Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2), Part 64

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 64

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Smith, N. Justin, was born in Attleborough July, 16, 1887. His father, Noyes Smith, was a native of Hudson, N. H., and came to Attleborough in 1881. He was

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identified in the railroad business, being connected with the Boston and Providence road for fifty years. He married Emily Claflin. N. Justin Smith was educated in Attleborough and learned the jeweler's trade with Archibald Thompson and for the past thirty years has been foreman for George A. Dean & Co. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, 1st Rhode Island. In 1863 Mr. Smith married Ophelia F., daughter of James and Hannah G. Cummings, who died in 1885; later he married Fannie E., daughter of John and Francis M. Baker, and they have one son, Leland Baker. Mr. Smith is one of the self-made men of Bristol county, taking an active interest in school and church matters, being deacon of the Universalist church for more than fifteen years, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

Smith, William E., was born in South Wrentham, September 10, 1851. His father, James Smith, was a weaver by trade and worked in the carpet mill; he married Jane Laird and died in 1854. William E. Smith was educated in North Attleborough and learned the jeweler's trade. In May. 1879, he began business for himself under the firm name of F. G. Frostingham & Co., which firm still remains unchanged. and they make a specialty of imitation diamond work. In 1880 Mr. Smith married Ella, daughter of William F. Gardiner. Mr. Smith is one of the conservative business men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious insti- tutions and is recognized as a man of sterling integrity who has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people,

Smith, W. H., is one of the pioneers among the jewelry manufacturers of Attle- borough, beginning his apprenticeship in 1852, and in 1874 organized the firm of Smith & Crosby, of which he is the senior member, and which firm for more than twenty years has been prominent in the jewelry trade. He is recognized as a man of unassuming, conservative character, who has ever received and merited the re- spect of his associates.

Smith, Walter Newell, was born in Walpole, Mass., May 19, 1855, a son of John N. and Lucretia Jane (Guild) Smith. He received his early education in the public schools and then attended Boston University Law School; after leaving there he took up teaching, which profession he followed for about four years, and then attended the Bridgewater Normal School. In 1877 he came to Taunton, went into business for himself, and sold and handled several lines of goods on the installment plan. He remained in this business about ten years and then opened a store for the sale of house furnishings, which he still continues, having one of the largest stocks in this line carried in this section. He is past grand of Sabbatia Lodge, I. O. O. F., and P. C. C. of Taunton Lodge, K. P. August 17, 1882, he married Sarah Philip Chace of Taunton, daughter of James and Mary Ellen (Marble) Chace.

Snell, David A., is the eldest of ten children born to Anthony and Elizabeth (Da- vis) Snell, and was born in the town of Dedham, Mass., in 1827. The family finally settled on a farm in Bristol, R. I., where Mr Snell, after acquiring a common school education, obtained employment in a neighboring cotton mill, in which he became overseer at the age of seventeen. He rapidly familiarized himself with machinery, learned the baker's trade in all its details, and eventually opened a baking establish- ment at Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. In 1851 he came to New Bedford and pur-

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chased the bakery of Jacob B. Hadley on South Water street, and in 1859 sold out to C. D. Capen. He then leased the Granite building at the corner of Water and Rodman streets, which he supplied with machinery of the latest improved patent. During the Civil war he did an extensive business in baking bread for the army, his government contracts equaling if not exceeding those of any other manufacturer in the country. Afterward he resumed the manufacture of various kinds of bread stuffs and so continued with eminent success until 1894, when his factory became a branch of the National Biscuit Company.

Snell, George H., was born in Westport, Mass., March 29, 1864. His father, Capt. Moses Snell, was born in Tiverton, R. I., November 1, 1809, and died March 17, 1878. Ile was one of the prominent sea captains sailing out of New Bedford, following the sea for thirty-seven years. He married Rachel S., daughter of Joseph King of Tiverton, in 1848. George H. Snell was educated in the public schools of Westport, and in 1881 came to Attleborough and learned the blacksmith's trade with A. T. Wales. In 1885 he purchased the business and is now the leading manufacturer of wagons and carriages in Attleborough. In 1888 he married Ida M., daughter of John W. Hayden of Burlington, Me. .

Sparrow, Frank Miller, attorney and counselor, was born in Mattapoisett, Plym- outh county, Mass., August 16, 1862, a son of Dr. William E. and Sophronia H. (Holmes) Sparrow. His father has been in successful practice in Mattapoisett for over fifty years and is one of the oldest physicians in southern Massachusetts. Mr. Sparrow attended the public schools of his native place and was prepared for college in the Friends' Academy, New Bedford, and was graduated from Harvard in 1883 with the degree of A. B. ; afterwards spending one year in the Harvard Law School. Ile then returned to his home and until 1889 was engaged in various enterprises with his father and at that time he came to New Bedford, where he resumed the study of law in the office of Thomas M. Stetson, where he remained three years and was then admitted to the Bristol bar in May, 1892. IIe at once began active practice, was associated with the firm of Stetson & Greene until 1894, and then formed his present association with L. Le B. Holmes and is a member of the Board of License Commissioners of the City of New Bedford, being appointed June 1, 1896, for a term of six years. Mr. Sparrow is directly descended from Edward Sparrow, a mariner, who came from England to Plymouth colony about 1740, and married Jerusha Bradford, a daughter of William, who was third in descent from the original Governor William Bradford. Mr. Sparrow married, in 1803, Sarah H., daughter of Albert K. and Mary P. (Le Baron) Crosby.

Sproat, Clinton, a son of James Henry and Sara W. (Crossman) Sproat, was born in Taunton, Mass., October 19, 1853, and educated in the public schools of Taunton and Bristol Academy. In 1871 he went into the office of the superintendent of the Taunton Branch Railroad as clerk, where he remained two years, and in 1874 came to his present location as a partner with C. F. Hanson, in the drug business. On the retirement of. Mr. Hanson in 1888, Mr. Sproat took the entire business and carries it on to-day under the name of Sproat's Drug Store. He is a member of Sabbatia Lodge, I. O. O. F .; John Hancock Lodge K. P .; A. O. U. W .; and B. P. O. E., No. 150. September 29, 1886, Mr. Sproat married Mabelle L., daughter of Henry A. and Susan S. (Warren) Andrews of Brockton.

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Stanley, Benjamin, was born in Attleborough Falls, June 8, 1848, a son of Stephen O. Stanley. Stephen O. married Betsey S., daughter of Hon. Artimas Stanley. He was recognized as a man of sterling integrity and of whom it can well be said "an honest man is the noblest work of God." Benjamin Stanley was educated in the public and private schools and learned the jeweler's trade with Harvey M. Richards. In 1871 he organized the firm of Stanley Bros. & Co., which was composed of Hon. Stephen Stanley and E. C. Knapp, Mr. Knapp retiring in 1873, and the firm of Stanley Bros. has continued up to the present time. In 1871 Mr. Stanley married Ella R., daughter of Capt. Job Briggs, of Wareham, and they have four children: Ira A., Perry B., Nellie L. and Ada M.

Stanley, Fred Dunmore, lawyer, was born in Leicester, Addison county, Vt., Octo- ber 16, 1863, and is the son of .Albert E. Stanley and Ada MacCannon, his wife; a grandson of Silas Stanley, a distiller and later a mechanic of Leicester, Vt. ; and a great-grandson of Jonathan P. Stanley. His mother is of Scotch descent. Albert E. Stanley has been town clerk and treasurer of Leicester for nearly forty years, and still holds those positions. He has also served in both branches of the State Legisla- ture, has long been prominent in the settlement of estates, and has lectured through- out New England on liberal, patriotic, and other subjects. His wife has achieved distinction as a writer of both prose and poetry, having been a frequent contributor to the leading magazines and periodicals of the country. She was honored in the volume entitled "Green Mountain Poems" by receiving the first place. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stanley possess literary qualifications of a high order. Fred D. Stanley was educated in the public schools of Brandon, Vt. At the age of eighteen he went west and was engaged in the lumber business in Minnesota from 1882 to 1889, after which he spent one year in the South. Returning east he began his legal studies in the Harvard Law School, and in 1892 came to New Bedford as a student in the law office of Crapo, Clifford & Clifford. He was admitted to the bar January 18, 1803, and since then has been actively engaged in the general practice of his profession in New Bedford. Mr. Stanley was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature three times, serving in the sessions of 1895, 1896, and 1897. He was a member of the committee on railroads in 1895 and in 1896 and 1897 served as its chairman. In 1896 he was a member of the committee on State House. In politics he is a staunch Re- publican. He is a Knight Templar Mason and also a member of Mount Sinai Temple, N. O. M. S., of Montpelier, Vt. January 15, 1896, he married Isabelle H., daughter of Jaireh B. Gifford of Acushnet New Bedford, and they have one daugh- ter, Ruth.

Stanley, Dr. Ned A., son of Albert E. and Ada (McCannon) Stanley, was born in Leicester, Vt., October 17, 1861. His father, who still resides in Leicester, has been clerk of that town for forty years. He has also represented the district in both houses of the State Legislature. Dr. Stanley attended the schools of Leicester and at the age of seventeen began the study of dentistry under Dr. W. H. Wright, of Brandon, Vt., with whom he remained one year. In the fall of 1880 he came to New Bedford and for two years, studied in the office of Dr. E. V. McLeod. In 1882 he entered the Dental School of Harvard University and was graduated with the degree of D. M. D., in 1884. In January, 1885, he opened an office in New Bedford. Dr. Stanley has gained a most generous measure of success, and ranks among the lead.

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ing members of his profession in Bristol county. He is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and a F'rce and Accepted Mason. In 1892 he married Grace S .. daugh- ter of the late James M. Lawton, jr., of New Bedford.

Staples, Herbert Mason, was born March 20, 1848, a son of Sylvanus N. and D. Adeline (Hood) Staples of Taunton. He received his early education in the public schools and Bristol Academy. In 1868 he went into the office of his father in the coal business, who was then in partnership with Mr. Phillips, the firm being Staples & Phillips, and he has remained with them ever since. When the company was in- corporated in 1888, Mr. Staples was made selling agent and he handles all the sales of the company in New England. In October, 1869, he married Alice Moore Pres- brey, and they have one son, Arthur C. Staples.

Staples Coal Co .- This firm was formerly the firm of Staples & Phillips, wholesale and retail dealers in anthracite and bituminous coal. This company was incor- porated in 1888, with S. N. Staples of Taunton, as president. and John J. Hannah treasurer. In 1894 Mr Joseph Stickney of New York, was chosen president, upon the retirement and death of Mr. Staples, and Mr. Hannah still continues. Mr. H. . M. Staples is the northeastern selling agent for the company. The transportation business of this company is very large; they use six tugs and twenty-two barges for their regular work and sometimes these are inadequate to meet the requirements.

Stetson, Thomas M., son of Rev. Caleb and Julia Ann (Meriam) Stetson, was born in Medford, Mass., June 15, 1830. He is descended from Robert Stetson, an early resident in Plymouth colony, and from Edward Gray, who settled in Plymouth in 1643. He was graduated from Harvard College in 1849, and three years later from the Harvard Law School. He completed his law studies in the office of Thomas D. Eliot of New Bedford, and was admitted to the Bristol bar in 1854. He began practice in the office of Eliot & Pitman and was later admitted to that firm. Mr. Pitman was appointed to the Supreme Court bench and soon after Mr. Eliot's death, which occurred in 1870, Mr. Stetson formed a partnership with Francis B. Greene, under the firm name of Stetson & Greene. During his entire connection with the Bristol county bar Mr. Stetson has been distinguished by his acumen, learning and argumentative ability. He has been prominently connected with the management of the most noted cases in the history of the courts of this district, notably the famous Hetty Green will case and the Tabor, Eben Wright, Abraham Barker and Francis Barrett will cases. Ile was also connected with the Watuppa Pond case in Fall River. HIe was a member of the Common Council of New Bedford in 1866 and 1867, and for some years was city solicitor. September 10, 1856, he married Caroline Dawes, daughter of Thomas Dawes Eliot, of New Bedford. Frederick D. Stetson, second son of Thomas M. and Caroline (Eliot) Stetson, was born in New Bedford in 1866 and has resided in that city all his life. He obtained his prepar- atory education in the Friends' Academy, and was graduated A. B. from Harvard College in the class of 1888. The following year he entered Harvard Law School and was admitted to the Bristol bar in December, 1801. He is now associated with his brother, Eliot D. Stetson, under the firm name of Stetson & Stetson.

Stewart, Samuel F., son of Samuel and Mary E. (Broderick) Stewart, was born in Lawrence, Mass., November 12, 1865. His father was in the cotton manufacturing

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business and the family came to Fall River when he was quite young. He attended the public schools of Fall River and the High School at Bristol, R. I. After leaving school he was employed for nearly a year as a traveling salesman for a Portland (Me.) firm. Ile then engaged in various mercantile pursuits and in the mean time learned the carpenter's trade under George W. Reynolds, for whom he worked four years. At the end of this time he began journeyman work, which he continued un- til 1888, and then went into the contracting business. In 1896 Mr. Stewart estab- lished his present business at 870 South Main street, manufacturing doors, sash, blinds and builders' supplies in general. Mr. Stewart resides in Tiverton. In 1894 he served as councilman in that town, having been elected on the Republican ticket. He was married in 1886 to Catherine, daughter of Thomas Eagan of Tiverton, and their children are Nathaniel, Lucy and Mary.

Strout, Byron Howard, was born in North Easton, Mass., July 28, 1861, a son of Sanford B. and Mary M. (Torrey) Strout. His early education was obtained in the public schools of that place. During the later part of his student life he was an ap- . prentice in a dental office in Boston. In 1880 he entered the Boston Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1982. He practiced in Boston for a year and came to Taunton in 1883, and went into the office of Daniel S. Dickerman as an assistant. Afterwards he became a partner in the business, and on Mr. Dickerman's death suc- ceeded to the business, and has since carried it on in his own name. He was mar- ried in June, 1881, to Alice H. Mertins of Evergreen, Alabama.

Sturdy, Charles A., was born in Attleborough, June 20. 1869. His father, Charles H. Sturdy, was a native of Mansville and through life was identified in cotton man- ufacturing. He afterwards came to Attleborough and entered into the manufacture of jewelry with his brother, A. W. Sturdy. He married Eliza J., daughter of Will- iam Hodges, and died May 11, 1895. Charles A. Sturdy was educated in Attlebor- ough and in private schools and the classical school in Providence. He entered the employ of W. D. Wilmarth & Co., manufacturers of coffin trimmings, and after the death of his father in 1895, assumed the care of his estate. December 17, 1891, Mr. Sturdy married Barbara V., daughter of William Rogers, and they have two sons: Raymond R. and Charles H.

Sweet, Charles O., was born in Attleborough, November 14, 1848; his father, Joa- bert Sweet, who was a native of . Attleborough and born in October, 1818, married . Eliza, daughter of James Nelson, and through life has been identified as a tool maker. Charles O. Sweet was educated at Attleborough and graduated from Sco- field's Commercial College in 1863. He then entered the employ of George H. Shep- ardson, where he remained until 1867, when he went to Suffield, Conn., and resumed his studies at the Connecticut Literary Institution, but on account of poor health was obliged to give up his education and he then accepted a position in Boston. In 1865 he went to Wayland, but in 1869 returned to Attleborough, where he engaged in mercantile business and continued in that until 1870 when he accepted a position with Bate & Bacon, remaining with them for over twenty years. In 1889 he organ- ized the firm of Regnell, Bigney & Company, making a specialty of ladies' jewelry. He married, in 1869, E. Jennie, daughter of John Cooper, and they are the parents of one son, Ervin V. Sweet. Mr. Sweet is one of the self-made men of his town; serves as secretary and treasurer of the Attleborough Improvement District; takes

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an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions; is active in temper- ance work, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

Sweet, George L., was born in Mansfield, January 26, 1843. His father, Elbridge Sweet, was a native of the same town, born on the old homestead where John Sweet settled about 1680, and which is now owned by the fifth generation of his descend- ants. Elbridge Sweet married Dorothy Sullaway, and was identified as a farmer. For twenty-five consecutive years he was selectman of his town, and died in 1876. George L. Sweet was educated in Mansfield and Greenwich Academies. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. H, 7th Mass. Vols., and took part in the siege of Yorktown, Williams- burg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Seven Days battle and Malvern Hill, receiving an honorable discharge, after which he returned to Greenwich and finished his educa- tion. In 1800 he engaged in business in Mansfield and in 1878 went to Kansas and spent two years. In 1880 he returned to Attleborough and engaged in the jewelry business, organizing the firm of Haywood & Sweet in 1887. In 1867 Mr. Sweet mar- ried Carrie F., daughter of Joshua Jones, and they have one daughter, Helen F.

Swift, Ezra J., son of Solomon and Hulda C. (Hinckley) Swift, was born in Fal- mouth, Barnstable county, Mass., August 6, 1841. His father, a seafaring man, was master of a vessel in the coastwise trade .. When Mr. Swift reached the age of ten he went to live with a relative in Centreville, Barnstable county, where he attended the district schools and worked on the farm until sixteen years old, when he went to sea and, at the end of seven years' experience, became first mate of a coasting ves- sel. During the Civil war he served on transports, chartered by the government, in the Mississippi River, at Hampton Roads, and Newport News, and although not an enlisted man, was a witness of much fighting. After leaving the sea he took up his residence in New Bedford and for the past twenty-nine years has been agent for New Bedford and vicinity of the Fleishman Yeast Company. Mr. Swift has been active in Young Men's Christian Association work and is now a director of the association; for years he has been an active and valued member of the North Christian Church and is now serving the society as trustee and treasurer. He married, in 1867, Eliz- abeth S., daughter of Randall Deane, of Middleborough, Mass., and they have two children: Merton W. and Nellie H., wife of Charles R. Hathaway of New Bedford.

Swift, George Bartlett, merchant, was born in New Bedford, Mass., August 11, . 1851. Moses C. Swift, his father. was born October 29, 1824, in Falmouth, and when about seventeen years old came to New Bedford, where he learned the tailor's trade. About 1850 he engaged in the tailoring business on the corner of Water street and Shepherd's lane, whence he removed to Union street near Second, where Daniel B. Allen became his partner in 1852. This partnership was dissolved in 1854 and Mr. Swift engaged in manufacturing stocks and shirts. Later he was with A. J. Potter & Co., and during the war was engaged extensively on government work. In 1864 he opened a clothing and tailoring establishment at 159 Union street, where he con- tinued business until his death, enlarging the store from time to time until it was six times its original capacity. He finally admitted his son George B. as a partner and the business has since been carried on under the firm name of M. C. Swift & Son. Mr. Swift was a mau of great energy and had the respect and confidence of the en- tire community. He died June 4, 1895, leaving a winow, one son and two daughters. George B. Swift received a public school education, and in 1864 entered his father's

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store, with which he has ever since been connected, having been its manager for a number of years. Since his father's death he has conducted the business under the old firm name. In 1875 he married Caroline F., daughter of George H. Macomber of Westport, Mass., and they have two children living: Helen L. and Sarah E., and one, Lillian H., deceased.

Swift, Warren Allen, was born in Brockton, Plymouth county, August 15, 1875, a son of William H. and Emma F. (Nants) Swift. He received his early education in the publie schools of Taunton and Brockton, and in 1894 entered Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated with honors in 1897, and was admitted to the Bristol county bar May 10, of the same year. He then established an office for himself in Taunton for the general practice of law, and subsequently entered the law office of Judge William II. Fox of Taunton, and is one of the rising young law- yers of the county at the present writing.

Sylvia, Manuel V., physician and surgeon, was born in New Bedford, Mass .. August 24, 1866, a son of Victorine and Anna (Demello) Sylvia. His father, who spent most of his active life at sea, made New Bedford his home for many years and still resides there. He is a native of the Azores Islands. During his early boyhood Dr. Sylvia attended the common schools of New Bedford and later the St. Lawrence College, near Montreal, Canada, from which he was graduated. Following the com- pletion of this course of study he spent two years in the Holy Cross College at Wor- cester, Mass., and soon after matriculated at the University of New York, from which he was graduated M. D. in 1801. He had now spent several years in preparation for and study of his profession, and was well fitted for the active practice which he at once took up in New Bedford. From the first Dr. Sylvia has been very successful, and has an extensive practice among the Portuguese people of New Bedford. Al- though a young man he has already become a prominent figure in Republican politi- cal circles, and during the last two years has been president of the Board of Alder- men, by virtue of which position he has at different times during the illness, or absence of the incumbent, served as acting mayor for considerable periods. Dr. Sylvia is a prominent member of the Monte Pio Society and served the organization for some time as vice-president. He is unmarried.

Taber, Frederic, is a son of the late Charles Taber and Sarah J. Howland, and was born February 26, 1856, in New Bedford, Mass., where he received his prelim- inary education. He was graduated from the Friends' School in Providence in 1872. and entered Brown University, class of 1876, but left after one year to enter the art establishment founded by his father. In 1882 he became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Charles Taber & Co., the other partners, besides his father, being William and Charles M. Taber. In 1893 the concern was incorporated as the Taber Art Company, with Frederic Taber as secretary, and in August, 1897, it was merged into the Taber Prang Art Company, which is capitalized at $550,000, and of which Mr. Taber is a director. He was a member of the City Council two years, and is a director of the Acushnet Co-operative Bank, the New Bedford Gas and Ed- ison Light Company, and the Dartmouth Mill Corporation. Ile has also been a director of the New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company and is now its second vice president. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends. In 1883 he married Elizabeth Delano Howland, daughter of James II. Howland of New Bed-

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Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2), Part 64

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

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