USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 109
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Sherman, James L., son of Abner and Abbie W. (Durfee) Sherman, was born in New Bedford, February 11, 1842. His father, who still lives at the age of eighty-two years, was a native of Westport and came to New Bedford when a boy to learn the carpenter's trade. He later located a shop on Water street, where he has been in business for over fifty years, having been associated during the entire time with Levi H. Sturtevant under the firm name of Sturtevant & Sherman. The gentlemen are now the oldest firm of carpenters, contractors and builders in New Bedford. James L. Sherman was educated in the New Bedford schools and after being employed a short time as a clerk he went into the retail lumber business for himself, locating in
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the Sturtevant & Sherman building on Water street, with yards on the Wilcox and Richmond wharf. He has continued this business for upwards of twenty years. With the exception of three years on the School Committee he has never held public office. He is a prominent Mason, a past master of Eureka Lodge, past high priest of Adoniram Chapter, Council, past E. C. of Sutton Commandery, and at present district deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Mr. Sherman married, in 1869, Caroline M., daughter of Timothy D. Cook of New Bedford, and of their children, one daughter, Abbie D., survives.
Sherman, Jesse T., son of Asa and Alice (Anthony) Sherman, was born in South Dartmouth, November 18, 1845. His father was a farmer who resided in the town of Dartmouth all his life. As a boy he attended the common schools and when only fifteen years of age went to sea in a whaler. He followed the whaling business for over twenty-seven years, finally becoming mate and then master, in which capacity he sailed for twelve years upon all the oceans of the globe. He discontinued long voyages in July, 1886, and shortly after began work for S. C. Hart as captain of the tow boat Cygnet. At the death of Mr. Hart in February, 1894, he with others formed a corporation called the The New Bedford Tow Boat Company and purchased the boats and equipment belonging to Mr. Hart's estate. Captain Sherman was made manager of the company in March, 1894, and has since continued in that capacity. He is a member of Star of the East Lodge, F. & A. M., and enjoys the confidence of all with whom his business brings him in contact. In politics he has never allied himself with any party, but has cast his ballot for the candidate whom he considered best fitted for the office. November 19, 1865, he married Ellen B., daughter of Elihu Briggs of New Bedford, and they had two children: Jessie A., wife of George Case, and Arthur B.
Sherman, Zacheus, was born in Plympton, Mass., August 5, 1819, a son of Zacheus and Jane (Bradford) Sherman. He received his early education in the common schools and in 1837 came to Taunton and engaged at carpenter's work with Earl E. Ryder, at which he served an apprenticeship of three years, working for him two years and a short time for William Mason. In 1845 he started in business for him- self and has continued up to the present time (1898), making fifty-three years of actual service. During this time he has built the station and freight house; locomotive works: Mason machine works, and many of the large buildings in the city, and at one time employed seventy-five men. In 1861 Mr. Sherman was one of the first to put foot on Virginia soil in defense of his country; he was a member of Co. G, 4th Mass. Vol. Militia, and took an active part in the battle of Big Bethel. He received his discharge in July, 1861, and did not re-enlist on account of ill health. Mr. Sher- man is a member of Charles H. Titus Lodge, F. & A. M. December 23, 1845, he married Betsy M., daughter of Levi and Melinda (Pratt) Hale, and they have one son, Clifford A., born March 12, 1854.
Silvia, Frank M., son of Francisco Machado and Mary Claudina (Pacheco) Silvia, was born in the Azores, on the Island of St. George, March 2, 1850. His father was a seafaring man and he early manifested a desire to follow the same calling, but at- tended the public schools until he was twelve years of age and then made his first voyage. Subsequently he visited England, Germany, France, Brazil and adjacent islands, Australia, New Zealand, and in fact circumnavigated the globe. His father
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had meantime made his headquarters in this country, being captain of a coasting vessel, and he having been injured and placed in a foreign hospital was sent to America upon his recovery by the American Consul. He was landed in New Bed- ford in 1871, and soon after came to Fall River and found employment as a laborer. In 1874 he engaged in the trucking business, buying his outfit with money which he had saved by industry and economy. In 1880 he sold his business to engage in the retail liquor trade, first locating on Ferry street and later removing to his present location at the corner of Ferry and Washington streets, which property he pur- chased. Here he conducts a wholesals and retail liquor business, and also is exten- tensively engaged as a ship, railroad and emigrant agent. Mr. Silvia is one of the leading representatives of the Portuguese race in Bristol county and is actively in- terested in all that will promote the best interests of the people of his nationality. He organized and secured the charter of the St. Joseph Benevolent Society and also was instrumental in the purchase of the old First Baptist chapel on Columbia street, which is now used as a Portuguese church. He is an honorary member of many fraternal organizations and a member of the American Order of Druids and the Order of Foresters. In August, 1874, he married Mary Emcarnacao Dutra, and they had nine children, of whom seven survive: Annie, Catherine, Frank, jr., Manuel Joseph, Stephen and John.
Sistare, Frank B., son of George B. and Mary (Shaw) Sistare, was born in New London, Conn., January 21, 1861. His father, a seafaring man, now lives in New London, having reached the age of seventy years. When he was an infant the fam- ily moved to Little Compton, R. I., and later to that part of Dartmouth, Mass., called Smith's Neck. He gained his education in the public schools of Little Compton and Dartmouth, and at the early age of fifteen began to learn the carpenter's trade under Russell E. Burrows, of New London, Conn., with whom he remained about three years, and then went to Taunton, Mass., where he worked as a journeyman carpen- ter for one year, and for two years was head carpenter at the Elizabeth Poole Cot- ton Mill, being then scarcely of age. From Taunton he removed to Dartmouth, where he was employed for one year by Samuel Davis, and then returned to New London. In 1884 he came to New Bedford, and in 1886 began business as a con- tractor and builder. Mr. Sistare has been accorded a good measure of success in his business, and is one of the representative builders of the city. Among the more important buildings he has erected are the Casino at Fall River, the Dartmouth Town Hall, pumping station at Fairhaven, and numerous large dwellings and tene- ment houses. He is a member of Pacific Lodge of Odd Fellows, and Annawan En- campment. He married in 1883, Elvira, daughter of Thomas Smith of South Dart- mouth, and two children have been born to them, George H. and Esther.
Slade, George W., member of the firm of Allen, Slade & Co., wholesale grocers in Fall River, was born in Swansea, July 31, 1826, and is a descendant of one of the early settlers in Massachusetts. His grandfather, Peleg Slade, was a colonel in the Revolution, and an honored citizen of Swansea. Mr. Slade is a son of Lloyd and Elizabeth (Lewin) Slade, who came to Fall River in 1836, when it was a village of less than five thousand people, and where George W. at the age of nine years ob- tained employment at $1 per week in the American Print Works, then under the management of Holder Borden. He remained there and in the Robeson Print
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Works until 1845, when he began to learn the machinist's trade in the shop of Hawes, Marvel & Davol, manufacturers of cotton machinery. Early in 1849 he joined a party from Boston on the ship Regulus around Cape Horn to San Francisco, arriving there on September 15, of that year. While in California he worked in dif- ferent gold mines until 1852, when he returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama. The following year he followed his trade of machinist, the next year engaged in the commission business, receiving butter, cheese and other products, in partnership with B. G. Chase. In 1858 he formed a partnership with Capt. James Brightman and William Marvel under the firm name of Brightman, Marvel & Slade, and en- gaged in importing West India molasses, sugar and other tropical products. This firm dissolved partnership in December, 1862. Mr. Slade then chartered the schoon- er Spencer D., which afterward, together with D. A. Brayton, he purchased and loaded with flour and sailed December 6 for New Orleans, just after the city was captured by Admiral Farragut. After disposing of his flour he brought back a cargo of molasses, making a very successful trip under dangerous conditions. The next year he engaged in the business of jobbing merchandise; in 1864 he bought the schooner Hydrangia and with a permit from Secretary Chase and Senator Sprague of Rhode Island, took a cargo of sutler's supplies to Hilton Head, South Carolina, returning in the fall of 1865. He then formed a copartnership with Nathan Chase and Howard B. Allen, under the firm name of Chase, Allen & Slade, and engaged in the wholesale grocery business on Bedford street. The present firm of Allen, Slade & Co , composed of George W. Slade, Edward B. Lake and B. S. C. Gifford, was formed in August, 1872, and has since continued. They have conducted a very large and successful trade as wholesale dealers in groceries and have six traveling salesmen employed and seventeen delivery wagons for the city trade. Mr. Slade is one of the oldest business men in Fall River and is still active and energetic. He has been engaged in the wholesale grocery business for forty years. In 1853 he married Lydia A. Lake of Fall River, and they had four children, only one now liv- ing, Susie M., wife of James M. Cameron of Fall River. In 1894 Mr. Slade visited Europe for an extended tour through Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Switzer- land, France, England, Ireland and Scotland.
Slade, John Palmer, president of the Laurel Lake Cotton Mills, was born in Som- erset, Mass., November 13, 1824, a lineal descendant of Edward Slade, who came from Wales to Newport, R. I., with the early settlers of that colony. William, son ot Edward, settled at Slade's Ferry in 1680, and was the founder of the Slade family of Somerset. The father of John P. died when the son was three years old, and his mother when he was fourteen. He went to live in the family of Capt. Robert Gibbs, a farmer of Somerset. He obtained his education in the schools of his native town and at Myers Academy at Warren. R. I. Having been thrown upon his own resources in his youth he early acquired a spirit of self-reliance, and by his energy and perseverance soon acquired a reputation among his associates for enterprise and correct business methods. He entered upon his prosperous career in 1841 at Fall River as a clerk in a grocery and drug store. Eight months later he went to George- town, South Carolina, where he engaged for a few months as a clerk, then as part- ner with his cousin, F. P. Cummings. They were cotton dealers and general mer- chants. Two years later Mr. Slade purchased his partner's interest, settled up the
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business and returned to Fall River where he has since resided. During the next seven years he served as clerk and conductor for the Fall River (now the Old Colony) Railroad Company ; from 1855 to 1858 he was a clerk and salesman for Hale Reming- ton, general commission merchant. In 1858 he engaged in the wholesale commis- sion and insurance business and has continued it with success ever since that date. In 1879 Mr. Slade associated with himself his eldest son, Leonard N. Slade, under the firm name of John P. Slade & Son. As the cotton manufacturing industry be- gan to develop in New England, Mr. Slade, with other progressive citizens, recog- nized the admirable facilities afforded by the water power of Fall River and gave en . couraging support to all new enterprises for the manufacture of cotton goods. In 1863 he was one of the original subscribers to the Granite Mills corporation, which was organized in his office and in which he served as director. When the Davol Mills were organized in 1867 he became one of the directors; he assisted in establish- ing the Shove Mills in 1872 and was made a director and the first treasurer; he also served as president of this corporation from 1875 to 1880. For several years he was a director of the Weetamoe Mills and since 1881 has been president of the Laurel Lake Mills. In all of these enterprises Mr. Slade has displayed marked executive and administrative ability. For a period of forty years he filled the position of sec- retary of the Five Cents Savings Bank, an institution that has been of the greatest usefulness to the city and now carries deposits to the amount of nearly $4,000,000. Since 1865 he has served as a director of the Fall River National Bank, the oldest financial institution in the city. In politics he is a Republican. In every position he has filled and in all the corporations with which he has been connected Mr. Slade has displayed energy, enterprise and good judgment.
Small, R. C., jr., was born in Provincetown, on Cape Cod, March 23, 1859, a son of R. C. and Catherine (Hooton) Small. He came to Fall River at thirteen years of age and went to work in the Durfee Mill at forty-eight cents a day. After eighteen months he entered the cloth room and a year later the card room, where he worked for three years before returning to the cloth room. He was fifteen years in the mills altogether and was overseer at the Richard Borden Mill for nearly three years. In 1885 the firm of Small Bros., comprising E. H. and R. C. Small, jr., was formed. The enterprise was started by Wm. H. Simmons and purchased by Small Bros. They are manufacturers of mill bandings, braids, spool tapes and cotton rope, and from a very modest beginning have built up a large business. They have more than doubled the capacity of their plant during the past year. The enterprise and ability of these gentlemen were manifested even when they were boys, for at the respec- tive ages of nine and twelve years they supported their father's family, as fish deal- ers, while their father was in the West. Mr. R. C. Small is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows, A. O. U. W., Pilgrim Fathers. and the N. E. O. of P. June 7, 1882, he married Annie A. Standish, a direct descendant of Miles Standish, and they have two children: Edith S. and Norman C. E. H. Small was born at Provincetown, on Cape Cod, March 15, 1862, and came to Fall River in 1872. He entered the Durfee Mill at fifteen years of age and subsequently worked in the Mer- chants' Mill. He worked three years in the mills and then went to work for W. H. Simmons in the twine business, with whom he continued until the partnership of Small Bros. was formed. Mr. Small is a member of the Odd Fellows, Royal Arca-
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num, Pilgrim Fathers, A. O. U. W., and other societies. February 15, 1882, he mar- ried Hannah G. Crowther, and they have three children: Reuben T., Ethel M., and Lillian H.
Smalley, Orrick, who died in New Bedford, July 29, 1894, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, was one of the best known of the old whaling captains which this section has developed. He was born in Dartmouth, but his parents were natives and resi- dents of Cape Cod and representatives of one of the oldest of Cape Cod families. He spent most of his active life at sea, being engaged as cook on a fishing schooner when but eight years old, and when scarcely in his teens, he walked from Cape Cod to New Bedford to ship on a whaling vessel, and at the age of twenty-five became master of a ship. In this capacity he rapidly acquired reputation among owners and for many years after his retirement was annually offered a ship. In the latter years of his life he held prominent places in the city government and during his service as city marshal made a record for fearless and efficient work in enforcing the no-license laws. He also served as inspector in the custom house for several years, and later as secretary of the Board of Overseers of the Poor, and while in this position, in a quiet undemonstrative way, he frequently lightened his own pocket book in assisting deserving cases which came to his notice. For fifty years he was a member, and most of the time an official, in the North Christian Church of New Bedford, and his death was mourned by all who had known and felt the influence of his sterling char- acter. Orrick Smalley, jr., son of Orrick and Deborah (Howland) Smalley, was born in New Bedford, February 15, 1852, and attended the public schools, graduating later from Scoffield's Business College, at Providence, R. I. For several years he went to sea, first engaged in whaling and later in the merchant and steamship ser- vice, and afterwards was employed by the Morse Twist Drill and Machine Company. While Mr. Smalley has never held public office, he is still well known in New Bed - ford. He married, February 17, 1874, Eliza A., adopted daughter of Captain Mat- thew Fisher of New Bedford, and they have had two children: Addie M., who is living, and Charles Henry (deceased). Harry T. Smalley, son of Orrick Smalley and brother of Orrick Smalley, jr., was born in New Bedford March 30, 1865, and is now living.
Smith, Abraham H , son of Thomas and Priscilla (Cornell) Smith, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., December 20, 1833. He was educated in the public schools of Dartmouth and in the Friends' Academy at Providence, R. I., from which institution he was graduated in 1852. In August, 1864, he enlisted in Co. E., 58th Mass. Vols., and served until honorably discharged at the close of the war, being wounded in one of the last battles fought during the Rebellion. After his recovery he returned to his home in Dartmouth and has since been engaged in farming. He represented this district in the State Legislature for two terms, 1874- 75, serving on the committees on agriculture and printing. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church of New Bedford for many years. The family at one time held a greater portion of that tract of land in Dartmouth called "Smith's Neck," hence the name. Mr. Smith has been twice married, first to Sarah, daughter of Ed- ward and Ruth (Cook) Cook, December 20, 1855. For his second wife he married, January 7, 1897, Julia, daughter of David and Elmira (Smith) Sisson of Dartmouth.
Smith, Daniel H., was born in Rehoboth, January 4, 1835, a son of Remember and
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Sally (Wilmarth) Smith and was educated in the public schools. In 1851 he came to Attleborough and learned the jeweler's trade with Thompson, Hayward & Co., and remained in the business until 1861. He then enlisted in Co. H., 24th Mass. Vols., and took part in the sieges of Charleston and Petersburg, and served until October, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge with rank of first sergeant; received appointment as captain of District 73, and as enrolling officer of the militia from Governor Andrews. In 1866 he established the firm of D. H. Smith & Co., manu- facturers of jewelry, and in 1868 purchased the company's interest and continued the business up to 1888, disposing of the business in January of that year. He is now engaged in the undertaking business and is employing the most scientific and modern methods of caring for the dead. In 1855 he married Abby A., daughter of Philander Stone. Mr. Smith has served as selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor and chief engineer of the fire department, a hose company being named in his honor.
Smith, Emerson, who has been a prominent contractor and builder in New Bed- ford for several years, was born in Norton, Bristol county, Mass., June 13, 1844, a son of Nathan and Olive (Willis) Smith. His father was also a native of Bristol county, born in Taunton, but lived most of his life in Norton Mr. Smith attended the schools in the vicinity of his home and was employed at different kinds of labor until seventeen years old. At this time he came to New Bedford and entered the employ of the New Bedford Copper Company to learn the trade of niixing yellow metals. Having thoroughly mastered this trade, or rather profession, and served the company for eight years, he returned to his native village and engaged in the business of manufacturing friction matches. Later he found a lucrative position with the American Screw Company, which he accompanied to Providence, R I., on its removal to that city, serving that company a little more than nine years, and when he severed his connection came again to New Bedford, where in 1881 he estab- lished a business as a builder and contractor, which has proved highly successful. He continued in active management of his contracts until 1892, and then owing to poor health decreased his business of building and contracting to a considerable ex- tent and gave his entire attention to the management of his real estate interests. With the exception of one year (1887) as councilman from Ward 1, Mr. Smith has never held public office. He married, in 1874, Ella M., daughter of Benjamin Frank- lin of Oxford, N. H., and they have one daughter, Olive F. Smith.
Smith, Frank E., was born in Rehoboth, Mass., April 26, 1857. His father, Re- member Smith, was a native of the same place and born on the homestead which was settled by Remember Smith, his father, and who was one of the pioneers of that town. Remember Smith, jr., married Sarah B., daughter of Seneca Sanford, and through life was identified as a farmer ; he died in 1891, and filled many positions of honor and trust in his town. Frank E. Smith was educated in the public schools and in 1876 came to Attleborough, where he learned the jewelry business with Sturdy Bros., and with Blake & Claflin, who succeeded thiem, for a period of twenty years. In 1896 Mr. Smith organized the firm of Allen, Smith & Thurston, making a specialty of silver novelties. In 1892 Mr. Smith married Julia M., daughter of Benjamin Wolcott.
Smith, Nathaniel Cannon, architect, is the son of William T. and Caroline A. (Brownell) Smith, and was born in New Bedford, Mass., January 18, 1866. He re-
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ceived a public and high school education in his native city, and afterward spent four years in Europe, traveling over the continent and studying architecture in Paris. In 1893 he returned to New Bedford, where he has since been engaged in the general practice of his profession.
Smith, Theron I., was born in Attleborough, April 9, 1836. His father, Stephen Smith, was a native of Mansfield, and came to Attleborough in 1835. He was a farmer and a man who was interested in public events; a strong temperance be- liever and took a great interest in the development of the anti-slavery cause and school and church matters. He died in 1851 in his fifty third year. Theron I. was educated in the common schools and at eighteen years left home and came to North Attleborough, where he entered the employ of Ira Richards & Co., jewelers, after- wards was in the employ of Draper, Tifft, Bacon, Barrows & Sturdy, Merritt and Draper. In 1865 he established business for himself in which he still continues. In 1856 he married Emily C., daughter of Abiel Codding, and they have one daughter, Mrs. H. H. Curtis. Mr. Smith was one of the men to organize and create the town of North Attleborough. Unassuming in character he has ever received and merited the respect of his associates, and it was through his efforts, with others, that a direct railroad line was established between North Attleborough and Boston.
Snow, Levi Morton, was born in Mattapoisett, Plymouth county, Mass., April 19, 1841. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and in 1858 went to Weymouth, Mass., where he studied for the drug business under the tutorship of Dr. E. L. Warren, a prominent physician of that town. In 1860 he came to Fair- haven, where he has since resided, with the exception of two years in Charlestown, Mass., as a clerk for Benjamin F. Stacey. When he first came to Fairhaven he se- cured a position as drug clerk for H. W. Richmond, but remained only a year and then went to Charlestown. He returned to Fairhaven in 1864 and entered the em- ploy of James I. Church, for whom he worked as clerk for twelve years. He pur- chased the business in 1876 and has since conducted it with most gratifying success. In addition to the legitimate drug trade he also deals to a considerable extent in fancy goods. The store has been located at the corner of Main and Center streets for upwards of fifty years and Mr. Snow has been connected with it as clerk and proprietor for thirty-six years of that time. He is one of the best known men in Fairhaven and enjoys the confidence and respect of a wide acquaintance. In 1879 he was elected a trustee of the Fairhaver Institution for Savings and in the follow- ing year a member of its board of investment. He has also been since 1880 a direc- tor of the First National Bank. Mr. Snow was trustee of the old Fairhaven Public Library for a number of years. He has been active in politics, having been chair- man of the Republican Town Committee for the past twelve years. He has also been a member for a number of years of the Republican District Committee. He was made a Mason in 1865 at Charlestown, Mass., and joined King Solomon Lodge of that city, demitted from there and became a charter member of Concordia Lodge, of Fairhaven, of which he was elected master in 1875. He took Chapter degrees in New Bedford, 1878; was made a Knight Templar in Sutton Commandery of New Bedford in 1893; elected royal and select master of New Bedford Council in the same year. In 1895 he was elected a member of Aleppo Shrine at Boston. Mr. Snow is also a member of the Massachusetts Pharmaceutical Association, of which he was
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