Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 128

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 128

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in this vicinity. He has been the chief promoter of the Onset Bay Grover enter- prise, situated at the head of Buzzard's Bay, and said to be the largest community of Spiritualists ever founded. Mr. Nye was married in 1851 to a daughter of Aber- deen Keith.

O'Hearn, William J., son of John and Jane (Dooley) O'Hearn, was born in Fall River, October 3, 1872. He attended the public schools of Fall River, worked in the mills a short time and then went to work as a cash boy for E. S. Brown. He after- wards became a clerk and remained in that capacity for twelve years, when he established himself in the tailoring business, forming a copartnership with John J. Howard, as O'Hearn & Howard. The partnership was dissolved in 1896 and Mr. O'Hearn has since successfully conducted the business. He is a young man of ex- cellent promise and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He has exhibited much versatility along dramatic lines, and at one time, after giving an amateur production of "Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde," to one of the largest audiences ever gathered in the Academy of Music, received offers from an ex-manager of Rich- ard Mansfield to enter upon a stage career. He is greatly interested in the study of work along the line of Scanlon and Olcott, and has received much kindly mention from the local press for work in this direction. Mr. O'Hearn married Mary E., daughter of James and Mary Blake of Fall River, and they have one daughter, Gladys Marion.

Orr, James, was born in Lancashire, England, February 1, 1831, and came to the United States with his parents, George and Amelia Orr, settling in Valley Forge, where they remained until 1842, and from there moved to Providence. In 1867 he came to Attleborough, where he remained until his death in 1893. James Orr was educated in the public schools, and engaged in the cotton business. In 1858 he es- tablished a dyeing business in Smithfield, and in 1865 came to South Attleborough, establishing his present plant, and at the present time is one of the leading dealers in colored cotton yarns and in bleaching and dyeing. In 1852 Mr. Orr married Rachael W., daughter of William Prince, and their children are James W., George W., Charles F., William P., Emory H., Mrs. M. Jane Gilson, Ellen F. and Lizzie.

Owens, Thomas, was born in Ireland, March 16, 1846. When twenty years old he came to this country, settling in Randolph for a short time and then went to East Bridgewater to work in the rolling mill, where he stayed until he went to sea. He followed the sea for four or five years and then came to Taunton, engaging with the Taunton Oil Cloth Co., where he remained about three years, when he went to Cal- ifornia and engaged in the hotel business. In 1877 he returned to his old place in the oil cloth works and remained there until 1884, when he started in business for himself. He has been married twice, first, to Julia McMann of Taunton, who died in 1879. His second wife was Bridget E. Croke of Taunton, and they have seven children.

Paige, Onias S .. is a son of Joseph and Pamelia Paige, and was born in Went- worth, N. H., October 9, 1841. His education was obtained from the country schools, and in May, 1862, he came to Taunton and went into the office of John T. Codman to study dentistry; and afterwards went to Boston in the office of Dr. J. M. Thresher. In 1865 he came to Taunton and established the office where he now is in the City

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Hotel. Dr. Paige has been in this office thirty-two consecutive years. He has served several years in both branches of the city government and in 1874, 1875 and 1876 was mayor of the city. He was married in 1868 to Mary Louisa Park of Taun- ton, and they have one daughter, Abbie Louise, born December 12, 1872.

Paine, William Henry, was born in Gardner, Maine, February 2, 1844, a son of James and Dinah M. (Mower) Paine, and educated in the public schools. In 1862 he went to Portland to learn the potter's trade, spending about eight years at this line of work in different places, and in 1870 came to Taunton, where he went with the Phoenix Manufacturing Co. He remained with them until 1877, and then engaged with E. S. Cushman, staying with him until he retired from business in 1884, when he bought the business, which he carries on at the present time. Mr. Paine is a member of the Good Samaritan Lodge, I. O. O. F., the K. P., and B. P. O. E. October 6, 1892, he married Ida M. Hewins of Groton, Conn., and they have one daughter, Mabel A., born July 6, 1894.

Panneton, J. C. Emery, son of Andre and Mary (Gordon) Panneton, was born in Montreal, August 13, 1861. He attended the common schools of his native city and then entered the employ of James J. Golden, one of the leading druggists of Mon- treal. After a service of two years he removed to Lewiston, Me., to accept a posi- tion as clerk in a pharmacy. He later removed to Boston, where he was head clerk for James J. O'Brien five years, and at the end of this time returned to Lewiston and formed a copartnership with his former employer. Their store was soon after de- stroyed by fire and the partnership dissolved, Mr. Panneton going to Boston and re- maining one year in the employ of Irving Gilchrist, and at the end of that time com- ing to Fall River. In 1890 he engaged in the drug business for himself at his present location on Pleasant street, and has since been very successful. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is held in high esteem by many friends. In February, 1892, he married Victoria R. Chagnon, daughter of Dr. J. B. Chagnon of Fall River, and they have four children: Victor M., Jean Emery, Jeanette M., and Andre A.

Parker, David Lewis, postmaster of New Bedford, is the youngest son of Ward Mayhew Parker and Marcia F. Lewis, and a grandson of Sylvanus Parker of Fal- mouth, Mass. Ward M. Parker was one of the typical early men of New England. At eighteen he was captain of a craft hauling live oak timber from South Carolina winters and making trading voyages to Nova Scotia summers. At twenty-five he was merchant and postmaster at Wood's Holl, and later served in the Massachusetts Legislature. In 1847, removing to New Bedford, he took a leading part in the mon- eyed management of the interests of southeastern Massachusetts. Joseph Grinnell

and himself were chums in congenial enterprises, the one president and the other vice-president of the old Marine Bank. Mr. Parker served as president during Mr. Grinnell's absence in Europe, and being tendered the salary for the term, refused it with the remark that the honor of the position was full payment. The financial hero- ism of these two men more than once saved the Wamsutta Mills Corporation from wreckage in times of financial tornadoes; these two names backed paper that car- ried the corporation safely through. "No credit to me," said Mr. Parker, "Joseph always put his name first." When Ward M. Parker was in his ninetieth year, Sam- uel P. Burt, late in the evening, on the brink of financial disaster, sought the old man's counsel and found safe pilotage. The prime habit of his life was moderation

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-in eating, drinking and living, and a charitable liberality towards all proper use of everything. He detested a mortgage and never took or gave one in his life. Of rare judgment, intense fidelity and a genial nature, his life left a gentle incense of ovation to his dear memory, from all who knew him. He died in 1881, aged ninety- seven years. His wife survives him. David L. Parker was born in New Bedford, August 30, 1851, was graduated from the Friends' Academy in 1870, attended Scho- field's Commercial College in Providence, and afterward spent three years in the banking house of S. P. Burt & Co., of New Bedford. Later he was a clerk for David W. Lewis & Co., produce commission merchants of New York, for three years, and returning to New Bedford was engaged in the coal business about eight years in company with Edward P. Haskell, under the firm name of Parker & Haskell. Mr. Parker has always been a staunch Republican. He was a member of the first Board of Public Works of New Bedford, serving one and a half years, when he resigned. December 4, 1894, he was elected mayor of the city by 485 majority, and in Decem- ber, 1895, he was re-elected by a majority of 817. October 1, 1897, he was appointed postmaster of New Bedford by President Mckinley. Mr. Parker was for three years a member of the City Guards; served as president of the Dartmouth Club in 1896 and 1897; and is a member of the Veteran Firemen's Association, the Knights of Pythias, and the Dartmouth and Wamsutta Clubs. September 18, 1883, he mar- ried Calista S., daughter of Roland Holcomb of New Bedford, and they have two children: Marion and Ward M. Mr. Parker's family is one of the oldest in south- eastern Massachusetts and is traced back indirectly to the Mayflower.

Peirce, George, in his particular line of work has gained a reputation throughout this vicinity. He is a native of Canterbury, England, where he was born October 8, 1845, a son of William and Anne (Vincer) Peirce. The family removed to this country when he was an infant and, after remaining a short time in Boston, removed to Savannah, Georgia, where he was partially educated in the common schools and academies. In 1860 the family returned north and settled in New Bedford and he completed his education in the New Bedford public schools. He then began an ap- prenticeship of three years at the machinist's trade, in the old Novelty Works at Taunton, and after its completion came to New Bedford and worked at his trade until 1867, when he went to Boston to learn the piano and organ manufacturing business, and for several years worked in the Chickering piano factory and in the Hooks' organ factory. In 1872, having obtained a thorough knowledge of the details of piano and organ construction, he returned to New Bedford and established a re- pairing business, which he still continues, and, previous to this time there having been no business of this kind in New Bedford, his trade at once grew to large pro- portions. Mr. Peirce is possessed of much mechanical skill and his experience as a practical machinist has aided greatly in the establishment of the reputation as a skillful repairer, which he now enjoys. For over twenty-six years he has cared for the public school instruments of the city. He is a member of Eureka Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and has served his lodge as organist for the past twenty-five years; also, he is a member of Acushnet Lodge of Odd Fellows. Mr. Peirce mar- ried, in 1873, Elizabeth Alden Lucas of New Bedford, and they have one son, Clif- ford O. Peirce. His second wife was Eleanor B., a daughter of Capt. Charles Grant of Nantucket, a successful whaling captain, and of this union were nine children:

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Charles G., George, jr., Virginia L. (deceased), William (deceased), Barker H., Alice E., Ruth, Edwin E. and Robert P.

· Pettey, Benjamin T., third son of Pardon and Peace (Tripp) Pettey, was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., March 21, 1845. His boyhood was spent at home on his father's farm until he was fourteen years of age, when he left home and began to make his own way. He was very industrious and frugal and strictly temperate in all of his habits. He married Caroline A., daughter of David and Rebecca (Tripp) Lawton, and they had five children, of whom four grew to ma- turity: Emma L., wife of Alfred Sanford; Mary E., wife of John Lawton; Rebecca E. (deceased); Nellie M. and David S.

Phillips, Howard Lindsey, was born in Taunton, June 14, 1873, a son of Jacob B. and Mary A. (Presbrey) Phillips. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Taunton, and in 1891 he entered the Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1894. During the last two years in the public schools and the three years in Boston, Mr. Phillips read law in the office of Bennett & Hall. He was admitted to the Bristol county bar in September, 1894, and opened an office at once in Taunton for the general practice of law. July 30, 1896, he was married to Mary L. Lewis of Taunton, daughter of Elijah F. and Emma L. (Smith) Lewis; they have one daughter, Beatrice Phillips, born in August, 1897.

Pierce, Andrew Jackson, was born in Taunton, March 19, 1862, a son of William F. and Elizabeth A. (Burt) Pierce. His early education was received in the public schools of Taunton, and in 1881 he commenced his business career, going to work for George E. Pendleton to learn the grocery business, and remained with him five years. At this time he engaged to work at the Williams Drill Co , and stayed with them two years, and in 1887 started in the grocery business for himself and has con- tinued up to the present time. He is a member of Alfred Baylies Lodge, F. & A. M., and Sabbatia Lodge of I O. O. F. June 15, 1887, he married Ida W., daughter of L. James and Elizabeth A. (Babbitt) Wilmarth.

Pierce, Dr. A. Martin, son of Otis and Judith Pierce, of New Bedford, Mass., was born March 14, 1852. He was graduated from the High School in New Bedford in 1870. He then entered the office of Dr. Edward Payson Abbe, a leading physician of the city, as a student of medicine. Soon after that he went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, from which he was graduated in 1873. Having passed a competitive examination for a position in Charity Hospital, Black- well's Island, New York, he served there two years. He then took charge of the Smallpox Hospital, Blackwell's Island, for two months. In January, 1875, he re- turned to New Bedford and was associated, in the practice of medicine, with Dr. E. P. Abbe until July, 1882. He was appointed physician to the Poor Department of the city in 1878 and 1879. He joined the Massachusetts Medical Society in 1875; in 1895 was chosen its vice-president. As a member of the South Bristol Medical So- ciety he has held each of the offices in the gift of the society. He has been on the surgical staff of St. Luke's Hospital of New Bedford since its foundation in 1885. He is at present (1898) president of the local Society for Medical Improvement.

Pierce, Eben, son of Eben and Charity (Hines) Pierce, was born in Livermore, Maine, June 21, 1817. He attended school until he was fourteen years old and at

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that time went to work in a ship yard, learning the ship carpenter's trade. He came to New Bedford in 1839 and for several years made whaling voyages, finally becoming master of a whaler, and also was in the merchant service for ten years. He established his present business of manufacturing whaling guns and bomb lances in 1869 and still continues it although with not as great a success as formerly, owing to the decline of the whaling industry. He is descended on both sides from old New England families.

Pierce, Herbert Newton, son of James C. and Lucinda B. (Bliss) Pierce, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., January 19, 1848, and educated in the public schools, Bristol Academy, and Schofield Commercial College of Providence, R. I. After leaving school he learned the trade of mason and builder with his father, where he remained one year, and was then employed by Abraham Briggs for seven years. In 1878 he engaged in business for himself and has continued up to the present time. He was a member of the City Council from 1887 to 1893 inclusive, and when the city created the office of superintendent of public buildings he was elected to the position and has held the office ever since, making five years of service. He is a member of Chas. H. Titus Lodge of A. F. & A. M., Sabbatia Lodge, I. O. O. F., a director in the Loan Fund Association, and one of the surety commissioners. September 28, 1885, he married Elizabeth A. Briggs of Taunton, who died July 1, 1894, leaving one child, Abram B., born March 28, 1889.

Place, J. S., son of Thomas Place, was born in Bristol, R. I., in 1855, and edu- cated in the common schools. He established his present business in 1895, and erected the mill run by steam power that same year. He carries on the business of dealer in hay, grain, flour, feed, etc. Mr. Place is a business man of practical ideas, who without the use of any of the helps of fiction and outside appearances, has developed his business until he enjoys a fine trade throughout the community. In 1887 Mr. Place married Fannie L. Phillips of Dighton, and they have one son, Frank B. In politics Mr. Place is a Republican and was appointed postmaster by President Harrison, serving four years. He is a member of King Philip Lodge, No. 94, I. O. O. F. of Taunton, and Premier Lodge, F. & A. M. of Somerset.

- Pond. J. E., was born in South Walpole, Mass., May 21, 1836. His father, Rev. Joseph E. Pond, was a native of Wrentham, where Bernard settled in 1807, was one of the pioneers and after whom Pondville was named. Rev. Joseph E. Pond married Jane C., daughter of Rev. Thomas Spooner. He built and established the M. E. church at East Dedham, and was the first regular pastor at Millville, and through life largely devoted to the welfare of his fellowmen. He died in 1886. J. E. Pond was educated in Indiana at the Asbury University (now known as De Pau Univer- sity), from which he was graduated in 1859. He then entered Harvard Medical University, graduating in 1861 and in 1862 entered the service of the United States as assistant surgeon, resigning the same year and entering the law office of J. E. Carpenter. He was admitted to the bar in 1870 and practiced in Boston until 1873, when he began his practice in Attleborough, where he still continues. In 1864 he married Susan, daughter of Sullivan Bemis, and they have one son, W. H., a mem- ber of the firm of J. E. & W. H. Pond. Mr. Pond is one of the conservative men of the town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and its people.

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Porter, Hon. Burrill, jr., was born in Charlestown, N. H., February 22, 1832. His father, Burrill Porter, was a native of the same town. The family trace their de- scent from John Porter of Windsor, Conn., who settled there in 1638. Asahel C. Porter was a native of Coventry, Conn., and moved to Charlestown, N. H., where he was identified as a farmer. Burrill Porter, his son, married Susan, daughter of John and Susan Rogers Garfield, and was one of the conservative men of his town. Burrill Porter, jr., was educated in the public schools and academies and Saxton River Seminary, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1856. He followed teaching for twenty-five years and in 1879 was elected in Attleborough as collector of taxes, assessor, etc. In 1884 he was appointed postmaster at North Attleborough, and then gave his attention to newspaper work up to 1893, in which year he was elected representative to the Legislature, serving seven years, being re-elected six times. In 1860 he married Harriet L., daughter of Asa H Carpenter, and they have two children: Asa B. and Susie A. Mr. Porter is one of the conservative men of his town, of sterling integrity and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.

"Pothier, Joseph Charles, physician and surgeon, was born in the Province of Que- bec, Canada, a son of Jules and Domitilde (Dallaire) Pothier. When he was an in- fant the family removed to Woonsocket, R. I., and here he was educated in the pub- lic schools, graduating from the High School. He studied medicine in McGill Med- ical College at Montreal, Canada, graduating in 1887. In the same year he began practice in New Bedford. Dr. Pothier has been school commissioner for the past six years, and is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and the New Bed- ford Medical Society. In 1894 he married Louise C., daughter of Peter Murphy of Boston, and they have one son, Aubrey J.

Potter, Harry L., was born in Boston, Mass., October 30, 1868. His father was Zebedee D. Potter, who died when Harry L. was but four years old, and his mother, Lorane (Dewherst) Potter, died a year later. After the death of his parents he was sent to live with an aunt, Ruth S. Potter, who sent him to the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, and while there he gave promise of the splendid brilliancy which marked his course at East Greenwich Academy, from which he was graduated June 7, 1886. After graduation he returned to Westport and entered the employ of Jona- than Hicks at Gifford's Corners, who was engaged in the grocery business, and re- mained with him for four years in a subordinate position. He then entered into partnership with his employer, and for the next two years the firm was known as Hicks & Potter. In 1892 they sold out and engaged in the undertaking business, which they have since conducted with marked success. Mr. Potter is a zealous Re- publican and has been a faithful supporter of that party during the years following the attainment of his majority. He was elected one of the assessors of the town for a term of three years, but being so much engrossed with business cares he resigned after a service of one year. He has always taken an active interest in Odd Fellow- ship, being a member of Pacific Lodge No. 123, I. O. O. F., of New Bedford. On March 4, 1896, Mr. Potter married Bertha E., daughter of Fred W. and Mary E. (Borden) Chase, and their home in the village of Westport, where he spends the in- tervals of a busy life in the companionship of Mrs. Potter and their daughter, Mary B., is one of the pleasantest abodes in the village.

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Pratt, Charles A., physician and surgeon, was born in Easton, Mass., October 23, 1862, a son of Hiram A. and Louise (Dean) Pratt. His father was a prominent citizen and for many years a resident of Easton, and served in the State Legislature. The family removed to Raynham when Dr. Pratt was an infant, and he obtained much of his preparatory education in the public schools of that town. Later the family removed to Somerville, a suburb of Boston, and he was prepared for college in the Somerville High School. He entered Harvard in 1881 and was graduated A. B. in the class of 1886, in the same year beginning the course of Harvard Uni- versity School of Medicine, from which he was graduated M. D. in the class of 1891. Following his graduation he served as physician for one year in the Boston Free Hospital for Women, and in 1893 settled in New Bedford and engaged in practice. He is a member of the medical staff and visiting physician to St. Luke's Hospital, also a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Presbrey, Dr. Silas Dean, was born in Taunton, October 19, 1838, a son of Bill- ings Troop and Clarissa Burt (Dean) Presbrey. He prepared for college in Taun- ton High School and was graduated at Harvard in 1860. At this time he began his medical studies in the office of Dr. Henry B. Hubbard of Taunton, and in the same year entered Harvard Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1865 with the degree of M. D., having served during an interval as principal of the Taunton High School. He at once began practice in Taunton, where he has since continued, being now justly counted as one of the leading members of his profession in this sec- tion. He has a wide membership in medical societies, both State and National; is a thirty-second degree Mason and has given the city of Taunton much faithful public service, having served for a number of years as city physician and since 1881 as a member of the Board of Water Commissioners. Perhaps his greatest achievement in the interest of the city has been the Morton Hospital, for the establishment of which he was an indefatigable worker, in fact, the practical founder of the institu- tion. He has been senior consultant of the hospital from the beginning and de- livers about thirty lectures a year to the Nurses' Training School in connection. In the cause of education he has also been a prominent worker, having been an official member for years of the School Board as well as a trustee of long standing of Bris- tol Academy. His faithful and efficient work in these positions of trust needs no comment here. As a business man he has been eminently successful, and is now and has been for many years a trustee and member of the board of investment of the Bristol County Savings Bank. As a physician he has kept well in touch with the advanced thought of the period, having been a frequent contributor to medical publications and at medical gatherings. Dr. Presbrey has gained a large practice in Taunton and neighboring towns, and wins the love of his patients by his cheery and sympathizing manner in the sick room. and by their confidence in his skilful treatment of their diseases, Dr. Presbrey married, October 1, 1863, Sarah Williams, daughter of Artemas and Susan Shaw (Williams) Briggs. Their children are Clara Briggs, Florence Nathalie and Laura Edith.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 128

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