Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 86

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 86

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Blake, James E., son of James H. and Sarah Blake (née Pitts), was born in Fall River, Mass., in 1826. His boyhood was spent in Dighton, where he received a common school education. Removing to New Bedford in 1840, he entered the em- ploy of Dr. Silas Tompkins and Brother, at the same time continuing his education in a private school. In 1849 the brother withdrew from the firm, and Mr Blake was received into partnership with Dr. Tompkins, becoming sole proprietor after the death of Dr. Tompkins, in 1854. Mr. Blake is the oldest druggist in New Bed- ford. His business career covers a period of fifty-eight years, and is one which challenges emulation. The store on the corner of North Second and Middle streets is an interesting landmark, and for many years has been distinguished by "the sign of the Good Samaritan." The establishment is one of the most extensive to be found in Bristol county, both in the wholesale and retail departments. As a citizen, Mr. Blake is highly esteemed and respected, and takes a lively interest in all public

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

affairs. He is a member of Star in the East Lodge, F. & A. M., of De Molay Com- mandery, K T., of the Massachusetts State and American Pharmaceutical Associa- tions, and of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. In 1860 he married Lois Akin Davis, daughter of Humphrey Davis, of Long Plain, Mass., and they have nine chil- dren living, viz., George A., who is associated in business with his father; Clara S .; Ralph V., a dentist in Boston ; James Edwin, jr., who is employed by the drug house of Hall & Lyon, Waltham; Lois D., a stenographer; Herbert T., who is employed by the wholesale drug firm of Peter Van Schaack & Sons, of Chicago; Ada S., a kindergartner; and Robert P. and Emily S.

Blandin, George C., was born in Taunton in 1852, a son of Capt. S. G. and Caro- line French Blandin. His father was a tailor and worked at his trade in Taunton. Mr. Blandin started out in life for himself when only eighteen years of age. His first employment was with Eastman & Co.'s Express business, where he remained six years; afterwards with the Adams Express Co., as messenger on the N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad; later as agent at New Britain, Conn., for three years; and for nine years was in charge of the N. Y. & Boston Express Company's office in Fall River. In 1892 he came to Dighton as bookkeeper for the Century Stove Co. In 1881 Mr. Blandin married Fannie Presbrey, and they have one daughter, Maud P. Mr. Blandin is a member of several orders.

Bliss, A. H., was born in Rehoboth, March 28, 1851, a son of Henry E. Bliss, a native of the same place, where his parents were among the pioneers of that town. Henry E. married Cornelia Hale, and was engaged in cotton manufacturing. A. H. Bliss was educated in the common schools and learned the machinist's trade in Providence. In 1873 he came to North Attleborough and entered the employ of F. G. Whitney, remaining with him nine years, and in 1882 he formed a business asso- ciation with F. G. Pate, retiring in 1887, and in 1888 established his present busi- ness, making a specialty of chains. In 1873 he married Catherine Carpenter of Kingston, and they have two sons: Edwin C. and Frank H.

Bliss, Everett B., was born in Attleborough, October 31, 1839, a son of Zeba and Lepha (Peck) Bliss. His father was a contractor and builder and was prominently identified in the milling interests of Maine and Massachusetts; he died in 1858. Everett B. Bliss was educated in the public schools and learned the jeweler's trade with Hayward & Briggs. In 1873 he established what is now the firm of Bliss Bros., manufacturing jewelers In 1862 he enlisted in Co. M, 40th Mass. Vols., serving in the Army of the Potomac, and siege of Fort Wagner, S. C., and Florida campaign ; was in action at Ten Mile Run, Lake City, Gainsville, Cedar Creek, and numerous other engagements in Florida; at Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Heights of Peters- burg, and Siege of Petersburg: was under fire ninety days. He was among the leading men to enter Richmond at its capture, and received an honorable discharge in 1865. In 1868 he married Annie M., daughter of Joseph M. Newcomb, and they have two sons: Milford E. and Edward N.

Blossom, Eli Walter, a native of New Bedford, Mass., born January 22, 1850. He removed to Westport when he was quite young and received his education in the common schools of that town. Mr. Blossom has devoted his entire life to farming. January 1, 1878, he married Ella J., daughter of William and Nancy E. Young, and d

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

they have four children: Mary E., born July 6, 1879; Alice M., born April 21, 1882; Clarissa L., born May 1, 1884; and Susan M., born July 20, 1887. Mr. Blossom is one of Westport's most successful farmers and enjoys the respect and confidence of a large circle of friends. He has been surveyor of highways for the last twenty-five ® years.

Bodge, John P., agent and treasurer of the Arkwright Mills, is a son of James and Angeline R. (Hathaway) Bodge. His father was a native of New Hampshire and came to Fall River in 1847. The family were early settlers in America, and origi- nally came from the Jersey Islands. John P. Bodge is seventh in the line of Andrew, who settled in Maine in 1706. He was born in Fall River, April 8, 1856, and attend- ed both the public and high schools. After leaving school he secured a position as clerk in the coal office of Joseph A. Bowen, later entering the employ of the Durfee Mills, where he remained as an operative for a period of seven years. He then spent one year as an overseer of carding in the Stafford Mills, at the end of that time going to the Globe Yarn Mills, where he remained seven years. He then accepted the po- sition of superintendent of the Hargraves Mills, which he held for eight years. In April, 1897, he organized the Arkwright Mills, and when the company was incorpo- rated was made agent and treasurer, with Joseph A. Bowen president, and James M. Morton, jr., as clerk of the board. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in King Philip Lodge, F. & A. M., and Godfrey de Bouillon Command- ery, Knights Templar; also a member of Fall River Lodge of Odd Fellows, and the I. O. R. M. November 15, 1881. Mr. Bodge married Malvina J., daughter of Clark Freelove of Fall River, and they have one son, L. Clifford.

Boomer, Thomas, son of Martin and Amy (Thurston) Boomer, was born in Fall River, May 22, 1857. He is a member of a family which is said by some historians to have been the third to settle in the vicinity of Fall River. His father resided in Fall River all his life, following the occupation of a ship carpenter, and gaining a reputation for industry and integrity. During his boyhood Mr. Boomer attended the public schools, acquiring a good common school education, which was later supple- mented by a course in the Holmes Business College. After leaving this institution he engaged successively in farming, stone quarrying, the moulder's trade, and in the mill business. In 1880 he purchased the farm in North Dartmouth on which he now resides, eight miles northwest of the city of New Bedford. He has served as road surveyor and in other minor town offices.

Boomer, Walter Martin, was born in Fall River, Mass., December 24, 1847, a son of Martin and Amy (Thurston) Boomer. His ancestors were of English descent and were among the first settlers in Fall River. Mr. Boomer was educated in the public schools of Providence, R. I. His first employment was in a machine shop at Fall River. Later he was employed by Oliver Buffinton, a market gardener, for three years. At the end of this time he accepted a position with Joseph Elsbree, where he remained for one year, and then removed to Providence, R. I., and engaged in the jewelry business, which he continued ten years. He was next employed by his broth- er Thomas in the milk business, and after a service of nine years bought his present farm and engaged in marketing butter, eggs, produce, etc. January 6, 1882, he mar- ried Cynthia, daughter of Ebenezer and Hannah (Sherman) Andrews, and they have seven children: C. Amy, Thomas M., Hannah E., Rhoda S., Lena R., Nancy A. and Peleg W.

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Booth, James H., merchant, was born in Fall River, May 2, 1867, a son of George and Sarah (Johnston) Booth. His father was a native of Bury, England, and his mother was born in Taunton, Mass., of Scotch ancestry. George Booth, his father, came to this country early in life, served nearly four years in a Massachusetts reg- iment during the Civil war and participated in many hard fonght battles. James H. Booth was educated in the public schools and spent one year in the high school. When quite young he secured a position in the store of Frank E. Sargent, where he remained seven years, at the end of which time he became a salesman in the store of R. A. McWhirr & Co., remaining three years. In 1892 he associated himself with R. A. Bogle in the dry goods business at 71 South Main street, under the firm name of Bogle & Booth. They met with encouraging success, but on December 28, 1893, their store was partly destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $3,000, which was, how- ever, covered by insurance. They continued in business as a firm until 1897, when Mr. Booth purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted the business himself. January 15, 1896, Mr. Booth married Belle D., daughter of Charles H. and Maria C. Dillingham, and they have one son, Charles D. Booth. Mr. Booth is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

Borden, Charles F., senior member of the firm of Borden & Remington, is a son of Joseph and Amy (Hathaway) Borden, and was born in Fall River, September 24, 1854. His father was a prominent citizen of Fall River for many years, being su- perintendent of the city farm for several terms and holding the position of superin- tendent of the bleaching department of the American Printing Company for a long period. He also served several terms on the board of aldermen. Charles F. Bor- den attended the public and high schools of Fall River and then was employed for a short time as bookkeeper for Davis Brothers; later he entered the employ of R. K. Remington, who conducted a business in manufacturers', painters' and masons' supplies. This business had been established in 1834 by Hale Remington, who was later succeeded by Shove & Remington, and still later by R. K. Remington, who con- ducted it until his death in November, 1886. Mr. Borden went into the business as an office clerk and bookkeeper, but later became a salesman. At the death of Mr. Remington he formed a copartnership with Edward B. Remington, taking the firm name of Borden & Remington, which still continues. The trade of this concern has increased in proportion to the growth of the city and at present covers a wide area. The office, warerooms and docks are located at the foot of Annawan street.

Borden, Edwin, son of Christopher and Lucy H. (Davis) Borden, was born in Tiverton, R. I. (now Westport, Mass.), June 26, 1850. The Bordens from whom he is descended were originally from Normandy, France. There were two brothers, Richard and John Borden, who came to America in 1635, and settled in Portsmouth, R. I. Richard, the progenitor of this family of Bordens, was one of the three men to lay out the original town of Portsmouth, R. I .; his son Matthew was the first white child born on the island. Richard, of the third generation, was born October 24, 1671; Thomas (4), was born December 6, 1697; Christopher (5); Jonathan (6) ; Abraham (7); Christopher (S), and the subject of the sketch ninth. Edwin Borden received his education at the public schools and the Providence Friends School. He remained at home with his parents until March 2, 1871, when he married Mary E., daughter of William and Nancy (Pierce) Young, and they have five children:

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Minnie E., wife of George S. Lawton; Ida H., William C., Beriah E., and Minerva A. Mr. Borden is an active member of Mount Vernon Lodge No. 157, K. of P., of Fall River. He has always taken an interest in public affairs, but has never aspired to public office. He is a man with many friends and is respected and honored by all who know him.

Borden, Gilbert Bennett, retired master mariner, is the son of Richard and Sarah (Chase) Borden, and was born in Tiverton, R. I., February 1, 1827. His family orig- inally came from Wales, Great Britain. Mr. Borden received a common school edu- cation in his native town, and in early life engaged in the whaling business, which he successfully followed until 1889, becoming a master mariner and vessel owner. He settled permanently in New Bedford on the 1st of February, 1865. In 1889 he was sent by the U. S. government to take charge of the Point Barrow refuge station in Alaska, where he remained three and one-half years. While there he was also appointed deputy internal revenue collector, customs inspector, and an officer of the signal service under Lieut. Greeley of the War Department. Returning home, he was appointed, in 1895, a census enumerator of New Bedford and a special agent to ob- tain agricultural statistics for the State census of that year. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Chapter and Commandery, and is a member of the Sons of Temperance. In 1853 he married Amy Hambly of Tiverton, R. I., who died in 1864. In 1865 he married Mrs. Phebe Ann Hobbs of Fairhaven, Mass., and they have one son, Gilbert Bates Borden.

Borden, Nathanel Briggs, treasurer of the Barnard Manufacturing Company, was born in Fall River, Mass., February 23, 1844, a son of Nathaniel Briggs and Sarah Gould (Buffum) Borden. He is seventh in descent from Richard Borden, who came from Kent, England, in 1635, and a few years later settled in Portsmouth, R. I. His father was an eminent citizen of Fall River, having assisted in the organization of the Pocasset Manufacturing Company ; he was four years a member of the Lower House of the State Legislature; three years of the Senate, and served in the Twen- ty-fourth, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh Congresses as a representative from Massachusetts, being elected first upon an anti-Masonic and Jacksonian platform. During his second term he supported John Quincy Adams in the struggle for the right of petition. Being sent to the State Senate as a Whig in 1851, Mr. Borden, in defer- ence to the overwhelming sentiment of his district, cast the ballot that secured the election of Charles Sumner as United States senator over Robert C. Winthrop, in an exciting contest. Nathaniel B. Borden received his early educational training in the public schools and at Phillips Exeter Academy. He entered Harvard in 1864, but the next year, owing to the death of his father, left college and went to Peacedale, R. I., to learn the woolen business in the mills of Rowland G. Hazard. Subsequent- ly he was in the employ of T. R. Hyde & Co. at Carolina Mills, R. I. In 1866 he entered the office of the Valley Falls Co., a cotton manufacturing establishment at Valley Falls, R. I. In 1870 he became bookkeeper in the office of the Merchants' Man- ufacturing Company at Fall River, but the next year returned to the Valley Falls Company as superintendent. In 1873 he returned to Fall River, organized the Bar- nard Manufacturing Company and has since filled the position of treasurer of that corporation, which controls a flourishing and prosperous cotton manufactory. Mr. Borden was president of the Cotton Manufacturers' Association of Fall River in 1889

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

and 1890, and in the Common Council of the city in 1890 and 1891 He became pres- ident of the Children's Home of Fall River in 1889. He is vice-president of the Massasoit National Bank, of the Harvard Club of Fall River, and a member of the Quequechan Club. February 2, 1870, Mr. Borden married Annie E. Brown of Fall River, and they have four children: Nathaniel Briggs, jr., Annie Brown, Arnold Buffum and Louise Gould.

Borden, Philip D., civil engineer, son of Philip D. and Sarah F. (Bennett) Borden, was born in Fall River, December 23, 1851. His father was a prominent citizen of Fall River, and was for the long period of forty years superintendent of the Fall River Iron Works Company. Mr. Borden obtained his preparatory education in the Fall River public schools, the Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Mass., and then took a four years' course in civil engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, at Boston. He entered the engineering department of the city of Fall River June 10, 1873, as assistant civil engineer, and in 1880 was appointed to the position he now holds as city engineer. Mr. Borden is a member of the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia and the Boston Society of Civil Engineers. In 1884 he married Abbe E., daughter of Henry C. and Laura A. Lincoln of Fall River. Of this union is one daughter, Addie.

Borden, Richard B., son of Richard and Abby (Walker) Borden, was born in Fall River, February 21, 1834. He is a lineal descendant and eighth of the line of Rich- ard Borden, who came from England in 1635 and settled in Rhode Island early in the spring of 1638. His son Matthew was born there in May of the same year, being the first white child born on the island. Col. Richard Borden, father of the subject of this sketch, was identified with all the leading corporations of Fall River and one of the leading cotton manufacturers of New England for nearly half a cen- tury. He was treasurer of the Fall River Iron Works for many years. Richard B. Borden attended the common schools of Fall River, Middleboro Academy, and the Lawrence Scientific School. He began business life as a clerk in the office of the Metacomet Mills, later going into the office of the Fall River Iron Works. In 1859, having gained a thorough and complete knowledge of the manufacturing business, he secured the agency of the Metacomet Mill, the Annawan Manufactory. and the Fall River Manufactory. From 1873 to 1876 he was the treasurer of the Crescent Mills and retained the agency of the Metacomet and Annawan, and since 1876 he has been treasurer of the Troy Cotton and Woolen Mills and the Richard Borden Manufacturing Company. Mr. Borden is a director in the Troy, Mechanics', Anna- wan, Metacomet, Merchants' and Richard Borden Mills, American Linen Company, Fall River Bleachery and Fall River Machinery Company. He is vice-president and director of the Fall River National Bank, president and director of the Union Belt Company, and vice president and trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank. He is also a director in the Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Company of Fall River, and the State Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Enterprise Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, and American Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Borden has been actively and continuously engaged in the cotton manufacturing business perhaps longer than any other man in Bristol county. He is a member and treasurer of the Cen- tral Congregational Church of Fall River, and is known by all as a man of high per- sonal character and unquestioned integrity. He has been a member of the Common

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Council for two terms. In 1863 he married Ellen F. Plummer, of Boston. Of this union are four children: Richard P., Charles N., Elizabeth M., and Nellie L.

Bouvier, J. A. Wilfrid, one of the leading druggists of Fall River, was born at St. Hugues, Province of Quebec, Canada December 27, 1869. He attended the West Farnham School, St. Hyacinthe College and the schools of Fall River, the family having removed to that city when he was quite young. Later he took the full course of the Institute of Pharmacy of Illinois, and was graduated from that institution in October, 1892. The following year he went into the drug business, locating at 1715 Pleasant street, but the growth of the business having warranted a better location, he removed to his present store at No. 1729 Pleasant street in September, 1897. Mr. Bouvier is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Ligue de Patriote, Order of St. John the Baptist, and Montcalm Circle. He is also a member of the Fall River Drug Association and the New England Retail Druggists' Union. His parents were John Baptiste and Celina (Mathieu) Bouvier, natives of Canada, who came to Fall River in 1887.

Bowen, Joseph A., son of Abraham and Sarah Ann Bowen, was born in Fall River, October 10, 1832. He is a member of one of the oldest of New England families, and many of his direct ancestors served in the Indian wars and in the Revolution. His maternal grandfather was Major Joseph E. Read, one of the prominent citizens of fifty years ago, and his paternal grandfather was Abraham Bowen, the agent of the first cotton mill that was built in Fall River in 1813. This gentleman's farmhouse was situated at the corner of Bedford and North Main streets, while his farm extend- ed from Bedford to Elm street and from the bay to Watuppa Pond. Joseph A. Bow- en's father was extensively engaged in the wholesale shipping and commission busi- ness (Read & Bowen), and later engaged in the publishing business. As a young man Mr. Bowen followed the printing trade in his father's office. He was a member of the Common Council in 1862-63, and of the Board of Aldermen in 1869-70. At this time he was chairman of the committee on water supply with power to investi- gate the general subject. The subject was considered with wise care and considera- tion, and after visiting several cities the committee reported to the council in favor of taking the water from Watuppa Pond. This report was adopted by the city gov- ernment and upon being submitted to the city at a special election met almost unan- imous approval. Mr. Bowen and H. B. Durfee purchased the waterworks lot of fifty acres on their own responsibility, in order to keep it out of the hands of speculators. Their transaction saved the city about $400 per acre. Mr. Bowen was one of the first water commissioners, and was third president of the Fall River Board of Trade, of which he has been a member many years. He is an ardent supporter of all that is designed to further the common good, and a business man of genuine ability. January 19, 1865, he married Miss Fanny M. Corey of Fall River. Their children are Joseph H. and Fanny C. Bowen.

Bowen, Seabury. physician and surgeon, was born at Attleborough, Mass., July 22, 1840, a son of Benjamin and Leafa (Clafflin) Bowen. He obtained his prepara- tory education in Attleborough Academy, entered Brown University in 1860, was graduated A. B. in 1864, and received the degree of A. M. from his alma mater three years later. He was graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

city in 1867, and the same year located in Fall River, where he has since practiced his profession with success. Mr. Bowen is a member of the Fall River Medical Society ; Bristol County Medical Society and Massachusetts Medical Society. He has been on the medical staff of the Fall River Hospital since its origin. In 1871 he married Phoebe V. Miller, daughter of Southard H. and Esther G. Miller of Fall River, and they have one daughter, Florence G. Dr. Bowen served as a trustee of the State Work- house at Bridgewater for several years. He has also held the office of city physician of Fall River

Boyden, Clarence Fuller, was born in Attleborough, Mass., March 5, 1846, and is a son of Alexander A. and Harriet G. (Fuller) Boyden. His early education was re- ceived in the public schools. He fitted for college at Stoughtonham Institute, Sharon, Mass., and entered Amherst in 1865, where he was graduated four years later with class honors. After leaving college he was engaged as a teacher in North Providence, R. I., for a year, after which he commenced the study of law. Owing to the death of his father, he felt obliged to give up his study, and in place of it turned his atten- tion to teaching. In 1872 he came to Taunton as sub-master in the High School, and afterwards was principal of the Weir and the Cohannet Grammar Schools until 1890, when he was elected superintendent of schools. He has succeeded himself each year to the present time. July 4, 1876, Mr. Boyden married Isabel H. Anthony of Taunton, daughter of James H. and Harriet M. (Yale) Anthony. They have no children.

Bradford, David L., son of Cornelius and Hannah (Ripley) Bradford, was born in Plymouth, Mass., December 19, 1850. His father was a lifelong resident of Plym- outh, and his ancestry is of old Puritan stock, he being a direct descendant and eighth in the line of Governor Bradford, who came over in the Mayflower. As a boy he attended the public schools of Plymouth and gained his first business experience in the employ of the Plymouth Cordage Company. Later he made a voyage to the Grand Banks in a fishing vessel, and in 1871 came to Fall River, where he has since resided. Soon after his arrival he began to learn the carpenter's trade, working under Lorenzo H. Miller for about three years. He continued as a carpenter and contractor until 1894, when he was appointed to his present position as captain of Quequechan Steamer Company No. 1. Previous to this appointment Mr. Bradford had been a call man for a term of fifteen years, during which time he had gained a thorough knowledge of the workings of the fire department. In 1872 lie married Sarah E. Gray, daughter of David I. and Sarah A. Gray, and they have four chil- dren: Laura G., Edward L., William and Clifford C.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 86

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