Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2), Part 48

Author: Alanson Borden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 645

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 48

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June 28, 1801, died in 1802; Sarah, born June 24, 1805; Joseph, born September 30, 1808, died in 1818. Lettice Washburn' was a farmer and master mariner, and lived in Acushnet. William Washburn,' born in November, 1818, still resides at Acushnet, having spent his life as a farmer and stone mason. He married Hannah, daughter of Noel Allen of Westport, and their children are Hannah (Mrs. Lucius Pierce), Mar- tin, William H., Lettice Israel (died in infancy), Lettice Roderick, Annie Marie (Mrs. James Gracy), and Carrie Lena (Mrs. Frank Rose). Lettice R. Washburn was edu. cated in the public schools, learned the cabinet maker's trade and mill engineering, and since 1878 has been engaged in the cabinet making business in New Bedford. He married Helen A., daughter of William Hicks of New Bedford, and they have one son, Frederick Clifton, who is associated with his father.

Watkins, William, was born in the village of Westport Point, Westport, Mass., June 22, 1814. a son of Thomas and Mary (Davis) Watkins. Until .he reached his fourteenth year he attended the country schools. He then (1828) entered the grocery and commission business of Jacob Parker in New Bedford and continued in his em- ploy until March, 1882, when a position as clerk for Elisha Dunbar & Co. (Edward C. Jones) was tendered him. which he at once accepted. This firm were ship chand- lers and importers, and dealers in bar iron ; as well as managing owners and agents of whale shipping. Mr. Watkins remained in their employ for a period of eight years, being bookkeeper and also mainly in charge of their merchandise business, in which department he had a partial interest in the profits during the last three years of his service. The senior member of the firm, Capt. Elisha Dunbar, died in November, 1839, and at the close of the business year, February 1, 1840, the firm was dissolved and Mr. Jones continued the business, devoting much energy to whaling interest with a view of increasing it largely. Mr. Jones had a keen appreciation for the ability of Mr. Watkins and accorded him a warm friendship, making several times fair proposals to the latter to join him in partnership. Mr. Watkins, however, de- cided to follow business with which he was familiar, and hence established himself in the ship chandlery and iron trade in April, 1840. This business he continued with good success until 1878; his brother, George D. Watkins, being associated with him as a partner (1851-1862 inclusive), under the firm name of W. & G. D. Watkins. During the growth of the business a number of whaling vessels were added, but in 1873 Mr. Watkins began to dispose of his whaling interest and sold his last ship in 1880. He disposed of his ship chandlery and iron business in 1878, selling to Wat- kins & Handy (George D. Watkins and Jonathan Handy). The close of Mr. Wat. kins's active mercantile career may be properly said to have come at this time, although he subsequently managed large and valuable estates in a private fiduciary capacity and became prominently identified with banking interests. He gained and has al. ways maintained a standing in the community of the highest character. Through- out his entire business career he acted the part of an able, honorable and upright man. He has never withheld his means or influence from any worthy work, but being by nature retiring, has never been conspicuous in public movements or in political affairs. In 1846 he was made trustee of the New Bedford Institution for Savings; in 1870 a member of its board of investment; and January, 1877, was chosen president to succeed William C. Taber, and served in that capacity upwards of nine- teen years. In 1833 he was made a director of the Mechanics' Bank (now Mechanics'

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National Bank), and in 1879 was unanimously elected president of the First National Bank. He remained in that position eleven years and then declined longer service, but remained on the board of directors. He has been a director of the Potomska Mills Corporation since its organization. Mr. Watkins married Melissa M., daughter of Lemuel and Melissa Kollock of New Bedford; she died in May, 1873. Their chil- dren were three, two daughters living and a son who died in infancy. Mr. Wat- kins's grandfather came from England to Rhode Island during the Revolutionary war, and for many years taught school in Newport and Little Compton. In the latter place his son Thomas, the father of William Watkins, was born. Thomas Watkins became a master mariner, was well and favorably known in the ports of this vicinity, and resided for a number of years in the village of Westport Point.

Watters, Frank M., coal dealer, agent for the Thomas Coal Company, is a son of Joseph and Mary (Whitehead) Watters, and was born in Fall River, November 12, 1870. He obtained his education in the public schools, at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University. After leaving college he was employed as clerk in the office of the Osborn Cotton Mills for two years. In September, 1894, Mr. Watters was tendered the position of agent for the Thomas Coal Company. By energy and business ability he has met with encouraging success and has built up a large trade. February 19, 1892, he married Flora Newell of Fall River.

Weeks, J. Frank. M. D., is the son of Joshua and Abbie G. (Brownell) Weeks, and was born in South Dartmouth, Mass., February 28, 1866. His father, a sea captain, died in 1897, aged seventy-eight. Dr. Weeks was educated in the Dartmouth public schools, read medicine with Dr. A. B. Cushman of Dartmouth, and was graduated with the degree of M. D. from the medical department of the University of the Green Mountains at Burlington, Vt., in 1800. Since then he has been engaged in the general practice of his profession at Acushnet, Mass. He is a member of the Bristol County and New Bedford Societies, of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Delta Mu fraternity. He is also a member of the New Bedford School Committee from Ward 1. In January, 1892, he married Clara F., daughter of Abram Smith of Dartmouth, Mass.

Weeks, William, son of Joshua and Mary (Borden) Weeks, was born in the village of Bakerville, South Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., July 15, 1818. His father was a blacksmith and was well known in this vicinity, conducting a shop at Baker- ville for several years. As a boy, Mr. Weeks attended the schools of his neighbor- hood and worked at farm work, and at the age of eighteen began an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, under Nathan Taber of New Bedford, but completed his trade under Barker Cushman. Soon after he attained his majority he shipped on a whaler as blacksmith, and this was the beginning of an experience of thirty-six years at sea. He gradually rose to the position of first mate and, while making a voyage in this capacity with the ship Cherokee a sad accident was the cause of placing him in command of a ship. One of the boats containing the captain, Mr. Weeks, and five men, was pursuing a whale, when he turned upon the boat and, striking it a terrific blow, capsized it, drowning four of the crew of seven, including the captain. At the time only one whale had been captured and in nine months Mr. Weeks sailed for home with 1,400 barrels of oil. The owners, satisfied by this man- ifestation of his ability, at once made him master of a ship, and he sailed in that

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capacity several profitable voyages, bringing in at one time a cargo worth $132,000, secured in twenty-eight months. His last voyage was made in 1865 and upon his re- turn to New Bedford in 1868 he retired and took up his residence in that city. Cap- tain Weeks is a perfect type of that class of self-reliant, courageous and energetic men who made successful whaling captains, and although now in his eighty-sixth year, he is still vigorous and remarkably well preserved. Ile has been twice mar- ried; first, in 1886, to Myra Allen of Westpoint, who died in 1800, and they had seven children, of whom survive Almy W., wife of Charles Cushman, of Dartmouth, Mary Adeline and Hannah Charlotte, wife of Isaiah T. Jones of Sandwich. For his second wife, he married, December 9, 1861, Lucretia Haskell Faunce, daughter of John Faunce of Dartmouth. Of this union four children survive: Edward J., Lucretia A., William J. and John L. Captain Weeks descends from good old Puritan stock, · being in the direct line of George Weeks, who came from Dorchester, England, in the early history of Plymouth Colony.

Welch, John, is a native of Ireland, born in Cork county, May 8, 1835, a son of James and Mary (Ryan) Welch. He attended school but a short time, for his father was a general laborer and had a large family, of which John was one of the oldest sons. He began to contribute his share to the general support when he was but nine years old, working in a woolen mill in which he remained five years. He then went to Wales and for two years was employed in the iron mills at Doullies and Rumey. He came to this country in 1851 and at once settled in New Bedford, from which port he sailed for three years on vessels engaged in the coastwise trade, and later was employed about the docks as a stevedore until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. A. 41st Mass. Vols., which later merged into the 3d Mass. Cavalry. After about two years' service his health became broken, owing to different injuries, and upon his recovery he was honorably discharged and returned to New Bedford. He was there engaged in his old occupation as longshoreman until 1866, when he was appointed a patrolman on the New Bedford police force and served two years. In 1809 he was appointed a lieutenant of police by Mayor George B. Richmond, and served in that capacity for three years, being removed for political reasons. In 187% he became a foreman for the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company and remained in faithful service for eighteen years, when he retired. Mr. Welch was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1888, represented Ward 6 in the Common Council in 1898, and has always been active in political work. He is president of Branch 13 of the Irish National Federation, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and of Post 190, G. A. R. In 1856 he married Ellen Hughes, and of their six children, four survive: Mary, wife of Frank McNulty; Julia A., James H., and Margaret T., wife of Will- iam Ryan.

West, Henry N., son of Isaiah and Tabathia G. (Macomber) West, was born in Fairhaven, Mass., August 7, 1851. His father was a whaling captain and resided in this vicinity all his life. For several terms he served as selectman and overseer of the poor in Fairhaven. Henry N. West attended the public schools of Fairhaven and private schools in New Bedford, and prepared for college at Allen's English and Classical School in West Newton. He matriculated at Harvard Law School and in 1876 was admitted to the Bristol bar. Mr. West represented the Fifth ward in the City Council one year. He is a member and present master of Star in the East

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Lodge, F. & A. M., also a member of the Chapter, Council and Commandery. He has served in his present position, as clerk of the Police Department, since 1889. December 10, 1895, he married Harriet E., daughter of Obed N. and Elizabeth Swift of New Bedford.

West, John Peckham, is the son of John P. and Lydia (Potter) West, and was born in New Bedford, Mass., October 24, 1826. His father, also a native of New Bedford, was a captain in the coasting trade, later a dealer in lime and brick, and at one time a member of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. West was educated in the New Bedford public schools, served a three years' apprenticeship at the painter's trade with Pot- ter, ITillman & Co., and then shipped on the whaling bark Franklin, Capt. Ira Davis, making one voyage, which occupied three and a half years. On his return he en- gaged at his trade of painter, first with Charles Higgins under the firm name of Hig- gins & West and three years later with William Dunham as Dunham & West. The latter firm continued about five years, after which Mr. West continued the business alone until 1883, when he was succeeded by his son, William L., who now carries on a large establishment. Mr. West has lived mainly in retirement since 1883. He was for five years a member of the militia and at one time, during the drafts, was on duty in New Bedford in the Civil war. He married Ellen C. Lalock, of Falmouth, and they have three sons: John P., jr., William R. and Charles S., all of New Bed- ford.

Wetherell, George L., was born in Norton, Mass., June 8, 1848, son of Caleb S. and Cordelia E. Wetherell. His father throughout his life was an extensive farmer and also dealer in ship timber, etc. They trace their ancestry back to John Weth- erell, who was one of the early settlers of Norton, and on the maternal side to George Lane, a farmer, who was born in Norton, July 20, 1785, and who was a sol- dier in the Boston Light Infantry. Gedney King, commanding Fort Strong, now Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, 1812, also captain of Norton Artillery. February 5, 1827, he married Chloe Allen, daughter of Micah and Catherine Allen, who died in Octo- ber, 1863, in her seventy-fourth year, and Captain Lane died November 9, 1875, being nearly ninety years old. Mr. Wetherell was educated at the public schools of Norton and at Scofield's Business College, at Providence, R. I., but for a short time thereafter worked at farming, and afterward started in the jewelry business as a tool maker, and in 1886 began the manufacture of jewelry, under the name of Engley, Wetherell & Company. continuing in that business for ten years, when he retired. Ile married, February 11, 1880, Sarah M. Reiniger, daughter of George David and Margaret Reiniger, of Vermont, and she died in April, 1898. Mr. Wetherell has been on the Board of Registrars for the past ten years; is an honored member of St. James Lodge of Free Masons, of Mansfield; and Orient Lodge of Odd Fellows, of Attleborough, Mass., also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- pany of Boston. He takes a general interest in his town and town's people, and is one of Norton's popular and influential citizens.

Wetherell, Orin B .- In the early days of the cotton industry in Fall River, many experts in carding, spinning, etc., were imported; among them was Daniel H. Weth- erell, who was a carder and expert roller coverer and who worked as a carder for some time and then turned his whole attention to the manufacture of leather covers for top rollers of cotton spinning and carding machinery, having noted with shrewd

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foresight that the demand for a business of this kind would constantly increase. He conducted such a business for many years and invented and improved most of the machinery now in use in the manufacture of roll covers. Later, his nephews, Orin B. and Daniel Wetherell, succeeded to the business, which had grown in proportion to the growth of the cotton industry. The latter died in 1893 and Orin B. took en- tire charge of the business. Orin B. Wetherell was born and educated at North Taunton, Mass. He was engaged for many years in the shoe manufacturing busi- ness and then came to Fall River .. He has been identified with many prominent en- terprises of the city for over thirty-five years and has a wide acquaintance among cotton manufacturers. He married Hannah Barney, and they have one son, Howard B., who was born in Fall River. He attended the public and high schools and was graduated from the latter in the class of 1887; he then attended Phillips Exeter Academy and after graduation returned to Fall River to assist in his father's busi- ness. He was admitted to partnership in 1894, the firm name being then changed to its present form, O. B. Wetherell & Son. The business of this firm, though large, and requiring the employment of a large force of operatives, is almost entirely local.

Wexel, Henry, was born in Kongsberg, Norway, October 9, 1829. He learned the jeweler's and die cutter's trade and came to New York in September, 1852, where he worked as a jeweler until the spring of 1853. He then went to Providence, R. I., where he engaged in a jewelry factory as designer and die cutter, where he worked until the Civil war broke out. In 1860 he married Elizabeth Hudson of New York, who died in the spring of 1861, and in July of that year he enlisted in Co. A, 45th Regiment N. Y. Vols. In November he was commissioned lieutenant of Co. A, and served in Gen. Blanker's division, 11th Army Corps, Army of Potomac, with Gen. Mcclellan commander-in-chief. In the spring of 1862 the division was sent to West Virginia to serve with General Fremont, and were in the battle of Cross Keys, when General Jackson was driven out of the Shenandoah Valley, and was wounded in that battle. Shortly after, he resigned his commission on account of poor health and re- turned to Providence and again engaged in the manufacture of jewelry. In 1871 he went to Attleborough and was with J. M. Bates until 1876, when with J. C. Cummings he established the firm of Cummings & Wexel. Mr. Wexel invented and patented several sleeve and collar buttons, which this firm manufactured. In 1892 Mr. Wexel purchased Mr. Cummings's interest in the business and since then has continued un- der the name of H. Wexel & Co. Mr. Wexel is a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, of the U. S. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, of Will- iam A. Streeter Post, G. A. R., of Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar, and other Masonic bodies. In 1871 he married IIelen A. Mason of Providence. Mrs. Wexel is president of the W. C. T. U. Society and an active member in the M. E. Church.

Wheaton, Hon. Laban M., was born in Norton, Mass., September 14, 1796, a son of Hon. Laban and Fanny (Morey) Wheaton. He obtained his early education at Wrentham and Middleborough Academies, afterward attending the University Grammar School at Providence, R. I., and graduated from Brown University in 1817, being then twenty-one years of age. After leaving the university he com- menced the study of law in his native town and practiced here until the care of his father's estates demanded his entire time. He was for many years postmaster; was several times elected to the Legislature, and served two terms as a member of the

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Governor's Council, and he was also trustee of the State Industrial School for Girls, at Lancaster, and with his wife, was in cordial sympathy with his father in the founding of the Wheaton Female Seminary. He was a lover of Christ and his church and was a liberal supporter of the gospel at home and abroad. He was married, June 25, 1829, to Eliza Baylies Chapin, of Uxbridge, Mass., daughter of Henry and Abigail (Baylies) Chapin, and they had no children. Mr. Wheaton died after a brief but painful illness, in Norton, January 17, 1865.

White, Albert A., was born in South Attleborough, January 4, 1827, a son of Damon and Melancy (Titus) White. He was educated in the common schools and in 1850 went to work for Phillips & Robinson, being paid four cents per hour. In 1854 he established a business for himself, which he continued for nearly forty years, when he retired. In 1858 Mr. White married Melissa A. Draper. and they have one son, Damon A.

White, Augustus, son of Phinehas and Betsey (Walker) White, was born in the town of Fairhaven (now Acushnet), Bristol county, Mass., September 26, 1882. Mr. White has always lived or remained on the farm with his father. In 1869 he married Angie M. White, and they had five children: Marie C., Walter A., Henry C., Edward N. and Emma L. Mrs. White died August 7, 1885. Mr. White is a lineal descendant of William White, who came from England to this country on the Mayflower in 1620.

White, Charles P., is a native of Taunton, and after receiving his education in the public schools, entered the iron foundry at Whittenton to learn the trade of iron moulder. Mr. White worked at that and the other parts of the foundry business until 1882, when he started in business for himself under the firm name of White, Walker & Co. This firm was continued until 1885 when Mr. Walker retired and Mr. Richard E. Warner was admitted, the firm name being changed to White, Warner & Co., which continued until January 1, 1897, when Mr. Howard A. Tinkham was admitted, and they made a corporation of the firm under the style of the White Warner Co., of which Mr. White is president. They manufacture stoves, ranges and furnaces and have built up a large business in that line.

White, Guilford, was born in Easton, Mass., August 17, 1822, son of Col. Alanson and Rebecca (Billings) White. His father was identified as a carpenter; was en- gaged in the war of 1812; was a representative in 1851, and was one of the original Whigs, afterward a Republican. He traces his descent from John White, who was a son of Nicholas White, who landed at Weymouth, but was found in 1638 at Dor- chester. Guilford White is the fourth child of the sixth generation. He studied at North Bridgewater Academy and Mr. Perkins's school in the old chapel at Easton Centre; in January, 1856, began the study of law in J. H. & T. L. Wakefield's office, and in 1857 was examined for admission to the barand was admitted in the Supreme Court at Boston, afterward, in 1867, being admitted in the United States Circuit Court at Boston. September 14, 1845, he married Olivia J, daughter of Oliver Jackson, and they have had five children: Berlin; Olive G. (deceased), Levio G., Ida J., who married Frank M. Hayward; and Catherine J., decensed. Mrs. Guilford White died January 3, 1892. Mr. White served on the board of County Commission- ers three years; has written and published many letters and pieces for the press on political economy; several have been collected and published in book form; he has

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several times delivered the memorial address before the G. A. R. post on Decoration Day. He is an honored member of St. Albans Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Foxboro, Mass., and has passed through all the degrees of Keystone R. A. Chapter. He is a much respected citizen of Easton and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

White, Lysander Washburn, is a lineal descendant in the eighth generation of Peregrine White, who came to this country from England, on the Mayflower, in 1620. He is a grandson of Jerathmel and his wife, Alice (Howland) White, son of John and Eliza A. (Gifford) White, and was born in Westport, Bristol county, Mass., December 27, 1854. He attended the public schools until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he went to work on a farm. On January 1, 1881, he married Betsy Smith, daughter of William W. and Caroline II. (Gidley) Chace, and they have one son, William C., born April 24, 1884. Mrs. White was one of two children; her sister is the wife of Frank P. Gidley.

Whiting, Elisha Sumner, was born in Fairhaven, February 2, 1847, a son of Sum- ner and Hannah (Gibbs) Whiting. His father made voyages in whaling vessels for a number of years and also conducted a business in Fairhaven as a manufacturer of ship rigging. During his boyhood Mr. Whiting attended the schools of Fairhaven and after completing his education engaged in farming, which occupation he con- tinued for five years. In 1868 he established a meat and provision business on Cen- ter street, Fairhaven, and still conducts the business at the location upon which he started, his store being one of the old landmarks. He is a member of Concordia Lodge, F. & A. M., and in politics he is a Republican. In 1868 he married Sarah F. Bowen, daughter of Anson D. Bowen of Fairhaven, and they have three children : Elisha S., jr., Elsie L. and Sarah.

Whiting, F. M. (deceased), was born in North Attleborough, April 21, 1849. His father, William D. Whiting, was a descendant of William Whiting of Boston, Eng- land, who was taxed as a citizen there in 1833. John Whiting was mayor of that borough in 1600 and 1608. His son, Samuel, a minister of the established church, failed to conform to all its tenets and emigrated to the American colonies in 1036, settling at Lynn, Mass. Nathaniel Whiting emigrated from Boxford, Suffolk county, England, in 1635, and settled in Wrentham, where he was one of the orig- inal land owners of that town. He married Hannah Dwight, September 4, 1643. David, the fourth generation from Nathaniel, married Hannah Wollcott, and their son, Capt. Lemuel Whiting, married, July 2, 1811, Nancy, daughter of Oliver and Polly (Daggett) Blackinton. His eldest son was William Dean Whiting, born De- cember 23, 1815, who spent his first years on his father's farm, his father dying when he was seven years old, and he at once began to support himself working out by the day. When fourteen years of age he became an apprentice to .Draper & Tifts, jeweler manufacturers, and for six years gave his entire attention to it, which busi- ness he thoroughly mastered and became an expert. In 1837 he was appointed fore- man of H. M. Richards's shop at East Attleborough, and in 1839 began business for himself in a modest way. In 1840 he organized and founded the firm of Tift & Whiting, with a joint capital of $500. From this starting point resulted the business house of W. D. Whiting, at present Frank M. Whiting & Co., which is known and recognized throughout the United States and Europe. In 1839, December 17, he

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Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2), Part 48

Author: Alanson Borden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Number of Pages: 645

Author: Alanson Borden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 645