USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 115
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Wetherell, Orin B .- In the early days of the cotton industry in Fall River, many experts in carding, spinning, etc., were imported; among them was Daniel H. Weth- erell, who was a carder and expert roller coverer and who worked as a carder for some time and then turned his whole attention to the manufacture of leather covers for top rollers of cotton spinning and carding machinery, having noted with shrewd
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foresight that the demand for a business of this kind would constantly increase. He conducted such a business for many years and invented and improved most of the machinery now in use in the manufacture of roll covers. Later, his nephews, Orin B. and Daniel Wetherell, succeeded to the business, which had grown in proportion to the growth of the cotton industry. The latter died in 1893 and Orin B. took en- tire charge of the business. Orin B. Wetherell was born and educated at North Taunton, Mass. He was engaged for many years in the shoe manufacturing busi- ness and then came to Fall River. He has been identified with many prominent en- terprises of the city for over thirty-five years and has a wide acquaintance among cotton manufacturers. He married Hannah Barney, and they have one son, Howard B., who was born in Fall River. He attended the public and high schools and was graduated from the latter in the class of 1887; he then attended Phillips Exeter Academy and after graduation returned to Fall River to assist in his father's busi- ness. He was admitted to partnership in 1894, the firm name being then changed to its present form, O. B. Wetherell & Son. The business of this firm, though large, and requiring the employment of a large force of operatives, is almost entirely local.
Wexel, Henry, was born in Kongsberg, Norway, October 9, 1829. He learned the jeweler's and die cutter's trade and came to New York in September, 1852, where he worked as a jeweler until the spring of 1853. He then went to Providence, R. I., where he engaged in a jewelry factory as designer and die cutter, where he worked until the Civil war broke out. In 1860 he married Elizabeth Hudson of New York, who died in the spring of 1861, and in July of that year he enlisted in Co. A, 45th Regiment N. Y. Vols. In November he was commissioned lieutenant of Co. A, and served in Gen. Blanker's division, 11th Army Corps, Army of Potomac, with Gen. McClellan commander-in-chief. In the spring of 1862 the division was sent to West Virginia to serve with General Fremont, and were in the battle of Cross Keys, when General Jackson was driven out of the Shenandoah Valley, and was wounded in that battle. Shortly after, he resigned his commission on account of poor health and re- turned to Providence and again engaged in the manufacture of jewelry. In 1871 he went to Attleborough and was with J. M. Bates until 1876, when with J. C. Cummings he established the firm of Cummings & Wexel. Mr. Wexel invented and patented several sleeve and collar buttons, which this firm manufactured. In 1892 Mr. Wexel purchased Mr. Cummings's interest in the business and since then has continued un- der the name of H. Wexel & Co. Mr. Wexel is a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion, of the U. S. Commandery of the State of Massachusetts, of Will- iam A. Streeter Post, G. A. R., of Bristol Commandery, Knights Templar, and other Masonic bodies. In 1871 he married Helen A. Mason of Providence. Mrs. Wexel is president of the W. C. T. U. Society and an active member in the M. E. Church.
Wheaton, Hon. Laban M., was born in Norton, Mass., September 14, 1796, a son of Hon. Laban and Fanny (Morey) Wheaton. He obtained his early education at Wrentham and Middleborough Academies, afterward attending the University Grammar School at Providence, R. I., and graduated from Brown University in 1817, being then twenty-one years of age. After leaving the university he com- menced the study of law in his native town and practiced here until the care of his father's estates demanded his entire time. He was for many years postmaster; was several times elected to the Legislature, and served two terms as a member of the
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Governor's Council, and he was also trustee of the State Industrial School for Girls, at Lancaster, and with his wife, was in cordial sympathy with his father in the founding of the Wheaton Female Seminary. He was a lover of Christ and his church and was a liberal supporter of the gospel at home and abroad. He was married, June 25, 1829, to Eliza Baylies Chapin, of Uxbridge, Mass., daughter of Henry and Abigail (Baylies) Chapin, and they had no children. Mr. Wheaton died after a brief but painful illness, in Norton, January 17, 1865.
White, Albert A., was born in South Attleborough, January 4, 1827, a son of Damon and Melancy (Titus) White. He was educated in the common schools and in 1850 went to work for Phillips & Robinson, being paid four cents per hour. In 1854 he established a business for himself, which he continued for nearly forty years, when he retired. In 1853 Mr. White married Melissa A. Draper, and they have one son, Damon A.
White, Augustus, son of Phinehas and Betsey (Walker) White, was born in the town of Fairhaven (now Acushnet), Bristol county, Mass., September 26, 1832. Mr. White has always lived or remained on the farm with his father. In 1869 he married Angie M. White, and they had five children: Marie C., Walter A., Henry C., Edward N. and Emma L. Mrs. White died August 7, 1885. Mr. White is a lineal descendant of William White, who came from England to this country on the Mayflower in 1620.
White, Charles P., is a native of Taunton, and after receiving his education in the public schools, entered the iron foundry at Whittenton to learn the trade of iron moulder. Mr. White worked at that and the other parts of the foundry business until 1882, when he started in business for himself under the firm name of White, Walker & Co. This firm was continued until 1885 when Mr. Walker retired and Mr. Richard E. Warner was admitted, the firm name being changed to White, Warner & Co., which continued until January 1, 1897, when Mr. Howard A. Tinkham was admitted, and they made a corporation of the firm under the style of the White Warner Co., of which Mr. White is president. They manufacture stoves, ranges and furnaces and have built up a large business in that line.
White, Guilford, was born in Easton, Mass., August 17, 1822, son of Col. Alanson and Rebecca (Billings) White. His father was identified as a carpenter; was en- gaged in the war of 1812; was a representative in 1851, and was one of the original Whigs, afterward a Republican. He traces his descent from John White, who was a son of Nicholas White, who landed at Weymouth, but was found in 1638 at Dor- chester. Guilford White is the fourth child of the sixth generation. He studied at North Bridgewater Academy and Mr. Perkins's school in the old chapel at Easton Centre; in January, 1856, began the study of law in J. H. & T. L. Wakefield's office, and in 1857 was examined for admission to the bar and was admitted in the Supreme Court at Boston, afterward, in 1867, being admitted in the United States Circuit Court at Boston. September 14, 1845, he married Olivia J, daughter of Oliver Jackson, and they have had five children: Berlin; Olive G. (deceased), Levio G., Ida J., who married Frank M. Hayward; and Catherine J., deceased. Mrs. Guilford White died January 3, 1892. Mr. White served on the board of County Commission- ers three years; has written and published many letters and pieces for the press on political economy; several have been collected and published in book form; he has
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several times delivered the memorial address before the G. A. R. post on Decoration Day. He is an honored member of St. Albans Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Foxboro, Mass., and has passed through all the degrees of Keystone R. A. Chapter. He is a" much respected citizen of Easton and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.
White, Lysander Washburn, is a lineal descendant in the eighth generation of Peregrine White, who came to this country from England, on the Mayflower, in 1620. He is a grandson of Jerathmel and his wife, Alice (Howland) White, son of John and Eliza A. (Gifford) White, and was born in Westport, Bristol county, Mass., December 27, 1854. He attended the public schools until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he went to work on a farm. On January 1, 1881, he married Betsy Smith, daughter of William W. and Caroline H. (Gidley) Chace, and they have one son, William C., born April 24, 1884. Mrs. White was one of two children; her sister is the wife of Frank P. Gidley.
Whiting, Elisha Sumner, was born in Fairhaven, February 2, 1847, a son of Sum- ner and Hannah (Gibbs) Whiting. His father made voyages in whaling vessels for a number of years and also conducted a business in Fairhaven as a manufacturer of ship rigging. During his boyhood Mr. Whiting attended the schools of Fairhaven and after completing his education engaged in farming, which occupation he con- tinued for five years. In 1868 he established a meat and provision business on Cen- ter street, Fairhaven, and still conducts the business at the location upon which he started, his store being one of the old landmarks. He is a member of Concordia Lodge, F. & A. M., and in politics he is a Republican. In 1868 he married Sarah F. Bowen, daughter of Anson D. Bowen of Fairhaven, and they have three children : Elisha S., jr., Elsie L. and Sarah.
Whiting, F. M. (deceased), was born in North Attleborough, April 21, 1849. His father, William D. Whiting, was a descendant of William Whiting of Boston, Eng- land, who was taxed as a citizen there in 1333. John Whiting was mayor of that borough in 1600 and 1608 His son, Samuel, a minister of the established church, failed to conform to all its tenets and emigrated to the American colonies in 1636, settling at Lynn, Mass. Nathaniel Whiting emigrated from Boxford, Suffolk county, England, in 1635, and settled in Wrentham, where he was one of the orig- inal land owners of that town. He married Hannah Dwight, September 4, 1643. David, the fourth generation from Nathaniel, married Hannah Wollcott, and their son, Capt. Lemuel Whiting, married, July 2, 1811, Nancy, daughter of Oliver and Polly (Daggett) Blackinton. His eldest son was William Dean Whiting, born De- cember 23, 1815, who spent his first years on his father's farm, his father dying when he was seven years old, and he at once began to support himself working out by the day. When fourteen years of age he became an apprentice to Draper & Tifts, jeweler manufacturers, and for six years gave his entire attention to it, which busi- ness he thoroughly mastered and became an expert. In 1837 he was appointed fore- man of H. M. Richards's shop at East Attleborough, and in 1839 began business for himself in a modest way. In 1840 he organized and founded the firm of Tift & Whiting, with a joint capital of $500. From this starting point resulted the business house of W. D. Whiting, at present Frank M. Whiting & Co., which is known and recognized throughout the United States and Europe. In 1839, December 17, he
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married Rebecca Damon, daughter of Pitt and Lucy (Damon) Butterfield of Ded- ham. Frank M. Whiting was born April 21, 1849, educated at Norwich Military Academy at Northfield, Vt., and was graduated in 1868, receiving the degree of B.S. He then entered the factory of his father, remaining there until 1878, when he or- ganized the firm of Holbrook, Whiting & Albee, which continued up to 1880. His father then purchased the interests of Messrs. Holbrook and Albee and the firm name was changed to and continued to be Frank M. Whiting & Co. In 1881, June 21, he married Florence L., daughter of Edwin and Dorcas (Doane) Hancock, whose family were among the pioneer settlers of Wrentham, having received a grant of land from the queen covering the entire town. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting had two daughters, Marion D. and Helen J. For some time before Mr. Whiting's death, which occurred May 28, 1892, he had received warning not only from his friends, but from nature, that his end was near, but his indomitable energy would not allow him to give up. He was interested in the public events of his town, a director in North Attleborough National Bank and many other enterprises and societies. Of him it may well be said "an honest man is the noblest work of God."
Whitmarsh, William Zebina, treasurer of the Dighton Stove Lining Co., was born in Dighton, October 31, 1840, a son of William B. and Abbie F. (Atwood) Whit- marsh. He received his early education in the public schools of Dighton and the Dighton Academy. At the close of his school days he went to sea and followed it for a number of years. In 1870 he was appointed as station agent for the Old Colony Railroad at Dighton, and this position he held for twelve years, when he left to accept the one he now fills as treasurer of the Dighton Stove Lining Company. Mr. Whitmarsh is a member of King David Lodge, F. & A. M., St. Mark's Royal Arch Chapter, and the K. of H. In November, 1880, he married Lydia R., daughter of Daniel H. and Emily N. (Nichols) Horton, and they have one daughter, Florence Esther, born April 29, 1883.
Wilbar, Joseph Edwards, was born in Taunton, July 9, 1832, a son of Joseph and Fanny M. (Lincoln) Wilbar. His early education was obtained in the schools of his native town, and at the age of seventeen he entered the office of register of deeds for the Northern District of Bristol county, as clerk for his father, who was register at the time, continuing in that position until 1860, when he was appointed postmas- ter of Taunton, which position he held until 1865. On retiring from the post-office he re-entered the register's office, serving as clerk and assistant register until his election as register in January, 1874. Mr. Wilbar succeeded his father, who was register for almost thirty-three years, and has held the office continuously since his first election. Mr. Wilbar has been a trustee of the Bristol County Savings Bank since January, 1874, and its president since January, 1882. He is also a director in the Bristol County National Bank. Mr. Wilbar married Emma Barrows of Norton, daughter of Albert and Harriet (Ide) Barrows, and they have five children: Albert E., Arthur L., Charles B., Helen M. and Louise R.
Wilbur, Hubert Granville, physician and surgeon, son of Benjamin and Ruth (Wilbur) Wilbur, was born in Washington county, Maine, December 18, 1859. His grandfather, William W. Wilbur, was a native of Massachusetts and migrated to Maine during the early history of the State soon after its admission to the Union in 1820. After the death of his father, Dr. Wilbur came with his sisters to Fall River,
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where he attended the public schools, graduating from the High School in 1882. He worked his own way through the High School by teaching in the evening schools and by other work. He entered Harvard in 1882 and was graduated in 1886. Dur- ing those years he was employed in the summer months in order to make money to pay his way through college. After spending one year as a canvasser he matricu - lated at Harvard Medical School in 1887, receiving his degree from that institution in 1889, having pursued part of his medical course while a student in the classical department. He was house physician at the Boston City Hospital for eighteen months, and for six months was assistant in a private institution for mental and nerv- ous diseases. In August, 1891, Dr. Wilbur began his practice in Fall River, where he has since continued as a general practitioner with encouraging success. He is a member of Fall River Medical Society since 1889, and of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is on the staff of the Emergency Hospital of Fall River and was elected a member of the Boston Medico-Psychological Society in 1889. November 24, 1892, Dr. Wilbur married Evangeline S. Ward, daughter of John and Susan Ward of Boston. Of this union are two children: Hubert Ray and John Cotter Wilbur.
Wilcox, Daniel Seabury, son of Allan and Content (Tripp) Wilcox, was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., December 8, 1837. His early education was obtained in the public schools and at the age of twenty-one he began farming on his own account. He has devoted his entire life to agriculture and has been suc- cessful. He married, in June, 1879, Ruth A., daughter of Uriah Head of Dart- mouth, and five children have been born to them: Mary C., Herbert A., Flora M., Ruth A. and Daniel J. In politics Mr. Wilcox has always been a Republican. The family is one of the oldest of this section, Mr. Wilcox being directly descended from William Wilcox, who came from England about 1630. The farm on which lives has been in the-possession of the family since 1796. Both his father and grandfather were well known and highly respected in the community.
Wilcox, Joseph, jr., eldest son of Joseph and Rebecca (Perkins) Wilcox, was born in New Bedford, Mass., October 9, 1808. (His ancestry is mentioned in connection with the sketch of Thomas Wilcox.) He was educated in the public schools of New Bedford and at the Friends' School in Providence and afterward learned the trade of carriage maker in his native town with Peleg Clark. Later he went to sea and be- came a master mariner, making some four whaling voyages. Subsequently he lived a retired life until his death, January 16, 1898. Captain Wilcox was widely respected and esteemed; he was very methodical, scrupulously honest, and kind hearted, and took a deep interest in the affairs of his city. June 2, 1831, he married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Rice of Boston, and they had three children: Mary Eliz- abeth of New Bedford; Henry Perkins of Indianapolis, Ind .; and Rebecca P., who married Charles E. Ellis of New Bedford. Mrs. Wilcox died in July, 1897.
Wiley, William John, manager of the Academy of Music, a son of Robert and Mary Wiley, was born in Fall River, April 14, 1854. His parents came to Fall River from the north of Ireland in 1852. Mr. Wiley received his educational training in the public schools of his native city and spent three years in the High School. He then accepted the position of clerk in the Weetamoe Mills and remained several years in that capacity, when he became bookkeeper and later head salesman for P. D. Conant & Co. of Fall River, continuing with that firm fourteen years. In 1888 Mr. Wiley
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became manager of the Fall River Academy of Music, which position he at present fills. He is also agent for the N. B. Borden estate in the management of the Borden block on South Main street. He was a member of the Common Council from Ward 6 for one term, held the office of alderman for Ward 9 for seven years, and was the Republican nominee for mayor of Fall River against Dr. J. H. Coughlin, who was elected. Mr. Wiley married Clara Louise Macomber of Fall River, and they have two children; George S. and Robert M.
Williams, G. B .- George Bassett, and Edwin Williams, are sons of George and Harriet (Bassett) Williams of Raynham, Mass. George B. was born March 31, 1844, and Edwin December 29, 1856. They both received their education in the pub- lic schools and then attended the Bristol Academy at Taunton, and Pierce Academy at Middleborough. After their school days were over they worked with their father on the farm, engaged in fishing on Taunton River, and in the manufactory of box boards. In 1875 George B. took the business and continued it until 1879, when Ed- win was admitted partner and the firm has remained the same up to the present time. They are both members of Ionic Lodge, F. & A. M. of Taunton. George B. was married January 23, 1879, to Caroline B. Dyer of New Bedford. They have one son, George Everett, born July 22, 1891. Edwin was married June 15, 1884, to Carolyn F. Young of Matinicus, Me. She died March 20, 1897.
Williams, Harry S., son of Nathan and Caroline T. (Richmond) Williams, was born in Taunton, Mass., January 23, 1864. His father was also a native of Taunton, and a well known box and cask manufacturer, his planing mill being located at East Taunton. He was for many years one of the selectmen of the town, a member of the first Board of Aldermen after the change of government, and has since served several times on the board, representing Wards 4 and 5. Mr. Williams is a member of one of the oldest New England families, being a lineal descendant and seventh of the line of Richard Williams, who was one of the earliest settlers of Taunton, of con- siderable prominence in colonial history and a brother of Roger Williams. The direct line of the family has been continued in Taunton and vicinity from the original settlement. During his boyhood Mr. Williams attended the Taunton public schools and was graduated from the High School in the class of 1882. Subsequently he en- tered Harvard University, remaining two years, and later entered the Boston Uni- versity School of Law, which he attended until the spring of 1887. In the fall of 1887 he went to New York city and entered the law office of Jackson & Hubbell (Gen Joseph C. Jackson and Charles B. Hubbell). After the dissolution of this firm he continued with Mr. Hubbell in the firm of Safford & Hubbell and later in the firm of Hubbell, Safford & Wickes (Charles B. Hubbell, W. H. Safford and Thomas P. Wickes, then assisiant corporation counsel of the city of New York.) In each of these law firms Mr. Williams was managing clerk; he remained with the last mentioned firm until 1892. Mr. Williams was admitted to the New York bar in June, 1890, and in 1892 began to practice at No. 3 Broad street, where he continued until he removed to Taunton in May, 1894. Mr. Williams has always been affiliated with the Repub- lican party and is a member of the Republican City Committee. In 1895 he was elected city solicitor and filled the office with ability. He formed a partnership with Lloyd E. White, under the firm name of White & Williams, in 1896. Mr. Williams married, July 5, 1896, Alice E., daughter of Capt. James B. Boswell, a native of dd
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Salem, Mass., but who spent most of his life in Shanghai, China. Of their union is one daughter, Florence Boswell Williams.
Williams, Philander, was born in Taunton, February 7, 1829, a son of Simeon and Eliza Ann (Leonard) Williams. In early life he attended the public schools and Bristol Academy, and then went to work for his father and at the age of sixteen could make and burn a kiln of bricks. Not being satisfied with this, in 1845 he left on a whaling cruise of three years, and when he returned from this he engaged in shoemaking, which he followed for six or seven years. During this time he had been married and when he was twenty-six years old his wife died. He was then employed as a clerk in the grocery store of Jackson & Dean, in the same location as he is to- day. Shortly after Mr. Dean retired and Mr. Williams bought his interest and it was carried on as Jackson & Williams, and remained so for twelve years. One year of this time was spent in the army, where he was second lieutenant of Co. K, 4th Regiment, M. V. M. When Mr. Jackson retired Mr. Williams took the entire charge of the store and runs it to-day under the name of P. Williams & Co. He has been one of the trustees of the Bristol County Savings and director of the Bristol County National Bank for a number of years. He has been married twice, first, in 1852, to Nancy T. Walker of Raynham, and second, in 1857, to Amelia A. Hall of. Taunton, and the have two sons: Charles T. and Allston E.
Williams, Dr. William E., dentist, was born in Warren, R. I., March 12, 1827. His parents, Thomas C. and Eliza (Smith) Williams, were descendants of early set- tlers in Rhode Island; his father was cashier of the Hope Bank at Warren; his grandfather resided at Newport, where his father was born. Dr. Williams was ed- ucated in the public schools of his native town and then learned the jewelry busi- ness, which he followed for two years. Owing to impaired health he discontinued that business and began the study of dentistry in an office at Warren. After hav- ing carefully prepared himself for his profession he practiced for one year at Nan- tucket and removed to Fall River the year it was incorporated a city. The pop- ulation has increased nearly ninefold since he became a resident. When Dr. Will- iams came to Fall River there were but two practicing dentists in the city. Owing to his skill and special aptitude for his profession he soon built up a large busi- ness, which he has continuously held during the long period of forty-four years. He was the first dentist in Bristol county to manufacture and use nitrous-oxide gas for extracting teeth without pain. When he began his profession dentistry was still in its infancy; it was practiced as an art but had not been reduced to a science. There were, however, some skillful operators. Dr. Williams in his early practice made some of his own instruments and dental supplies. By close atten- tion to business and long and successful experience he kept in touch with the ad- vancement and improvements and has always held high rank in his profession. Dr. Williams married Susan T. Hathaway in 1849, who died in 1891, leaving one daughter, Emma, wife of George F. Mellen of Fall River.
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