Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 108

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 108

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Rocheleau, Joseph, was born at Maryville, P. Q., May 10, 1858, and came to the United States with his parents, Louis and Domitille (Bessette) Rocheleau, in 1863. They settled in Webster, Mass., and Joseph learned the trade of musical instrument maker, which he followed for five years. He then went to Brockton and engaged in the clothing business, and thence came to Fall River in 1891. He is a member of the clothing house of H. L. Rocheleau & Co., the Fall River branch of which is one of the leading houses of the city. Mr. Rocheleau is possessed of much energy and business ability, and is recognized as one of the foremost business men of Fall River. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

Rogers, Alfred P., D. D. S., was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, a son of William H. and Mary E. (Page) Rogers. He received his preparatory education in the Uni- versity of Acadia in Nova Scotia and began his dental studies in Toronto, Canada,

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finishing at the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1896. In the same year he came to Fall River and was associated with Dr. Williams until October, 1897, when he opened his present office in the Horton building.

Rogers, Charles L., a popular and well known citizen of the town of Dartmouth, was born in that town, March 13, 1847. His father, Leonard Rogers, was a sturdy pioneer, noted for sound business principles and sterling integrity. His mother was Laura A. (Briggs) Rogers, a native of Dartmouth. Mr. Rogers received such ed- ucational advantages as were offered in the common schools in those days and at an early age learned the millwright and carpenter's trade, at which he has spent the most of his time since. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and held the office of road surveyor when but nineteen years old. He has been one of the town assessors for the past two years. In January, 1874, he married Delia A., daughter of William and Mary (Phillips) Allen of Dartmouth, and they have four children: Charles W., Edward L., Mabel E., and Mary E.

Rogers, John W., was born in Mansfield, December 20, 1839, a son of John Rogers, born November 2, 1806, died March 31, 1873. Mr. Rogers's father was a large man- ufacturer of straw braid and gave employment to a large number of men and women. He retired from business in 1866 and the business was continued by his son and three associates. John W. Rogers was graduated from Brown University in 1861, and that same year enlisted in Co. H, 7th Regiment, participating in the campaigns of General McClellan. He received an honorable discharge in 1862, with rank of first lieutenant. In 1866 he married Martha J., daughter of Daniel and Salome Martin. Mr. Rogers is one of the enterprising business men, taking an intelligent interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town.

Rounds, Arthur Morey, M. D., was born in Norton, September 13, 1852, a son of Benjamin Mason and Sophia (Morey) Rounds. He received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools of Norton, in a private school kept by Rev. D. S. C. M. Potter, took a course of mathematics at Wheaton Seminary and in 1873 entered Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1876, with the degree of B. P. After graduating he took up teaching for a while and taught in Norton and at the same time was first assistant in an evening school at Providence, and later went to North Attleborough and was principal in the grammar school there for one year. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. George F. Keene, the present superin- tendent of Rhode Island State Hospital for the Insane and stayed with him a year, when he entered Harvard Medical School of Boston, graduating in 1883; he then went to the Massachusetts General Hospital and later to the Rhode Island Hospital. He came to Norton in 1884 and opened an office of his own for the general practice of surgery and medicine, and is in the same location to-day as that he started in. He was one of the original promoters of the Norton Public Library and has been on the board of directors ever since it was organized; he is also president of the Mass- achusetts Medical Society, North Bristol District. June 8, 1886, he married Annie Endicott, daughter of George W. and Hattie (Payson) Felton of Chicago, Ill., and they have one son, George Arthur Rounds, born February 20, 1889.

Rounds, Thomas B., was born in Swansea, in 1853, a son of Stephen M. and De- lana Marvel Rounds, and was educated in the public schools of Somerset. His early

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business career began as a nailer in the works of the Somerset Screw Co., where he remained five years He then went to Fall River and entered the employ of Holt & Henry, dry goods merchants, where he remained until failing health compelled him to relinquish the position after eleven years of constant service. Realizing the necessity of a quiet place in which to recuperate, Mr. Rounds removed to Som- erset, where he erected the substantial home he has since occupied. Two years of quiet life in Somerset saw Mr. Rounds in physical condition to once more engage in business and he entered the hardware house of Joseph O. Neil, Bedford street, where he has since remained. In 1878 Mr. Rounds married Rebecca F. Birch, daughter of Lewis Birch of Fall River. At the time of her marriage, Mrs. Rounds was principal of the Davenport School and enjoyed the reputation of being at that time one of the most efficient teachers in the county. They have no children and a goodly part of Mrs. Rounds's time is given to good works in connection with her church and the W. C. T. U. Her father, now deceased, will be remembered as a gentleman of charitable ideas and an exceeding degree of liberality toward those in distress. Possessed of some means he dispensed with a liberal hand whenever opportunity offered. In politics Mr. Rounds is a Republican and has been select- man six terms, also served two terms in the School Board in the town of Somerset. Mr. Rounds is a pleasant, courteous gentleman who remembers his friends among all classes of people.

Rowe, Mark E., was born in Newport, Me., April 1, 1849, son of Jeremiah Rowe, and they trace their descent to Robert Rowe, who came from England and settled in the Parish of Kingston in New Hampshire, in the year 1838. Jeremiah Rowe mar- ried Mary A., daughter of Samuel Martin, and through life was identified as a farmer. Mark E. Rowe, one of six children, was educated in the public schools and in 1872 he went to Attleborough, where he learned the jewelry business with Horton, Angell & Company, in 1881 becoming foreman and in 1886 he became one of the members of the firm. In 1877 he married Hattie S., daughter of Courtland Beers, and they have had three children: Miriam Bertha, Paul Eddy and Marie; the son died when eight months old. Mr. Rowe is one of the self-made men of his town; is a trustee of the Public Library; takes an active interest in educational and religious institutions; and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

Russell, Augustus Shearman .- The first American ancestor of the now somewhat numerous Russell family was named Ralph. Of the place of his nativity or the pre- cise date of his birth nothing definite can be learned. He came from England, how- ever, and settled near the site of the village that now bears his name, Russell's Mills. Matthew Russell, grandfather of Augustus Shearman Russell, married Eliza- beth B. Brownell. Howland Russell, father of Augustus, was born in 1804; mar- ried Mary B. Shearman, and died September 24, 1892. Augustus S. was born in the town of Dartmouth, Mass., March 18, 1839. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and his entire life has been devoted to agriculture. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, but has never been an aspirant for political honors. He is a member of the South Bristol Farmers' Club. He mar- ried Ruth A., daughter of Levi H. Butts.

Russell, Pardon, jr., son of Pardon and Marie (Reed) Russell, was born in New Bedford, Mass., July 25, 1851, and obtained his education in the public and private

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schools of his native city. His first business experience on his own account was as a wheelwright, from 1870 to 1884, and he then engaged in the retail ice business, which he carried on until 1895. Mr. Russell has been elected treasurer of the Burns River Corporation, a recently incorporated concern, organized for the purpose of con- ducting a wholesale ice business. Mr. Russell married Anna L., daughter of Joshua Peirce, November 30, 1894. He is a member of Acushnet Lodge No. 41, I. O. O. F., and Annawan Encampment No. 8, I. O.O. F. He has never aspired to public office, although on numerous occasions he has been solicited to be a candidate.

Russell, Thomas Wing, son of Perry and Sarah (Grinnell) Russell, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., May 28, 1839. His early education was obtained in the public schools. His life has been entirely devoted to agriculture and he now owns some eighty acres of well improved land. His career has been almost entirely one of private business, and a lack of opportunity for display has certainly not created in him any desire for it. He married Lydia W., daughter of Nicholas N. and Judith (Brightman) Kirby of Westport.

Ryan, Peter Joseph, grocer, is the son of Patrick and Margaret (Roach) Ryan, who came from Ireland to Quebec, Canada, and died there, the former in 1875 and the latter in 1868. Mr. Ryan was born in Quebec on the 27th of June, 1868, spent his early life on his father's farm, and was educated in that city. In 1883 he came to New Bedford and entered the art establishment of Charles Taber & Co. Afterward he was for six years a clerk in the wholesale and retail grocery store of C. S. & B. Cummings. In 1893 he formed a copartnership with George H. Chadwick and en- gaged in the grocery business at the corner of Union and Sixth streets. Two years later this firm was dissolved and Mr. Ryan, in company with Edward E. Baker and Lewis C. Small, established a grocery store on County street, corner of Smith, which he has conducted alone since 1896, when Messrs. Baker and Small withdrew. Mr. Ryan is a member of the Board of Trade, the Plymouth Club and the Knights of Columbus.

Ryley, John, superintendent of public buildings of Fall River, was born in Bolton, England, October 28, 1838 He was educated in private schools in his native city and then was apprenticed to learn- the trade of joiner and carpenter. After com- pleting his apprenticeship of three years he followed his trade and also superintended the erection of numerous buildings. In 1872 he came to America and located at Fall River, where he successfully followed the occupation of carpenter and contractor. In 1888 Mr. Ryley was appointed superintendent of public buildings of Fall River and has since held the position by successive reappointment. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and other fraternal and benevolent societies.

St. George, Archibald, M. D., son of Charles and Delphine (Normandin) St. George, was born in Milford, Mass., September 10, 1867. His family removed to that part of Fall River which was then Flint village when he was quite young, and he obtained his early education in the schools of Fall River where he prepared for college. Be- fore going to college he engaged in the grocery business with his brother for a period of four years. He then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti- more, and was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1895. After graduation he at

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one began the practice of his profession in Fall River. Dr. St. George has served on the city Board of Health and is prominent in many fraternal organizations, both as a member and medical adviser. His father was one of the first settlers of the village of Flint and was recognized as a leading citizen for many years.

Sadler, Herbert A., was born in Mansfield, Mass., November 16, 1860. His father, G. W. Sadler, was one of the pioneers in the jewelry business, in which he was identified for twenty-two years, being succeeded by his sons, Herbert A. and Charles E. Charles E. died in 1888, the business being continued by Herbert A. up to the present time. Mr. Sadler is one of the representative business men of South Attle- borough, conservative and unassuming and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

Sanders, Clinton Vincent, was born in Raynham, January 14, 1858, a son of George B. and Betsy H. (Staples) Sanders. In early life he attended the public schools of Taunton and after spending two years in the high school went to a business college in Providence, R. I., for a year. On his return from there he went into the freight office of the B. C. F. & New Bedford Railroad, where he remained about six years, and was then employed by the firm of F. D. Newcomb in the lumber business. On the death of Mr. Newcomb some two or three years later, he, in company with Charles H. Buffington, bought the business and carried it on under the name of Sanders & Buffington, and so continued until 1896. when Mr. Buffington retired, Mr. Sanders con- tinuing under the style of C. V. Sanders & Co. November 21, 1883, he married Ida M., daughter of Oliver S. and Sarah (Blood) Kendall of Taunton.

Sanders, William, county commissioner of Bristol county, and successful merchant, was born in Warren, R. I., December 10, 1843, a son of Henry and Martha B. (Viall) Sanders. When he was fourteen years old the family removed to New Bedford and here he was educated in the public schools, completing the high school course. His first business experience was as a clerk in the post office at Quincy, where he spent two years and at the end of this time went to Boston, entering the employ of a wholesale clothing firm with whom he remained several years, gaining a wide expe- rience in that business. In February, 1866, he went into business for himself, opening a retail clothing store in New Bedford at 108 Union street. After conducting the business for twelve years alone he admitted to partnership his brother, H. V. Sanders, under the firm name of Sanders Brothers Owing to the increasing de- mands of the business, which had been highly successful from the start, they moved in 1878 to the Waite block on Union street. The firm was dissolved in 1881 and H. V. Sanders was succeeded by Frank C. Barrows, who had long been a clerk in the store, the firm name being changed to Sanders & Barrows and continuing in this style until 1894, when a stock company, the Sanders & Barrows Clothing Company, was formed with a capital of $50,000, Mr. Sanders being treasurer and general man- ager. In the same year the business was removed to the present location in the new Merchants' Bank building. From a modest start it has grown to one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the State, south of Boston. Mr. Sanders has for many years been prominent in public affairs. He has served in the Legislature as a member of the lower house two terms (1879-80) and has been county commissioner of Bristol county since 1889. Two years of this period he has served as chairman. He has also served as chairman of the cemetery board for three years. He is a veteran

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of the Civil war, a member of the G.A. R., Post No. 1, and served as commander of the New Bedford City Guards for ten years. In politics he is a staunch Republican and has for many years been active in municipal affairs. He has been asked many times to stand as a candidate for mayor, but always declined on account of business interests. He is thoroughly well known all over Bristol county in connection with his duties as county commissioner. He is a member of Acushnet Lodge of Odd Fellows and has been twice regent of Omega Council of the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Wamsutta and Dartmouth Clubs and a member and director of the Board of Trade. November, 6, 1866, Mr. Sanders married Lucretia C. Can- non of New Bedford. He is of English ancestry and is the owner of a coat-of-arms dated 1522, granted to one of his ancestors. His great grandfather on the maternal side served as a captain in the war of the Revolution and the latter's commission is now in his hands.

Sandland, Thomas G., was born in North Attleborough, December 1, 1839, a son of Thomas Sandland, a native of Birmingham, Eng., who came to the United States in 1832, settling in North Attleborough. He was a button manufacturer and entered the employ of Robinson, Jones & Co., afterwards, in 1845, manufactured for himself, the firm being Draper & Sandland. He died in 1886. Thomas G. Sandland was educated in the common schools and worked with his father in the jewelry business. In 1856 he entered the employ of Ira Richards & Co ; in 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 47th Mass. Regiment, receiving an honorable discharge in 1863. He returned to North Attleborough and entered the employ of Ira Richards & Co., where he re . mained until 1876, and then established his present business of jewelry manufactur- ing. In 1859 he married Clara M., daughter of T. E. Robinson, and they have two children: Charles E. and Mrs. Jennie L. Lincoln. Mr. Sandland has served his town as tax collector and represented his town in General Court in 1887. He is a member of Bristol Lodge, past master, F. & A. M. ; past high priest of King Hiram Chapter ; past commander of Bristol Commandery, and past commander of G. A. R., Post No. 192.

Seabury, Warren, son of Robert and Caroline (Woodman) Seabury, was born in Tiverton, R. I., September 18, 1826. After attending the public schools he worked on his father's farm until twenty three years of age, when he engaged in business on his own account. He was appointed postmaster at North Dartmouth and held that position for twelve consecutive years. In December, 1849, he married Phoebe Peckham of Little Compton, R. I., and they have three sons: James, Frederick and Edward, all now associated with their father in an extensive general produce busi- ness. In politics Mr. Seabury has always been a staunch Republican. He has re- sided in North Dartmouth for many years and is one of the best known men in the community.

Shaw, Charles Frederick, is the oldest son of Frederick P. and Mary (Maxfield) Shaw, and a grandson of Job and Amy (Macomber) Shaw, and was born in New Bed- ford, Mass., November 28, 1840. His great grandfather, Nathaniel Shaw, and great- great-grandfather, Thomas Cory (whose daughter married Nathaniel Shaw), were Revolutionary soldiers. His mother's ancestors were Quakers. Job Shaw, a native of Tiverton, R, I .; became a cooper in New Bedford, where he died in 1862. Fred- erick P. Shaw, a wholesale and retail grocer in New Bedford, died December 1, 1883,

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aged seventy-three; his wife survives at the age of eighty-six; he served one year each in the New Bedford Common Council and the State Legislature. Charles F Shaw was educated in his native city, and on August 13, 1862, enlisted as a private in Co. H, 38th Mass. Vol. Infantry, being mustered out of service June 30, 1865. He served as corporal, sergeant and second and first lieutenants, and participated in the battles of Western Louisiana, the siege of Port Hudson, the Red River expedi- tion, the Shenandoah Valley campaign (including the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864), and the closing events in Georgia and North Carolina. September 1, 1863, he received his commission as second lieutenant, and from that time until he was discharged he commanded his company (the captain being on detached service) and brought it back to New Bedford. In 1865 he went to East Saginaw, Mich., and en- gaged in the wholesale grocery business as a member of the firm of Shaw, Bullard & Co. Mr. Bullard withdrew in 1873, and the firm of Shaw Brothers & Co. con- tinued the business until 1878, when it was closed up. Mr. Shaw has been an active and influential Republican since he was old enough to vote. While in East Saginaw he was a member of the Police Commission two years and of the Cemetery Commis- sion four years, and in 1878 he was nominated for mayor, but declined to run. In 1879 he accepted the nomination of city treasurer and ran ahead of his ticket, which was defeated. In 1880, without solicitation, he was nominated by the Saginaw County Republican Convention on the first ballot, by a vote of 104 out of 114, for the office of register of deeds, but was defeated by 199 votes out of 11,000 cast. Soon afterward he was chosen sole assessor of East Saginaw city, which position he held until March, 1883, when he resigned and returned to New Bedford by reason of his father's illness. As a citizen of East Saginaw he was prominent in all public mat- ters, and for six years served as president of the East Saginaw Rifles. In 1886 he purchased the street railway there, made three miles of extensions and other im- provements, and seven months later sold it. He was also vice-president of the East Saginaw Gas Company several years, and in 1888 was again called there for four months to act as treasurer of a savings bank. Since returning to New Bedford he has been a member of the Republican City Committee ten years, being its chairman three years and its present vice-chairman; he served one term in the State Legisla- ture and two years as alderman and was nominated for mayor; and in December, 1897, was elected city assessor at large for three years. He has been president of the New Bedford Choral Association since 1890; is a director and formerly was sec- retary of the Board of Trade and vice-president of the New Bedford General Hos- pital; is a member of the Wamsutta and Dartmouth Clubs, also of the Massachusetts Republican Club; the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the G. A. R., the Loyal Legion, the Veteran Firemen's Association and the Masonic fraternity as high as Knight Templarism; and a life member of the Old Colony Historical Society. He was also for some time treasurer of the Union Street Railway Company, resigning February 1, 1897. November 12, 1867, he married Clara D., daughter of William H. Warner of East Saginaw, Mich.' She died July 16, 1873, leaving one son, Frederick Warner Shaw, who died April 16, 1878.

Shay, Jeremiah M., & Co .- Jeremiah M. Shay is a son of Michael P. and Anna (Harrington) Shay, natives of Ireland, who came to this country when quite young and a few years after settled in Fall River, where they were married in 1859, re-

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moving to Portsmouth, R. I., where Mr. Shay was born, January 28, 1866. The family returned to Fall River when he was ten years old and he attended school and worked in the mills. He served an apprenticeship with Louis Lavoie at the carriage making business, and in 1886 became a partner. In November, 1892, Mr. Lavoie retired and since then Mr. Shay has conducted the business alone. All kinds of car- riages and wagons are made to order, and in addition a harness making and repair- ing business is conducted. Mr. Shay is an active, enterprising citizen and enjoys the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. He is possessed of considerable inventive ability; one of his most important inventions being a shuttle-supplying mechanism for looms which increases the capacity of the loom about ten per cent., and reduces the labor of the weaver more than fifty per cent.

Sherman, Albert S., is a descendant in the seventh generation of Philip Sherman, who was born in Dedham, England, in 1610, and came to this country while young and settled in Boston, thence to Portsmouth, R. I. Albert S. Sherman is a son of Wilson and Mary (Davis) Sherman, and was born in Westport, Mass., February 9, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of that town and at an early age went to California in a merchant ship. During this service he visited the East Indies, England and numerous foreign ports. Mr. Sherman abandoned the sea after several years' service and returned home and engaged in farming. He is a Republican in politics and is now serving his twelfth year as selectmen of his native town, is a member of the Board of Health and is serving his seventh year as justice of the peace, being appointed by Governor Russell. On October 15, 1868, he married Mary H., daughter of Howland and Mary B. (Sherman) Russell of Dartmouth, and they had two children: Wilson H., born October 18, 1871, died August 15, 1875, and Waldo A., born March 22, 1881.

Sherman, Clifford Parker, attorney at law, was born in New Bedford, September 13, 1861, a son of David W. and Charity (Parker) Sherman. He attended the public schools, and graduated from the High School in the class of 1879. In the summer of 1880 he entered the law office of Crapo, Clifford & Clifford, to read law. After six years' reading he was admitted to the Bristol bar, June 14, 1886. He had been en- gaged before this time in the work of investigating titles, and remained with Crapo, Clifford & Clifford until the business in hand was finished, when he opened an office on North Water street and engaged in practice, which has been chiefly confined to legal investigation of titles, etc. In May, 1896, he removed to the Masonic build- ing. Mr. Sherman has been for some time clerk and trustee of the First Congrega- tional Society (Trinitarian). He married, June 3, 1891, Emma B. Allen, daughter of Abner W. Allen of New Bedford, and they have two sons: Allen and Clifford P., jr.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 108

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company Number of Pages: 1399

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399