USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 119
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years, was constable for twenty-two years, and is now one of the town inspectors. He was one of the charter members of the South Bristol Farmers' Club. Genial, kind and affable, he has always won the esteem and hearty good will of his fellow citizens.
Braley, Albert Loring, son of Loring and Bessie B. (Whiting) Braley, is a native of New Bedford, born June 22, 1871, but for the greater part of his life has lived in Fairhaven. His father was a sea captain and well known in this vicinity. Mr. Braley was educated in the schools of Fairhaven and New Bedford and after leaving school became a clerk in the book store owned by H. S. Hutchinson with whom he remained two years. Later he entered the employ of the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company and remained in the capacity of shipping clerk for two years. He began his present loan and bicycle business in 1893 at No. 99 Union street, and has been very successful. He is a member of Acushnet Lodge of Odd Fellows. In 1894 he married Lucinda M., daughter of Capt. William Woodhouse of Providence, R. I.
Briggs, George E., son of Elihu and Mary E. (Baker) Briggs, was born in Baker- ville village, Dartmouth, August 22, 1854. His father is descended in the eighth generation from John Briggs, who settled at Newport, R. I., in 1637 and whose son Thomas became one of the fifty-six "proprietors" of Dartmouth in 1694. His mother is the daughter of the late Capt. Michael and Jane Eliza (Dixon) Baker who was born in Alexandria, Va., January 2, 1808, and still occupies the old homestead at Bakerville which has sheltered her for the past seventy-five years. George E. Briggs attended the district schools of Dartmouth until he was ten years old, when the family removed to New Bedford and he completed his education in the New Bedford High School. After leaving school he was employed a short time as clerk in a dry goods store, and in 1871 began a service of four years with the Morse Twist Drill and Machine Company. In 1875 he went to learn the carpenter's trade with his father, who for many years was successfully engaged in contracting and building in this vicinity, and in 1879 was admitted to partnership with him. This was dis- solved in 1883, when the son continued in business alone. After constructing many buildings in various sections of the city, evidence of his thorough workmanship (among which may be mentioned the Winslow building, Lowell's carriage factory and the residence of the late Eben Perry), he retired from active participation in business as a contractor in 1891. He had now naturally become largely interested in real estate and its development and has demonstrated his firm belief in the perma- nence of New Bedford's industries by building nearly one hundred tenements on his own account. He now gives his whole attention to these interests. Mr. Briggs is a . man who never sought public office but one to whom office has, on more than one occasion, come unsolicited. He served in the Common Council in 1882-83-84 and on the Board of Assessors in 1894-95-96, the last two years being chairman of the board. Mr. Briggs is, by nature, a man of strong character, firm convictions, and a deep thinker. He has been prominently identified with many enterprises and re- forms which have contributed much to the growth and welfare of the city, and to his persistence and courage can be attributed his remarkable success in these lines. New Bedford, like other cities settled by Quakers or Non-Conformists, was built with narrow streets almost uniformly but forty feet in width. Mr. Briggs had hardly taken his seat in the Common Council when he protested against a continu-
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ance of this ancient and short-sighted policy and successfully led a movement with the result that the city has been vastly improved in this respect, and the newer sections have been laid out with fine streets and avenues fifty, sixty and even eighty feet wide. Mr. Briggs's influence has never been lacking in any movement calcu- lated to improve by widening the older and cramped business thoroughfares and approaches to the city. He was a vigorous advocate for the new county bridge now building across the Acushnet River, and it is largely due to him that this magnifi- cent structure was made seventy feet wide. Mr. Briggs's service on the Board of Assessors has given him more prominence than was ever before accorded one who has served New Bedford in this capacity. He had taken for some considerable period an active part in the agitation for a needed reform in the methods of assess- ing real estate taxes, which had not kept pace with the growth of the city, and, in March, 1894, consented to become a candidate for the unexpired term of Assessor William A. Russell. He was elected, radical reforms were at once instituted and in the following December he became a candidate for re-election. In the face of un- paralleled business depression the land valuation had been increased from $9,876,- 647 to $14,712,601, the total valuation of assessed estate from $44,475,095 to $51, 434,- 925 and with a tax levy over $26,000 larger than the levy of 1893, the tax rate was reduced from $17.50 to $15.60 and more than one-third of the valuations had been re- duced or left unchanged. This was undoubtedly the most radical reform in methods of assessment ever attempted in one year by any New England city. Mr. Briggs was a leader in the organization of the Whitman Mills, which, after the depression of '94, greatly stimulated the growth of the entire city in 1895-96, and has been a director of the company since its incorporation. He was an energetic promoter of the Semi-Centennial Celebration in 1897 and no member of the general committee contributed more to its success. In March, 1897, the City Council voted an appro- priation of $8,000 for the celebration, contingent upon $2,000 more being raised by the citizens. The severe industrial reverses shortly after, developed strong opposi- tion to the affair in some quarters, and in June a reconsideration of the vote was threatened by the Council. Two days before the Council met the opposition was completely surprised and silenced by Mr. Briggs, who announced at the first meet- ing of the Citizens' Committee, that in two days subscriptions had been secured amounting to $2,040. The celebration was probably the most elaborate affair of the kind ever attempted in the State outside of Boston and proved a great popular suc- cess. Mr. Briggs was chairman of the Industrial Exhibition and acting chairman of the Military and Civic Parade Committees, which managed the two great features of the event. Mr. Briggs was one of the incorporators of the New Bedford Textile School. This enterprise had been singularly unfortunate since its organization in 1896. In one year two presidents had been lost by death. This, together with the severe financial troubles and prolonged strike following so closely, had naturally created a feeling of apathy for the undertaking; and when Mr. Briggs accepted the presidency in the spring of 1898, the future of the school was somewhat uncertain. $50,000 has since been paid into the treasury from the city and the Commonwealth ; a very desirable and centrally located site on Purchase street secured and a three- story brick building with limestone trimmings, about 64 by 110 feet in size, is now being erected for the institution which is expected to be in operation before March 1, 1899. This will be the first building constructed for a textile school in this coun-
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try, the Philadelphia, Pa., and Lowell, Mass., schools occupying structures built for other purposes. Mr. Briggs is a director of the Board of Trade and member of the Wamsutta Club. He married, November 18, 1885, Louise, daughter of Thomas Donaghy of New Bedford, and they have one son, George E. Briggs, jr., born No- vember 26, 1891.
Brightman, Oliver P., son of Jeremiah and Deborah (Potter) Brightman, was born in Westport, February 7, 1822. His father, also a native of Westport, was for many years a captain in the coastwise trade, and during his boyhood Mr. Brightman at- tended school a few months of the year, and during the balance of the time went to sea on his father's ship. When seventeen years old he came to New Bedford and began an apprenticeship to the tinsmithing and plumbing trade, in the employ of the firm of Henry V. Davis & Co., and at the end of five years he was enabled to pur- chase Mr. Davis's interest and become a partner in the firm, the other members being his brother, Nathan P. Brightman, and Isaiah Wood. When he became a member of the firm (October, 1844) the name was changed to Wood, Brightman & Co., under which style it still continues, although Mr. Brightman and his brother have not been connected with the business for some years, Mr. Brightman having retired in 1881. The firm were extensive dealers in tin and sheet iron and contrac- tors for plumbing, steam fitting, etc., and Mr. Brightman, being a practical work- man was enabled to manage his share of their large interests very successfully, and the firm gained a wide reputation in this vicinity. Mr. Brightman has represented Ward 3 in the Council five terms, 1862-63-64-65 and 1884, and in 1885-86 he repre- sented this district in the State Legislature. He is a director of the Citizens' Bank and of several manufacturing corporations ; also a trustee and member of the board of in- vestment of the Five Cents Savings Bank. He has served for several years as trustee of the Unitarian Church and has been a member for some time of Vesta Lodge of Odd Fellows. The Brightman family, as is elsewhere mentioned in this work, is one of the oldest in this section. In 1852 Mr. Brightman married Sarah J., daughter of Otis H. Pierce, of New Bedford, and they have four children: Charles O., Edward P., Arthur G. and Sarah E., wife of Dr. A. L. Shockley of New Bedford.
Brow, Ezra W., proprietor of Quequechan Laundry, Durfee and Central streets, established November 1, 1897, occupies one entire building 40 by 70 feet, three sto- ries, and is fitted up with steam power and all the latest improved modern laundry machinery, and also has an extensive steam carpet beating establishment in connec- tion with it. Mr. Brow, a native of Fall River, was born August 24, 1864, and began his early business life after school days by working in Eddy's Mills. From there he went with the Fall River Laundry, and remained with them eleven and a half years. For two and a half years he was with the Maple Street Laundry and five years with the Empire Laundry, having over seventeen years' experience before he embarked in his present venture. Mr. Brow has associated with him in the business, of which he is the manager and secretary, Mr. Wesley S. Mills, who is the treasurer. Mr. Mills is a native of Clifton, Ont., but has been a resident of Fall River nearly twenty years and is a pushing young man. The volume of business enjoyed by the Que- quechan Laundry has continued to increase from the first day it began operations, until at the present time it is the intention to erect a large and more commodious building for the growing needs of the business. Hotel, family and commercial work
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are among the paying classes of business enjoyed by this thriving institution, which, considering its short existence, bids fair to become one of the leading institutions of its kind in Fall River.
Brown, E. C., was born in North Providence, May 28, 1842. His father, Elisha Brown, was a native of Barton. Vt., and married Phoebe, daughter of General Fenton, and was engaged through life in farming; he came to South Attleborough in 1872. E. C. Brown was educated in the Providence schools and followed farming for some years. In 1877 he married Elizabeth, daughter of James F. and Sarah W. Tripp of New Bedford, and in 1880 moved to North Attleborough. Mr. Brown has served the town as constable, overseer of the poor and for twenty years as deputy sheriff. As deputy sheriff he has been very successful in criminal cases, and as a detective has a well-earned reputation in the Commonwealth.
Brownell, Alvin Church, was born in Little Compton, R. I., September 28, 1835. His early schooling was obtained in the public schools of Rhode Island and after completing his education he went to work as a clerk in a dry goods store. June 8, 1854, he came to Taunton and was employed with the firm of J. S. Rounds & Co., dry goods, remaining with them about three years, and in 1857 he started in business for himself under the firm name of Harris & Brownell, at the same place where he is found to-day. In 1862 he opened his present store for the sale of stoves, tinware and kitchen furnishings and has been in the business continuously ever since, making a record of thirty-five years. In 1856 Mr. Brownell married Amelia E., daughter of Lemuel M. and Mary Leonard, and they have two daughters: Mary Abbie and Hat- tie Leonard.
Brownell, George H. B., son of Ezekiel and Hannah (Sisson) Brownell, was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., in April, 1826. He received his early education in the common schools, such as were offered in those days, attending school in the winter months and working on his father's farm in the summer. Mr. Brownell has devoted his entire life to agriculture and is now enjoying the fruits of his labors. In August, 1850, he married Nancy O. Rounds, and they had five chil- dren: Hattie, wife of Edward Kirby, Charles A., Ezekiel and Henry and Frank (twins). Mrs. Brownell died, and in 1857 Mr. Brownell married Louise Devaul and they have one son, George R. Mr. Brownell has always taken an active interest in public affairs, but has never held or aspired to public office. He is one of Westport's most respected and honored citizens.
Brownell, John Almy, clerk of the Board of Assessors of Fall River, was born in South Boston, June 16, 1861, a son of James H. and Maria M. (Davis) Brownell. He attended the public schools of his native place for a short time, but when he was a boy of seven the family removed to Fall River, where he has ever since resided. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Fall River High School in the class of 1880. After graduation he became engaged in the wholesale and retail cigar business and later in contracting under William A. Chapman & Company and C. F. and J. M. Hull. He remained in these two occupations until 1886, when he successfully passed the civil service examinations and in the same year was ap- pointed to his present position by Hon. William S. Greene, who was then mayor. Mr. Brownell has served faithfully as clerk of the Board of Assessors for nearly thir-
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1
teen years, and has gained a wide circle of friends among those with whom he is brought in contact by virtue of his position. He is a member of Friendly Union Lodge No. 164, I.O.O.F., of Manitou Lodge No. 87, I.O. R.M., and of Pocasset Lodge No. 134, K. of P. He is also a member and has been for some time, treasurer of the Columbian Club. For the past four years he has been secretary of the Association of Massachusetts Assessors. February 14, 1894, he married Lillie M., daughter of Alfred W. Lovejoy of Chelsea, Mass., and of their union one son was born, Clarence L. Mr. Brownell is a lineal descendant in the ninth generation of Thomas Brown- ell, who was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1619, married in 1638, and settled at Portsmouth (now Little Compton), R. I., in 1639. Robert,2 son of Thomas, was born at Portsmouth in 1652, and died July 22, 1728; Anne,3 daughter of Robert; Ichabod, 4 born in Portsmouth; Benjamin,5 son of Ichabod, was born in Dartmouth, June 13, 1734, and died December 30, 1816; he married Phebe Potter, August 18, 1753; Abner, 6 born in Westport, June 21, 1756, married Hannah Crary of Groton, Conn., Septem- ber 5, 1784, and died January 13, 1851, and was a prominent merchant and citizen of Bristol county, being a member of the State House of Representatives and the first town clerk of Westport; Frederick,7 son of Abner, was born in Westport, February 14, 1789, and died April 8, 1872; he held several town offices and other positions of honor; he married, first, Charlotte A. Sisson of Little Compton, R. I., 1812; his sec- ond wife was Hannah A. Gifford of Westport; James H.,8 son of Frederick and Charlotte A. (Sisson) Brownell, was born in Westport, April 18, 1821, and for a num- ber of years was engaged in whaling. He later established a restaurant in Boston on Brattle street, next to Marston's. For the last thirty years he has been in the cotton manufacturing business, being now in charge of a plant of the Westport Man- ufacturing Company. On October 11, 1854, he married Maria M. Davis of West- port, Mass., and of this union were born four children: Ruth D., James F., John A. and Lena M.
Bryant, John I., son of John and Jeannette (Browne) Bryant, was born in Ban- don, Cork county, Ireland, March 1, 1850. When he was an infant the family re- moved to this country, settling in Fairhaven, where they resided for a short time and then removed to New Bedford. John I. Bryant's parents died when he was quite young, so that the restrictions of the public schools were soon thrown off and he be- gan to shift for himself with practically no education. When but nine years old he began work in the Wamsutta Mills; later he worked on a farm, and at the remarka- bly early age of fifteen enlisted in Battery B, 3d U. S. Heavy Artillery. Here he had found a calling suited to his taste and he applied himself heart and soul to his duties with the result that he was appointed a corporal in the first year of his service and a sergeant in the second. After an interval of two years he again enlisted in the same battery, but was transferred to Battery F, 2d Artillery, in which he was made corporal and later first sergeant. He served during the " Reconstruction Period" in the South, on the frontier and on the Pacific coast. During his service in the South he was given command at different times of parties of men sent to capture moon- shiners and outlaws, and during his entire term was frequently sent on detached ser- vice, commanding scouting parties, in charge of signal stations, overseeing labor of prisoners, etc. He was also placed in charge at different times of the transportation of baggage and supplies as the battery moved from place to place. His discharge
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reads: "Character excellent in every respect; a first-class soldier and non-commis- sioned officer, and a reliable, energetic man worthy of confidence." After leaving the army Mr. Bryant learned the trade of stone cutting, which he followed for several years. He settled in Fairhaven in 1873 and has now become one of the leading citi- zens of that village, possessing the respect and confidence of all who recognize his sterling character. He has served for six years as selectman and overseer of the poor, being chairman of both boards for five years of that time. He has also served six years on the Board of Health, five as chairman; in addition he has been surveyor of highways, superintendent of streets and constable, in which capacity he has ren- dered excellent service, bringing to justice several noted offenders. He is now acting as assistant superintendent of streets. Mr. Bryant has always been active in politi- cal circles and has served for some time as chairman of the Democratic Town Com- mittee. He has also served for eight years as chairman of the Third Bristol Sena- torial Committee; for a number of years as a member of the Democratic County Committee; and for the past four years as a member of the Democratic State Com- mittee. In July, 1894, he was appointed United States storekeeper at Boston and served in that capacity until he was appointed postmaster of Fairhaven by President Cleveland in January, 1895. Although he started in life with no education, he has, by close application and judicious reading, become a student of no mean ability and is a frequent contributor to the press and a fluent speaker. Mr. Bryant was married in 1876 to Elizabeth B., daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Baker.
Buckley, Hon. Daniel F., was born in Easton, December 3, 1864, a son of Daniel and Catherine Buckley. He graduated from the Easton High School in 1881, and was president of the Alumni Association from 1887 to 1897. He studied law at the Boston University Law School, was graduated in 1885 and admitted to the bar at Taunton, Mass., in March, 1886. Mr. Buckley opened an office at Taunton, in con- nection with his office at North Easton, and he entered at once upon a lucrative law practice. Shortly afterwards Mr. Buckly became identified with politics; in 1890 he was elected a member of the Democratic State Committee, in 1892 he was secretary of that organization, and in 1893 and 1894 was elected chairman of the executive committee. He served in that capacity until he resigned in 1895 to accept the posi- tion of surveyor of the port of Boston, to which he was appointed by President Cleveland on January 29, 1895. Mr. Buckley is one of the highly respected, progress- ive and influential citizens of North Easton; genial and polished in manner, he has always taken a very deep interest in his town and townspeople.
Buffinton, Hiram Barzillia, was born in Swansea, Mass., December 24, 1857, a son of Philip and Lydia A. (Gardner) Buffinton. He received his education in Swansea and in 1875 went to the Friends' School in Providence, where he remained nearly two years. In 1876 he engaged in the undertaking and furnishing business with his father in Warren, R. I. In 1888 he left Warren and moved to Fall River, where he bought out the business of E. S. Raymond, remaining there one year, and engaged in the same work in Brockton, going from there to Providence, R. I., where he made a special study of the care of bodies after death. He stayed there until 1895 and then came to Taunton, where established a business for himself, and is one of the leading undertakers in the city, He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. P., and F. & A. M. October 30, 1878, he married Cora II. Surgens of Warren, R. I., and they have one daughter, Mary Howard, born October 12, 1887.
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Bullard, Herbert C., M. D., was born in West Medway, March 25, 1843. His father, J. N. Bullard, was a native of Franklin, where his father, Joseph Bullard, was one of the pioneers. J. N. Bullard married Sarah, daughter of Simon Cutler, and was identified in Medway as a farmer and tanner. Herbert C. Bullard was educated at Phillips Academy and graduated from Brown University. He was appointed assist- ant professor of ethics at Annapolis Naval Academy and in 1868 entered Harvard Medical School. The years 1869 and 1870 he spent at Rhode Island Hospital and in 1871 graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, lo- cating in Attleborough, where he practiced for twenty-six years. In 1871 he married Anna L., daughter of Samuel W. Heywood, and they have one son, Newell C. Mr. Bullard is one of the progressive men of his profession; was secretary of the Board of Health for nine years and is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.
Burns, Edward Francis, was born in Randolph, Mass., May 12, 1859, a son of Pat- rick and Mary (Burns) Burns, and educated in the public schools of Randolph. After leaving school he found employment in the shoe factories in Randolph and stayed there some time learning the business of shoemaking. Later he came to Taunton- and was employed in different factories about the city until he found he would be better off to go into business for himself, which he did in 1881, and at the present time is one of the largest wholesalers in the city, and in connection with this is the owner and manager of the Whittenton Drag Co. He is a member of the A. O. H. and the B. P. O. E. He was married in November, 1889, to Catherine L., daughter of Roger and Catherine Daley of Taunton, and they have two children: Joseph and Edward.
Burt, Samuel P. was one of New Bedford's most successful business men and a leading banker and broker for many years. Early in life he became a confidential clerk for the late Edward L. Baker, who established a banking, investment and stock brokerage business in New Bedford in 1848. He purchased Mr. Baker's interest in 1865 and in 1875 took in as partners Gardner T. Sanford and Charles S. Kelley, the firm name being changed to S. P. Burt & Co. After Mr. Burt's death the surviving partners formed the present well-known private banking house of Sanford & Kelley. Mr. Burt was one of the first directors of the New Bedford and Fairhaven Street Railway Company and served the board as clerk for several years. He was also extensively connected with local and foreign corporations. He was a shrewd finan- cier and a man of keen insight and forethought. His advice was largely sought by investors and in this particular branch of his business he gained a brilliant reputa- tion. He was a man of abundant public spirit and held himself always ready to assist any worthy enterprise. He died in 1884 at Milwaukee, Wis., whither he had gone to care for extensive Western business interests. Mr. Burt married Amanda A. Taber of New Bedford, and their only son, Henry P. Burt, who was born in New Bedford, November 30, 1866, and graduated from the high school with the class of 1888, having returned to New Bedford after his father's death. Mr. Burt was for two years associated with Charles Tobey in the business of manufacturing electrical supplies, their factory and office being located in the brick building at 23 Middle street. They manufactured, under the firm name of Burt & Tobey, an ingenious light controlling switch, a resistance box, wire couplings, wire tags, etc., as well as an improved stamp battery for affixing stamps to envelopes automatically. Mr. Burt
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