USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 44
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Stanton, Albert G., son of Giles E. and Hannah (Bebee) Stanton, was born in Nantucket, Mass., March 20, 1829, and very early in life removed with the family to New Bedford. Ilis father was a cooper by trade, a member of the Society of Friends, and a just, upright man, well known in New Bedford for many years. Mr. Stanton was educated in the public and high schools of New Bedford and worked at the carpenter's trade in New Bedford until he was twenty years old. About this time gold was discovered in California and he became one of the " forty-niners," sailing
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around the Horn in the brig Cyrus, Capt. Ira B. Studley, and he remained there about four years, most of the time in the mines. After his return he went into the retail grocery and provision business with Robert A. Sherman, under the firm name of Sherman & Stanton, but later sold his interest in this business and in 1859 started alone in a building which he had erected at the corner of Grinnell street and Acush- net avenue and in which be still conducts a business. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs, and both before and since the incorporation of the city has been frequently before the public in different positions. In 1878 he represented Ward 6 in the Common Council. Mr. Stanton is a member of an old New England family which has been prominent in this section for over two hundred years, many of his ancestors being Friends. He married Ruth A., daughter of Benjamin Gifford, and they had two children: a daughter who died in infancy and a son, Irving G. Stanton, born March 8, 1800, still living.
Stanton, John, a member of the Board of Police Commissioners, and one of the leading shoe dealers of Fall River, is a native of Ireland, and came to this country with his parents, Luke Dillon and Maria (Lynch) Stanton, when five years of age. They located in Fall River and his father, who was a cultured gentleman, conducted a successful private school in that city for many years. When but eight years old Mr. Stanton began work in the cotton mills. Ile was first employed in putting in roping, then became successively a doffer, then third-hand and second-hand in the Robeson Mill. Later he accepted a position as overseer in the Watuppa Mills, where he remained nearly three years. In 1870 he left the mill and took a position in a provision store conducted by William A. Kennedy, and three years later began the shoe business in a small way in the Batty building on Borden street. The en- 'ergy and ability with which he conducted this business soon began to bear fruit, and owing to the demands of a constantly increasing trade he was soon obliged to move to larger quarters at 80 Main street, whence he removed to his present store at 253 South Main street. Here he conducts an extensive retail and wholesale trade and has also established a store at 1602 North Main street and another at 267 East Main street. Since 1896 he has been president of the Kelley Shoe Company of Fall River, a corporation in which he is extensively interested and which employs about sixty workmen. Mr. Stanton has long been prominent in Democratic political circles of Fall River. In 1880 he was nominated and elected by a large majority to the State Legislature where he served on the committees on election laws and manufactures. He has been Democratic member of the Board of Police Commissioners since 1894, appointed first for one year and reappointed for three years. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Ilibernians and of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Stanton married Annie, daughter of Daniel Sullivan of Fall River, and they had three children, all now deceased.
Stevens, Frank Shaw, banker and cotton manufacturer, was born in Rutland, Vt., August 6, 1827. He was educated in the district schools and began business life as a clerk in a country store in Westfield, N. Y. Later he went overland to California with forty other miners, but not finding the gold field profitable he joined Henry Durfee in the occupation of teamster. He next engaged in the restaurant business and in running a stage line between Placerville and Sacramento, Cal. In 1854, upon the consolidation of the California Stage Companies, he became vice-president
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of the organization and in addition was made superintendent of a division. In 1866 he returned to New England and settled in the village of Swansea. He became in- terested in large business operations in Kentucky. He was president of the Globe Street Railway Company; of the Fall River Merino Company; of the Metacomet National Bank; and a director in various other local corporations. He was elected by the Republican party a State senator in 1884, and a delegate to the National Re- publican Conventions of 1884, 1888, 1892 and 1896. He gave to the village of Swan- sey in 1890 a town hall with tower, bell and clock; it contains an audience room with a seating capacity for 500 persons, a room for the public library and a selectmen's room. It is known as the Stevens Memorial Hall; is located near his own residence, stands as an ornament to the village and will remain a fitting memorial to the liberal benefactor. Mr. Stevens was married in July, 1858, to Mrs. Julia A. B. Birch of Swansea, widow of James E. Birch, and after her death married Elizabeth R., daughter of Joseph and Eliza Case, on April 22, 1878. Mr. Stevens died April 25, 1898, while this work was going through the press.
Stone, William Holden, liveryman, a son of Luther and Hadassah Stone, was born July 18, 1819, in Bridgton, Me. He spent the first twenty years of his life on his father's farm and attended school a few months during the winter season. When twenty-one he removed to Stoughton Mass., where he began the livery business, an occupation which he has since followed, and with the exception of Mr. Perry of New Bedford, is the oldest liveryman in Bristol county. He next moved to Chelsea, Mass., engaging there in business, then went to Boston and remained there seven years as a liveryman. In 1873 he began the livery business in a very small way in a building to the rear of the Gunn estate on Rock street in Fall River. From there he moved to the Hawes property back of the Brown building, where he remained until his present quarters on Bank street were built. At this place, with his son, W. I. Stone, as partner, under the firm name of W. II. Stone & Son, the business has been in- creased and buildings enlarged until they now have all the modern conveniences and appliances of a first-class stable. Mr. Stone was married in 1845 to Eliza B. Linfield of Stoughton, Mass., and in 1895 celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage with interesting entertainment. They have three children: William I., Jennie E. (wife of Arthur E. Davis of Worcester, Mass.), and Frank F. Stone of Boston. William I. Stone, junior member of the firm, was married in 1878 to Hat- tie J. Goodman, daughter of Chester and Lucy (Durfee) Goodman, and they have two children: Roy and Laura L.
Studley, John Hallet, son of Allan and Hettie (Baker) Studley, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., July 20, 1854. His education was ob- tained in the public schools of his native town and at an early age he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, which vocation he followed for ten years in this vicinity. He then shipped aboard a whaling vessel for three years, after which he returned home and was engaged in the fish business for a number of years. For the past six years he has devoted his time to agriculture. October 21, 1879, he married Eliza- beth J. Holthem of Portsmouth, England, and they have one son, Frank A.
Sturtevant, Edward Bela, merchant and postmaster at Souch Dartmouth, was born in that village, November 10, 1855, a son of Alden C. and Mary (Davis) Sturte. vant. He completed his education in the common schools and then began his busi-
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ness experience as a clerk in the grocery store owned by Edward F. Potter, with whom he remained five years. He then, under the direction of his father, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a period of sixteen years. Mr. Sturte. vant engaged in his present business in 1888 and has been very successful. In poli- tics he is a staunch Republican. President Harrison appointed him postmaster of South Dartmouth in October, 1889, and he has since beld that office. Since 1804 he has been town auditor. He is a member of Acushnet Lodge No. 41, I.O.O.F. In May, 1875, he married Lucy E., daughter of Charles and Eunice (Smith) Gifford of Dartmouth. Two children have been born to them: Charles G. and Fanny I.
Sturtevant, William Francis, son of Alden C. and Mary J. (Hinkley) Sturtevant, was born in New Bedford, Mass., June 18, 1852, and in 1834 moved with his parents to South Dartmouth, where the latter still reside. His father is a carpenter and builder. Mr. Sturtevant received a common school education, and on April 27, 1870, began learning the trade of painter in New Bedford with William C. Parker, with whom he remained four and a half years. Afterward he was associated with Eben J. Kempton until 1883, when he bought out his employer and still continues the busi- ness. He is a leading house, ship and sign painter, frescoer, decorator and dealer . in paints, etc., and has built up a successful trade. He is a member of Star in the East Lodge, F. & A. M., of Adoniram Chapter. R. A. M., of New Bedford Council, R. & S. M., of Sutton Commandery, K. T., of Pacific Lodge, I.O.O.F., of Annawan Encampment, I.O.O.F., of Stella Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, of the Knights of Pythias, of New Bedford Relief Club, No 1, New Bedford Chapter No. 49, Eastern Star.
Sullivan, Cornelius, son of Jeremiah and Hanorah (Sullivan) Sullivan, was born in the county of Cork, Ireland, November 1, 1850. He attended a school taught by an elder brother and worked on his father's farm until he was sixteen years old, at which time he came to America, settling in Hancock, Mich. He worked in the copper mines in that vicinity for a period of four years and in 1871 came to Fall River. He decided to learn the stone cutting trade, and with this end in view en- tered the employ of Gillman Bros, Charlestown, Mass., with whom he remained three years. He then engaged in journeyman work, and while working on the American Linen Mill received an injury which destroyed the sight of one eye, and rendered him unfit to follow his trade. Upon his recovery he went into the coal office of Edward Barrett as bookkeeper and after a service of two years entered the employ of Quinlan, Leary & Company. wholesale liquor dealers. In 1886 he en . gaged in this business for himself, first locating on Plymouth avenue, thence remov. ing to the corner of Second and Wade streets, and thence to his present location at the intersection of Rodman and Main streets. Mr. Sullivan has had a remarkable record as a member of the Board of Aldermen, having served for ten consecutive years. He was first elected in 1886 from the Fourth ward. In March, 1808, he was elected by joint convention as water commissioner for a term of three years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Clover Club, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Celtic Literary Association. IIe is regarded in business circles as a man of sound principles and financial integrity. November 5, 1873, he married Julia, daugh- ter of Timothy Murphy of Fall River, and they have nine children: Timothy J , Annie F., Mary Elizabeth, Boetius, Matilda, Cornelius, jr., Jeremiah Augustus, Will- iam Matthew and Alfred.
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Sullivan, Daniel D., postmaster at Fall River, was born in Boston, in that part called Charlestown, November 1, 1841, and came to Fall River with his parents in 1844. He attended the public schools until the age of nine years and then obtained employment in the Troy Cotton Mill, which at that time had but five and one half pairs of looms and he operated one-half pair of them. Two years later he went to the Que- quechan Mill, working under Capt. James Brady. In 1854 his parents moved to that part of the city now known as Globe Village, which was then in Tiverton. R. I. In 1869 he embarked in the grocery business with Edward Harrington (Harrington & Sullivan). He continued this business until 1875, when he was appointed assistant assessor, which oflice he resigned after a few months to accept a position as United States census taker. Later he engaged in the undertaking business with an office on South Main street. Since his appointment as postmaster this has been conducted by his sons, James E and Michael II., under the firm name of D). D. Sullivan & Sons. Mr. Sullivan has prospered in life and has displayed rare executive and administra- tive ability in all his business relations. He has been active in politics as a Demo- crat for many years, and has attained strength, influence and popularity, not only in his own party, but as a public spiritel citizen, interested in every movement destined to promote the public good. From 1884 to 1891 be was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, and in 1891, a member of State Central Commit- tee at large. Ile was an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1888, and a congressional delegate to Democratic National Convention at St. Louis in 1892. Mr. Sullivan has always'encouraged the recognition of the younger element of his party. For many years he has been president of the Daily Globe Publishing Company. He has been a member of the Young Men's Irish American Temperance Society since 1877; was one of the founders of the Clover Club, and is a director of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum and of the Fall River Board of Trade.
Sullivan, John B., contractor, son of Timothy and Honora (Harrington) Sullivan, was born June 24, 1847, in Ireland, where he received a common school education. In 1867 he came to America and settled in New Bedford. He learned the stone ma- son's trade, which he followed until 1882, when he began contracting and building. a business he has since pursued with great success. Among the many notable build- ings which he has erected are St. Mary's School, St. Mary's parochial residence on Summer street, sixty feet of the tower of St. Lawrence church, St. Mary's Home, St. Mary's chapel, No. 8 Engine House, Phillips avenue and Brock avenue school houses, etc. Ile is also engaged in quarrying, having a stone quarry ou the Hatha. way road, and is heavily interested in real estate in the city. Mr. Sullivan is a trus- tee of St. Lawrence parish, a member and one of the organizers of the Master Build- ers' Association, and a member of the New Bedford Board of Trade, the Plymouth Club, and the Holy Name Society of St. Lawrence Church. In August, 1872, he married Miss Margaret Sullivan, of County Cork, Ireland, who died leaving one son, Mark E., now a member of the City Council and associated with his father in business. In September, 1884, Mr. Sullivan married Katherine E. Sullivan, and they have two children: Mary and Frank.
Sullivan, Mark A., painter, contractor and merchant, a son of John and Mary (Harrington) Sullivan, was born in Wareham, Plymouth county, Mass., January 27, 1849. His parents, who came from County Cork, Ireland, died when he was young,
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and his educational advantages were limited to less than two years in school. When a small boy he worked on a farm for two years, then was employed in the iron works at Wareham until November, 1864, and then enlisted for one year in the 26th Unattached Company, Mass. Vols. He was in the service six months when the war closed, and in 1865 he came to Fall River, worked in Eddy's Woolen Mill in the picker room for a short time, and then assisted in the erection of the Union and the Tecumseh Cotton Mills. He later learned the painter's trade under Raymond Bolger, and in 1872 formed a copartnership in the painting business under the firm name of Peckham, Sherwin & Sullivan, which was dissolved three years later, the business being continued by Mr. Sullivan. In 1876 he admitted P. P. Morris (Sullivan & Morris). This firm continued until 1881, and since that date Mr. Sullivan has conducted the business alone, employing regularly about forty workmen. He was located on Spring street until June, 1888, when he moved to 375 South Main street, which property, together with D. D. Sullivan and Robert How- ard, he bought in 1889. He owns thirty one tenement houses in Fall River, and does a large business in painting and papering houses, and also in portrait painting, crayon drawings and water color pictures. By close attention to his duties he has prospered in life. In 1874 he married Eleanor, daughter of Richard and Bridget Clark of Dighton, Mass. They had four children: Emma F., Frank M., Helena and Charles; only one, Helena, is now living.
Swaim, Rev. Joseph S., pastor of the First Baptist Church of New Bedford, is the son of Rev. Samuel Budd Swaim, D.D., and Aurora D. Skinner, his wife, and a grand- son of Judge Thomas Swaim, a native of Staten Island, N. Y., where the family first settled. Judge Swaim spent most of his life in Pemberton, N. J., serving for many years as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Rev. Samuel Budd Swaim was graduated from Brown University in 1880 and from the Newton Theological Sem- inary in 1838, was ordained to the Baptist ministry at Haverhill, Mass., November 7, 1838, and spent two years as a professor in the old Granville Theological Seminary, Ohio, after which he was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Worcester for sixteen years. He subsequently went to West Cambridge (now Arlington), Mass .. and filled a pastorate for eight years, and died in Cambridge in 1865. His wife's father, Parry. C. Skinner, was a drummer in the war of 1812, and her grandfather, Benjamin Skin- ner, served as a drummer in the Revolution at Bunker Hill. Rev. Joseph S. Swaim, only surviving son of Dr. Samuel B., was born in Worcester, Mass , May 2, 1851, re- ceived his early education in the public and high schools of Cambridge, and was graduated from Ilarvard College with the degree of A B. in 1873. He then spent a year in Europe and the East, and on his return entered the Newton 'Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1877, being ordained to the ministry .in the old Cambridge Baptist Church the same year. He was pastor of the First Bap- tist Church of Claremont, N. H., from 1877 to 1883, pastor of the Union Baptist Church of Providence, R. I., from the spring of 1883 to 1887, and pastor of the First Baptist Church of Binghamton, N. Y., from the spring of 1887 to 1890 In the spring of 1890 he came to New Bedford as pastor of the First Baptist Church on William street, which position he still holds. Mr. Swaim is an able, eloquent, and convinc. ing preacher, a scholar, and a man of culture and high attainments. He was a member of the executive board of the New Hampshire Baptist Convention and is
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now a member of the executive board of the Massachusetts Baptist Convention. In January, 1808, he was elected president of the Newton Alumni Association and is a member of the board of Newton Theological Seminary. In November, 1877, he married Caroline Tiffany Dyer, daughter of Ezra Cornish Dyer, importer of Bos- ton and resident of Cambridge, Mass., and of Caroline Elizabeth Tiffany, his wife, daughter of Lyman Tiffany, merchant of Boston, and sister of the late Dr. Ezra Dyer, the well known oculist of Philadelphia and Newport. Her ancestors were prominent in the early history of Massachusetts, one of them, Asa Dyer, being com- missioned, May 19. 1775, a lieutenant in Col. William Heath's regiment; several others also served in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. They have three sons: Roger D., a student at Harvard College, class of 1900, Loring T. and Stanley B.
Swan, Allen Webster, music teacher, was born in Dorchester, Mass., June 20, 1852, and is the son of William Henry Swan and Mary Elizabeth Bronsdon. He is descended from John Swan, who came from England to Massachusetts in the seven- teenth century, settled in the vicinity of Cambridge and is buried in the old cemetery opposite Harvard College. Mr. Swan's grandfather, Reuben Swan, a grain dealer, was born and died in Dorchester. William Henry Swan was long a prominent Bos- ton schoolmaster, being connected with the Wells school for twenty-three years; later he held a position in the New England National Bank. He died in January, 1896, and his wife in September, 1897. Allen Webster Swan attended the Dorches- ter public schools, and at the age of twelve began his musical education. He studied at both the New England Conservatory of Music and the College of Music of Boston University under such eminent instructors as George E. Whiting and John K. Paine, organists, and Carlyle Petersilea and J. C. D. Parker, pianists, and S. A. Emery, harmony teacher, and was graduated from the College of Music June 21, 1876. He also took a course of piano instruction under Mme. Madeleine Schiller of Boston. His studies were thorough, and being possessed of rare musical talents he rose rap- idly to a foremost rank in his profession. While a student he gained much practice as a teacher, and on receiving his diploma in 1876 he was appointed an instructor of the piano and organ at the New England Conservatory of Music, which position he filled seventeen years. In 1878 he also established a studio in New Bedford, where he has been the leading music teacher and the organist at the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church. He continues to give private lessons in harmony and on the piano and organ in Boston, and in January, 1898, was elected a trustee of the New England Conservatory of Music. In 1878 he spent two months in Cincinnati, Ohio, as substitute for Mr. Whiting in the College of Music and as official organist of the Cincinnati Music Hall, and since October, 1894, he has held the position of teacher of harmony in the Swain Free School of New Bedford. He was musical conductor of the New Bedford Choral Association from 1879 to 1890, was director of the Schu- bert Club of New Bedford for several years, and is a member and one of the founders of the American Guild of Organists. Mr. Swan has conducted a large number of organ recitals, concerts, etc., and is recognized as one of the most eminent music teachers in the State.
Swan, Jesse J., M. D-Caleb Swan. A. B., M. D., was born in Charlestown, Mass., September 22, 1793, and was the son of Caleb and Sarah (Semple) Swan, who trace
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their descent back to the Swan family who came to New England before 1685, on account of religious persecution, and settled near Boston, in Essex county, Mass. Caleb, father of Dr. Caleb, was a merchant of Charlestown and a large owner of real estate, in which he was quite active until 1810, about the time of his death. He lived in Charlestown Square when his house was burned at the battle of Bunker Hill. It will be noted that a leading characteristic of the family is that .large real estate holdings have been prominently continued down to the present generation. Dr. Caleb Swan entered Harvard University in 1811 and graduated in 1814, among his classmates being Dr. James Walker (late president of the college) and William H. Prescott, the historian. At the age of twenty one Caleb Swan began the study of medicine under the instruction of Dr. Jonathan Wales, of Randolph, Mass., and after obtaining his degree, settled in Easton, in the year 1816, continuing here in the practice of medicine, never interrupted for more than a week or two by sickness or travel, for fifty-four years. He was the most successful physician that ever lived in Bristol county, and his reputation extended largely outside of the county lines. He died March 18, 1870. He was one of the founders of the Bristol North District Medical Society in 1849, of which, March 10, 1852, he was made president for one year, and he also belonged to the Massachusetts Medical Society. His reputation drew many medical pupils into his office, and he became very early identified with various humanitarian enterprises. In the great temperance movement of 1826 he was a very active participant, encouraging it in every way, and making public ad- dresses, which were characterized by vigor, point, and good sense. He was always interested in education and frequently spoke upon the topic, and while he steadily refused all other offices, he was willing to serve upon the Board of School Committee of Easton, for which he rendered efficient service for fourteen years. At one time Dr. Swan was interested and prominent in politics, being in 1840 an earnest sup- porter of the election of General Harrison, at the same time declaring that if Har- rison was elected, he would join the Liberty party, afterwards known as the Free Soil party. This he did, and he became a prominent anti-slavery man, and he was also a strong abolitionist and an intimate friend of Charles Sumner, John A. Andrew, and other prominent men. He was a candidate on the Free Soil ticket for member of congress, his principal opponent being Artemus Hale of Bridgewater. who in after elections was elected. Dr. Swan on the same party's ticket ran for governor against N. P. Banks, who was elected, but it is generally believed by those who knew both men well, that Caleb Swan was the greater of the two. In 1865, being chosen on the ticket of the Republican party, which had grown out of the Free Soil party, Dr. Swan served as representative in the State Legislature, and in 1867 was chosen as State senator. In his intercourse with others Dr. Swan was suave, genial, and an agreeable, companionable man and as welcome in a social as in a professional way, in the homes of those who knew him. But with all his suavity he never yielded a hair's breadth in discussion or action in matters of political principle. In religion he was a Swedenborgian. His brother-in-law, the late George W. Johnson of Buffalo, N. Y., under date of 1830, wrote of him as follows: "His heart is in his profession. Like most others of his profession, he possesses great knowledge of men and tact in managing their weaknesses. Ile possesses also a placable and generous temper, is fond of wit and humor, which he has displayed from a child, and has few or no enemies. His mind delights in the investigation and discovery of truth and he
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