USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 43
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business and returned to Fall River where he has since resided. During the next seven years he served as clerk and conductor for the Fall River (now the Old Colony) Railroad Company : from 1855 to 1858 he was a clerk and salesman for Hale Reming- ton, general commission merchant. In 1858 he engaged in the wholesale commis- sion and insurance business and has continued it with success ever since that date. In 1879 Mr. Slade associated with himself his eldest son, Leonard N. Slade, under the firm name of John P. Slade & Son. As the cotton manufacturing industry be- gan to develop in New England, Mr. Slade, with other progressive citizens, recog- nized the admirable facilities afforded by the water power of Fall River and gave en . couraging support to all new enterprises for the manufacture of cotton goods. In 1863 he was one of the original subscribers to the Granite Mills corporation, which was organized in his office and in which he served as director. When the Davol Mills were organized in 1867 he became one of the directors; he assisted in establish- ing the Shove Mills in 1872 and was made a director and the first treasurer; he also served as president of this corporation from 1875 to 1880. For several years he was a director of the Weetamoe Mills and since 1881 has been president of the Laurel Lake Mills. In all of these enterprises Mr. Slade has displayed marked executive and administrative ability. For a period of forty years he filled the position of sec- retary of the Five Cents Savings Bank, an institution that has been of the greatest usefulness to the city and now carries deposits to the amount of nearly $4,000,000. Since 1865 he has served as a director of the Fall River National Bank, the oldest financial institution in the city. In politics he is a Republican. In every position he has filled and in all the corporations with which he has been connected Mr. Slade has displayed energy, enterprise and good judgment.
Small, R. C., jr., was born in Provincetown, on Cape Cod, March 23, 1850, a son of R. C. and Catherine (Hooton) Small. He came to Fall River at thirteen years of age and went to work in the Durfee Mill at forty-eight cents a day. After eighteen months he entered the cloth room and a year later the card room, where he worked for three years before returning to the cloth room. He was fifteen years in the mills altogether and was overseer at the Richard Borden Mill for nearly three years. In 1885 the firm of Small Bros., comprising E. H. and R. C. Small, jr., was formed. The enterprise was started by Wm. H. Simmons and purchased by Small Bros. They are manufacturers of mill bandings, braids, spool tapes and cotton rope, and from a very modest beginning have built up a large business. They have more than doubled the capacity of their plant during the past year. The enterprise and ability of these gentlemen were manifested even when they were boys, for at the respec- tive ages of nine and twelve years they supported their father's family, as fish deal- ers, while their father was in the West. Mr. R. C. Small is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows. A. O. U. W., Pilgrim Fathers. and the N. E. O. of P. June 7, 1882, he married Annie A. Standish, a direct descendant of Miles Standish, and they have two children: Edith S. and Norman C. E. H. Small was born at Provincetown, on Cape Cod, March 15, 1862, and came to Fall River in 1872. He entered the Durfee Mill at fifteen years of age and subsequently worked in the Mer- chants' Mill. He worked three years in the mills and then went to work for W. H. Simmons in the twine business, with whom he continued until the partnership of Small Bros. was formed. Mr. Small is a member of the Odd Fellows, Royal Arca-
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num, Pilgrim Fathers, A. O. U. W., and other societies. February 15, 1882, he mar- ried Hannah G. Crowther, and they have three children: Reuben T., Ethel M., and Lillian H.
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Smalley, Orrick, who died in New Bedford, July 29, 1894, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, was one of the best known of the old whaling captains which this section has developed. He was born in Dartmouth, but his parents were natives and resi- dents of Cape Cod and representatives of one of the oldest of Cape Cod families. He spent most of his active life at sea, being engaged as cook on a fishing schooner when but eight years old, and when scarcely in his teens, he walked from Cape Cod to New Bedford to ship on a whaling vessel, and at the age of twenty-five became master of a ship. In this capacity he rapidly acquired reputation among owners and for many years after his retirement was annually offered a ship. In the latter years of his life he held prominent places in the city government and during his service as city marshal made a record for fearless and efficient work in enforcing the no-license laws. He also served as inspector in the custom house for several years, and later as secretary of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, and while in this position, in a quiet undemonstrative way, he frequently lightened his own pocket book in assisting deserving cases which came to his notice. For fifty years he was a member, and most of the time an official, in the North Christian Church of New Bedford, and his death was mourned by all who had known and felt the influence of his sterling char- acter. Orrick Smalley, jr., son of Orrick and Deborah (Howland) Smalley, was born in New Bedford, February 15, 1852, and attended the public schools, graduating later from Scoffield's Business College, at Providence, R. I. For several years he went to sea, first engaged in whaling and later in the merchant and steamship ser- vice, and afterwards was employed by the Morse Twist Drill and Machine Company. While Mr. Smalley has never held public office, he is still well known in New Bed- ford. He married, February 17, 1874, Eliza A., adopted daughter of Captain Mat- thew Fisher of New Bedford, and they have had two children: Addie M., who is living, and Charles Henry (deceased). Harry T. Smalley, son of Orrick Smalley and brother of Orrick Smalley, jr., was born in New Bedford March 80, 1865, and is now living.
Smith, Abraham H , son of Thomas and Priscilla (Cornell) Smith, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., December 20, 1833. He was educated in the public schools of Dartmouth and in the Friends' Academy at Providence, R. I .. from which institution he was graduated in 1852. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Co. E., 58th Mass. Vols., and served until honorably discharged at the close of the war, being wounded in one of the last battles fought during the Rebellion. After his recovery he returned to his home in Dartmouth and has since been engaged in farming. He represented this district in the State Legislature for two terms, 1874- 75, serving on the committees on agriculture and printing. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of New Bedford for many years. The family at one time held a greater portion of that tract of land in Dartmouth called " Smith's Neck." hence the name. Mr. Smith has been twice married, first to Sarah, daughter of Ed- ward and Ruth (Cook) Cook, December 20, 1855. For his second wife he married, January 7, 1897, Julia, daughter of David and Elmira (Smith) Sisson of Dartmouth.
Smith, Daniel H., was born in Rehoboth, January 4, 1835, a son of Remember and
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Sally (Wilmarth) Smith and was educated in the public schools. In 1851 he came to Attleborough and learned the jeweler's trade with Thompson, Hayward & Co., and remained in the business until 1861. He then enlisted in Co. H., 24th Mass. Vols., and took part in the sieges of Charleston and Petersburg, and served until October, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge with rank of first sergeant; received appointment as captain of District 73, and as enrolling officer of the militia from Governor Andrews. In 1866 he established the firm of D. H. Smith & Co., manu- facturers of jewelry, and in 1868 purchased the company's interest and continued the business up to 1888, disposing of the business in January of that year. He is now engaged in the undertaking business and is employing the most scientific and modern methods of caring for the dead. In 1855 he married Abby A., daughter of Philander Stone. Mr. Smith has served as selectman. assessor, overseer of the poor and chief engineer of the fire department, a hose company being named in his honor.
Smith, Emerson, who has been a prominent contractor and builder in New Bed- ford for several years, was born in Norton, Bristol county, Mass., June 18, 1844, a son of Nathan and Olive (Willis) Smith. His father was also a native of Bristol county, born in Taunton, but lived most of his life in Norton Mr. Smith attended the schools in the vicinity of his home and was employed at different kinds of labor until seventeen years old. At this time he came to New Bedford and entered the employ of the New Bedford Copper Company to learn the trade of mixing yellow metals. Having thoroughly mastered this trade, or rather profession, and served the company for eight years, he returned to his native village and engaged in the business of manufacturing friction matches. Later he found a lucrative position with the American Screw Company, which he accompanied to Providence, R. I., on its removal to that city, serving that company a little more than nine years, and when he severed his connection came again to New Bedford, where in 1881 he estab- lished a business as a builder and contractor, which has proved highly successful. He continued in active management of his contracts until 1892, and then owing to poor health decreased his business of building and contracting to a considerable ex- tent and gave his entire attention to the management of his real estate interests. With the exception of one year (1887) as councilman from Ward 1, Mr. Smith has never held public office. He married, in 1874, Ella M., daughter of Benjamin Frank- lin of Oxford, N. H., and they have one daughter, Olive F. Smith.
Smith, Frank E., was born in Rehoboth, Mass., April 20, 1857. His father, Re- member Smith, was a native of the same place and born on the homestead which was settled by Remember Smith, his father, and who was one of the pioneers of that town. Remember Smith, jr., married Sarah B., daughter of Seneca Sanford, and through life was identified as a farmer: he died in 1891, and filled many positions of honor and trust in his town. Frank E. Smith was educated in the public schools and in 1876 came to Attleborough, where he learned the jewelry business with Sturdy Bros., and with Blake & Claflin, who succeeded them, for a period of twenty years. In 1896 Mr. Smith organized the firm of Allen, Smith & Thurston, making a specialty of silver novelties. In 1892 Mr. Smith married Julia M., daughter of Benjamin Wolcott.
Smith, Nathaniel Cannon, architect, is the son of William T. and Caroline A. (Brownell) Smith, and was born in New. Bedford, Mass., January 18, 1866. He re-
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ceived a public and high school education in his native city, and afterward spent four years in Europe, traveling over the continent and studying architecture in Paris. In 1893 he returned to New Bedford, where he has since been engaged in the general practice of his profession.
Smith, Theron I., was born in Attleborough, April 9, 1836. ITis father, Stephen Smith, was a native of Mansfield, and came to Attleborough in 1835. He was a farmer and a man who was interested in public events; a strong temperance be- liever and took a great interest in the development of the anti-slavery cause and school and church matters. He died in 1831 in his fifty third year. Theron I. was educated in the common schools and at eighteen years left home and came to North Attleborough, where he entered the employ of Ira Richards & Co., jewelers, after- wards was in the employ of Draper, Tifft, Bacon, Barrows & Sturdy, Merritt and Draper. In 1865 he established business for himself in which he still continues. In 1856 he married Emily C., daughter of Abiel Codding, and they have one daughter, Mrs. H. H. Curtis. Mr. Smith was one of the men to organize and create the town of North Attleborough. Unassuming in character he has ever received and merited the respect of his associates, and it was through his efforts, with others, that a direct railroad line was established between North Attleborough and Boston.
Snow, Levi Morton, was born in Mattapoisett, Plymouth county, Mass., April 19, 1841. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and in 1858 went to Weymouth, Mass., where he studied for the drug business under the tutorship of Dr. E. L. Warren, a prominent physician of that town. In 1860 he came to Fair- haven, where he has since resided, with the exception of two years in Charlestown, Mass., as a clerk for Benjamin F. Stacey. When he first came to Fairhaven he se- cured a position as drug clerk for H. W. Richmond, but remained only a year and then went to Charlestown. He returned to Fairhaven in 1864 and entered the em- ploy of James I. Church, for whom he worked as clerk for twelve years. He pur- chased the business in 1876 and has since conducted it with most gratifying success. In addition to the legitimate drug trade he also deals to a considerable extent in fancy goods. The store has been located at the corner of Main and Center streets for upwards of fifty years and Mr. Snow has been connected with it as clerk and proprietor for thirty-six years of that time. He is one of the best known men in Fairhaven and enjoys the confidence and respect of a wide acquaintance. In 1879 he was elected a trustee of the Fairhaver: Institution for Savings and in the follow- ing year a member of its board of investment. He has also been since 1880 a direc- tor of the First National Bank. Mr. Snow was trustee of the old Fairhaven Public Library for a number of years. IIc has been active in politics, having been chair- man of the Republican Town Committee for the past twelve years. He has also been a member for a number of years of the Republican District Committee. He was made a Mason in 1865 at Charlestown, Mass., and joined King Solomon Lodge of that city, demitted from there and became a charter member of Concordia Lodge, of Fairhaven, of which he was elected master in 1875. He took Chapter degrees in New Bedford, 1878; was made a Knight Templar in Sutton Commandery of New Bedford in 1893; elected royal and select master of New Bedford Council in the same year. In 1895 he was elected a member of Aleppo Shrine at Boston. Mr. Snow is also a member of the Massachusetts Pharmaceutical Association, of which he was
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president in 1980-90. In 1885 he was elected a member of the College of Pharmacy at Boston. Ilis father was Capt. Levi Jenney Snow, born in Mattapoisett in 1799, and for many years a successful whaling captain. His mother was Mary Meigs, daughter of Joseph Meigs of Mattapoisett. Mr. Snow was married, January 11. 1800, to Sarah E., daughter of Daniel J. and Sarah W. Lewis of Fairhaven, and they had three children: An infant son (deceased), Morton Meigs (deceased) and Gertrude Lewis Snow. Daniel J. Lewis represented the district of Fairhaven in the State Legislature for three successive terms. He was born of old Puritan stock in Plymouth, Mass., February 8, 1810. His wife was born in Plymouth. January 20, 1811, and they had these children: James, Albert, William, Lothrup, Sarah, Lothrup and Mary
Solomon, J. M., was born in Attleborough, February 8, 1855, a son of James M. and Rebecca (Parker) Solomon. His father was a practicing physician in Attle- borough. Dr. Solomon was a lineal descendant of King Philip, the Indian chief. Dr. Solomon was educated in Attleborough and is a graduate of Columbia Medical College. He began his practice in Dover, N. H., and in 1887 established his office in Boston, now located at No. 2A, Beacon street. He makes a specialty of treating cancers and tumors. In 1874 he married Sara Augusta, youngest daughter of Hon. Alcott Ilardon of Attleborough. She received her education in Attleborough, Prov- idence, and at the Greenwich Academy, afterwards taking a full medical course. Mrs. Solomon stands high in her profession, and is considered to be one of the lead- ing lecturers in medicine; she makes a specialty of treating diseases of women, and has an office in Boston, also in Attleborough. They have three children: Jesse M., Raymond H. and Florence Augusta, who graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Boston in 1896. Dr. and Mrs. Solomon are erecting a sanitarium for the care of their patients, which will be the most complete of its kind in the State of Massachusetts.
Sowle, Andrew Hicks, son of Capt. Edward and Hannah (Hicks) Sowie, was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., August 31, 1843. After leaving the public schools Mr. Sowle, in 1861, went to California, where he was engaged in min- ing until 1865, when he returned east and located in Bristol, R. I., where he was employed in a rubber works until 1889. He then removed to Westport Point, where be has since resided. Mr. Sowle has been a member of the Board of Health, also selectman of his town, and was superintendent of construction of the road that was built from Westport Point to the beach in 1893. December 29, 1872, he married Eleanor Cordelia, daughter of John D. and Rhoda (Allen) Brownell. Mrs. Sowle traces her ancestry to Nancy Brownell, who came to this country from Scotland with two sisters and settled in Adamsville, R. I. The line of descent from Nancy Brown- ell, the first American ancestor, and from whom all of that name in this vicinity de- scended, is as follows: Nancy ' Ichabod," George, George M.,' John D.,' Eleanor Cordelia."
Spare, John Vigneron, one of the leading merchants of New Bedford, was born in that city, October 28, 1849, a son of John Spare, M. D., and Susan V. Mason, his wife. His father is not in practice in New Bedford, but has followed the medical profession for over forty years. Mr. Spare attended the public and high schools of New Bedford, and not long after completing his education, enlisted in the United
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States navy (1865) as surgeon's steward, being assigned to the Mahaska in the Gulf Squadron, his father being then surgeon of that ship. After leaving the navy he was employed as a clerk in the New Bedford post office three years, and in 1873 in- vested his capital in the establishment of a small dry goods business on County street, near Kempton. He had all the qualities which should be possessed by the success- ful merchant, and by indefatigable industry and characteristic enterprise, rapidly placed the business on a firm foundation. Several times the stock was moved to better located and larger quarters, and finally Mr. Spare opened his present store on Purchase street, and here employment is given to a force of from thirty to thirty-five clerks constantly, the store comparing favorably with the best department stores in Bristol county. The Spare family has been well represented in New England from · the first, members of it being among the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Canton, Mass. Mr. Spare has been a member of the G. A. R. since 1868. February 20, 1879, he married Hattie M., daughter of Captain Andrew Snow of New Bedford, aud they have four children: Chester V., Romeyn A., Arthur F., and Louisa S. .
Sperry, Andrew M., was born in New Haven, Conn., April 24, 1830. His father, Edwin Sperry, was a native of Waterbury, Conn., and the family trace their descent from Lemuel Sperry of Sperry's Farm, Woodbridge, Conn., who was one of the pio. neers of that town. Edwin Sperry married Mary Miles and through life was en- gaged in the cooperage trade at Waterbury, Conn .; he died in 1893. Andrew M. Sperry was educated at Waterbury, and worked in the button shops until seventeen years of age. when he learned the harness maker's trade. In 1854 he came to North Attleborough and entered the employ of Whitney & Bailey, jewelers, and in 1856 entered the employ of Harvey Richards; in 1800 with Tift & Blackinton, and in 1863 was foreman for Tift, Whiting & Co. In 1865 he entered the employ of Smith & Ginnado and remained with them until 1885, during which time, in 1878, he estab- lished his present business of undertaking, associated with C. E. Smith until his death in 1887, after which he conducted it alone until his son was old enough to as- sist him, and was the first man in the northern part of Bristol county to embalm the dead and at the present time is employing the most scientific and approved methods in caring for the dead. In 1851 he married Augusta, daughter of Philo and Annie Abbott, who died in 1865, and he then married, in 1867, Adelaide G., daughter of Nelson and Eunice Fisher, and they have one son, Henry Nelson Sperry, junior member of A. M. Sperry & Co. Mr. Sperry is one of the self-made men of his town, serving as coroner seven years, is a member of Bristol Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter, and Bristol Commandery, and Aurora Lodge of Odd Fellows, being the third oldest member of that lodge.
Spooner, Edward Greenleaf, son of Edward P. and Nancy (Toby) Spooner, was born in Fairhaven, October 16, 1849, and when he was an infant the family removed to Rochester, Mass., where he attended the common schools until sixteen years old. While attending school he worked during vacations and at odd times at the granite and marble cutting trade, and at the early age of seventeen went into business for himself as a granite and marble dealer. He was honored at different times during his residence in Rochester by appointment to offices in the town government, and was made a justice of the peace by Governor Long. He served as town clerk, treas- urer and collector of taxes for five years, being the youngest man who ever held the
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office of treasurer. In 1885, wishing to put his energies to better use in a larger field, he removed to Fairhaven and built the building in which he now conducts his business in granite and marble monumental work. Ile is a member of Acushnet Lodge, 1. 0. 0. F., and of Concordia Lodge, F & A. M., holding membership in the Chapter, Council and Commandery at New Bedford. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Spooner was married in 1890 to Cecelia, daughter of C. E. Smith of Rochester, and they have two children: Edward G. and Harold S. Mr. Spooner is a descendant on different lines of four old Puritan families; the Spragues, Wins- lows, Aldens and Whites. He is also a descendant of William Greenleaf, who held the first commission as high sheriff under the colonial government and who supplied the furniture used in General Washington's camp at the siege of Boston. Mr. Spooner has now in his possession one of the tables used. His maternal great- grandfather, Levi Rounseville, was captain of the minute men in Freetown and answered to the call of Lexington.
Spooner, Edwin Sears, is a lineal descendant in the eighth generation from Thomas Spooner, who came to this country from England in the Mayflower in 1620. He is a son of Barnibuss and Mary (Votough) Spooner, and was born in Acushnet, Bristol county, Mass., February 4, 1838. His first business experience after finishing his schooling was at ship carpenter work in New Bedford and Fairhaven, where he was employed for three years. He then removed to Taunton and engaged in the meat business on his own account on Berkley street, at which location he remained for sixteen years. In 1882 he bought bis present farm and has since been successfully engaged in farming. June 17, 1861, Mr. Spooner married Mary A. Hardin. and three children were born to them: George F., Adeline B., wife of George P. Booth, and Sarah T., wife of Edward Folger of New Bedford.
Stanley, Hon, Stephen, was born' in North Attleborough, June 11, 1842, a son of Stephen O. Stanley, also a native of the same town, whose family were among the pioneers, his ancestors taking part in the Revolutionary war. Stephen O. Stanley married Betsey, daughter of Artemus Stanley; he died in 1875. Hon. Stephen Stanley was educated in the common schools and learned the jeweler's trade. In 1861 he enlisted in the 7th Regiment band, being discharged in 1862, when he went to New York for two years, and from there to Woodbury, Conn. In 1871 he came to Attleborough Falls and went into the jewelry business with his brother, in which he still continues. In 1864 he married S. Anna, daughter of Sylvan and Susannalı Stanley, and they have one son and one daughter: Jesse F. and Alice F. Mr. Stan- ley is one of the conservative men of the town, taking an intelligent interest in school and church matters, serving as selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor and member of the School Committee. For two terms he was in the Legislature, in 1889 and 1890, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.
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