Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 133

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 133

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Williams, Alfred Baylies, son of George B. and Sarah C. (Barstow) Williams, was born in Taunton, July 8, 1865. His early education was received in the public schools of Taunton and he took a special course in architecture for two years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He then returned to Taunton and went to work for his father in the manufacture of lumber; in 1887 his father retired from business and Mr. Williams went into the firm of A. G. Williams & Co., continuing

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the business of G. B. Williams, which is the style of the firm at the present writing. He is a member of Ionic Lodge, F. & A. M., and several local organizations. June 15, 1893, he married Louise Myles, daughter of James R. and Mary Tracy of Taunton.

Williams, A. Gilbert, son of George B. and Sarah (Barstow) Williams, was born in Taunton, Mass., and during his boyhood attended the public schools of his native city. His father was for many years engaged as a lumber dealer and manufacturer of builder's supplies in Taunton, and he early acquired a knowledge of the business. Shortly after leaving school he began business as a manufacturer and dealer in builder's supplies, and is now associated with his brothers, under the firm name of A. Gilbert Williams & Company. The planing mill of the firm is located on Weir street and their business consists of the manufacture of all kinds of house furnish- ing stock as well as sawing and planing lumber. Mr. Williams has been active in Republican politics and has represented the Fourth ward in the Council three years, and on the Board of Aldermen two years.

Williams, Capt. George D., eldest son of Seth F. and Sinia (Dean) Williams, was born in Freetown, Bristol county, Mass., January 9, 1824. He acquired a liberal education in the public schools and the Normal School at Bridgewater. His first employment was as a school teacher, and in 1858 he went to Cook county, Ill., where he was engaged in teaching three years. He was a member of the State militia, and at the breaking out of the war his company enlisted for three months. In November, 1862, he re-enlisted in Co, G. 29th Mass. Vols., serving for two years, and at the end of the war he returned home and bought his present farm, where he has since re- sided. On April 26, 1864, he married Eliza Y., daughter of Capt. Benjamin and Mary (Brightman) Miller, and they have had two children, neither of whom is liv- ing. Captain Williams has been more or less active in town affairs and has held the offices of treasurer and collector, deputy sheriff, and other offices of minor impor- tance. He is of a very social nature and has a large circle of friends.

Williams, George Barstow, was born in Taunton, July 29, 1849, a son of George Bradford and Sarah Carver (Barstow) Williams, and was educated in the public schools of Taunton and Bristol Academy. After leaving school he was employed by his father in the lumber business and remained with him until 1886, when his father retired and left the business to his sons, which they continue to-day under the name of A. G. Williams & Co. They cut and manufacture lumber in all its branches. May 1, 1872, Mr. Williams married Mary Elizabeth White of Taunton; they have four children: George L., J. Clifford, Fred B., and Mabel J.

Williams, George Lewis, was born in Taunton, February 19, 1873, a son of George Barstow and Mary E. (White) Williams. He was educated in the public schools of Taunton, and a business college at New Bedford. In 1892 he entered the office of George A. King to learn surveying and civil engineering, where he remained until January, 1898, and then started an office for himself, which he continues at the pres- ent time and is prepared to do anything in his line. He is a member of Ionic Lodge, F. & A. M., and Sabbatia Lodge, I. O. O. F.

Williams, Herbert Messenger, was born in Providence, R. I., February 28, 1871, and is the son of Charles H. Williams and Freelove A. Mr. Williams was educated

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in the public schools of Providence, and his business experience has always been in the manufacture of seamless gold and silver plated wire and jewelers' supplies. In 1896 he organized the firm of H. M. Williams & Co., to manufacture the above line. On May 18, 1898, in the great fire of Attleborough the factory was destroyed, but since then Mr. Williams has purchased a building and occupies the whole. He mar- ried, in 1893, Lura B,, daughter of Solomon J. Morton, and they have one daughter, Marjorie. Mr. Williams if one of the enterprising young men of the town and has ever received the respect of his associates.

Williams, William Fish, city engineer, is the youngest son of Thomas W. and Eliza A. (Griswold) Williams, and was born on the whaling ship Florida, in the South Pacific Ocean, January 12, 1859. His father was born in Hay, River Wye, in Wales, in 1820, and when ten years old came to America with his parents, William and Mary (Watkins) Williams, and settled in Wethersfield, Conn., where William had charge of a mill making satinet goods. The latter died about 1870. Thomas W. came to New Bedford about 1840 and followed the whaling business until his death at Oakland, Cal., in August, 1880, sailing from New Bedford for about twenty- five years and from San Francisco during the remainder of his life. He was one of the best known whaling captains in the service. His wife died in 1884. William Fish Williams, as a boy, spent some six years aboard a whaling ship, and in 1871 had the experience of being lost in the Arctic regions. He prepared for college in the common and private schools of Oakland, Cal., and in February, 1878, entered the school of Mines of Columbia College, New York, from which he was graduated with the degree of C. E. in 1881, and where he took the degree of E. M. in 1882. He then went to Hartford, Conn., and began the practice of his profession, afterwards spent a year in the West inspecting mining properties, then returned to Hartford, and in 1887 and 1888 engaged in the electroplating business in Meriden, Conn., when he again returned to Hartford. In 1890 he came to New Bedford and in the fall of same year went to Tennessee, where he held the position of chief engineer in an English company, employed in developing an iron property. In March, 1893, he re- turned to New Bedford and was elected city land surveyor, which position he still holds, the title of the office having been changed to city engineer. Mr. Williams was chief engineer in charge of the designing and construction of the new Fair- haven and New Bedford bridge, under appointment of the commissioners of Bris- tol county in May, 1896. He also had charge of preparing the plans for the city for abolishing grade crossings, and was one of the city's special commissioners in supervising the surveys of the city and preparing the assessors' plots. He is a mem- ber of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, of the New England Water Works As- sociation, of the New Bedford Board of Trade, and of the Dartmouth and Wamsutta Clubs. In April, 1883, he married Anna L. Cornor of Oakland, Cal., and they have four children: Kate, Thomas W., Harold and Dorothy.

Wilmot, John B., son of Malcolm and Jeannette (Gibson) Wilmot, was born at Moncton, New Brunswick, June 19, 1847. He obtained his education in the private schools of his native village and then began to learn the trade of stone cutter, which he followed in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia until he was twenty-three years old. At this time he removed to the United States, remaining in Boston a short time and then settled in Fall River, where he has since resided. Three years after his ar-

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rival in Fall River he established a retail grocery on Pleasant street and conducted it with success until 1887. He had been engaged to some extent in the stone con- tracting business during this time, and discontinued his grocery with a view of giv- ing his entire attention to the stone business. He is now extensively engaged in quarrying granite, operating a quarry on Oak Grove avenue and employing a large force of stone cutters and laborers. His efforts have met with a large measure of success, due largely to close attention and to a knowledge of the business from boy- hood. Mr. Wilmot is a member of Narragansett Lodge of Masons. His great- grandfather, John Bentley, was one of the first settlers of St. Johns, New Bruns- wick. Early in life he was a sea captain, but later engaged in business at St. Johns and was said to have been one of the most prosperous merchants of his time. Mr. Wilmot's paternal grandfather, Malcolm Wilmot, came from England when a youth and settled in Rhode Island, but subsequently moved to New Brunswick. In De- cember, 1872, Mr. Wilmot married Isabella, daughter of Cornelius Hargraves of Fall River, and they have two sons: Thomas J. and Reuben H.

Wilson, Edward Thurston, undertaker, is the eldest son of Benjamin G. Wilson and Mary P., daughter of Peter Sherman of Fairhaven, his wife, and was born in Boston, Mass., January 25, 1837. Benjamin G., son of John C. Wilson, was born in Newport, R. I., in 1814, and was of Scotch descent. He went to Boston and later to Buffalo, N. Y., and about 1837 came to New Bedford, where he entered the em- ploy of Soule & Shaw. He was a cabinet maker and for a time manufactured coffins. About 1839 he became an undertaker, succeeding a Mr. Ottiwell, and successfully continued the business for forty-five years, or until his death June 27, 1884. His wife died in 1851. He was a Mason, holding membership in Star in the East Lodge, Adoniram Chapter, and Sutton Commandery, and was also a member of Acushnet Lodge, I. O. O. F. His children were Edward T., Benjamin I., John (who died young), and Lewis L. Edward Thurston Wilson was educated in the public schools of New Bedford and at Pierce Academy in Middleborough, and afterward was ap- prenticed to the carriage trade under George L. Brownell. He followed carriage trimming with Frank Shaw and William G. White, and later was associated with his father in the undertaking business until October 3, 1861, when he enlisted in Battery E, 5th Mass. Light Art., Capt. Max Eppendorff. He served with this organization until June, 1865, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of second sergeant. He was in most of the twenty-three engagements in which his battery participated, including the siege of Yorktown, Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Spottsylvania, the Wil- derness, Fredericksburg and Five Forks. Returning from the army he spent a year in a shoe factory in Brockton and subsequently engaged at his trade of carriage trimmer in New Bedford with H. G. O. Cole. In 1863 he again became associated with his father, and on the latter's death in 1884 succeeded to the business, which he still continues. This is the oldest undertaking establishment in New Bedford, hav- ing been in continuous existence for upwards of sixty years. Mr. Wilson is a mem- ber of Post 1, G. A. R , of Star in the East Lodge, F. & A. M., of Adoniram Chap- ter. R. A. M., New Bedford Council, R. & S. M., Sutton Commandery, K. T., Acush- net Lodge, I. O. O. F., Annawan Encampment, I. O. O. F., and of Canton New Bedford, I. O. O. F. He is a charter member of Camp No. 10, Union Veteran Legion, and has served as its quartermaster for several years. January 14, 1864,

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Mr. Wilson married Amelia J., daughter of Henry S. Packard of Smith Mills, town of Dartmouth, and later of New Bedford. They have had four children : Henry P., who is associated in business with his father; Bertha, deceased; Grace E. and Mary S.

Wing, Charles, son of David and Sophia (Gifford) Wing, was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., October 17, 1827. He spent his boyhood on his father's farm, attended the public schools in the winter and worked for his father in the summer. He remained at home until April, 1861, when he married Mary J., daughter of Henry and Mary Brightman. Their happy home has been blessed by the birth of three children: Ezra (deceased), Laura W., wife of Alvin Caswell, and Cecil O. Mr. Wing is a prominent member of the Westport Grange, and is one of Westport's honored and respected citizens. He has always been more or less active in public affairs, although he has never aspired to public office.

Wing, Charles F., merchant of New Bedford, was born in that city in 1851, a son of Capt. Lyman Wing and Hannah Howland, his wife. He is directly descended from John Wing of Sandwich, who came from England in 1629 or 1630, and as far as is known was the progenitor of most of the name of Wing in America. During his boyhood Mr. Wing attended the schools of his native city, and after completing his education became a clerk for B. H. Waite, with whom he remained four years. In 1874 he began in a small way the business in which he still continues. At first he occupied only the south half of the front store in the old wooden building which was rebuilt in 1887; later the increase of the business was accommodated by the old Waite dry goods store adjoining; and still later he purchased the old Manhattan House property and in 1897 completed a large addition in the rear of his original store, in which he has conducted a business in general house furnishings for over twenty-five years. Mr. Wing is a member of Star in the East Lodge of Masons, and of the Chapter, Council and Commandery.

Winslow, William Baker, son of Hudson and Phebe (Baker) Winslow, was de- scended from Kenelm Winslow 1 (son of Edward, and brother of Gov. Edward Wins- low of the Plymouth colony), who was born in Droitwich, Worcestershire, England, in April, 1599, came to this country in 1631, settled in Marshfield, died September 13, 1672, and was buried in Salem; Job Winslow,2 of Marshfield; Jonathan Winslow,3 born in Marshfield, moved to Swansea (where his house was burned in King Philip's war), and later removed to Dartmouth; Benjamin Winslow, 4 who lived between New Bedford and Fall River; and Hudson Winslow,5 who was born in 1785 and was drowned in 1826. Benjamin Winslow,4 married Content Webster, a relative of Dan- iel Webster, and had eight children: Sarah, Benjamin, jr., Nicholas, Hallett Mitchell, Jonathan, Annie, Molly and Hudson.5 Hudson Winslow was a sailor. In 1810 he married Phebe, daughter of William and Mercy Baker, and had six children : Hallett Mitchell, born June 21, 1812, living in Dartmouth; William Baker, born June 15, 1815, deceased; Joshua Baker, born April 8, 1817, deceased; James Smith, born De- cember 2, 1821; Benjamin, born September 19, 1823, deceased; and Hudson, jr., born February 3, 1826. All of these sons received a common school education and accumu- lated competences without help of any kind. William B. Winslow went to sea when a young man and made in all five whaling voyages. In 1849 he went to Cal- fornia and remained a year, and after his return was engaged in rigging ships until about 1882, when he retired. He died May 8, 1892. He was a Republican, but

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always held aloof from politics and public life. He possessed excellent judgment, strong common sense, and an exceedingly genial disposition and was a kind neigh- bor and universally respected and loved. May 7, 1840, he married Ann Saulter Baldwin, daughter of Nehemiah Baldwin of Newark, N. J., who died April 11, 1882, They had two sons: William Baker, jr., born June 7, 1841, died September 21, 1851, and Jeremiah Baldwin, born January 5, 1843, died in August, 1845, and an adopted daughter, Betsey Baldwin Winslow, who occupies the home at 315 County street built by Mr. Winslow in 1851.

Wood, Benjamin Legge, was born in Taunton, Mass., April 28, 1855, a son of Ben- jamin L. and Julia Maria (Washburn) Wood. His early education was received in the public schools of Taunton, and at the close of his school days he went to work for Isaac Washburn in the hardware business. He remained with him three years and then went to Chicago, where he was engaged in the same business for three years, and in 1876 came to Taunton and started in the insurance business with his father. He continued with him until 1879, when he succeeded his father and carried the busi - ness on alone until 1882, when he sold out to Jackson & Co., and was in their employ for a short time, then went with the Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Co. In 1886 he returned to Jackson & Co. and was with them until 1889, when he went into the firm and remained until 1893, at which time he engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business for himself. June 6, 1877, he married Fannie Phillips, daughter of Rufus and Charlotte (Crosman) Dean, and they have three children: Rufus D., Le- land D. and Marjorie P.

Wood, Edmund, son of Henry T. and Anna G. (Russell) Wood, was born in New Bedford in 1854. His father was a prominent citizen and merchant of New Bedford for upwards of forty years and served on the School Committee and in the city government for considerable periods. On both sides Mr. Wood descends from old Puritan stock, and the Russell family has been especially prominent in New Bedford history. During his boyhood he attended the common schools of New Bedford for a short time and at the age of twelve went to the Friends' School at Providence, R. I., where he prepared for college. He was graduated from Brown University in the class of 1876 with the degree A. B., and following his graduation, went into the lumber business owned by his father, and with which he has been identified ever since. This business was established some years prior to 1848, at which time the firm of Greene & Wood was formed, composed of Augustus Greene and Henry T. Wood. Mr. Greene retired in 1872 and the business was taken by Henry T. Wood, although the firm name has never been changed from the original style now so well known to the trade throughout this section. The business is now in the hands of the brothers, George R., Edmund and William G. Wood. Mr. Wood has been active to some extent in Republican political circles and has served as chairman three years and secretary four years of the Republican city committee. He has represented Ward 6 in the Council four terms, two having been president of the body, and was a member of and served two years on the first Board of Public Works, and is now completing his second term on the Water Board. In 1895 he married Margaret C., daughter of Oliver K. Earl, of Worcester, Mass.

Wood, Henry A., son of Henry and Louise (De Moranville) Wood, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., October 8, 1868; he obtained his education in the public schools

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of Rochester, Mass., where he resided until he was twenty-one years of age. His boyhood was passed on the farm, and in 1896 he removed to Freetown, where he has since resided. On October 15, 1896, he was united in marriage to Anna M., daugh- ter of William and Eliza Durfee.

Wood, Robert E., son of Thomas W. and Susanna (Gifford) Wood, was born in the town of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., June 13, 1826. Mr. Wood had only the very meagre opportunities of book education afforded by a few weeks' attendance at school each winter, from the time he was nine until he was fifteen. He remained at home until he was of age, when he was apprenticed to the cooper's trade, and after a service of two years bought the balance of his time to go whaling as ship cooper, in which he was engaged for nearly six years. In 1850 he returned to New Bedford and worked at his trade for seven years, when he removed his family to his present farm, at the same time conducting his business in New Bedford until 1878, at which time he retired from the cooper business and has since lived on his farm. Mr. Wood was married in January, 1851, to Melvina J., daughter of William and Anna (Dean) Ramsdell of Leeds, Me. They have six children: Emma E., Anna D., Mary L. (wife of Frank Macomber), Augustus R, Susie G. (wife of Benjamin R. Ramsdell), and Charles R. Mr. Wood is a member of Westport Grange, and among his townsmen he is regarded as an honest, successful business man, a good and law- abiding citizen and valued friend and neighbor.

Wordell, Benjamin Frank, son of Benjamin Ryder and Elizabeth (Thurston) Wor- dell, was born in New Bedford, May 19, 1858, and has resided there all his life. He attended the public and high schools and then went into the office of Hathaway & Soule, shoe manufacturers, and for seven years was employed as clerk and travel- ing salesman. Later he worked in the factory for thirteen years completing a ser- vice of twenty years in the employ of this firm. In February, 1894, he accepted a position in the office of the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company and remained in the capacity of clerk for four years. Mr. Wordell has been a member of Star in the East Lodge of Masons since he was twenty-two years old. In November, 1881, he mar- ried Hattie A., daughter of Asa P. Manchester, a prominent business man of New Bedford and deacon in the William Street Baptist Church for forty years. Mr. Wordell's father, Benjamin R. Wordell, was born in North Westport and removed to New Bedford about 1847. He resided there until 1873, when he purchased a farm in Dartmouth and conducted it for a period of twenty years, then returned to New Bedford, where he remained until his death, January 5, 1897, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. In his early days he was a member of Mt. Hope Lodge of Odd Fellows of Fall River. By trade he was a ship carpenter, a prudent, saving man, and highly respected in the community. Of his union with Elizabeth Thurston five children were born, only two of whom survive: Carrie I., wife of Perry C. Wordell, and Benjamin Frank.

Wordell, Cynthia Mosher, a native of Westport, Bristol county, Mass., was born March 2, 1836, the fifth child born to Gershom and Sylvia Mosher. She lived at home with her parents until she was married, December 11, 1856, to Humphrey H. Wordell. He was born November 14, 1828, and died October 3, 1891. They had six children, viz., David B., born April 19, 1857, and died October 14, 1892; Mary E., wife of George H. Humphrey of Dartmouth; Joshua A., born August 18, 1861; Ed-

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win D., born May 14, 1864; Elbridge B., born June 24, 1868; and Sylvia M. born July 20, 1874. Mr. Wordell devoted his entire life to farming with the exception of one voyage on a whaling ship. His life was one of commendable industry, honorable labor, of enterprise and of sturdy devotion to what he conceived to be right. He was a man thoroughly respected and highly esteemed in all the relations of life.

Wyatt, William T., son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Tabor) Wyatt, was born in Mid- dletown, R. I., June 22, 1816. He is of English descent and some of his early an- cestors were members of the English Parliament. Mr. Wyatt received his education from the district schools and in 1843 removed to Fall River, Mass., where he engaged in the meat business, which he carried on until 1864, when he removed to his farm in Westport, where he has since resided and been successfully engaged in agricul- ture. On March 29, 1839, he married Ann Baker, who died May 8, 1894, and they had one daughter, Elizabeth A. In November, 1894, Mr. Wyatt married Sarah, daughter of Joseph and Rider Ennis, who died in August of the following year. Mr. Wyatt has never taken an active interest in politics and has never aspired to public office. He is. very fond of his home and is seldom absent unless business calls him away.

Boylan, Rev. Bernard, rector of St. Joseph's Church of Fall River, is a son of Luke and Bridget (Galligan) Boylan, and was born at Wareham, Mass., September 25, 1853. He obtained his early education in the public schools of his native town and later attended Pierce Academy at Middleborough, Mass., for two years. He then entered St. Charles College at Baltimore, Md., completing the four years course, then going to the Grand Seminary at Montreal, where he remained nearly five years. He was ordained to the ministry December 23, 1876, and soon after became assistant in the parish of St. Michael's at South Providence. Eight months later he went to the parish of Odell, Livingston county, Ill., in the same capacity and remained five years, when he returned to the east and was assistant at North Attleborough for two years. He came to Fall River in February, 1885, to take charge of the new St. Jo- seph's Church as pastor, and during his charge of the parish, which now covers a period of over thirteen years, has done much to improve the church property and to uplift and benefit the members of his congregation. He is a man fitted to win the friendship and confidence of all; his pastorate is laborious and influential.

Fittz, George B., was born in Great Falls, N. H., March 4, 1828, a son of Albert and Tryphosia (Bartlett) Fittz. His father was a native of Seekonk, where his father, David Fittz, was one of the pioneer farmers. Albert was a machinist and died in 1894. George B. Fittz was educated in the public schools, studied dentistry with Dr. Gardner of Pawtucket, and in 1872 came to Attleborough and established his dental practice, which he carried on till 1897, when he retired. In 1849 he mar- ried Emily, daughter of Stepben Murray, and they have one son, William B. Mr. Fittz was overseer of the poor fourteen years, superintendent of water works five years, and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 133

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