USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 106
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Peterson, Charles A. B., physician, is descended from (1) Joseph Peterson of Plym- outh; (2) Jonathan Peterson, whose wife, Lydia Thacher, died May 26, 1756, aged seventy-seven years; (3) Reuben Peterson, sr., born April 8, 1710, married July 6, 1732, Rebecca Simmons, who died January 25, 1764; (4) Reuben Peterson, jr., born April 10, 1749, died May 22, 1845, married Abigail Soule, who was born May 20, 1757, died January 13, 1842; (5) Charles Peterson, born November 11, 1788, married Thank- ful Clark; and (6) Sylvester H. Peterson, born in South Plymouth, Mass., January 15, 1822, died there October 14, 1870. Thankful Clark, who married Charles Peter- son (5) was descended from (1) Thomas Clark, who came to Plymouth in the ship
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Ann in 1623 and died March 24, 1697; (2) James Clark, born in 1636, died in 1657; (3) Thomas Clark, called " Silver Headed Tom" because he was scalped by the In- dians and afterward wore a silver cap; (4) Josiah Clark, born in 1690; (5) Israel Clark, born in 1710; (6) Thankful Clark, born in 1750, married Miles Long in 1770; and (7) Betsey Long, who married John Clark in 1791. Thankful Clark, daughter of John and Betsey (Long) Clark, was born April 26, 1793, in Plymouth, and married, January 2, 1810, Charles Peterson, a carpenter, who died November 17, 1845, in Dux- bury. They had seven sons and three daughters, the fifth child being Sylvester H. Peterson (6). He was graduated from Amherst College and engaged in school teaching, but spent much of his life as a publisher in Philadelphia, Pa., where he married, July 22, 1850, Matilda Scattergood, who died November 15, 1886. Their children were John M. S., born April 22, 1852; William S. H., born February 24, 1854; Charles A. B., born November 12, 1855; and Louise M. S., born August 29, 1862. Dr. Charles A. B. Peterson was born and began his education in Philadelphia, and when a lad returned with his parents to Plymouth, where he also attended school. He read medicine in New Bedford and at the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the Long Island College Hospital with the degree of M. D. in 1886, after which he spent a year in the Long Island City Hospital. He has practiced his profession in New Bedford since 1887. Dr. Peterson is a member of the Massachusetts State, Bristol County, and New Bedford Medical Societies, the Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias, and has served one year as physician and three years as a member of the New Bedford Board of Overseers of the Poor. January 20, 1876, he married Stella J., daughter of George G. Gifford of New Bedford, and their children are Ethel Louise, Helen Lawrence and Ruth Merritt.
Phillips, A. S., was born in North Attleborough, April 15, 1851, a son of John Phillips, a native of Gloucester, R. I., who came to North Attleborough in 1840 and through life was identified as a farmer. He married Lydia, daughter of William Wolcott. A. S. Phillips was educated in North Attleborough and Bryant & Stratton's Business College of Providence. He learned the jeweler's trade, which he followed up to 1886 and then purchased a business of coal, wood and livery. In 1873 he mar- ried Emma H., daughter of Mr. Kenyon, and they have two daughters, Alberta W. and Marjorie. Mr. Phillips is one of the self-made men of Bristol county, conserva- tive and unassuming and has served his town as street commissioner, taking an in- telligent interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best inter- ests of his town and its peopie.
Phillips, Arthur Sherman, attorney at law, was born at East Bridgewater, Mass., December 13, 1865; his ancestors settled in Marshfield and Weymouth prior to 1630, and in the town of Bridgewater early in the following century. Of his paternal an- cestors, John Phillips was a sergeant in General Washington's life guard, and of his maternal ancestors, Capt. William Pratt commanded the colonial militia in the de- fense of New Bedford. Mr. Phillips came to Fall River in 1871, was graduated from the Fall River High School with the class of 1883, and from Williams College in 1887. He began the study of law in June, 1890, as a student in the office of Morton & Jennings in Fall River, and was admitted to the Bristol bar in May, 1891. In June, 1892, he was graduated from the Boston Law School. From 1892 to 1894 Mr.
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Phillips was associated in the practice of law with Hon. Andrew J. Jennings, and during that time was connected with many of the most important cases tried in the county. In July, 1894, he opened an office in the Granite block, and in October, 1895, became senior partner of the firm of Phillips & Fuller, now located in the Union Bank building. Mr. Phillips is secretary of the Fall River Bar Association, and is a practitioner in the courts of the United States. September 13, 1893, he married Elizabeth L. Cheney of Waltham, Mass. They have two children: Lurena and Kathleen.
Phillips, Edward Marion, was born in Taunton, September 29, 1859, a son of Capt. J. B. and Maria D. (Burt) Phillips. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Taunton and the Bristol Academy. At the close of his school days he went with his father in a coasting vessel and followed the sea for about five years and then went with Briggs & Co. as weighing clerk at their mill. Later he was em- ployed by the Taunton Stove Lining Co. and stayed with them until 1883, when he, with his brother, J. Arthur Phillips, engaged in the grocery and provision business for themselves and have continued it up to the present time. Mr. Phillips is a mem- ber of Sabbatia Lodge, I.O.O.F., Naomi Encampment and the A.O. U. W. He mar- ried Emma H., daughter of John and Maria (Wyman) Trussel of Bucksport, Maine, and they have one daughter, Addie Maria.
Phillips, Ferdinand H., son of Grafton G. and Mary M. (Cottle) Phillips, was born in Dartmouth, April 30, 1846. His early boyhood was spent in acquiring an educa- tion in the common schools of his native town and in farming. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Co. A, 1st R. I. Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged and upon his return found employment in the shops of the Providence & Worcester Railroad, where he remained four years. At the end of this period he engaged in the planing mill and general lumber business in Dart- mouth and continued successfully for eight years. Since 1878 he has given his entire attention to farming. Mr. Phillips married, March 4, 1869, Fannie E , daughter of Israel and Caroline (Blount) Burlingame, and of their union one son has been born, Frank B. In politics Mr. Phillips has always been an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of Post 190, G.A. R., of New Bedford, and for many years has been a deacon in the Christian Church of Shawmut.
Phillips, Jacob Arthur, was born in Taunton, February 10, 1853, a son of Jacob B. and Maria D. (Burt) Phillips, and educated in the public schools and Bristol Acade- my. After leaving school he went coasting for a short time and then was employed by Church & Allen, later going with H. W. Church & Co., remaining with them about ten years, and then engaged in business with his brother in a full line of groceries and provisions. Mr. Phillips is a member of Good Samaritan Lodge, I. O. O. F., Naomi Encampment and Canton Cohannet. He was married in December, 1873, to Annie H., daughter of Cyrus Presbrey of Taunton.
Pierce, Alfred, was born in Rehoboth, December 31, 1821, son of Jeremiah Pierce, who was a native of the same town and who married Candace, daughter of Shubel Wheeler, through life having been identified as a carpenter and farmer. He died March 23, 1837. Alfred Pierce was educated in the public schools; afterward learned the carpenter's trade and went to Pawtucket, where he remained four years. In
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1844 he came to Attleborough, leaving, in 1851, for California, where he remained two years, also spending a year in Australia, and in 1854 returned to Attleborough, where he engaged in business, and has been actively engaged in contracting and building for fifty-three years. He has erected and rebuilt four or five hundred pub- lic and private buildings in Bristol county. In 1872 he organized the firm of Pierce & Carpenter, dealers in lumber, coal and wood. In 1865 he married Martha R., daughter of Thomas and Polly Richardson Williams, and they have one daughter, Mrs. Marion W. Carter. Mr. Pierce is one of the self-made men of his town; takes an intelligent interest in school and church matters; and is recognized as a man of sterling ability and one whose word is as good as his bond.
Pike, E. C., was born in Attleborough, November 4, 1841, a son of William F. Pike, born in Attleborough in 1810, and grandson of Stephen S. Pike, born on the old homestead on Pike's avenue in 1777. William F. Pike married Harriet H. Hodges, and was engaged through life in farming. E. C. Pike was educated in the public schools and learned the jeweler's trade with Thompson, Richardson & Co. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 47th Mass., and received an honorable discharge in 1863. He established a stable business in 1870. He entered the employ of Hayward & Briggs, remaining with them until 1873, when he established the first dining rooms on Bank street in Attleborough. In 1883 he established his carriage repository, in which he still continues. In 1862 Mr. Pike married Catherine E. Conway, and they have two children: Charles A. and Florence M. Mr. Pike is one of the self-made men of Bris- tol county; one of the charter members of Orient Lodge No. 165, and has ever ad- vanced the best interest of his town and townspeople.
Poisson, Joseph, merchant, was born September 15, 1853, in Gentilly, Canada, P. Q., where he received his education. He came to Fall River in 1872 and was a clerk in a dry goods store until 1879, when he removed to New Bedford, where he has since resided. On arriving in New Bedford Mr. Poisson formed a copartnership with D. A. Roy and opened a dry goods store on Purchase street, near the Parker House. About 1885 the firm of Poisson & Roy dissolved and Mr. Poisson continued the business there alone until 1892, when he bought the property at 822 Purchase street, erected the present building and formed the present firm of Poisson Brothers, the junior member being Laurent Poisson. This is one of the largest and best dry goods and clothing houses in the north end of New Bedford. Mr. Poisson is a director of the New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company, a trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank, and a member of the Board of Trade, the New Bedford Zouaves, and the Franc Tireur (sharpshooters). In 1882 he married Emma Allaire, a native of Canada, and they have one son, Alfred L.
Poisson, Ludger, merchant, was born in Gentilly, Province of Quebec, Canada, August 29, 1868, a son of Nere Poisson, a prominent citizen and wholesale dealer in grain and hay. Mr. Poisson gained his preparatory education in the schools of his native parish and later spent two years in the College of the Brothers of Ste .- Croix, at Three Rivers, Canada. Shortly after completing his course (1885) he came to New Bedford and began work as a clerk for his brother, Joseph Poisson, who is elsewhere mentioned in this work. He continued in the capacity of clerk until 1890, when he formed a copartnership with his brother, Gideon Poisson, to engage in a general dry goods and clothing business, under the firm name of G. & L. Poisson.
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Although they started their business on a small scale, they have in the eight years of their management attained a wonderful growth and are now conducting two stores, one on Purchase street in the North end and the other on Water street in the South end. Mr. Poisson is a member of the B. P. O. E., St. John the Baptist Society, the A. O. U. W., and the Dartmouth Club. He is unmarried.
Pool, Everett E., was born in Easton, December 3, 1847, a son of Harrison and Mary Jane Pool. His father in his early life was employed as a store clerk and afterwards engaged in the mathematical instrument business. Everett E. Pool was educated in the common schools of Easton and Cochesett, West Bridgewater, Mass. In 1865 he was employed as a clerk in Taunton for several years and afterwards in the same capacity in North Easton, where he is now engaged. In 1873 he married Addie F., daughter of Samuel B. and Rebecca F. Ripley. He is a director of the Co-operative Bank of Easton; secretary and treasurer of the Republican Town Committee of Easton; is one of the Selectmen of 1896; and also secretary and treas- urer of the Queset Club of Easton, Mass. He is a progressive man, taking an active interest in politics and all other things that are of interest to the town and town's people.
Poole, Lorenzo A., son of Abiathar and Emily A. (Reed) Poole, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county. Mass., February 15, 1861. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm and in the public schools. In 1883 he entered the employ of the lumber firm of Greene & Wood, in New Bedford, and remained with them until 1894, when he bought his present farm (the old Rev. Daniel Hicks farm) and has since been engaged in farming and the production of milk for the market. He married Annie M., daughter of Jarvis T. and Mary A. Ashley, one of the pioneer families of Bristol county, and they have three children: Eugene, born June 29, 1885; Ethel, born January 28, 1890; and Clarence, born June 19, 1894. Mr. Poole is a member of Shawmut Grange No. 210, and is one of Dartmouth's leading citizens.
Poole, Capt. William H., son of Abiathar and Emily Ann (Reed) Poole, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., April 1, 1845. At the age of nine- teen he shipped aboard the whaling bark, Morning Star, first before the mast and afterward as boat steerer. In June, 1868, he shipped aboard the Minnesota in New Zealand waters and was promoted to the office of first mate, which position he held until the end of the voyage, June 12, 1872. From September 1, 1873, to June 24, 1875, he was first mate aboard the bark Platina on the coast of Chili, South America, and in July, 1883, he was promoted to the position of captain of the bark Bartholo- mew Gosnold, cruising in New Holland waters. After this voyage he remained at home for a time and then shipped as master of the John and Winthrop. In Decem- ber, 1888, he returned home and engaged in blacksmithing until September, 1890. In February, 1891, he again went whaling in the Arctic Ocean as chief mate of the bark Wanderer and the following year as boatheader of the bark Reindeer. In May, 1895, he made another voyage of eighteen months to Hudson Bay with the ship Canton, and since that time has lived in semi retirement. Mr. Poole has been twice married, first to Annie D. Miller, October 3, 1876, and second to Effie M., daughter of Everet and Louisa Wyman of Maine. Mr. Poole is a member of Acushnet Lodge No. 41, and Annawan Encampment No. 8, I. O. O. F.
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Porter, Edmund William, was born in Taunton, Mass., March 11, 1831, a son of William Wallace and Mehitable (Cobb) Porter. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Taunton and New York State. In 1845, when he was fourteen years old, he went to the Reed & Barton factory and learned the trade of britannia worker. He stayed with them fourteen years and then left to take a position with the Porter Britannia & Plate Co., in the same location as that occupied by the West Silver Co. of to day. Mr. Porter has been in his present location, with the exception of some time spent in the west and through all the changes of the firm about thirty- nine years. In 1873 he went to Aurora, Ill., to take charge of the Aurora Silver Plate Manufacturing Co. of that city, where he remained twelve years and then re- turned to Taunton and assisted in the organization of the F. B. Rogers Silver Co. In 1887 this firm was succeeded by the West Silver Co. and Mr. Porter remained as superintendent, which position he holds to-day. He was a member of the City Coun- cil about four years, between the years 1865 and 1873. April 6, 1852, he married Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Jireh and Sally (Waldron) Strange of Taunton, and they had one son, Warren Strange Porter, born October 3, 1857, and died September 1,1861.
Potter, Abraham Joy, is a lineal descendant in the eighth generation from Nathan- iel Potter, who came to this country in 1638 and settled in Portsmouth, R. I. He is a son of Robert and Mary (Joy) Potter, and was born in Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., September 1, 1828. His education was obtained in the public schools of Westport and Dartmouth, and at the age of eighteen he began work at the carpen- ter's trade. In this occupation he remained twenty-five years, with the exception of four years from 1846 to 1850, when he was engaged in business in Smith's Mills and New Bedford. Of late years he has been engaged in farming. He is a member of the South Bristol Farmers' Club; has been elected selectman, overseer of the poor and to other offices of minor importance. January 1, 1852, he married Jane, daugh- ter of Richard and Abigail Winslow, and they have two children: Calista, and Ella, wife of George H. Brayton of Westport.
Potter, William Sidney, treasurer of the Flint Mills, was born in Fall River, Oc- tober 15, 1847, a son of Thomas Thurston and Selina Sawyer (Crocker) Potter, and grandson of William and Anna (Aiken) Potter. His first American ancestor was Nathaniel Potter, who in 1638 was admitted an inhabitant of the island of Aquidneck, R. I., and who on April 30, 1639, with twenty other emigrants signed a contract acknowledging allegiance to King Charles I. Mr. Potter was educated in the public schools of Fall River and the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University. At the age of twenty-one he entered the employ of Warren Sawyer of Boston, dealer in hides and leather. In 1868 he became entry clerk in the office of Benjamin Cal- lender & Co., hardware dealers of Boston; in 1870 and 1872 he was employed in the office of the Merchants' Mill of Fall River and was then appointed bookkeeper in the Flint Mills. He has been treasurer of this corporation since 1882. December 9, 1883, he married Lula Whitworth of Fall River, and they have one daughter, Gladys Record Potter. Mr. Potter is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in the Boston Consistory and in King Philip blue lodge of Fall River.
Pratt, George Franklin, was born in East Foxboro, Mass., October 6, 1828, a son of Benjamin Franklin and Eliza (Atherton) Pratt. The early part of his life he at-
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tended the public schools of Taunton, but finished his education under the tutorship of Arunah A. Leach. Mr. Pratt commenced his mercantile life as clerk in the grocery store of George B. Atwood, which was located where Oak Hall now stands, and continued in various lines until 1873, at which time he was elected to the office of county treasurer, which position he has held since his first election and when he has completed his present term will make twenty-seven consecutive years in this office. Mr. Pratt married Elizabeth Bayley of Fall River, a daughter of George Marsden and Ruth Barney Phillips Bayley.
Presbrey, Allen Francis, was born in Taunton, April 20, 1846, a son of Daniel B. and Sarah Jane (Howard) Presbrey, and educated in the public schools. He was first employed by James Sproat in a saw mill, and later entered the grocery store of B. L. Burt as bookkeeper, which position he held until 1877, when he started in business for himself and has remained in it up to the present time, 1898. January 4, 1895, he married Charlotte H., daughter of Elmer and Eliza (Danforth) Lincoln, and they have one daughter, Dorothy A., born December 28, 1896, and one son, Ray- mond Lincoln, born September 17, 1898.
Prescott, Oliver, jr., son of Oliver and Helen A. (Howland) Prescott, was born in New Bedford, July 30, 1868, and is descended on both sides from old Puritan stock, and in a direct line from John Prescott, who came from England and settled near the present site of Lancaster, Mass. His father, born in Westford, Mass., came to New Bedford to practice law in 1830, and for many years was judge of the Probate Court and also judge of the Police Court, being one of the leading members of the Bristol bar, and prominent in legal circles throughout that section of the State. Oliver Prescott, jr., attended the Friends' Academy in New Bedford, and in the fall of 1885 entered Harvard University, from which he was graduated with degree of A. B. in 1889, in the same year entering Harvard Law School, where he gained rec- ognition for scholarship and was graduated with honors with the degrees of A. M. and LL. B. He was admitted to the Bristol bar in May, 1892, and in the fall of that year entered the office of Crapo, Clifford & Clifford, of which firm he became a part- ner in 1894 Mr. Prescott represented Ward 5 in the Council two years, 1894-95, serving as president of that body in the latter year. He married, December 31, 1895, Helen M., daughter of Herbert P. and Lydia L. Bryant of New Bedford, and they have one son, Oliver Prescott. In June, 1897, he removed his residence to the neighboring town of Dartmouth and since that time has been a resident of that old town.
Prévost, Rev. John Alfred, pastor of the Notre Dame de Lourdes French Roman Catholic Church of Fall River, was born in Quebec, Canada, October 10, 1849, a son of Magloire and Marguerite (Fournier) Prévost. His father was a farmer and he spent his youth on the farm and attending the parish schools. Later he went to Montreal, and there studied for the priesthood under the Sulpician Fathers. He completed his studies in St. Mary's Seminary at St. Hyacinthe, where he was or- dained to the priesthood, and soon thereafter appointed assistant at Coaticooke, in the Province of Quebec. From there he was removed to Woonsocket, R. I., to assist Rev. Fr. Charles Daurey at the Precious Blood Church, where he remained three years, and in March, 1882, was appointed pastor of the church of the Sacred Heart at New Bedford. At this time this church was the only French Canadian
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Church in New Bedford, and Fr. Prévost had charge of all the French Canadian people there. At the present time there are three churches of this denomination in that city, one of which, the South End church, was partially built by Fr. Prévost, and was named the St. Hyacinthe church in honor of the place of his ordination. During his New Bedford pastorate he also built the convent occupied by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. After a successful pastorate of six years at the Sacred Heart church, he was removed to Fall River in September, 1888, to take charge of the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, where he still continues, honored and beloved by all his parishioners. Father Prévost's work in building up this church has been re- markable, and the new buildings which he has erected represent much money and patient effort in the face of heavy obstacles. The new church has been built en- tirely in his pastorate ; he has also built the St. Joseph's Orphan's Home, intended for the care of the French speaking children of the diocese of Providence, and the rec- tory which adjoins the church. He is now preparing to build a college to be called the College of the Christian Brothers. Father Prévost has under his charge four assistants and his congregation numbers about 12,000 souls. There are at present 330 scholars from all parts of the diocese of Providence in attendance at the Orphan's Home, and the children in attendance at the Catholic schools in his parish number about 1,000. They are taught both English and French, for although the church recognizes the necessity of their being able to use the English language, it does not wish them to forget the language of their fathers. Father Prévost is a man of strong character and is possessed of great executive ability. He preaches eloquently and fervently to a vast congregation each Sunday, and wields mighty influence for good in the community.
Prosser, William, senior member of the firm of William Prosser & Son, dealers in lumber and builders' supplies, was born in Wales in 1831. He obtained his educa- tion in his native country and after learning the carpenter's trade, came to the United States and settled in Fall River in September, 1870. He was first employed by P. D. Conant & Co., for whom he worked several years. He then entered the employ of Spalding Southwick, a dealer in builders' supplies, and after his death conducted the business for some time. Later he engaged in business for himself on Blossom avenue where he now conducts a large trade in lumber, sash, doors, blinds and builders' supplies in general, also operating a planing mill. Mr. Prosser was married in Hereford, England, to Ellen Dunham, a native of Shaftsbury, in Dorset- shire. They have three children: Mary (wife of Joseph Heap), Susanna (wife of Pat- rick Judge), and William A., who is a member of the present firm of William Prosser & Son.
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