director of Mansfield Co-op- erative Bank since its organization; commissioner of the sinking fund three years, was one of the building committee of the town hall and fire department house, also executor and administrator of many estates, and clerk of the orthodox parish for thirty years. In August. 1857, he married Sarah J., daughter of John W. and Mary Crockett of Middletown, Conn., and they have one daughter, Bertha H. Mrs. Reed died in 1887. Mr. Reed is the author of the Mansfield (Bristol county) History of 1883, and has written much for local papers.
Remington, Clinton V. S., son of Hale and Catharine (Van Sanvort) Remington, was born in Fall River. October 15, 1839. ITis father was born at Cranston, R. I., a son of Jeremiah and Dorcas (Knight) Remington, grandson of Joseph and Elizabeth Remington, and descended from the Remingtons of England, who came to Virginia in 1643. Hale Remington, father of Clinton V. S. Remington, was a prominent business man and largely interested in cotton manufacturing in Fall River. He was one of the chief promoters of the Union Mills in 1859; he died in 1870. Clinton V. S. Remington obtained his education in the public schools of his native city and began business as a cotton broker in 1862, in Providence, R. I. He remained there until September, 1864, when he returned to Fall River and opened an office on Pocasset street where he continued two years, then removed to the Mount Hope block on North Main street, remaining there until 1883. During that year he formed a copartnership with Wiliam C. Davol, jr., and they have since done an extensive business as dealers iu cotton and cotton goods on Bedford street. Mr. Remington was a member of the City Council in 1873 and 1874 and was president of that body in 1876, the centennial year. During the years 1861-62 he was quartermaster's clerk in the Army of the Potomac, returning home the latter year on account of illness contracted in the army. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was a direc- tor in the Fall River Board of Trade three years. He has taken an active and zeal- ons interest in Sunday school and church work and has been the able and efficient superintendent for many years of the Central Congregational Church Sunday school. In 1897 he was chosen vice president of the Massachusetts Sunday School Association, and has been chairman of the finance committee of that body for sev-
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eral years. May 18, 1864, Mr. Remington married Mary A. Waterman of Boston. They have had five children, four sons surviving: Clinton V. S., jr., Hale, Robert K., Berthold M. and Marion, an adopted daughter.
Reynard, Capt. William Hathaway, is one of the best known men of this vicinity. He was born in New Bedford, April 20, 1844, a son of Capt. William H. and Emily H. (Russell) Reynard, and grandson of John Reynard, who came to this country from London, England, about 1760. Captain Reynard's ancestors on bis mother's side were Quakers. During his early boyhood he attended the academy and private schools in New Bedford, and made his first sea voyage when only fifteen years old, going before the mast on a whaler sailing from New Bedford. In due course of time he became mate and then master, and sailed in whale ships and merchantmen dur- ing his entire active life, passing through many hard experiences and exciting ad- ventures. Ilis father had also been a sailor and at one time was master of the ship Flying Cloud, which early in the fifties broke the record from New York to San Francisco. He also represented the New Bedford district in the State Legislature for one term. Captain Reynard retired in 1885 and now spends the greater part of his time at his residence in South Dartmouth. December 20, 1886, he married Mar- tha J., daughter of Harrison and Eliza J. Robinson of Cedar Rapids, lowa. Of their union one son was born, William H., jr., who died when an infant.
Rhodes, George Holbrook, was born in Taunton, August 11, 1848, a son of Marcus Morton and Rowena A. (Williams) Rhodes. ITe received his carly education in the public schools and was graduated from the High School in 1866. He then went to work for his father and in 1871 became a partner in the firm, and at present is treas- urer of the M. M. Rhodes & Sons Co. Mr. Rhodes has been in the city government and served ten consecutive years in the Council, the last four being president of the board. He is a Mason of high standing, receiving his thirty-third degree September 21, 1897; he is a member of Charles H. Titus Lodge, also one of the trustees of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, being elected in December, 1895, to serve eight years. September 10, 1874, Mr. Rhodes married Louisa L., daughter of C. J. H. Bassett of Taunton, and they have three children: Helen H., Nancy B. and Marcus A.
Rice, Adoniram J., was born in Hadley, Mass., April 17, 1885, a son of Simeon and Hannah (Kellogg) Rice. When he was in his fourteenth year the family re- moved to New Bedford and he has since resided in that city. Mr. Rice received a limited education in the public schools and engaged in various pursuits until the be- ginning of the Civil war, when he enlisted in Co. E, 8d Mass. Vols., and upon the expiration of his term, re-enlisted in the 15th Unattached Mass. Vols., and was hou- orably discharged at the close of his enlistment. He then returned to New Bedford and until 1877 was engaged in several enterprises, in all of which he did not meet with any great measure of success. In 1877 he began a baking business on a small scale, gradually branching out until he was enabled in 1881 to open his present store at No. 861 South Water street. During the sixteen years in which he has conducted his business at this location Mr. Rice has established an extensive patronage and has gained recognition as one of the sound business men of this section of the city. He was joined in marriage to Katie B., daughter of John B. Warren of New Bedford, in 1862, and of their six children, but two survive: Arthur W. and Damon Wiun.
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