USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 45
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rejects no theory until he has sounded it and found it wanting, examining everything for himself, yet he is no visionary. His mind is characterized by activity, love of research, and caution, and I believe he had one of the best of hearts." Dr. Caleb Swan was three times married; first, to Ruth Barrell, of East Bridgewater, October 3, 1816, who died January 13, 1830, and he was again married, February 14, 1831, to Louisa S. Johnson, of Enfield, N. H, who died September 6, 1860. He had four children by his first marriage, seven by his second, and none by his last. Jesse Johnson Swan, M. D., son of Dr. Caleb and Louisa S. (Johnson) Swan, was born in Easton, December 14, 1849. He received an academic education at Bristol Acad- emy, Taunton, Mass., and Stoughton Institute at Sharon, Mass., and then he studied medicine two years with his father and one year with his brother. He next took a two years' course at the Harvard Medical College in 1860-70 and one year's course at the llahnemann Medical College of Chicago, from which he graduated in March, 1882. He began the practice of medicine at North Easton, in April, 1872, where he still resides. He is a member and the medical examiner of the Royal Society of Good Fellows, also a member of the United States Order of the Golden Cross, and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men of Brockton, and Council of Pocahontas, Brockton; member of Easton Lodge, Knights of Honor, also member and medical examiner of New England Order of Protection, Easton.
Sweeney. Michael, is a native of Fall River, born April 13, 1856. As a boy he at- tended the public schools and engaged in various pursuits until he was eighteen years old, at which time he engaged in the express business on a small scale. He has since followed this business and now, owing to the prestige of a long establishment, has the largest patronage in Fall River, requiring the service of several employees and about twenty teams. In connection with this business be built and owns the finest sanitary stable and storage warehouse in Fall River. Mr. Sweeney has served five terms in the City Council from Ward 3 and is at present one of the Watuppa reservoir commissioners. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Sweet, James Henry, son of Thomas and Martha (Briggs) Sweet, natives of Narra- gansett, R. I., was born in Newport, R. I., March 28, 1828. His father was a farmer, a man of inflexible will, strong, good sense, and sterling integrity, and he was trained to habits of industry and learned the lesson of self-reliance early in life. After receiving the advantages afforded by the schools of those days he engaged in farming and in 1866 removed to the farm in Dartmouth on which he still lives. In April, 1880, he married Emily, daughter of Michael and Jane E. (Dixon) Baker of Dartmouth. Of this union there are four children: William J., Esther A., wife of Herman Peckham of Newport; John and Herbert. Mr. Sweet is of old New Eng- land stock, representatives of the family having been prominent in colonial history.
Swift, Humphrey Hathaway, the fourth son who grew to manhood of Jireh and Elizabeth (Hathaway) Swift, was born in Acushnet village, a part of New Bedford, November 80, 1819. He is descended from William Swift, sr.,' who came from Eng- land to Dorchester, Mass., about 1630; William, jr.'; Jireh, sr.ยช; Jireh, jr.,4 who moved from Sandwich to Acushnet, where the family have since resided; Jireh, 3d,' a minuteman who was twice called into service during the Revolutionary war, in which his son Jonathan also served; and Jireh, 4th," who married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Stephen and Abigail Hathaway, whose ancestors came from England in the
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early history of the Massachusetts colony. Mr. Swift's ancestors on the mother's side were Quakers. He was educated at Paul Wing's school in Sandwich and pre- pared for college at Medford under Professor Anger, but instead of taking a collegi- ate course decided to enter mercantile life. In 1841 he went to Pernambuco, Brazil, as a clerk in the leading American exporting house of Henry Forster & Co., which was founded in 1832 by Henry Forster, and which has ever since continued under that name, as the leading American commercial house. On the death of his brother- in-law, in 1847, Mr. Swift became the head of the house, whose extensive and im- portant affairs he ably administered until 1870. Meantime, in 1860, he established a mercantile house in New York city, which he actively conducted until 1880. While in Brazil he was a prominent and influential factor in all public matters. During the first three years of the American Civil war he rendered valuable services to this government, for which he received a personal letter of thanks from William II. Sew- ard, then secretary of state. During Grant's second term he was appointed Ameri- can consul at Pernambuco. which post he resigned after a year, on leaving for home. Mr. Swift was long one of the most popular and esteemed residents of not only Per- nambuco, but of all Brazil. His enterprise as a business man, his philanthropic spirit and masterly energy, his prominence in connection with the abolition or anti- slavery movement, and his activity in all public affairs brought him conspicuously to the notice of the Brazilian emperor, who in 1868 decorated him a Knight of the Or- der of the Rose " for valuable services rendered to Brazil." While there he was also interested in a line of coast steamers; he established the first tug boat service in Brazil and financed the laying of the street railway system in Pernambuco. He still retains his connection with a New York importing house, though he has for several years lived a retired life in the home in Acushnet, New Bedford, in which he was born. In 1863 he became one of the original members of the Union League Club of New York. Mr. Swift was married in 1846 to Jane Elizabeth, daughter of Alfred Gibbs of New Bedford. She died in 1851, leaving three children: Alfred Gibbs Swift and Thomas Nye Swift, both deceased, and Jennie Gibbs (Mrs. Edmund Grinnell), of New Bedford, Mass. In 1865 he married Bertha, daughter of Dr. Robert Wessel- hoeft, who came to America from Germany about 1841. Their children are Bertha Wesselhoeft, Anne Hathaway (wife of Dr. Charles Burton Gulick, Greek Depart- ment of Harvard University), Humphrey Hathaway, jr., Robert Wesselhoeft, and Ruth.
Swift, Marcus George Barker, attorney at law, son of Rev. Orson Ross Swift, M. D., and Mary Elizabeth Barker, was born in the township of Raisin, county of Lenawee, Mich., March 12, 1848. Ile was educated in the public schools, Adrian College and in the law department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1872. Before entering upon his legal studies he enlisted in Sep- tember, 1864, in the 4th Mich. Infantry and served in the Army of the Cumberland until the close of the war, when he accompanied his regiment to Texas to help pre- vent Maximillian and the Emperor Napoleon from encroaching on the rights of American citizens in Mexico or the United States. His regiment remained in the service until July, 1866 He then began the study of law in the office of Newberry, Pond & Brown of Detroit, Mich., the last named being Henry Billings Brown, now an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Later he pursued
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his studies under F. H. Canfield and afterward with Wilkinson & Post of Detroit; at that time Mr. Post was a reporter of the Supreme Court of Michigan and Mr. Swift was in his office under a salary for one year. Mr. Swift was admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court of Michigan April 2, 1872, and to the United States Dis- trict Court of Michigan December 5, 1874. He began the practice of his profession in 1878 in partnership with Charles E. Williams. In December, 1874, he came to Fall River, where he has since resided. He was admitted to the bar of Bristol county January 18, 1875, and to the United States Circuit Court of Massachusetts September 22, 1875. He has since conducted a large business in his profession and is widely known as a successful lawyer. For several years he was a partner in the law firm of Braley & Swift. Upon the accession of Hon. Henry K. Braley to the bench of the Superior Court of Massachusetts, he associated with him in the practice of his profession George Grime, under the firm name of Swift & Grime. Mr. Swift . is a member of the First Congregational Church, the Masonic fraternity, Odd Fel- lows, Red Men, and in 1897 was commander of Richard Borden Post, G. A. R., and judge advocate of the Department of Massachusetts, G.A. R. December 25, 1872, he married Mary D., daughter of Rev. Alexander Milne of Fall River, and their chil- dren are James Marcus, Orson Alexander, John Tuttle, Milne Barker, Mabel Antoi- nette and Anna Osborn. The second was killed in a railroad accident in 1804. James Marcus graduated from the University of Michigan A. B. in 1895, spent two years in Harvard Law School, and having been admitted to the bar, is prac- ticing law in the office of Swift & Grime.
Swift, William Nye, M.D., son of William C. N. and Eliza (Perry) Swift, was born in New Bedford, August 1. 1854. He attended the New Bedford Friends' Acad- emy, prepared for college at Phillips Exeter Academy, and was graduated from Harvard in 1877 with the degree A. B. Ile attended the Harvard Medical School and was graduated M.D). in the class of 1881, having been previously house officer in the Massachusetts General Hospital at Boston. For the purpose of observation in the hospitals and further study, he now went to Vienna, Austria, where he spent parts of two years. Dr. Swift settled in New Bedford and began his present prac- tice in 1883 where he served for several years as physician to the Board of Health and is visiting surgeon to St. Luke's Hospital. Dr. Swift spent the winter of 1886-7 in Berlin, studying diseases of women. He is a member of the American Academy of Medicine and the Massachusetts Medical Society. Dr. Swift is descended from old Puritan stock, and it is an interesting fact that his grandfather, Ebenezer Perry, practiced medicine in New Bedford in the early days, having a brother, Samuel Perry, who practiced at the same time in Acushnet. The father of these brothers, Dr. Samuel Perry, practiced in this section, which was then Dartmouth. Dr. Swift married Anna, daughter of Francis Hathaway of New Bedford, and they have three children: Hester W., Francis H. and Henry.
Sylvester, Charles Frederick, lock and gunsmith, son of Frederick and Lucia (Soule) Sylvester, was born in North Bridgewater, Mass., March 14, 1841. His paternal an- cestors came from England to Weymouth, Mass., as early as 1630. His ancestors on his mother's side are said to have come to America on the Mayflower in 1620. Mr. Sylvester in his youth attended the schools of his native town, assisted his father on the farm and with him learned the trade of shoemaker. At the age of twenty-one
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years he went to work in a shoe tool factory at Brockton, where he learned to turn wood handles for shoemaker's tools. After being engaged in this business for several years both members of the firm died and Mr. Sylvester bought the establish- ment and operated it from 1870 to 1888. He employed at this time twenty work- men. When the business of manufacturing shoes was revolutionized by the inven- tion of improved machinery he discontinued his business and moved to Fall River. where he engaged in the manufacture of various articles. In 1889 he started his present business at 181 South Main street, as a lock and gunsmith and manufacturer of weavers' combs, etc. The firm name is C. F. Sylvester & Co., J. F. Davis, who originally established the business, being the other member. Mr. Sylvester was married, first in 1864, to Louise Kilburn of Provincetown, who died in 1869, leaving two children: Abbie Louise (deaceased) and Fred Okes. His second wife was Georgiana Davis whom he married in 1874. He is a member of the city Board of Trade, and a well known and enterprising citizen.
Sylvia, Antone L., has been recognized as one of the leading representatives of the Portuguese race in New Bedford for many years. He was born in the Azores, on the Island of St. George, in June, 1840, a son of John and Marianna (Rose) Sylvia, and he passed his earlier boyhood in the common schools and in doing farm work. When but fifteen years old (1855) he came to this country and settled at once in New Bedford, and here at once he found employment as manager of a clothing store owned by Joseph Frasier, which catered to the trade of immigrants from the Western Islands, remaining in this capacity until the death of Mr. Frasier in 1800, when be purchased the business from the estate. Mr. Sylvia continued with increasing suc- cess, winning an excellent reputation in business circles, and building up a large trade, until 1892, when he retired. He has been for some time a prominent factor in political circles, and was director for nine years of the Monte Pio Society, and he also served in the Council from Ward 5, 1875-76-77. In 1861 he married Catherine Collins Frasier.
Synan, William E., physician and surgeon, was born in Fall River, October 27, 1868, a son of William E. and Catherine (Eagan) Synan. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the High School in 1886. He then entered Holy Cross College at Worcester, Mass., and was graduated A. B. in 1889. The same year he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution in 1892, and in the mean time did considerable hospital work. For one and a half years he was resident physician in St. Joseph's Hospital, Philadelphia, and then returned to Fall River, where he has since followed his profession with encouraging success. Dr. Synan is a member of the Fall River Medical Society and was president of that body in 1895; he is also a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and is on the surgical staff .of the Fall River Hospital and St. Vincent's Orphan's Home. January 27, 1897, he married Mary Cunningham of Providence, and they have one son, William E. Synan, jr.
Taber, Charles, who died in New Bedford on the 17th of November, 1887, in the sixty sixth year of his age, was the pioneer founder of the industry of art manufac. turing in this country. He was educated at the Friends' School in Providence, R. I., and was graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania when about eighteen,
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after winning a flattering record for ability and scholarship. His father, William C. Taber, became, early in life, a partner of Abraham Sherman, jr., in the book busi- ness in New Bedford, and after the dissolution of the firm in 1835 he continued in trade alone until 1843, when Charles Taber, having in that year reached his majority, was admitted. About 1849, the father having retired, Charles and his brother Augustus formed the firm of Charles Taber & Co. Augustus finally withdrew. and Charles took in as partner Abraham Taber and Asa C. Pierce, and still later, Will- iam C. Taber, jr. In 1862 the brothers, Abraham and William C. Taber, jr., took the two book and stationery stores then conducted by the firm, and Charles Taber, with Asa C. Pierce, started as manufacturing photographers at No. 6 North Water street. In 1871 Mr. Taber assumed the sole management and so continued until 1881, when he admitted his brother, William C. Taber, jr., and his sons, Charles M and Frederic, as partners. In 1893 the Taber Art Company was incorporated with William C. Taber, president; W. C. Freeman, vice-president; H. G. Stratton, treas- urer; Charles M. Taber, clerk; William C. Taber, E. L. Freeman, H. G. Stratton, W. C. Freeman, C. D. Burrage and Frederic Taber, directors. In 1897 the firm was merged into the Taber-Prang Art Company. The art business of the firm com- menced with the manufacture of ambryotypes, or photographs on glass, the first one ever put on the market being a reproduction of the face of Elizabeth Fry, the Eng- lish philanthropist. This branch led to the importation and later the manufacture of passepartouts, then to frames, later to photographs and finally to artotype engrav- ings and etchings, which received for them a world-wide reputation. Mr. Taber was by birthright a Friend, always a prominent worker in their meetings, and an active unobtrusive, benevolent citizen. By industry and perseverance he built up one of the most successful establishments in this country, and won a national reputation through the large variety of goods he manufactured.
Taber, George Hathaway, is the oldest active business man of Fairhaven, where he has been a most useful and respected citizen for many years. He is a son of John and Mary (Hathaway) Taber, born October 29, 1808. He is of old Quaker descent, although many of his ancestors fought in the Revolutionary war. John Cooke, one of the thirty-four original purchasers of Dartmouth and prominent in the historical literature of this vicinity, was also one of his ancestors, and Mr. Taber now bas a deed in his possession given by John Cooke to Thomas Taber and dated 1672. This deed was given for land which is now owned by Mr. Taber and which bas never gone out of the possession of the family since its purchase. Mr. Taber's father was a farmer, and during his boyhood he worked on the farm and attended school. complet - ing his education in the institution now called Mrs. Hawes's Academy, but more commonly known as " the old Academy." After leaving school he went to sea and made voyages in merchantmen for several years. In 1832 he became a captain and continued to follow the sea for several years subsequent, sailing principally from New York city and upon European voyages. By resolution, industry and ability he amassed considerable property and finally retired to his farm in Fairhaven, where he still resides. Ile has been repeatedly honored with offices in the town govern- ment and served as selectman and overseer of the poor almost continuously from 1850 to 1890. He is now, and has been for the past seventeen years, president of the Fairhaven Institution for Savings, but has been connected with that institution
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ever since its inception, having been elected a trustee and member of the board of investments in 1863. He is also trustee of the Fairhaven Public Library, in which he takes a keen interest. Although past ninety years of age Mr. Taber is still vig- orous and participates actively in the business and public circles which have known him so long. He married Eliza P., daughter of Joseph Bates of Fairhaven, and two sons were born to them: George II. and John H. Mr. Taber is a descendant of Philip Taber, who was one of the first settlers of Watertown, Mass. He has a per- fect and direct lineage back to some of the earliest settlers of Plymouth colony.
Tallman, Joseph Ricketson, was born in New Bedford, Mass., February 9, 1845, a son of J. R. and Jane (Ellis) Tallman. . His early education was obtained in the private schools of New Bedford and at the Friends' Academy. At the close of his school days he entered a counting house in New Bedford as a clerk and remained about two years, when he went to Boston as an accountant with what was afterward The Hall Rubber Co. After staying in Boston about two years he came to Taunton and was employed by Samuel Colby in the clothing business In 1869 he went with S. A. Williams in the insurance business; afterwards was admitted as a partner and in 1889 he bought Mr. Williams's share and since that time has carried it on under his own name. Mr. Tallman was married in November, 1868, to Ruth Leonard, daugh- ter of Otis P. and Abby A. Smith of Taunton, and they have one son, Harry Bassett Tallman.
Tallman, Rescum Handy, son of Stephen S. and Susan K. (Bosworth) Tallman, was born in the town of Westport. Bristol county, Mass., March 22, 1824. His parents removed to the town of Dartmouth when he was eight years of age, but he received his education in the public schools of Westport, having been "bound out" to a farmer in that town. Mr. Tallman's entire life has been devoted to agriculture and he has lived on his present farm for twenty-seven years. April 3, 1843, be mar- ried Catherine M., daughter of Isaac and Betsey (Dool) Sanford of Tiverton R. I., and of their union were thirteen children: Lucy, wife of Alling Gifford; Mary W., wife of Albert Fisk; Charles H., who was drowned at sea February 6, 1871; Betsey S., died February 18, 1867; Rescum, jr., died January 28, 1833; Isabella F., wife of Holder Gifford of Westport; Andrew F., died November 12, 1880; Laura J., died December 20, 1862; Clara E., wife of Nathan Cornell; Arthur S. ; Ida M. ; Nellie L., wife of Walter Pierce; and Albert R. Mr. Tallman has been active in public affairs and has been road surveyor and school committeeman for a number of years.
Tanner, William E., was born in Newport, England, May 20, 1864. His parents, Thomas and. Anna (Gatehouse) Tanner, came to America when he was quite young and resided one year in Albany, N. Y., then moved to New Bedford, Mass., where they remained for three years and then came to Fall River. Mr. Tanner obtained his education in the public schools of New Bedford and Fall River. He was a mes- senger boy in the Western Union Telegraph office, then became operator for the Western Union Telephone Company; was soon promoted to switchman and when the company was consolidated with the American Bell Telephone Company he was made inspector of instruments and later had charge of the construction work for this company. After learning the telephone business, Mr. Tanner was employed in the city fire alarm department and when Edwin Lee was superintendent performed the duties of that position for him. He next had charge of the electrical work for
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the Old Colony Railway between Whittenton and Newport, R. I., remaining in that position five years. In 1889 he engaged in business for himself at 64 North Main street, and later removed to 175 North Main street, dealing in electrical supplies, bicycles and sporting goods. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar, Royal Arch Chapter, and Fall River Council of Royal and Select Masters. He is also a member of the Red Men, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Mr. Tanner was married to Hattie L. Smith of Fall River, a daughter of Chester I. Smith, who was a purser on the Fall River Line for twenty-two years. They have four children; William Chester, Walter Ed- win, Susan Elizabeth and Ethel Louise.
Tappan, W. C., was born in Attleborough Falls, July 4, 1864, son of Ephraim and Susan Tappan; his father was identified in the jewelry and mercantile business for forty years. W. C. Tappan was educated in the public schools and then learned the jewelry business with Mason, Draper & Company. In 1885 he organized with C. H. Tappan the firm of Tappan Bros., changed later to Tappan, Berry & Company, of Attleborough, who purchased the D. F. Briggs plant of Attleborough Falls, remov- ing the same to Attleborough, and is now known as the D. F. Briggs Company, the leading manufacturers of Massachusetts. Tappan Bros. to-day are owners of the largest chain factory in the world. In 1885 he married Fannie M., daughter of Ly- man S. Moffit. Mr. Tappan is one of the conservative men of his town; one of the building committee of the Odd Fellows; and has ever advanced the best interests of his town.
Taunton Business College .- This institute was established in January, 1895, by George W. Livsey of Attleborough. Mr. Livsey was formerly in the manufacturing jewelry business at Attleborough, and realizing the need of a college where young people of both sexes could have the opportunity of learning a practical business course to fit them to take official positions, came to Taunton, and started the present institution. To say that it has been a success is unnecessary; one only has to visit the pleasant rooms in the Bristol County Bank building during school hours and see the different classes at work, to be convinced of this fact. Mr. Livsey has two of the best teachers he can procure, who are proficient in all branches which pertain to a business education, and have the faculty of imparting what they know to the pupils, so that when they graduate they have no difficulty in obtaining positions in the mer- cantile world. It is evident from the success in the past, and the increased attend- ance at the college, that it has now become one of the permanent institutions of the city.
Taunton Evening News .- This paper is owned by a corporation of Taunton busi- ness men and was established in 1889. It is a penny daily of eight columns and eight pages; politics Republican, and has an average circulation of 8,800. This paper had an uncertain life during the first five years of its existence, but in 1894 Dudley M. Holman was elected to the positions of treasurer and general manager, which positions he holds at the present time. Under Mr. Holman's able manage- ment the size and circulation of the paper has increased so that now it is on a firm financial basis and one of the recognized dailies of the county. It holds the only Associated Press franchise in Taunton, and has its own operator, taking the full re- port of the Associated Press over its own wires in its office. It has a battery of lino-
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