Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 82

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 82

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Edward D. Mandell, son of Thomas, was born in New Bedford, October 28, 1821, and died in his native place on December 16, 1897. After obtaining his education in various schools and while still quite young, he formed a partnership with the late Charles R. Tucker, under the title of Charles R. Tucker & Co., and engaged in whaling, which business was then developing into its later great prosperity. They fitted out a number of vessels, and upon Mr. Tucker's death, in 1877, Mr. Mandell took in with himself John F. Tucker, son of Charles R., the firm name being John F. Tucker & Co. This connection continued until 1886, when Mr. Tucker died and Mr. Mandell continued alone in a limited way until 1894. During this long business career, extending over nearly half a century, Mr. Mandell showed his possession of many of the high char- acteristics and unusual business qualifications that had distinguished his father. He succeeded in his undertakings, won the respect and confi- dence of the community, and was repeatedly called to responsible posi- tions. At his death he was a director in the Wamsutta and Hathaway Mills, in the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company, and the Mechanics' Bank, and a trustee in the Institution for Savings and of the Swain Free School. In these and various other stations of trust he justified the con- fidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.

Henry B. Stone was connected by marriage with the Mandell family, and his brilliant career during his comparatively short life makes it eminently proper that he should receive mention here. He was born in New Bedford in 1852, and was fitted for college at Phillips Exeter Acad- emy. In 1873 he graduated at Harvard University and then took a year's course in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He de- veloped a wonderful aptitude for mechanics and at once took up actual

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shop work, at first for one year in a cotton mill at Waltham, and for a similar period in the gun foundry of the South Boston Iron Works. From there he went to the shops of the Burlington and Quincy Railroad, at Aurora, Ill., where he filled the position of foreman. That was in the year 1877. The railroad authorities soon appreciated his worth and he was rapidly advanced until he was elected second vice-president of the road. This high position he filled with great credit until 1890, when he resigned to accept the presidency of the Chicago and Central Union Telephone Companies, and act as the western representative of the American Bell Telephone Company. These positions he held until July 1, 1897, and four days later, on the 5th of July, he met a tragic death. Thus was cut short a career which promised great achievements. Mr. Stone bore the principal part of the burden of the great struggle between the Burlington road and the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers and firemen, the results of which are well known. In that con- flict he demonstrated his fitness for dealing with large problems where great tact and executive ability are required. It was soon after the termination of that strike that Mr. Stone was promoted to the second vice-presidency of the road, in 1888. During his connection with the telephone companies above mentioned he was made a director of the World's Fair, and took an active part as chairman of one of the impor- tant committees. Passing from life at the early age of forty-five years, Mr. Stone had in that comparatively short period attained a degree of material success worthy of three score years and ten, and gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in contact.

GEORGE B. RICHMOND.

GEORGE B. RICHMOND, for fifteen years past registrar of deeds for the Southern District of Bristol county, was born in New Bedford on November 9, 1821. His parents were Gideon Richmond, of Dighton, and Rebecca Barstow, of Scituate. He was given superior advantages for those times to obtain an education, attending the Friends' Academy in his native village, Pierce Academy at Middleborough, and entering Brown University, from which he was compelled to retire at the close of two years on account of ill health. Immediately after leaving col- lege he returned to New Bedford and began his business life. His natural tastes led him at the beginning of his career to participate in

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politics and public affairs, and during most of his life since he has occu- pied a prominent position in this respect. In the somewhat famous contest between the New Bedford Bridge Corporation and the People, which extended through the period from 1845 to 1855, Mr. Richmond took a very active part and was instrumental in carrying the case through the courts and the Legislature, thus securing what had become an imperative necessity, the widening of the draw in the bridge from thirty-two feet to sixty feet, to accommodate the increasing commerce of New Bedford, whose whaling fleets were then sailing on every ocean.

In 1851 Mr. Richmond was elected on the Whig ticket to the State Legislature and filled the position with credit. In 1861 he was ap. pointed inspector, weigher, gauger and measurer in the New Bedford custom house, which office he held until January, 1874, when he re- signed. Mr. Richmond has always felt a deep interest in the cause of temperance, and in 1867 was nominated by the Prohibition party for mayor of New Bedford; the nomination was again given him in 1868, but he was defeated in both years. In 1869 he was elected and served with marked acceptance in the responsible office in the years 1870, 1871, 1872, 1874 and 1878. During his administration of this office the city gained a flattering reputation through many neighboring States for the efficiency of its government and the high plane of its morality. Particularly was this true from the temperance standpoint, the com - munity having been during that period influential in improving the liquor laws of the Commonwealth; it was widely cited by temperance advocates as illustrative of the efficacy of prohibitory liquor laws when well enforced. During Mr. Richmond's administration the city was visited by President Ulysses S. Grant, and by King Kalakua, of the Sandwich Islands. A public reception given to each of those distin- guished visitors was gracefully conducted by the mayor, in a manner satisfactory to the citizens and evidently pleasing to the guests.

Mr. Richmond's efforts in the prosecution of offenders of the liquor laws in New Bedford were earnestly sustained by the Boards of Alder- men and Councillors, which were composed of citizens of high charac- ter, who were in thorough sympathy with the mayor in all of his efforts for the promotion of good government. Mr. Richmond's administra- tion was also characterized by a large extension of streets, the rebuild- ing of the Fairhaven bridge, and other important public improvements, which contributed in a marked degree to the prosperity of the city.

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On December 31, 1873, just previous to his inauguration as mayor in 1874, Governor Washburn appointed Mr. Richmond one of the Police Commissioners of the Commonwealth, which position he held until the office was abolished. Mr. Richmond has always evinced a deep interest in educational affairs. The beautiful High School building in New Bedford was planned and contracted for during his administration in 1874, and the foundations were laid in the latter part of that year. In 1880 and 1881 he was a member of the State Senate, representing the Third Bristol county district. In the last named year he served as chairman of the committee on public charitable institutions and the committee on the liquor laws. When the vacancy was made in the office of registrar of deeds for the Southern District of Bristol county in 1883, Mr. Richmond received the appointment. This office he has ever since filled to the entire satisfaction of the district. In 1886 he was appointed by Governor Robinson a trustee of the Westborough Insane Hospital, and in 1887 was reappointed by Governor Ames for five years; in 1892 he was reappointed by Governor Russell.

In politics Mr. Richmond has always been an ardent Republican and as before stated, has been unyielding in his adherence to the cause of prohibition. For many years he was chairman of the Republican City Committee. In 1888 he was a member of the Republican State Cen- tral Committee. In the same year he was chairman of the Bristol County Committee of the First Congressional District and also of the Third Bristol District Senatorial Committee. In the fall of 1888 he declined all of these positions, desiring to devote his whole time to the exacting duties of his office. In 1889 he was elected a director in the Bristol County Mutual Insurance Company. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the First Baptist Society, and for five years was superintendent of its Sabbath school. He was for many years one of the board of the New Bedford Port Society and is one of the trustees of the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank. For seven years he was president of the local Y. M. C. A. He has been closely identified with many movements for promoting the moral and material welfare of the city and is now one of New Bedford's most respected citizens.

Mr. Richmond was married in Middleborough, November 5, 1844, to Rebecca R. C., daughter of Rev. Ebenezer and Rebecca (Childs) Nelson, of Middleborough. They have had seven children, five of whom are living. Mrs. Richmond died July 31, 1863. His second marriage took place at New Bedford, December 15, 1864, to Abby S.,

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daughter of Deacon Nathaniel and Hannah (Smith) Nelson, who died July 30, 1868. His third marriage was at New Bedford, November 3, 1871, to Elizabeth E., daughter of Capt. Charles D. and Mary H. Swift, of New Bedford.

THATCHER T. THURSTON.

THATCHER THAYER THURSTON, managing editor of the Fall River Herald, is a son of Eli and Julia A. (Sessions) Thurston, and was born in Fall River, November 18, 1859. He obtained his rudimentary ed- ucation in the Fall River public schools, and then prepared for Amherst College in the Phillips Academy at Andover; entering Amherst in 1877, he was graduated with honor in the class of 1881. After graduation he secured a position as a salesman in a New York commission house, where he remained three years and then returned to Fall River, and became identified with the newspaper business, being assistant editor of the Fall River Globe and Fall River correspondent of the Providence Journal for a period of eleven years. During this time his vigorous articles and enterprising work gained for him much favorable mention and in 1895 he was called to his present position as managing editor of the Herald. Although Mr. Thurston's connection with this publication covers but a short time he has already made his influence felt, and by untiring enterprising efforts has secured for his paper a prominent po- sition in the journalistic arena; a position which gives promise of greater things in the future. He was married in February, 1894, to Ada E., daughter of William A. Dunn of Fall River, and one son has been born to them, Elliot Ladd.

WILLIAM FRANCIS KENNEDY.

WILLIAM FRANCIS KENNEDY, managing editor of the Fall River Daily Globe, is a native of Fall River. He is a son of Matthew and Mar- garet (Donovan) Kennedy, and his father, who was a resident of Fall River many years, was engaged in the cotton manufacturing business, holding positions as overseer in different mills in this vicinity. When William F. Kennedy was an infant the family removed to Taunton where he attended the public and high schools. After leaving school 100

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he secured a position with the Whittenton Manufacturing Company, with whom he remained in the capacity of clerk and paymaster for a period of eighteen years. During his residence in Taunton Mr. Ken- nedy was always active in political circles and was for a number of years in the city government, being president of the Taunton Common Council in 1884. In 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of the city and served the term of four years. He had always done more or less work for the local papers and thus acquired a taste for and much experience in journalistic work. He finally became representative in this section of the State for the Boston Globe, and his work in this capacity led to his being tendered, in 1890, the position of managing editor of the Fall River Daily Globe, which position he accepted and still holds. Mr. Kennedy has done much during his con- nection with the Globe to give it the title which it justly holds as one of the most enterprising newspapers in this section.

HENRY A. NOYES.

HENRY ANDREWS NOYES was born in Newburyport, Mass., September 25, 1870, a son of Amos (deceased) and Anna P. (Andrews) Noyes. He received his early education in the public schools of Newburyport and Boston Business College. After graduating from the latter he began his business career as a newspaper man on the Herald in Newburyport, and after remaining about a year on the Herald he went to Lowell with the Morning Mail as a reporter. While in Lowell Mr. Noyes contracted typhoid fever, which unfitted him for business for some time, and on his recovery he became editor of a weekly paper in Newburyport. He then went to Northampton for awhile on the Herald, and then to Brock- ton on the Despatch and Gazette as city editor. This position he held for two years and gave it up and came to Taunton on the News five years ago. The News changed hands soon after his arrival and a position was offered him as editor of the Herald, which he accepted, and has been with them now about four years. At the age of seven- teen and when Mr. Noyes was in Newburyport, he was elected secretary of the Board of Trade of that city, and was the youngest secretary in the State.

JOHN H. ABBOTT, M. D.

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PHILIP D. BORDEN.

PHILIP D. BORDEN, who died in Fall River May 2, 1896, in the seventy- ninth year of his age, was for many years one of the foremost business men of the city. He was a son of Thomas and Lydia (Durfee) Borden, and born in that part of Tiverton which is included in Fall River, in 1817. At an early age he began work in the Fall River Iron Works and for some years served as private secretary to Holder Borden. Later he was appointed superintendent by the Iron Works Company, and still later occupied a similar position in the American Linen Mill. He was a prompt, active and energetic business man, and during his life held many positions of honor and trust.

JOHN H. ABBOTT., M. D.

JOHN HAMMILL ABBOTT, M. D., of Fall River, is the youngest son of James and Catharine (Henry) Abbott, and was born in Fall River, Mass., on the 11th of August, 1848. His father was born in Skipton, York- shire, England, in 1813, and came to America with his wife in 1842, settling first in Fall River. Later he became the senior member of the firm of Abbott & Sanders, proprietors of the Crompton (R. I.) Print Works, and subsequently he built a cotton mill in Apponaug, R. I., which was sold to Jordan, Marsh & Co., of Boston, and which is now the site of the Oriental Print Works. During the latter years of his life he was employed in the establishment of the American Printing Company, of Fall River, where he died, widely respected and esteemed, February 17, 1875. His wife, Catharine (Henry) Abbott, was born in 1810 in Clitheroe, a parliamentary borough in the county of Lancashire, England, and the birthplace and early home of the late Governor Fred- erick Thomas Greenhalge, of Massachusetts. She died in Fall River on the 15th of July, 1893.

Dr. John H. Abbott attended the public schools of his native city and of Crompton, R. I., whither his parents removed when he was a boy. He was graduated from the Providence Conference Seminary at East Greenwich, R. I., and then entered the Fruit Hill Seminary, a private institution in North Providence, where he finished his prepara- tory studies. Afterward he was a clerk in the drug store of Jacob Mott in Providence for several years, or until the spring of 1864. This ser-

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vice had a brief interruption, however, when he enlisted in November, 1863, in the 3d Rhode Island Cavalry, from which his release was se- cured on the ground of his youthful age. In April, 1864, he again en- listed in the Union cause, this time in the United States Signal Corps, and served mainly in the Department of the Gulf under Generals Canby, Gordon Granger and Reynolds. He was also on detached service on board the U. S. sloop of war Monongahela for a time, participating in Farragut's memorable naval battle of Mobile Bay and being present at the siege of Fort Spanish and other movements around Mobile until the surrender of that city. He was honorably discharged as sergeant in December, 1865, and returning to Providence was bookkeeper in his father's cotton mill until early in 1867, when he began the study of medicine with Dr. James R. Birdsall, of Camden, N. J. In the spring of 1868 he was appointed apothecary on board the U. S. ironclad Sau- gus, U. S. navy, and served until December 13, 1869, when he resign- ed. During this service he was attached to the North Atlantic squadron in the vicinity of Key West, Fla., and Cuba, and became well acquainted with the people and cities of the West India islands.

On resigning from the navy Dr. Abbott resumed his professional studies with Dr. Albert C. Dedrick, of Centreville, R. I., and in 1870 he entered the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. March 9, 1872. He at once began active practice at Centreville, but in September, 1873, established himself in Fall River, where he has ever since followed his profession with uninterrupted success, winning a reputation which easily gives him a leading place among the foremost physicians not only of that city, but also of Bristol county.

Dr. Abbott has always been an ardent and staunch Republican, and in the councils of his party has wielded for many years a potent and wholesome influence. He was city physician and president of the Board of Health of Fall River from 1879 to 1882 and a member of the Fall River Common Council from Ward 1 in 1877 and of the Board of Alder- men in 1896 and 1897 from Ward 2. He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee from the Second Bristol district for five years, chairman of the Republican City Committee of Fall River for four years, an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1888, and a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis in 1892. He has also been a delegate to numerous Re- publican State, Congressional, and local conventions, and during the

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three years of Governor Oliver Ames's administration, from 1887 to 1889 inclusive, was a member of his staff with the rank of colonel and assistant quartermaster-general He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, of the Rhode Island Medical Society, and of the South Bristol Medical Association, of which he was president in 1898.

In fraternal circles Dr. Abbott's popularity and reputation extends into some of the leading national bodies. He is a thirty second degree Mason, holding membership in Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, K. T., of Fall River, and in Massachusetts Consistory, of Boston. He was commander of Richard Borden Post, No. 46, Grand Army of the Re- public, for four successive years, an inspector on the staff of Depart- ment Commander John W. Billings in 1880, and a delegate to the National Encampments of the G. A. R. at Portland, Me., and Indian- apolis, Ind. In the Knights of Pythias, beginning as a charter mem- ber of Mount Vernon Lodge No. 157, of Fall River, he has passed through all the chairs of the subordinate and Grand lodges to the post of grand chancellor of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, which he held from February 18, 1891, to February 17, 1892. In 1895 he was elected supreme representative to the Supreme Lodge of the Knights of Pythias for four years from January, 1896, and is now serving in that capacity. He was brigadier general commanding the Massachu- setts Brigade, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, for two terms of four years each, serving from July 24, 1889, to July 24, 1897, and in the latter year was appointed brigadier general and chief engineer on the staff of Major-General James R. Carnahan, of Indianapolis, Ind., commanding the Uniform Rank of the Order. Dr. Abbott is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Pil- grim Fathers, of the New England Order of Protection, of the Benev- olent Order of Elks, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a public spirited, patriotic, and progressive citizen, a man of broad intellectual attainments, a physician of recognized ability and skill, and a firm adherent of those principles which spread the great- est good among his fellow beings. In every capacity he has won an honorable reputation and merited distinction, while in the community where his professional labors have covered a period of a quarter of a century he is highly respected and esteemed.

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ROBERT TREAT PAINE.

ROBERT TREAT PAINE, one of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence, was born in Boston, Mass., March 11, 1731. His father was Thomas Paine, pastor of a church in Weymouth and later a mer- chant of considerable prominence in Boston; his mother was Eunice Treat, who was the daughter of Samuel Treat and a granddaughter of Samuel Willard, president of Harvard College from 1701 to 1707.

Robert T. Paine entered Harvard College and was graduated in 1749. He spent some years in teaching school, and later became a sailing master, making three voyages to North Carolina and one voyage to Greenland in the whaling service. He must have been somewhat un- decided as to his future lifework, as he left the sea and studied divinity, and in 1755 was a chaplain in the army in the French war. He finally took up the study of the law, reading with Judge Willard, of Lancaster, Mass., and Benjamin Pratt, of Boston. He was admitted to the bar of Suffolk county in 1759.

He began the practice of his profession in Boston, but in 1761 re- moved to Taunton, where he rapidly advanced and secured a place in the front rank of the lawyers of that vicinity, and his fine mental en- dowment, his profound knowledge of the law and his thoroughness in practice soon brought him an extensive business. He represented Taunton in the General Court in 1769.

In 1770, in the absence of the attorney-general, he conducted the prosecution of Captain Preston and others for the Boston massacre, and exhibited great ability therein. Upon the breaking out of the Rev- olution he warmly espoused the cause of the colonists, and was a dele- gate to the Provincial Congress in 1774 and 1775, a member of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1778, and won lasting honor as a signer of its Declaration of Independence. He served as a member of the Massachusetts General Court and was speaker of the House in 1777.

In 1776 he was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court, but declined the honor. He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1779, and upon the acceptance af the constitution was made the first attorney-general of Massachusetts and served as such until February 12, 1790.

In 1780 he returned to Boston, where he bought and occupied the Governor Shirley residence on the corner of Milk and Federal streets. In 1790 he was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Judicial

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Court, which position he filled with great ability until 1804, when he resigned. He received the honorary degree of LL. B. from Harvard in 1805. He died May 11, 1814.

In 1770 he married Sally, daughter of Thomas Cobb, and sister of Gen. David Cobb, of Taunton.

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PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Abbe, Alanson J., M. D., son of Frederic R. and Mary T. (Thayer) Abbe, was born in Abington, Mass., February 18, 1861. When he was eight years old his par- ents removed to Boston and he obtained his preliminary education in the Boston Latin School, from which he was graduated in 1877. In the same year he entered Harvard College, receiving the degree of A. B. in 1881. He then entered the Har- vard Medical School, taking the volunteer four years' course and receiving the de- grees of A. M. and M.D. cum laude. During the last year of his medical course he acted as interne (resident physician) at the McLean Asylum. Dr. Abbe located in Fall River shortly after graduation and has since been in eminently successful prac. tice in that city. He has of late years confined his practice to diseases of the ear and eye, in the treatment of which he has acquired an enviable reputation. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and secretary and treasurer of the Bristol South District. He is also a member of the American Medical Association, the Fall River Medical Society and has been on the staff of the Fall River Hospital since its establishment. June 10, 1888, he was married to Louisa L., daughter of James H. Eaton of Andover, Mass., and they have two children: Alice Thayer, born May 7, 1890, and Frederic Eaton, born May 2, 1892.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 82

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