Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 129

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 129

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Rankin, George William, librarian, son of George and Laura A. (Grant) Rankin, was born in Boston, Mass., May 23, 1847. He descends from old Puritan stock, his paternal ancestors being among the early settlers of York county. Maine. Mr. Rankin's father was a successful Boston merchant and represented the town of

327

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Dorchester in the Legislature several terms. Mr. Rankin moved to Fall River in 1871, and in 1873 was engaged by the trustees of the Fall River Public Library to assist in a revision of the catalogue, and in this work he proved to the management his ability in so marked a manner, that in June, 1874, he became permanently con- nected with the institution. By careful and intelligent study he has educated him- self in the different methods and systems of library work. No better evidence of his proficiency can be given than the invitation extended to him by the late Hon. Marcellus Eldredge of Chatham, to select the books and install the working system of the library which that gentleman gave to the town of Chatham. He has now been connected with the Fall River Public Library for a period of twenty-five years ; he has also been a contributor to the historical literature of Fall River and vicinity. He has a critical appreciation of art and his advocacy of good literature has been of permanent value to the patrons of the library. In 1890 Mr. Rankin married Nattie A., daughter of William E. and Sarah J. (Briggs) Sharples of Fall River.

Ray, William H., son of Emery B. and Eliza A. (Thomas) Ray, was born in Wind- ham county, Connecticut, December 2, 1837, and was educated in the public schools of his native town. In 1854 he removed to Freetown, where he has since resided, and has always been engaged in farming and painting, in which he has been most successful. He was married, in 1872, to Mary, daughter of John Manchester, of Fall River; she died in 1877. Mr. Ray has never taken a very active part in public affairs and has never sought or held public office. He is a man of few words and prefers to listen rather than be listened to.

Raymond, Robert Fulton, lawyer, is a great-grandson of David Raymond of Stam- ford, Conn., a soldier in the Revolutionary war; a grandson of Gould Raymond, also of Stamford; and the son of Lewis and Sarah A. (Jones) Raymond, and was born in Stamford, Conn., June 15, 1858. His ancestors settled in Salem, Mass., about 1630, and moved thence to Stamford, where they followed the vocation of farmers. His father was prominent in town affairs and held various local offices. Mr. Ray- mond attended the district schools, and when sixteen (in 1874) came to New Bedford, where he entered the High School, from which he was graduated in 1877. He sub- sequently attended Wesleyan University at Middletown one year, and taught school in Marion, Plymouth county, two years, keeping up his college studies in the mean time. In 1880 he went to Boston, where he taught a private Latin school mornings for one year, and also continued his work at Harvard College. In 1881 he entered Harvard Law School, where he remained two years, and was admitted to the Bristol bar at the June term, 1883. Since then he has been actively engaged in the general practice of his profession in New Bedford, taking the degree of LL. B. from Harvard Law School in 1894. From 1883 to 1885 he was a law partner of William C. Parker, the firm name being Parker & Raymond. Mr. Raymond was a foundation member of the New Bedford Bar Association, and is also a member of Acushnet Lodge, I. O. O. F., of the Harvard Law School Alumni Association, and of the Boston Wesleyan Club. He is a trustee and a member of the board of management of the East Greenwich (R. I.) Academy, a member of the official board of the County Street M. E. Church, and a member of various executive boards of the New England Southern Conference. He is also a member of the Boston Wesleyan Association, which is composed of twenty men who are trustees of property in Boston owned by the M. E.

328

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Church. Mr. Raymond is a prominent public speaker, having delivered a number of addresses on religious, temperance, patriotic and other subjects. He is an inde- fatigable collector of books, and owns one of the best and most valuable private libraries in New Bedford; it is especially rich in American history, economics, etc., and full in general lines, including German and French as well as English literature. October 20, 1886, Mr. Raymond married Mary E., daughter of Capt. David Walker of Groton, Conn., and a descendant of Elder William Brewster of the Plymouth colony. They have five children: Annie Almy, Mary Lois, Allen Simmons, Robert Fulton, jr., and Grace Brewster.

Read, Louis L., was born in South Attleborough, March 17, 1815, a son of Arnon and Mary (Tiffany) Read. Louis L. Read was educated in the common schools. In 1865 he married Charlotte Tiffany. George T. Read lives on the homestead and married Elizabeth A. Holt, and they have one son, Louis James. Mr. Read is one of the representative men of his town, serving as selectman and road commissioner; he is a man of sterling integrity and his life has proven his word as good as his bond.

Reed, A. W., was born in North Attleborough, July 9, 1853. His father, Jarvis P. Reed, was a native of Taunton, where the family were among the pioneers. Jarvis P. married Elizabeth W. Eddy; he was superintendent of the poorhouse for six years and came to North Attleborough in 1865, and died in 1892. Arthur W. Reed was educated in North Attleborough and Medford. He learned the jeweler's trade and in 1881 engaged in the grocery business, and with the exception of three years has continued up to 1898 when he retired from the same. In 1872 he married Susie J. Riley, and and they have two sons and one daughter: Herbert A., Charles H. and Gladys. Mr. Reed is one of the conservative business men of his town, serving as overseer of the poor, is a member of Washington Lodge, K. of H., A.O.U.W., and the Pilgrim Fathers.

Reed, Silas Dean, was born in Taunton, Mass., June 25, 1872, a son of Hon. Charles A. and Weltha Nichols (Dean) Reed. He received his early education in the public schools and Bristol Academy, from which he was graduated in 1889. In the fall of that year he entered Amherst College, graduating in the class of 1893; he spent two years in the Boston University Law School and then came to his father's office and devoted one year to legal studies. In 1896 he was elected to the State Legislature for the term of 1897 and in the fall of 1897 was re-elected for the session of 1898; during his term of service he has been a member of the committee on rail- roads and its clerk in 1898. He has also been elected to the House for 1899. He is a member of King David Lodge, F. & A. M .; Massachusetts Consistory, thirty- · second degree; is past grand of Sabbatia Lodge, I.O.O.F .; a member of Naomi En- campment; Canton Cohannet; State Grand Lodge; past chancellor of Taunton Lodge, K. P .; the first past officer of El Katif Temple, Knights of Khorassan, the original temple of the New England States; and also a member of the Grand Lodge, K. of P. In college he was a member of the Greek Letter fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. Mr. Reed is the Taunton agent for Ransom C. Taylor of Worcester, who has large real estate interests in this city.

Reed, Waldo, son of William and Sophia Brown (Ladd) Reed, was born in New-

329

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

buryport, Mass., June 2, 1850. He prepared for college in the public schools and entered Harvard in 1870. Mr. Reed began his legal studies in the Boston Univer- sity School of Law and later studied for a considerable period in the office of his elder brother, Hon. Milton Reed. He was admitted to the Bristol bar in 1879 and settled in Fall River. Shortly after he removed to San Antonio, Texas, where he was engaged in active practice for five years. In 1886 he settled in Taunton to be- come connected with Reed & Barton. He is now in practice in Fall River, having recently formed a law partnership with Hon. Milton Reed. In politics Mr. Reed has always been affiliated with the Republican party. He married, in 1876, Miss Ella Barton, a daughter of the late Charles E. Barton of Taunton.

Regnell, Herman Thomas, was born in Boston, March 14, 1859. His father, Thomas F Regnell, who was a native of Stockholm, Sweden, came to the United States in 1849 and settled in Boston, where he was identified as a manufacturing jeweler, having learned the trade in Sweden. He married Sophia Chilstram, and through life took an active interest in public events. He died in 1870. Herman T. Regnell was educated in Boston and in 1870 came to Attleborough where he learned the jew- elry trade with T. I. Sweist & Company, of North Attleborough. In 1888 he organ- ized the firm of Regnell, Bigney & Company, who are among the leading manu- facturers of ladies' jewelry. In 1886 he married Sarah, daughter of Alvin P. Tucker, and they have four children : Ralph T., Lloyd C., Walter Barton, and Irma C. Mr. Regnell is one of the conservative men of his town; serves as president of the Y. M. C. A. ; is superintendent of the Congregational Sunday school; takes an active interest in educational institutions and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

Robbins, Charles M., was born in Harwich, Mass., May 1, 1857, a son of Na- thaniel and Lydia (Williams) Robbins. Nathaniel Robbins was a dentist by pro- fession and was a prominent man in his town. He died in 1887. C. M. Robbins was educated in the public schools and came to Attleborough in June, 1875, where he learned the jewelry business. He traveled on the road for nine years, and in 1891 established his present business, making a specialty of badges, emblems, coats of arms, flags and novelties. In 1885 Mr. Robbins married Lucy B., daughter of Rev. Stillman Pratt, and they have two sons: Lawrence B., and Chester M. Mr. Robbins is one of the conservative men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in school matters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people. He is a lineal descendant of the Rev. Nathaniel Robbins, who preached at Milton for thirty years, and was elected chaplain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. in 1773; his son, who was elected lieutenant-governor of the State, married a descendant of Ann Hutchinson.

Robinson, Ozias, was born in Mansfield in 1808, the family being among the early settlers of Raynham, tracing their descent from William Robinson who came from England about 1640. Ozias Robinson married for his first wife, Sarah H., daughter of Israel and Martha Goward, by whom he had Ozias Edwin; his second wife was Rachel Jane, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Newcomb; their children were Richard Ames and Sarah Elizabeth. He was identified in Mansfield as a carriage manufacturer, farmer and real estate dealer, and was accustomed to ride through the country selling his carriages, as was the custom in those days. In his earlier days he

330

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

was much interested in church and Sunday school work, and was very earnest and energetic in whatever business he was engaged; he had a keen sense of justice and what seemed to him the right. In 1881 he moved to Attleborough, retiring from active life, where he spent his declining years in a well earned rest, after a very busy life. He died in 1897, living to within a few weeks of his ninetieth birthday.

Rounsevell, Albert Seabury, is a lineal descendant of Philip Rounsevell (son of William), who was born in Honiton, Devonshire, England, and came to Freetown, Mass., in the latter part of the seventeenth century, and who had a brother Thomas and a sister Jane, both of whom remained in England. Philip was a clothier, some times called a cloth worker. In 1705 he married Mary Howland, by whom he had three sons; William, Philip, jr., and John, the latter being the great-great-grand- father of Albert S. Levi Rounsevell, son of William and a grandson of Philip, the immigrant, was captain of the Freetown minutemen who responded to the Lexing- ton alarm, and was also a captain in Col. Daniel Brewer's regiment on duty at Rose- bury in October, 1775. Among the coast guards stationed at New Bedford under Capt. Simeon Ashley in the war of 1812 were John, Gilbert, Silas, Joseph and Thomas Rounsevell, the latter being the grandfather of Albert S. William Rounsevell, son of Thomas and father of Albert S., was a moulder by trade; he went to California in 1848, returned a few years later, and died in 1893, aged seventy. He married Abbie E. Hudson, who survives him, and whose ancestors came from England to Wareham, Mass., at an early day. Her grandfather served in the Revolution and had several ships in the war of 1812. Albert Seabury Rounsevell was born in Fairhaven, Mass., January 14, 1862, was educated there and in the New Bedford grammar schools, and when fourteen became a newsboy on the railroad. At the age of seventeen he en- tered the tack works in Fairhaven, and two years later became connected with the old Charles Taber Art Company in New Bedford, where he remained over twelve years; passing through the photographic department to that of American 'photogra- vures. In 1892 he established his present crockery, wall paper, and art novelties business at 73 William street, New Bedford. In September, 1888, he married Minnie B., daughter of Horace Chase of Taunton.

Roy, Nelson, was born in Pawtucket, December 9, 1876. His father, Narcisse Roy, was a native of Canada, and in 1884 came to South Attleborough. In 1890 he established his manufactory of fertilizers,'soap, scraps, oil, etc., and is one of the leading men in his business. He married Sophia C. Carter, and their children are Nelson, Edgar, Wilfred, Emma, Rose, Lumena and Alice. Nelson Roy was edu- cated in the common schools and in 1893 was admitted to the firm which is known as Roy & Son, and who are recognized as enterprising business men of sterling in- tegrity, whose word is as good as their bond.

Sadler, Thomas G., was born in South Attleborough, October 22, 1871, a son of George W. and Melissa D. (Drake) Sadler. His father established a jewelery busi- ness in South Attleborough in 1862; he was a public spirited man and died in 1884. Thomas G. Sadler was educated in the common schools and learned the jewelry business. In 1888 he engaged in business with his brothers, Herbert A. and Charles E., as foreman, becoming a partner in 1893, and retiring from the firm in 1898. In 1893 he married Mary, daughter of Joseph Wilson, and they have three children: Thomas G., Olive L. and Phyllis W. Mr. Sadler is an enterprising man, taking an

331

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

Sanford, David, fourth son of Philip and Ruth W. (Weaver) Sanford, was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., July 14, 1837. He received such educa- tional advantages as were offered in those days and at the age of seventeen began driving a milk cart and after about two years began the milk business on his own account, in which he has since been successfully engaged. On January 25, 1857, he married Emily M., daughter of Howard P. and Emily M. (Gifford) Tripp of West- port, and they have eight children: Franklin P., Chester P., D. Elmer, Everett L., Herbert A., Carrie E., Mary L. and Charles F.

Sauval, Rev. Charles Bernard, pastor of St. Ann's French Catholic Church of Fall River, was born in Poie, Somme, France, March 1, 1848, a son of Adolph and Ange- line (Martin) Sauval. He was educated in the schools of his native parish, at the St. Reginar Seminary in Somme, and in the Seminary at St. Amiens. He has been pastor of St. Ann's church in Fall River for several years and during this time has labored incessantly to improve the church property. Father Sauval's congregation numbers several thousand souls, and he has under his charge four assistants who aid him in the conduct of the parish, which is one of the largest, entirely made up of French speaking people, in the diocese of Providence.

Searle, Edward Almy, was born in Scituate, R. I., April 9, 1854, a son of George and Nancy W. (Waterman) Searle. His early education was received in the public schools of Rhode Island and the Lapham Institute at North Scituate, R. I. At the close of his school days he went to work for Edward Almy of North Dighton as bookkeeper, and then moved to Providence with his brother as superintendent and was engaged for several years as salesman by two different concerns. In 1885 he came to Taunton and opened a grocery and provision store of his own, continuing for about five years, and in October of the same year went to Providence and bought out the business of J. H. Eddy & Co., wholesale dealers in wooden ware, under the name of the J. H. Eddy Co. In the spring of 1892 they merged the business into that of the Williston A. Caddy Co., and continued until the death of Captain Phillips, when the business was closed out and he came to Taunton with Briggs & Co., grain dealers. In 1898 the city created the office of city auditor and Mr. Searle was appointed to the position. January 22, 1878, he married Cora A., daugh- ter of Leonard A. and Sarah A. (Springer) White; they have no children.

Sharkey, John Thomas, was born in Taunton, June 26, 1866, a son of Daniel and Mary (McFadden) Sharkey. He attended and graduated from the public schools. . After leaving school he went to work for R. & W. Power in the grocery and provis- ion business and remained with them about six years. In 1889 he started in busi- ness for himself, selling a line of carriages, harness and bicycles and continues at the present time. In 1896 he was elected a member of the Common Council and in 1897 was elected to the Board of Aldermen from the Fifth ward. October 30, 1895, Mr. Sharkey married Clara Dennett-Bartlett of Taunton, daughter of Jeremiah B. and Eliza (Odiorne) Dennett.

Sheehy, William Clinton, physician and surgeon, was born in New Bedford, De- cember 31, 1868, a son of Michael and Anna (Parkinson) Sheehy. He attended the

332

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

public schools of New Bedford and was graduated from the High School in the class of 1885. In the following year he entered the Boston Institute of Technology and later matriculated at the University Medical College of the the city of New York, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1889. After graduation he served for one year as interne in a New York hospital and soon thereafter took up his present practice in New Bedford, being now located at No. 29 Seventh street. Dr. Sheehy is a member of an old English family, most of the members of which for four generations have been physicians.

Sherman, James Clifford, son of Charles H. and Ladora (Allen) Sherman, was born in New Bedford, May 23, 1874; his father was also a native and lifelong resi- dent of New Bedford and well known in business circles. During his boyhood Mr. Sherman attended the public and high schools of New Bedford, and not long after completing the high school course became manager of a shoe store in Edgartown, and later he entered the employ of J. Davis & Co., shoe dealers in New Bedford, with whom he remained two years. In 1896 he formed a copartnership with John J. Powers for the conduct of a real estate business, under the firm name of Powers & Sherman; this association still continues. Mr. Sherman is a member of Sutton Com- mandery, Knights Templar, and Aleppo Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and also he has, for some time, been a justice of the peace. The Sherman family is of Puritan origin, Mr. Sherman being directly descended from Roger Sherman.

Sherman, Philip T., son of William Sprague and Susan (Tabor) Sherman, was born in Fall River, Mass., May 28, 1846. After completing his common school education he secured a position in the Fall River Iron Works, and after a three years' service in the nail department he served an apprenticeship at the molder's trade, in which he was engaged until 1891, when he removed to his present farm, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming. In December, 1866, he married Marietta, daughter of Gideon and Martha (Gray) Manchester of Fall River, Mass., and they had four children: Eugena, wife of Charles Hambley of Dartmouth; Ida, wife of William Davis of Fall River; Melvin O., died March 12, 1877, aged seven years and five months; and Lillie E., died February 26, 1877, aged three years and three months.

Sherman, William Henry, is one of the oldest liverymen in Bristol county, and has conducted a livery and boarding stable at the same location, No. 40 Fourth street, New Bedford, for over forty years. He was born in Rochester, Mass., June 24, 1826, a son of Zepheniah and Margaret (Bonney) Sherman. He went to school very little, for when he was but eight years old his father died and he came to New Bedford to live with an uncle, John H. Chapman. When scarcely twelve years of age he began to learn the sailmaking trade and followed that occupation for thirteen years. He then established himself in the livery business in a small way and has since continued with success. Mr. Sherman was a member of the New Bedford Volunteer Fire De- partment for thirty-five years and rose in the department from torch boy to assist- ant engineer; he was captain of the first steam engine used in the city. He has always been a strong adherent of the old Jeffersonian Democracy and has repeatedly served his party as delegate to National, State, county and district conventions. He represented the Fifth ward in the council one term and as alderman four terms. For many years he has advocated the cause of temperance with vigor and sincerity and is a member of Acushnet Division of the Sons of Temperance. He is also a mem-

333

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

ber of Star in the East Lodge, F. & A. M., Chapter and Commandery, and of Vesta Lodge of Odd Fellows. In 1848 he married Angeline, daughter of Russell Gifford of Westport Point, and they have one daughter, Kate A., widow of the late William O. Walker.

Sherman, W. W., was born in North Attleborough, July 21, 1853, a son of C. E. W. Sherman, a native of Plymouth, Mass., and was the eighth descendant from Miles Standish. He came to North Attleborough in 1848, and entered the employ of Ira Richards & Co. as an apprentice. His wages were to be $40 per year and found. He learned the jeweler's trade thoroughly and went into the business for himself in 1854, continuing up to the time of his death, April 10, 1897. W. W. Sherman was educated in North Attleborough and in 1873 entered into partnership with his father in gold and silver refining for the trade, and in 1893 took an interest in the manufac- turing business, purchasing what was known as the H. D. Merritt Co. In 1877 he married Harriet Kate, daughter of H. N. Sollan, and they have one son, Charles H.

Shoemaker & Clark .- R. J. Shoemaker and C. S. Clark. These gentlemen are the proprietors of Shoemaker & Clark's School of Shorthand and Business, which was established in Fall River, in August, 1897. The school has already enrolled over 400 students in its different departments, which include a preparatory English and gram- mar school course, shorthand and typewriting, bookkeeping and kindred commercial subjects, and a school of modern languages. The institution aims to give a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of these subjects and thus to lay the foundation of a successful business career. Both members of the firm are practical and experienced schoolmen, and under their careful management the school is rapidly gaining recog- nition as an institution of the first rank. Robert Johnson Shoemaker, senior mem- ber of the firm, is a son of Edward and Sarah F. (Sailor) Shoemaker, and was born in Pennsgrove, Salem county, N. J., October 15, 1857. His father was a farmer, but afterwards engaged in the commission business in New York city. Until he was seventeen years old, Mr. Shoemaker worked on the farm and attended the district school. At this time he was selected to teach the home school and accepted the posi- tion, despite the ridicule occasioned by his youth. He filled the position acceptably for four terms, meantime earning and saving money to pay his way at the State Normal School in Trenton, N. J., from which he was graduated in 1879. After graduation he was appointed principal of the public school at Pedricktown, N. J., where he remained seven years. He then assumed the principalship of the High School at Pennsgrove, N. J., and after a service of four years became bookkeeper for the Columbia Wagon Company. This was a new corporation and Mr. Shoemaker took entire charge of the entire work of systemtatizing the office routine. When the company was thoroughly organized he was chosen head bookkeeper for the Barr Pumping Engine Company of Philadelphia, largely owned by the Burnhams of the Baldwin Locomotive Company. He held this responsible position for four years, being at the head of the entire office force, and then, on account of his recognized ability as a bookkeeper and expert accountant, was tendered the position of professor of advanced bookkeeping in the Peirce School of Philadelphia. The principal of this school, Dr. Thomas May Peirce, was one of the best known accountants in the United States. Upon the death of Dr. Peirce, Mr. Shoemaker came to Fall River under contract to teach a year, but resigned his position at the end of that time and

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 129

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