Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 131

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 131

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an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions; is active in temper- ance work, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

Sweet, George L., was born in Mansfield, January 26, 1843. His father, Elbridge Sweet, was a native of the same town, born on the old homestead where John Sweet settled about 1680, and which is now owned by the fifth generation of his descend- ants. Elbridge Sweet married Dorothy Sullaway, and was identified as a farmer. For twenty-five consecutive years he was selectman of his town, and died in 1876. George L. Sweet was educated in Mansfield and Greenwich Academies. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. H, 7th Mass. Vols., and took part in the siege of Yorktown, Williams- burg, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Seven Days battle and Malvern Hill, receiving an honorable discharge, after which he returned to Greenwich and finished his educa- tion. In 1866 he engaged in business in Mansfield and in 1878 went to Kansas and spent two years. In 1880 he returned to Attleborough and engaged in the jewelry business, organizing the firm of Haywood & Sweet in 1887. In 1867 Mr. Sweet mar- ried Carrie F., daughter of Joshua Jones, and they have one daughter, Helen F.

Swift, Ezra J., son of Solomon and Hulda C. (Hinckley) Swift, was born in Fal- mouth, Barnstable county, Mass., August 6, 1841. His father, a seafaring man, was master of a vessel in the coastwise trade. When Mr. Swift reached the age of ten he went to live with a relative in Centreville, Barnstable county, where he attended the district schools and worked on the farm until sixteen years old, when he went to sea and, at the end of seven years' experience, became first mate of a coasting ves- sel. During the Civil war he served on transports, chartered by the government, in the Mississippi River, at Hampton Roads, and Newport News, and although not an enlisted man, was a witness of much fighting. After leaving the sea he took up his residence in New Bedford and for the past twenty-nine years has been agent for New Bedford and vicinity of the Fleishman Yeast Company. Mr. Swift has been active in Young Men's Christian Association work and is now a director of the association ; for years he has been an active and valued member of the North Christian Church and is now serving the society as trustee and treasurer. He married, in 1867, Eliz- abeth S., daughter of Randall Deane, of Middleborough, Mass., and they have two children: Merton W. and Nellie H., wife of Charles R. Hathaway of New Bedford.

Swift, George Bartlett, merchant, was born in New Bedford, Mass., August 11, 1851. Moses C. Swift, his father, was born October 29, 1824, in Falmouth, and when about seventeen years old came to New Bedford, where he learned the tailor's trade. About 1850 he engaged in the tailoring business on the corner of Water street and Shepherd's lane, whence he removed to Union street near Second, where Daniel B. Allen became his partner in 1852. This partnership was dissolved in 1854 and Mr. Swift engaged in manufacturing stocks and shirts. Later he was with A. J. Potter & Co., and during the war was engaged extensively on government work. In 1864 he opened a clothing and tailoring establishment at 159 Union street, where he con- tinued business until his death, enlarging the store from time to time until it was six times its original capacity. He finally admitted his son George B. as a partner and the business has since been carried on under the firm name of M. C. Swift & Son. Mr. Swift was a man of great energy and had the respect and confidence of the en- tire community. He died June 4, 1895, leaving a winow, one son and two daughters. George B. Swift received a public school education, and in 1864 entered his father's

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store, with which he has ever since been connected, having been its manager for a number of years. Since his father's death he has conducted the business under the old firm name. In 1875 he married Caroline F., daughter of George H. Macomber of Westport, Mass., and they have two children living: Helen L. and Sarah E., and one, Lillian H., deceased.

Swift, Warren Allen, was born in Brockton, Plymouth county, August 15, 1875, a son of William H. and Emma F. (Nants) Swift. He received his early education in the publie schools of Taunton and Brockton, and in 1894 entered Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated with honors in 1897, and was admitted to the Bristol county bar May 10, of the same year. He then established an office for himself in Taunton for the general practice of law, and subsequently entered the law office of Judge William H. Fox of Taunton, and is one of the rising young law- yers of the county at the present writing.

Sylvia, Manuel V., physician and surgeon, was born in New Bedford, Mass .. August 24, 1866, a son of Victorine and Anna (Demello) Sylvia. His father, who spent most of his active life at sea, made New Bedford his home for many years and still resides there. He is a native of the Azores Islands. During his early boyhood Dr. Sylvia attended the common schools of New Bedford and later the St. Lawrence College, near Montreal, Canada, from which he was graduated. Following the com- pletion of this course of study he spent two years in the Holy Cross College at Wor- cester, Mass., and soon after matriculated at the University of New York, from which he was graduated M. D. in 1891. He had now spent several years in preparation for and study of his profession, and was well fitted for the active practice which he at once took up in New Bedford. From the first Dr. Sylvia has been very successful, and has an extensive practice among the Portuguese people of New Bedford. Al- though a young man he has already become a prominent figure in Republican politi- cal circles, and during the last two years has been president of the Board of Alder- men, by virtue of which position he has at different times during the illness, or absence of the incumbent, served as acting mayor for considerable periods. Dr. Sylvia is a prominent member of the Monte Pio Society and served the organization for some time as vice-president. He is unmarried.

Taber, Frederic, is a son of the late Charles Taber and Sarah J. Howland, and was born February 26, 1856, in New Bedford, Mass., where he received his prelim- inary education. He was graduated from the Friends' School in Providence in 1872, and entered Brown University, class of 1876, but left after one year to enter the art establishment founded by his father. In 1882 he became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Charles Taber & Co., the other partners, besides his father, being William and Charles M. Taber. In 1893 the concern was incorporated as the Taber Art Company, with Frederic Taber as secretary, and in August, 1897, it was merged into the Taber Prang Art Company, which is capitalized at $550,000, and of which Mr. Taber is a director. He was a member of the City Council two years, and is a director of the Acushnet Co-operative Bank, the New Bedford Gas and Ed- ison Light Company, and the Dartmouth Mill Corporation. He has also been a director of the New Bedford Safe Deposit and Trust Company and is now its second vice president. He is a birthright member of the Society of Friends. In 1883 he married Elizabeth Delano Howland, daughter of James H. Howland of New Bed-

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ford, who died in 1883, leaving one son, Frederic Howland Taber. In 1895 Mr. Taber married Mary E., daughter of John M. Williams of New Bedford.

Taber, William C,, was born in New Bedford in 1837, a son of William C. and Hannah (Shearman) Taber. His father, William C. Taber, was also a native of New Bedford and prominent in the business affairs of the city; for sixty-three years he was connected in an official capacity with the New Bedford Institution for Savings, a part of this time as president. He also represented this district in the State Sen- ate. As is elsewhere noted in this work, representatives of the Taber family were among the first settlers of the old town of Dartmouth, and most of the name in this vicinity descend from Philip, who came from England in 1632, settling near the pres- ent site of Boston. William C. Taber attended private schools in New Bedford but received most of his preparatory education in the Friends' School at Providence, R. I. He completed his education at Haverford School (now college), Philadelphia, and not long after began work in the book store established by his father and Abra- ham Sherman, jr. This book business passed through several different changes and finally came into the hands of the subject of this sketch and his brother, Abraham Taber, at which time another brother, Charles Taber, who had previously been a partner in the book firm, branched out in the art manufacturing business which proved so successful. Later William C. Taber became identified with this enter- prise and continued in it for seventeen years, being made president of the Taber Art Company at its incorporation in 1893. He gave some of the best years of his life to the development of the business and in company with his brother Charles and their associates, nursed its growth from a small enterprise to one of magnitude and importance. In 1897 Mr. Taber assumed the duties of his present position as treas- urer of the Whitman Mills. With the exception of a few terms in the City Council as the representative of Ward 5, he has never held public office. In 1860 he married Sarah A., daughter of John Wood, and they had three daughters: Helen T., wife of George R. Briggs of Plymouth; Ethel, wife of Lieut. David H. Jarvis of the United States Revenue Service; and Anna R.

Tappan, C. H., was born in North Attleborough, May 20, 1859. His father, Eph- raim H. Tappan, was a native of Newburyport, where the family were among the pioneer settlers. E. H. Tappan married a daughter of David Clark; he learned the jeweler's trade in Attleborough Falls in 1858, but was afterwards engaged in the hay and straw business. C. H. Tappan was educated in North Attleborough and grad- uated from Scofield's Business College, in Providence. He then entered the em- ploy of Mason Draper, remaining until 1885, when he organized the firm, Tappan, Brevy & Company, and in 1888 purchased the plant of D. F. Briggs, of Attleborough Falls, which they removed to Attleborough and consolidated, under the name of The D. F. Briggs, making a specialty of chains and gold filled rings. In 1884 he mar- ried Bertha, daughter of John Sleigher, and they have one son, Frank E. Mr. Tap- pan is one of the self-made men of Bristol county; is conservative in character, and has ever received and merited the respect of his associates.

Thomas, Sylvanus Martin, was born in New Bedford, Mass., March 23, 1850, a son of Sylvanus and Agnes Jackson (Martin) Thomas. He received his early ed- ucation in the public schools of New Bedford and Phillips Academy at Andover, and afterwards studied under a private tutor. He entered Brown University in

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1867 and was graduated in the class of 1871. He immediately entered Harvard Law School, staying there two years, and then read law in the office of Jewell, Gaston & Field of Boston. He was admitted to the bar in 1874 and came to Taunton and opened an office for himself. From 1876 to 1879 he was city solicitor, but other than that declined all offices tendered him. . In addition to an extensive law practice Mr. Thomas was president of the Taunton & Brockton Street Railroad, president and treasurer of the Taunton Street Railway and treasurer and general manager of the Dighton, Somerset & Swansea Street Railroad. November 18, 1891, he married Emily Hayman of Taunton, and they had two children: Sylvanus M. Thomas, jr., and Elizabeth Agnes Thomas. Mr. Thomas died, after a short illness, on November 20, 1898.

Thurston, Edward A., is a native of Fall River, born June 26, 1871, a son of Ed- ward C. and Sarah Holland (Anthony) Thurston. He is a descendant of one of the oldest of New England families, being eighth of the line of Edward Thurston, who settled in Newport about 1630. His early education was obtained in the public and high schools of Fall River, and in 1889 he entered Brown University, receiving the degree of A.B. in 1893. Following his college course he attended the Harvard Law School at Cambridge, and in 1895 was admitted to the Bristol county bar. He spent two years in the office of Jennings & Norton, and then formed a copartnership with Charles L. Baker, which still continues as Baker & Thurston. Mr. Thurston is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity of Brown University, and of Battery M, 16th Mass. Heavy Artillery. He is a Republican in politics and for the past two years has been treasurer of the Republican City Committee.

Thurston, Frank A., son of Anthony and Ann M. (Whipple) Thurston, was born in Fall River, March 16, 1864. He was educated in the common and high schools of his native place and at the Morey & Goff English Classical School, Providence, R. I., from which he was graduated in 1884. Soon after graduation he went into the em_ ploy of the street department as a laborer, and then entered the office as junior clerk and time keeper, later being made chief clerk and then assistant superintendent; in which capacity he remained until the death of his father in September, 1894, when he was appointed superintendent of the department. It is remarkable that three generations of Thurstons have held this office continuously, no matter what political party was in power. The administration of Mr. Thurston, like that of his father, Anthony Thurston, and his grandfather, Edward Thurston, has been characterized by absolute impartiality and business like methods He requires perfect discipline and honest work from each employee of the department, be he a common laborer, a foreman, or a clerk. Mr. Thurston is a member of Fall River Lodge No. 219, I. O. O. F. In September, 1892, he married Daisy E., daughter of Jason and Mary Bowles of Plattsburgh, N. Y.

Tilden, Dr. Frank Elmer, was born in Easton, April 13, 1853, son of Francis and Alvira M. Tilden, of Easton. The family trace their descent from Nathaniel Tilden, who came from England and settled in Scituate in 1634. Dr. Tilden was educated in the common schools and graduated from the Harvard Medical College in 1876, beginning his practice in the same year in his native town. November 12, 1884, he married Ellen Louise, daughter of Otis R. and Mary A. Leonard, and they are the parents of one son, Frank Gridley Tilden, who died in 1890, and one daughter, An-

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nie F. Tilden. Mr. Tilden is one of the representative men of his profession, con- tributing valuable papers on an epidemic of diphtheria in Easton, in 1890-91, to the medical profession in Easton. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Socie- ty, the Odd Fellows, and the Electric Lodge of Brockton. He takes an intelligent interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

Tillson, William H., son of Henry H. and Lydia (Smith) Tillson, was born in New Bedford, October 30, 1871. His father, who was a native of Plymouth county, came to New Bedford when a young man. He first worked in a shoe store as a clerk and in about two years formed a copartnership with E. S. Cannon, to conduct a hat and fur business; they located on Union street and later removed to the store on Pur- chase street, where the business has ever since been conducted. Mr. Tillson was an energetic and active business man, and yet a quiet, unobtrusive and benevolent citizen, well respected by the entire community; he died in April, 1896, in his seven- ty-fourth year, being the oldest dealer in this particular line of merchandise in Bris- tol county. William H. Tillson was educated in the public and high schools of New Bedford and prepared for a mercantile career in Comer's Business College at Boston ; shortly after his graduation from this institution he was made general freight agent of the Texas and Western Railroad and served in that capacity until his father's death, about five years, when he returned to New Bedford and assumed the manage- ment of the business. Mr. Tillson is a man of business ability, training and insight, and he has already gained prominence in the business life of the city.

Tobitt, J. L., was born in Mansfield, July 27, 1841, a son of John T. and Eliza A. (Grover) Tobitt. He was educated in the public schools and for twenty years has been engaged in the jewelry business. In 1886 he established his present business of house painting and decorating goods. In 1889 he married Martha Moore, and they have one daughter, Marian Irene. Mr. Tobitt is one of the self-made men of Attleborough, taking an intelligent interest in school and church matters, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and town's people.

Todd, James, was born in Ireland, on the 21st day of October, 1831. He was of Scotch descent and came to this country in 1853, settling in Pawtucket, R. I., where he worked at gardening for seven years. Returning to his former home he married, June 12, 1860, Miss Elizabeth Giles, who was born in Ireland, February 14, 1836, of English descent, and with his wife came to the United States on their wedding tour, traveling through Washington, Philadelphia and cities in New York State. Leaving his wife in Saugerties, N. Y., with relatives, he spent the next two years in traveling through the Western and Southern States and Cuba, and finally returning, with his wife made his home in Pawtucket, R. I., and was connected with the Green & Daniels Co .; the J. Dunnell Co., and Union Wadding Co., large manufacturing plants of that city, at different times for several years. In the fall of 1872, he, with his brother William, purchased a farm of forty-five acres in Oldtown, North Attle- borough, Mass., and moved his family there. They were successful, increasing their property from forty-five to nearly 300 acres, including several houses, out-buildings, and numerous stock, and are the most prominent farmers in that section. In the year 1894, with their farming they engaged in the ice business under the name of Oldtown Ice Co., which business is also increasing every year. Mr. Todd was fond

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of music and favored every opportunity of educational advantages for his children, they having received their education from the public schools of North Attleborough and business colleges of nearby cities. He was a firm believer in the public school system, and "the little Red School House." He was a member of the Episcopal church of Pawtucket, R. I., where his family attend. A family of eight children were born to them: the eldest, Margaret Ann, born in Pawtucket, R. I., April 5, 1864, died August 21, 1864; Ellen Elizabeth, born in Pawtucket, R. I .. September 15, 1865, died October 25, 1866; William E., born in Pawtucket, March 6, 1867, married Miss Julia May Buttrick of Boston, December 6, 1892, and has two children, Harvey Buttrick, born in Oldtown, Mass., July 7, 1895, and William Henry, born in Old- town, November 3, 1898; James A., born in Pawtucket, June 22, 1868, a graduate of Schofield's Commercial College, Providence; Lizzie E., born in Pawtucket, Novem- ber 22, 1870, a graduate of North Attleborough High School, class of '90, and Rhode Island Normal School, class of January, 1893, married James Adams of Providence, October 30, 1894, and has two children, Annie Alvira, born December 7, 1895, and Olive Beatrice, born February 1, 1897; George W., born in Oldtown, December 7, 1873, a graduate of North Attleborough Grammar School, attended a business col- lege in Providence; Henry G., born in Oldtown, June 4, 1875, a graduate of North Attleborough High School, class of '93; and Annie M., born in Oldtown, May 26, 1880, died December 22, 1884. William Todd, a brother of James, was born in Ire- land, December 25, 1834, and came to the United States March 13, 1854. After a brief illness of a few days Mr. Todd died of gangrene erysipelas of the hand, July 3, 1897, at his home, leaving a widow, four sons and one daughter. His business en- terprises are still carried on by his brother William, and his sons, William E., James A., George W. and Henry G. Todd, at the present time.

Tompkins, Isaac B., jr., son of Isaac B. and Abby D. Tompkins, was born in Westport, Mass., August 27, 1849. His ancestors lived in this vicinity for many generations and were well represented. His father, Isaac B. Tompkins, was for many years a successful whaling captain and brought in many profitable cargoes, among the most notable being those of the ships Young Phenix and Twilight. He was chief of the New Bedford Police Department during the administrations of May- ors Morgan Rotch and George Wilson, and represented this district in the State Legislature, 1888 and 1889, and was highly respected in New Bedford for his sterling worth and character. Isaac B. Tompkins, jr., obtained his education in the public schools and academy at Westport, and later attended the East Greenwich Academy at East Greenwich, R. I., from which institution he was graduated after completing the commercial course. Soon after, he entered the office of Jonathan Bourne, one of the most successful whaleship owners and agents in New Bedford at that time. De- cember 26, 1870, he entered the employ of Driscol, Church & Hall, and on January 1, 1881, he was admitted to the partnership. He has contributed much of his energy and ability to the success of this flourishing house. He has held many positions of public trust ; for seven years (1878-1884) was a member of the Common Council, and for four successive years of this period he was unanimously chosen president of the body. In 1885 he was elected a member of the School Committee and during the same year was elected a trustee of the Free Public Library; in 1882 he became a trustee of the Institution for Savings, and in 1888 was elected president of the New

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Bedford Board of Trade, serving in that capacity for seven years, and his entire public service has been characterized by ability, faithfulness, and integrity.

Torrey, Fred L., was born in Attleborough, December 30, 1860. His father, John L. Torrey, was a native of Franklin, Mass., and his father, Samuel Torrey, was the son of one of the seven Torreys who were pioneer settlers in Taunton. John L. married Martha, daughter of Bradford Bullock, and at one time kept the stable and hotel at Attleborough. In 1886 he went to Florida, where he still resides. Fred L. Torrey was educated in the public schools and in 1878 learned the jewelry business with W. H. Wilmarth & Co. In 1888 he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, and in 1892 established his present business known as the Torrey Jewelry Co., making a general line of plated goods. In 1883 Mr. Torrey married Mary, daughter of Darius Briggs, and they have three children: Raymond L., Alice M. and John C. Mr. Torrey has served as justice of the peace; vice-president of the Attleborough Co-operative Bank; chairman of the Loan Committee; and is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and has ever been interested in his town and town's people.

Trafton, James G., was born in Dighton, April 15, 1852, a son of Benjamin and Marie (Smith) Trafton. His father represented his town in the Legislature one or more terms and was ever thoroughly interested in the growth and progress of his town and its educational and religious institutions; he died in 1877. James G. Traf- ton was educated in the public schools and in 1872 came to Attleborough and learned the jewelry business with Sturdy Bros., remaining with them fourteen years. In 1891 he purchased an interest in the firm of Wheaton, Richards & Co., manufactur- ing a line of fine gold goods, being the pioneers in the gold line. In March, 1898, he engaged in the jewelry business with J. G. Hutchinson (Hutchinson & Trafton), and in May following were burned out in the great Attleborough fire. Since then he has been engaged in the same line of business in Providence, R. I., in the firm of M. F. Winsor & Co. In 1879 Mr. Trafton married Annie F., daughter of Albert F. and Joanna (Bushee) Leonard, and they had two sons, Albert and Benjamin Everett (who died at three years). Mrs. Trafton died December 2, 1896. Mr. Trafton is one of the conservative men of his town, taking an intelligent interest in educational and religious institutions and has ever received the respect of his associates.

Trimble, Patrick, was born in Ireland, March 16, 1849, receiving his education in the national schools of that country, and in 1867 came to the United States, settling in Lambertville, N. J., where he was employed for about a year, and on May 12, 1868, came to Taunton, where he was employed in the oil cloth factory of Thompson Newbury; he remained with him five years and then started in business for himself and has continued up to the present time. Mr. Trimble is a member of the A.O.F., C.O.F., and K. of S. June 26, 1871, he married Margaret, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Riley) Noonan of Taunton, who died February 24, 1897, leaving one son, William H., born September 8, 1872.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 131

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