USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Bristol County, Massachusetts (Volume 2) > Part 65
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ford, who died in 1883, leaving one son, Frederic Howland Taber. In 1895 Mr. Taber married Mary E., daughter of John M. Williams of New Bedford.
Taber, William C., was born in New Bedford in 1837, a son of William C. and Hannah (Shearman) Taber. His father, William C. Taber, was also a native of New Bedford and prominent in the business affairs of the city; for sixty-three years he was connected in an official capacity with the New Bedford Institution for Savings, a part of this time as president. He also represented this district in the State Sen- ate. As is elsewhere noted in this work, representatives of the Taber family were among the first settlers of the old town of Dartmouth, and most of the name in this vicinity descend from Philip, who came from England in 1682, settling near the pres- ent site of Boston. William C. Taber attended private schools in New Bedford but received most of his preparatory education in the Friends' School at Providence, R. I. He completed his education at Ilaverford School (now college), Philadelphia, and not long after began work in the book store established by his father and Abra- ham Sherman, jr. This book business passed through several different changes and finally came into the hands of the subject of this sketch and his brother, Abraham 'Taber, at which time another brother, Charles Taber, who had previously been a partner in the book firm, branched out in the art manufacturing business which proved so successful. Later William C. Taber became identified with this enter- prise and continued in it for seventeen years, being made president of the Taber Art Company at its incorporation in 1893. He gave some of the best years of his life to the development of the business and in company with his brother Charles and their associates, nursed its growth from a small enterprise to one of magnitude and importance. In 1897 Mr. Taber assumed the duties of his present position as treas- urer of the Whitman Mills, With the exception of a few terms in the City Council as the representative of Ward 5, he has never held public office. In 1860 he married Sarah A., daughter of John Wood, and they had three daughters: Helen T., wife of George R. Briggs of Plymouth; Ethel, wife of Lieut. David H. Jarvis of the United States Revenue Service; and Anna R.
Tappan, C. H., was born in North Attleborough, May 20, 1859. His father, Eph- raim H. Tappan, was a native of Newburyport, where the family were among the pioneer settlers. E. H. Tappan married a daughter of David Clark; he learned the jeweler's trade in Attleborough Falls in 1858, but was afterwards engaged in the hay and straw business. C. H. Tappan was educated in North Attleborough and grad- uated from Scofield's Business College, in Providence. IIc then entered the em- ploy of Mason Draper, remaining until 1885, when he organized the firm, Tappan, Brevy & Company, and in 1888 purchased the plant of D. F. Briggs, of Attleborough Falls, which they removed to Attleborough and consolidated, under the name of The D. F. Briggs, making a specialty of chains and gold filled rings. In 1884 he mar. ried Bertha, daughter of John Sleigher, and they have one son, Frank E. Mr. Tap- pan is one of the self-made men of Bristol county; is conservative in character, and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.
Thomas, Sylvanus Martin, was born in New Bedford, Mass., March 23, 1850, a son of Sylvanus and Agnes Jackson (Martin) Thomas. He received his early ed- ucation in the public schools of New Bedford and Phillips Academy at Andover, and afterwards studied under a private tutor. He entered Brown University in
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1867 and was graduated in the class of 1871. He immediately entered Harvard Law School, staying there two years, and then read law in the office of Jewell, Gaston & Field of Boston. He was admitted to the bar in 1874 and came to Taunton and opened an office for himself. From 1876 to 1879 he was city solicitor, but other than that declined all offices tendered him. In addition to an extensive law practice Mr. Thomas was president of the Taunton & Brockton Street Railroad, president and treasurer of the Taunton Street Railway and treasurer and general manager of the Dighton, Somerset & Swansea Street Railroad. November 18, 1891, he married Emily Hayman of Taunton, and they had two children: Sylvanus M. Thomas, jr., and Elizabeth Agnes Thomas. Mr. Thomas died, after a short illness, on November 20, 1898.
Thurston, Edward A., is a native of Fall River, born June 26, 1871, a son of Ed- ward C. and Sarah Holland (Anthony) Thurston. He is a descendant of one of the oldest of New England families, being eighth of the line of Edward Thurston, who settled in Newport about 1680. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Fall River, and in 1889 he entered Brown University, receiving the degree of A.B. in 1893. Following his college course he attended the Harvard Law School at Cambridge, and in 1895 was admitted to the Bristol county bar. He spent two years in the office of Jennings & Norton, and then formed a copartnership with Charles L. Baker, which still continues as Baker & Thurston. Mr. Thurston is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity of Brown University, and of Battery M, 16th Mass. Heavy Artillery. He is a Republican in politics and for the past two years has been treasurer of the Republican City Committee.
Thurston, Frank A., son of Anthony and Ann M. (Whipple) Thurston, was born in Fall River, March 16, 1864. He was educated in the common and high schools of his native place and at the Morey & Goff English Classical School, Providence, R. I., from which he was graduated in 1884. Soon after graduation he went into the em. ploy of the street department as a laborer, and then entered the office as junior clerk and time keeper, later being made chief clerk and then assistant superintendent, in which capacity he remained until the death of his father in September, 1894, when he was appointed superintendent of the department. It is remarkable that three generations of Thurstons have held this office continuously, no matter what political party was in power. The administration of Mr. Thurston, like that of his father, Anthony Thurston, and his grandfather, Edward Thurston, has been characterized by absolute impartiality and business like methods He requires perfect discipline and honest work from each employee of the department, be he a common laborer, a foreman, or a clerk. Mr. Thurston is a member of Fall River Lodge No. 219, I. O. O. F. In September, 1892, he married Daisy E., daughter of Jason and Mary Bowles of Plattsburgh, N. Y.
Tilden, Dr. Frank Elmer, was born in Easton, April 18, 1858, son of Francis and Alvira M. Tilden, of Easton. The family trace their descent from Nathaniel Tilden, who came from England and settled in Scituate in 1634. Dr. Tilden was educated in the common schools and graduated from the Harvard Medical College in 1876, beginning his practice in the same year in his native town. November 12, 1884, he married Ellen Louise, daughter of Otis R. and Mary A. Leonard, and they are the parents of one son, Frank Gridley Tilden, who died in 1890, and one daughter, An-
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nje F. Tilden. Mr. Tilden is one of the representative men of his profession, con- tributing valuable papers on an epidemic of diphtheria in Easton, in 1890-91, to the medical profession in Easton. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Socie- ty, the Odd Fellows, and the Electric Lodge of Brockton. He takes an intelligent interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.
Tillson, William H., son of Henry H. and Lydia (Smith) Tillson, was born in New Bedford, October 30, 1871. His father, who was a native of Plymouth county, came to New Bedford when a young man. He first worked in a shoe store as a clerk and in about two years formed a copartnership with E. S. Cannon, to conduct a hat and fur business; they located on Union street and later removed to the store on Pur- chase street, where the business has ever since been conducted. Mr. Tillson was an energetic and active business man, and yet a quiet, unobtrusive and benevolent citizen, well respected by the entire community; he died in April, 1896, in his seven- ty-fourth year, being the oldest dealer in this particular line of merchandise in Bris- tol.county. William H. Tillson was educated in the public and high schools of New Bedford and prepared for a mercantile career in Comer's Business College at Boston; shortly after his graduation from this institution he was made general freight agent of the Texas and Western Railroad and served in that capacity until his father's death, about five years, when he returned to New Bedford and assumed the manage- ment of the business. Mr. Tillson is a man of business ability, training and insight, and he has already gained prominence in the business life of the city.
Tobitt, J. L., was born in Mansfield, July 27, 1841, a son of John T. and Eliza A. (Grover) Tobitt. He was educated in the public schools and for twenty years has been engaged in the jewelry business. In 1886 he established his present business of house painting and decorating goods. In 1889 he married Martha Moore, and they have one daughter, Marian Irene. Mr. Tobitt is one of the self-made men of Attleborough, taking an intelligent interest in school and church matters, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.
Todd, James, was born in Ireland, on the 21st day of October, 1881. He was of Scotch descent and came to this country in 1853, settling in Pawtucket, R. I., where he worked at gardening for seven years. Returning to his former home he married, June 12, 1800, Miss Elizabeth Giles, who was born in Ireland, February 14, 1836, of English descent, and with his wife came to the United States on their wedding tour, traveling through Washington, Philadelphia and cities in New York State. Leaving his wife in Saugerties, N. Y., with relatives, he spent the next two years in traveling through the Western and Southern States and Cuba, and finally returning, with his wife made his home in Pawtucket, R. I., and was connected with the Green & Daniels Co .; the J. Dunnell Co., and Union Wadding Co., large manufacturing plants of that city, at different times for several years. In the fall of 1872, he, with his brother William, purchased a farm of forty-five acres in Oldtown, North Attle- borough, Mass., and moved his family there. They were successful, increasing their property from forty-five to nearly 300 acres, including several houses, out-buildings, and numerous stock, and are the most prominent farmers in that section. In the year 1804, with their farming they engaged in the ice business under the name of Oldtown Ice Co., which business is also increasing every year. Mr. Todd was fond
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of music and favored every opportunity of educational advantages for his children, they having received their education from the public schools of North Attleborough and business colleges of nearby cities. He was a firm believer in the public school system, and "the little Red School House." He was a member of the Episcopal church of Pawtucket, R. I., where his family attend. A family of eight children were born to them: the eldest, Margaret Ann, born in Pawtucket, R. I., April 5, 1864, died August 21, 1864; Ellen Elizabeth, born in Pawtucket, R. I .. September 15, 1865, died October 25, 1866; William E., born in Pawtucket, March 6, 1867, married Miss Julia May Buttrick of Boston, December 6, 1892, and has two children, Harvey Buttrick, born in Oldtown, Mass., July 7, 1805, and William Henry, born in Old- town, November 3, 1898; James A., born in Pawtucket, June 22, 1868, a graduate of Schofield's Commercial College, Providence; Lizzie E., born in Pawtucket, Novem- ber 22, 1870, a graduate of North Attleborough High School, class of '90, and Rhode Island Normal School, class of January, 1893, married James Adams of Providence, October 80, 1894, and has two children, Annie Alvira, born December 7, 1895, and Olive Beatrice, born February 1, 1897; George W., born in Oldtown, December 7. 1878, a graduate of North Attleborough Grammar School, attended a business col- lege in Providence; Henry G., born in Oldtown, June 4, 1875, a graduate of North Attleborough High School, class of '03; and Annie M., born in Oldtown, May 26, 1880, died December 22, 1884. William Todd, a brother of James, was born in Ire- land, December 25, 1834, and came to the United States March 18, 1854. After a brief illness of a few days Mr. Todd died of gangrene erysipelas of the hand, July 3. . 1897, at his home, leaving a widow, four sons and one daughter. His business en- terprises are still carried on by his brother William, and his sons, William E., James A., George W. and Henry G. Todd, at the present time.
Tompkins, Isaac B., jr., son of Isaac B. and Abby D. Tompkins, was born in Westport, Mass., August 27, 1849. His ancestors lived in this vicinity for many generations and were well represented. Ilis father, Isaac B. Tompkins, was for many years a successful whaling captain and brought in many profitable cargoes, among the most notable being those of the ships Young Phenix and Twilight. fle was chief of the New Bedford Police Department during the administrations of May- ors Morgan Rotch and George Wilson, and represented this district in the State Legislature, 1888 and 1889, and was highly respected in New Bedford for his sterling worth and character. Isaac B. Tompkins, jr., obtained his education in the public schools and academy at Westport, and later attended the East Greenwich Academy at East Greenwich, R. I., from which institution he was graduated after completing the commercial course. Soon after, he entered the office of Jonathan Bourne, one of the most successful whaleship owners and agents in New Bedford at that time. De- cember 26, 1870, he entered the employ of Driscol, Church & Hall, and on January 1, 1881, he was admitted to the partnership. He has contributed much of his energy and ability to the success of this flourishing house. He has held many positions of public trust; for seven years (1878-1884) was a member of the Common Council, and for four successive years of this period he was unanimously chosen president of the body. In 1885 he was elected a member of the School Committee and during the same year was elected a trustee of the Free Public Library; in 1882 he became a trustee of the Institution for Savings, and in 1888 was elected president of the New
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Bedford Board of Trade, serving in that capacity for seven years, and his entire public service has been characterized by ability, faithfulness, and integrity.
'Torrey, Fred L., was born in Attleborough, December 30, 1860. His father, John L. Torrey, was a native of Franklin, Mass., and his father, Samuel Torrey, was the son of one of the seven Torreys who were pioneer settlers in Taunton. John L. married Martha, daughter of Bradford Bullock, and at one time kept the stable and hotel at Attleborough. In 1886 he went to Florida, where he still resides. Fred L. Torrey was educated in the public schools and in 1878 learned the jewelry business with W. H. Wilmarth & Co. In 1888 he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and in 1892 established his present business known as the Torrey Jewelry Co., making a general line of plated goods. In 1883 Mr. Torrey married Mary, daughter of Darius Briggs, and they have three children: Raymond L., Alice M. and John C. Mr. Torrey has served as justice of the peace; vice-president of the Attleborough Co-operative Bank; chairman of the Loan Committee; and is a mem- ber of the 1. O. O. F., and has ever been interested in his town and town's people.
Trafton, James G., was born in Dighton, April 15, 1852, a son of Benjamin and Marie (Smith) Trafton. Ilis father represented his town in the Legislature one or more terms and was ever thoroughly interested in the growth and progress of his town and its educational and religious institutions; he died in 1877. James G. Traf- ton was educated in the public schools and in 1872 came to Attleborough and learned the jewelry business with Sturdy Bros., remaining with them fourteen years. In 1891 he purchased an interest in the firm of Wheaton, Richards & Co., manufactur- ing a line of fine gold goods, being the pioneers in the gold line. In March, 1898, he engaged in the jewelry business with J. G. Hutchinson (Hutchinson & Trafton), and in May following were burned out in the great Attleborough fire. Since then he has been engaged in the same line of business in Providence, R.I., in the firm of M. F. Winsor & Co. In 1879 Mr. Trafton married Annie F., daughter of Albert F. and Joanna (Bushee) Leonard, and they had two sons, Albert and Benjamin Everett (who died at three years). Mrs. Trafton died December 2, 1896. Mr. Trafton is one of the conservative men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions and has ever received the respect of his associates.
Trimble, Patrick, was born in Ireland, March 16, 1849, receiving his education in the national schools of that country, and in 1867 came to the United States, settling in Lambertville, N. J., where he was employed for about a year, and on May 12, 1868, came to Taunton, where he was employed in the oil cloth factory of Thompson Newbury; he remained with him five years and then started in business for himself and has continued up to the present time. Mr. Trimble is a member of the A.O.F., C.O.F., aud K. of S. June 26, 1871, he married Margaret, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Riley) Noonan of Taunton, who died February 24, 1897, leaving one son, William H., born September 8, 1872.
Tripp, Alexander Howard .- Among the representative farmers and milk dealers of Westport, none is held in higher esteem than Alexander H. Tripp. He is a son of Howard P. and Emily M. (Gifford) Tripp, and was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., January 2, 1850. After obtaining a liberal education from the public schools of his native town, he secured a position in a fish market in Brennan,
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Me., where he was employed in the summer season for five years and in the winter months he shipped aboard a whaling bark. In 1883 he bought his present farm, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and dealing in milk. No- vember 18, 1881, he married Nellie, daughter of Joseph Dollman of Fall River, and they had seven children: Granville A., Herbert M., Ralph W., Willace L., Arthur B. and Elliott C. Mr. Tripp has always taken an active interest in public affairs, but has never aspired to public office, although he did accept the office of surveyor of highways for two years. He is a man of large acquaintance and is respected by all who know him.
Tripp, David R., was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., Octo- ber 18, 1884. His education from schools was meagre and confined to the elemen- tary grades. His first business experience was as a farmer, in which be was en- gaged for several years. He then shipped aboard a whaling bark for a few years and during the late war served three years in the navy. At the close of the war he returned home and has since devoted his entire time and attention to farming. On October 7, 1866, he married Catherine T., daughter of Henry and Catherine Howe of Westport. Mr. Tripp is one of Westport's most respected and honored citizens.
Tucker, Almon H., was born in the town of Norton, May 2, 1830. His father, Almon Tucker, was also born in Norton on the homestead which was settled by Be- nijah Tucker about 1770. Almon Tucker married Betsey Hathaway, and they had a large family of boys and one girl. Six sons served as soldiers in the Civil war. He was a mason by trade. He took an active interest in church and school matters while his home was in Norton. He moved to Attleborough in 1856, and lived there until his death in 1865, in his sixty-second year. Almon H. Tucker was educated in the public schools of Norton and Pierce Academy at Middlebor- ough. After 1856 he made his home at Attleborough, where in 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 47th Mass. Vols. Receiving an honorable discharge in 1863, he returned to Attleborough and resumed his trade as contractor and builder. In 1800 he married Lydia H. Sweet, who died in 1870, leaving one son, Ervin Alden Tucker, who is a practicing physician in New York city, and also instructor in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which college he was graduated. In 1875 Mr. Tucker married Annie F. Kirk, with whom he still lives in their pleasant home on Peck street, Attleborough.
Tufts, H. W., was born in North Attleborough, September 15, 1865, a son of William C. Tufts, also a native of the same place, who was engaged in the jewelry business there. He married Laura J. Capron. H. W. Tufts was educated in the public schools and for six years followed bicycle riding as a professional. He learned the engraving business, and in 1898 established the Snap & Tool Co., associated with E. H. Skinner, and purchased his interest in 1894. In 1896 he married Minnie L. Roberbach. Mr. Tufts is one of the progressive men of his town, is chief engineer of the North Attleborough Fire Department, and takes an intelligent interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.
Twiss, William A., son of William F. and Mary (Nelson) Twiss, was born in Auburn, Mass., September 6, 1846; he attended the common schools until he was
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sixteen years old and then went into the cotton mills of the Whitney Manufactur- ing Company at Northbridge, and one year later he became a second hand. His first position as overseer was gained in 1872, in the Indian Orchard Mills, at Spring- field, Mass., and here he continued for a period of fifteen years, as overseer of mule spinning, and at the end of that time the mills burned down and he went to Baltic, Conn., to become overseer of spinning in the Baltic Mills; but one year later these mills were burned and he came to New Bedford to take a position in the Acushnet Mills as overseer of spinning in Mill No. 1, and one year later when Acushnet Mill No. 2 was completed, he took a like position, which he filled until 1889, and was then given his present position as superintendent of the Hathaway Manu- facturing Company. Among the many expert cotton manufacturers in Bristol county Mr. Twiss is entitled to take first rank, having spent his entire life in the business, as did his father before him. Mr. Twiss is a member of the Masonic order. He married Phoebe A., daughter of Benjamin McBride, of Northbridge, Mass., and they have three children: Benjamin A., Bessie A , and William B.
Waldron, Ferdinand .- Samuel Waldron, the great-great-grandfather of Ferdinand, came from England in 1729 to Dighton and at one time owned all the land from Rehoboth to the Taunton River. Billings Waldron, Mr. Waldron's grandfather, was born in North Dighton in the old homestead where his father, Francis, and himself were born, and where his father now resides at the age of eighty-eight years. There were five sisters and three brothers in Mr. Waldron's father's family: Francis, Mr. Waldron's twin brother; Clarence: Alvira, wife of Francis Thatcher of Chicago; Georgianna, wife of Stephen H. Leonard; Estelle L., widow of Charles H. Kingsly ; Augusta M. and Ella L., who reside at home. Mr. Waldron's father was a baker by trade and continued the business for upwards of fifty years. Mr. Waldron early learned the trade of his father and worked with him until he reached his twenty- fourth year, when he started out for himself and for six years was engaged in this line at Somerset, when he came to Dighton and built a shop where the post-office now stands. This building was destroyed by fire, was rebuilt, and again destroyed by fire in 1893 and rebuilt again. Mr. Waldron married Annie J. Perry, and they have two children: Hope P. and Edward F. In politics Mr. Waldron has always been a Democrat. He has been for five years a member of the School Committee of the town of Dighton, was appointed postmaster in October, 1893, by President Cleveland, and still retains the position, which he holds to the eminent satisfaction of the government and the citizens. He is a member of Pioneer Lodge of F. & A. M., of Somerset, and Dighton Rock Lodge, K. of H.
Walker, Albert Gooding, V. M. D., was born in Taunton, Mass., September 29, 1808, a son of Benjamin L. and Elizabeth (Wright) Walker. He received his ed- ucation in the public schools of Taunton and studied for two years under a private tutor. At the close of his school days he went to work at the Dighton Furnace Co. to learn the moulder's trade and remained with them about four years. In 1889 he left there to study veterinary medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in June, 1892. He immediately returned to Taunton and opened an office for himself for the treatment of all cases of sickness and lameness of animals. In 1807 he was appointed by the State Board of Cattle Commissioners as one of their assistants in this district. Dr. Walker is a successful practitioner and his business is increasing every year.
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