Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 92

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 92

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Dahl, Thomas S., son of James and Martha (Wing) Dahl, was born in Fairhaven, October 22, 1864. For a number of years his father was a sea captain and later en- gaged in farming. As a boy Thomas S. worked on the farm and attended school. His first business experience was gained under E. M. Dean of Fair Haven, with whom he learned the shoemaking trade. He worked for Mr. Dean for some time and in 1889 purchased an interest in the business, the firm name being then changed to E. M. Dean & Co., which continued until 1894, when Mr. Dean retired. Since that time Mr. Dahl has successfully conducted the business alone, constantly adding

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

to his resources until he now carries a large stock. He has been a lifelong resident of Fairhaven and has earned a reputation for honesty of purpose and integrity in business affairs. In 1893 he married Ardra A. Taylor, daughter of George Taylor of New Bedford, and they have one son, Chester W. Dahl. Mr. Dahl is a member of Acushnet Lodge, I. O. O. F.

Danielson, Charles R., superintendent of the Sanford Spinning Company, is a na- tive of Sweden, born June 15, 1859. He came to this country in 1863 with his pa- rents, Otto and Christina (Johnson) Danielson. They settled in Pawtuxet, R. I., where he attended the schools for a short time and then went into the Pawtuxet Yarn Mills as a carder. Subsequently he worked in mills in Valley Falls, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket. Mr. Danielson came to Fall River in 1892 to accept the position which he still holds as superintendent of the Sanford Spinning Com- pany.

Darling, Joseph Monroe, architect, a son of Horatio and Watie (Taylor) Darling, was born in Gloucester, R. I., July 18, 1835, and removed with his parents to Fall River when he was five years old. He was educated in the schools of Fall River and for three years after leaving school worked in Eddy's woolen mill. He then followed the trade of a carpenter and contractor for fifteen years, erecting in the mean time many large dwellings, business blocks and public buildings, including several school houses. For the past twenty five years he has followed the occupation of an archi- tect and has had an extensive business. He has designed numerous public and pri- vate buildings, all of which are noted as fine specimens of architecture. One of the last buildings that he designed and which displays more than ordinary skill and ability is the Boys' Club, a magnificent edifice presented to Fall River by Matthew B. C. Borden, of New York city. Mr. Darling's two sons, Joseph and Frederick, superintend his extensive contract business. His son George is an architect and is associated with his father in business. They have designed most of the new school houses of Fall River and numerous other buildings. Mr. Darling was a member of the City Council of Fall River three years, being a member of the committee that snperintended the introduction of the water supply of Fall River. He is a Mason and a member of U. I. O. O. of F. In 1840 he married Hettie A., daughter of George and Mehitable Reynolds of Rhode Island. They have seven children: Joseph M., George, Annie W., Edward B., Frederick E., Edith M. and Minnie H.

Davenport, William Church, son of William Rufus, and Hannah Church (Walker) Davenport, was born in Taunton, July 18, 1854. He was educated at Bristol Acad- emy, Phillips Exeter Academy, and Harvard University, where he remained two years. In 1876, soon after leaving college, he entered the Machinists' National Bank, and was chosen president of the bank in 1889, which position he still retains. Mr. Davenport is a director in the Taunton Locomotive Manufacturing Co., the Taunton Gas Light Co., and the Cohannet Mills, a trustee of the Bristol Academy, member of the advisory board of the Old Ladies' Home, and of the executive committee of the Winthrop Club. October 25, 1881, Mr. Davenport married Anne Fiske Banfield, a daughter of Hon. Everett C. and Anne Schofield (Fiske) Banfield. They have three children living: William Rufus, Everett Banfield and Ruth.

Davis, David Perry, born in Somerset village, March 15, 1820, died April 14, 1897.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

He was the son of David Davis and Lavinia Keen of Dighton. His father was a carpenter, a sturdy, hard working man, who found little time for anything save labor in the support of his large family of thirteen children, of whom David Perry was the eldest. The common schools in those early days afforded the only oppor- tunity for securing the rudiments of an education. After acquiring only a few of the advantages these schools afforded, Mr. Davis early went to sea, and after serv- ing one year before the mast was raised to first mate and later to captain, in conse- quence of his superior attainments acquired so readily in the knowledge of naviga- tion, and his trustworthiness. These were not the only strong characteristics developed in the young mariner; he early learned to save his hard earned money and to invest it in sea going vessels until his retirement from the sea in 1863, when he found himself in possession of a modest fortune. He had, in the mean time, be- come interested in the ship yard at Somerset, where an extensive business was car- ried on in that line, one feature being the purchasing and altering of the United States war steamers into sailing vessels for the merchant marine. In this work Mr. Davis was abundantly successful. His ship building operations were continued until 1876, when he retired from active business, investing largely of his means in cotton mill property in Fall River. He was also largely interested in Somerset real estate and shipping interests. Captain Davis was twice married: his first wife was Patience Borden of Fall River, who bore him four children, three of whom survive: D. Borden, Abbie E., wife of Horace E. Slade, and Albert P., a sea captain. His second wife was Ella F. Trewoegy of Surrey, Me., whom he married in 1875, and who with two children survives him, a son, Leon H., a cadet at the military academy at Cheshire, Conn., and Daisy, who conducts a private school in elocution and pre- paratory studies. Miss Davis is a talented young lady, a graduate of Boston Col- lege and the Boston School of Oratory, and has enjoyed a post-graduate course in oratory. One thing worthy of note in this sketch and which may not be out of place is that from his birth and during the seventy-seven years of his life Captain Davis claimed as his home the spot upon which he was born. His father's homestead gave place in time to the residence which he was ever pleased to call home and wherein he peacefully passed away after a most even and peaceful life. Captain Davis was thoroughly domestic and simple in his tastes, loved his home, was liberal at all times in public affairs, a member and supporter of the M. E. Church in Somer- set, and died universally lamented by the whole community.

Davis, Luthan Tripp, is of English descent, the first representative of the family coming to this country early in the seventeenth century. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Gifford) Davis, and was born in Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., July 6, 1828. After being educated in the public schools of his native town he began farm- ing, in which business he has always been engaged, with the exception of three years which he spent in California, during the gold excitement. In politics Mr. Davis is a Republican. He was a selectman of the town of Dartmouth for thirteen consecutive years, and has also served as auditor of accounts, overseer of highways and in other minor public offices. He is a member of the South Bristol Farmers' Club. February 15, 1853, he married Nancy J., daughter of William and Fanny (Sampson) Greene, and of their union were five daughters: Emma C., wife of George C. Allen of New Bedford; Elizabeth D., wife of William A. Potter; Alice G., widow

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

of William N. Weaver; Mehitable Anna, widow of Charles A. Collins; and Lucy H., who died in infancy.

Davis, William A .- Probably no resident of the town of Dartmouth has a larger circle of friends and acquaintances than William A. Davis. He is a son of Isaac C. and Julia A. (Baker) Davis, and was born in the town of Dartmouth, Bristol county, Mass., August 7, 1852. His father was born in Westport, but spent the greater por- tion of his life in Dartmouth, where he was well known to the entire community. After having completed his education in the common schools of Dartmouth and in the New Bedford High School, Mr. Davis engaged in the meat business, in which he has been very successful, and in farming He has also been extensively engaged in the ice business for over twenty years. He married, December 25, 1872, Sophia S., daughter of David R. Wilcox of Dartmouth, and of their union are three chil- dren: Alice P., Isaac C., and David W.

Davis, Zebina Baker, builder, is the son of Samuel M. and Lucy F. (Baker) Davis, and a grandson of Nymphas and Susan (Swift) Davis, and was born in South Dart- mouth, Mass., May 26, 1855. His mother, Lucy F., who died in October, 1897, aged sixty-seven, was the daughter of Michael Baker, a master mariner of South Dart- mouth, where he died in 1861. Nymphas Davis was a farmer and carpenter in Fal- mouth, Mass., and died there, having served as a volunteer in the war of 1812. Samuel M. Davis was born in Falmouth in 1827, and some time prior to 1850 removed to South Dartmouth, where he still resides, and where he has served as selectman, justice of the peace, overseer of the poor, road commissioner, etc. He successfully carried on a large carpenter and building business there without interruption for fifty-four years, retiring from active life in 1898. He is often called the " father " of Nonquit from the fact that he erected fully three-fourths of all the buildings in that place. His operations extended also to Falmouth and other towns. Zebina Baker Davis was educated in the South Dartmouth public schools and at the Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, and afterward learned the carpenter's trade with his father. In 1885 he established himself in business as a builder in New Bedford. Mr. Davis has always been a resident of South Dartmouth. He is a prominent Mason, holding membership in Sutton Commandery, K. T., and is also a member of the Odd Fel- lows and the Dartmouth Club. In December, 1878, he married Carrie E., daughter of Timothy and Elizabeth A. (Warren) Howland of South Dartmouth, and they have one daughter, Helen H. Mr. Davis has erected a number of important buildings, including the Sylvia Ann Howland school house, the Union Street Railway car house, numerous fine residences, etc.

Davol, Abner P., city assessor, son of Stephen and Sarah F. Chase Davol, was born December 1, 1852. His father was a prominent cotton manufacturer of Fall River. Abner P. was educated in the public schools, spending one year in the high school, and then passed three years in Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass., graduating in 1872. The same year he entered the employ of the Pocasset Manu- facturing Company, for which his father was agent, and his brother, Col. Bradford D Davol, treasurer. For nineteen years he filled the positions of clerk and book- keeper at the Pocasset Mills, and in March, 1895, assumed the duties of city assessor, being elected for a. term of three years. He was re-elected in 1898. Mr. Davol was a member of the Common Council from Ward 8, in 1893 and 1894, and was president

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

of that body both years. He has been a director in the People's Co-operative Bank for six years; and has long been a member of the Fall River Board of Trade, serv- ing as the treasurer of that body since 1893. June 18, 1879, he married Harriet J., daughter of Ira and Mary (Tracy) Marvel of Fall River. They have two daughters, Alice Tracy and Clara Freeborn Davol.

Davol, Bradford D., son of Stephen and Sarah F. (Chase) Davol, was born in Portsmouth, R. I., March 30, 1841. He has, however, always been a resident of Fall River, the family having removed there shortly after his birth. After obtaining an excellent education in the public and high schools, he secured a position in the office of the Pocasset Manufacturing Company as a clerk. Mr. Davol was employed by this concern in the capacity of clerk, bookkeeper and treasurer for a period of thirty- three years. He has been prominent in the manufacturing interests of Fall River during his entire business life. His father was for over fifty years agent and treas- urer of the Pocasset and Troy Mills. Mr. Davol has served three years as council- man, president from May to December the last year, and three years as alderman from the Fifth ward. He is a member of King Philip Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Chapter and Commandery. He was second lieutenant three months since 1864, afterwards commissioned by the Commonwealth of Massachusets as first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the 3d Regiment, M. V.M. At one time he was president and later treasurer of the Flint Mills, and is now a director of the Pocasset Manufacturing Co., Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory, Flint Mills, Mechanics' Mills, Fall River Bleachery, Barnaby Manufacturing Co., Fall River Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Massasoit National Bank; president and director of the Barnard Manufacturing Co. and the Dighton, Somerset & Swan- sea Street Railway Co. He has seen the city grow from about 13,000 population to over 100,000, and from less than 200,000 spindles to more than 2,800,000. On the 17th of June, 1897, he was appointed chairman of the Board of Police of Fall River by Governor Wolcott. December 1, 1875, he married Cornelia W., daughter of Minor S. Lincoln of Boston.

Davol, William C., cotton broker and ex-chief of the fire department, was born in Fall River, July 26, 1841, a son of William C. and Martha (Russell) Davol. His father was one of the most prominent cotton manufacturers of Fall River during his time. The Davol Mills, erected and put into operation in 1866, were named in honor of him and he became president of the corporation. William C. Davol received his educational training in the public and high schools of Fall River, and at Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. He began his business career in the office of Josiah Brown, a noted civil and mill engineer of Fall River, with whom he remained sev- eral years. He then entered the employ of Marvel & Davol, who were extensively engaged in the manufacture of cotton mill machinery. His father, who was a part- ner of this firm, achieved more than local distinction for improvements in cotton ma- chinery. For a period of fifteen years Mr. Davol was treasurer of the Davol Mills. In 1882 he formed a copartnership with C. V. S. Remington, under the firm name of Remington & Davol, for the conduct of a cotton business. This firm still continues. For twenty years Mr. Davol was chief of the Fall River Fire Department; he was a member of the Common Council in 1873-75. He married Elizabeth G. Cotton, daughter of John S. Cotton of Fall River, and they have one daughter, Martha G.

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

Dawson, Benjamin, son of Isaac and Anna (Chappell) Dawson, was born in Lan- cashire, England, January 4, 1837, and after attending the public schools began his life in the cotton mills. In 1858 he came to America and first settled in Harrisville, R. I, where he followed the trade of weaver in a cotton mill until 1864, when he re- moved to New Bedford. Mr. Dawson was employed in the Wamsutta Mills from that time until January, 1869, when he engaged in the retail grocery business, which he continued about fifteen years. In 1885 he established his present wholesale liquor store at the corner of Purchase and Hazard streets, where he has built up the largest concern of the kind in New Bedford. In May, 1897, his eldest son, Joseph, was admitted to partnership under the firm name of Benjamin Dawson & Son. Mr. Dawson has always been a prominent Democrat, and was a member of the Common Council three years, overseer of the poor one year, and an alderman two years. In 1859 he married Helen Lee, a native of England, and they have three children: Jo- seph, John T. and Hattie.

Day, Alfred B., was born in Mansfield, Mass., May 26, 1829, a son of Knight and Martha (Grover) Day. His father served in all of the important offices of his town and died at the age of ninety-two years. Alfred B. was educated in Mansfield pub- lic schools and in 1857 went to Wisconsin and started the basket business there. In 1864-5 he was engaged in building line for the Insulated Telegraph Co. through New England, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and then came east. He was for many years one of the selectmen and assessors of Mansfield, has been one of the water commis- sioners since the building of the works in 1887, and treasurer-secretary of the Co-oper- ative Bank since its organization in 1883. In 1891, in connection with Charles C. Hagerty, he engaged in the business of banking under the firm name of Alfred B. Day & Co., which is still continued. In 1859 he married Eliza Howes, who died in 1863, and in 1867 he married Eliza Tobitt. One child, Alfred K. Day of Lincoln, Neb., survives the first union, and Mabel, wife of H. E. King of Mansfield, the second.

Dean, Charles Henry, son of William and Sarah (Williams) Dean, was born in Taunton, Mass., August 28, 1840, and educated in the public schools. In 1861 he went to work for Lawson Blood to learn the trade of blacksmith, and stayed with him five years, then worked for the American Screw Co., and remained with them three years. In 1869 he bought out the business of Mr. Blood and has carried it on ever since by himself. Mr. Dean is a member of Alfred Baylies Lodge, F. & A. M., and Sabbatia Lodge of I. O. O. F. He has been married twice, first to Charlotte Naylor (Babbitt) of Taunton, in September, 1870, who died January 1, 1880; his second wife was Lillie, daughter of Spencer and Susan Macomber of Taunton, and they have two children: Viola M., born May 15, 1888, and Charlotte M., born Feb- ruary 2, 1892.

Dean, George.A., was born in Attleborough, May 2, 1835, and his father, Asa Dean, was also a native of the same town, where his grandfather, Ephraim Dean of Taunton came, in 1735; his sons served during the Revolutionary War. Asa Dean married Lucy, daughter of Nathaniel Read, and his life was identified as a farmer. He died in 1848. George A. Dean was educated in Attleborough ; in 1853 he entered the firm of Thompson & Haywood, jewelers; and in 1856 established a business for himself, which he has continued for forty-one years, making a specialty of bracelets

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

and chains. In 1857 he married Bessie, daughter of Capt. French Richardson, whose father, Seth Richardson, fought in the Revolutionary war. He is one of the conservative men of his town; was elected to the Legislature in 1877; has been treasurer and water commissioner for a number of years; is director in the First National Bank; vice-president of Attleborough Savings Bank; and president of the Attleborough Gas Company. He takes an active interest in school and church matters and has ever advanced the best interests of his town and townspeople.

Dean, Paul Hathaway, was born in Taunton, Mass., December 22, 1875. His early education was received in the Taunton public schools and then he commenced a mercantile life with N. H. Skinner & Co. as clerk in the dry goods business; from there he went to A. B. Cleasby's and remained with him about two years, and then started in business for himself in March, 1896. Mr. Dean is one of the prosperous young men of the city to-day and is constantly adding new lines to his stock and keeping well towards the front in the dry goods business.

Deane. Ralph Denniston, was born in Warren, R. I., November 8, 1872, a son of Abiathar Williams and Elizabeth (Blake) Dean. His early education was received in the public schools of Taunton and in 1892 he entered Harvard Medical University, from which he was graduated in 1896. He came to Taunton at once and opened an office for the general practice of medicine and surgery. Dr. Dean is one of Taun- ton's youngest physicians but at the present time has a very good practice.

Deane, John M., merchant, was born in Freetown, Mass., January 8, 1840. He obtained a thorough academic education in his native town, and at Taunton and Foxborough. At the opening of the Civil war he was a lieutenant in the Assonet Light Infantry, Co. G, 3d Regiment Mass. Militia. He had joined this company in 1858 and was made first sergeant, and at the brigade muster at Wareham was elected second lieutenant. On the night of April 15, 1861, he responded to the call of President Lincoln for troops and served three months with his regiment at Fort- ress Monroe, Va., taking part in the destruction of Norfolk navy yard on the night of April 20, 1861. He was commissioned second lieutenant June 1, 1862, in the 29th Regiment Mass. Vols., and in this regiment was promoted first lieutenant, adjutant, captain and major and commanded his regiment during the Appomattox campaign. In the spring and summer of 1863 he served as post-adjutant at Paris, Bourbon county, Ky. ; he was in the fight with Cluke's guerillas at that place and has as a trophy which he captured, a weapon called the " Yankee Cleaver," which he found hid under the parlor carpet at the house of Colonel Cluke's father-in-law while search- ing the house in the effort to find the guerilla leader. In September, 1863, while near Cumberland Gap on the march with the 9th Army Corps into East Tennessee, he was ordered to take charge of a recruiting party and report with it at the draft rendezvous, Boston harbor. He remained on duty there until May, 1864, when he was relieved at his own request that he might join his regiment, which had been home on veteran furlough. While on duty at the draft rendezvous he was often de- tailed to take squads of recruits to the front, and in March, 1864, took about two hundred colored recruits to the 54th and the 55th Mass. Colored Regiments then on Morris Island, South Carolina. In the spring of 1865 he was made provost-marshal of the 1st Division, 9th Army Corps, on the staff of Gen. O. B. Willcox, with the 29th Regiment as his provost squad. In May, 1865, he was made provost-marshal

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

at Georgetown, D. C., and in July, 1865, provost-marshal and pass officer of the district of Washington, which position he held when mustered out of service. He was appointed major of U. S. Volunteers brevet "for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Fort Steadman, Va., March 25, 1865" and received honor- able mention in the official records of the Union and Confederate armies published by the U. S. Government; and in the report of the adjutant-general of Massachusetts for the year 1865 for his good conduct at Fort Steadman. He was awarded a medal of honor by the secretary of war " for most distinguished gallantry in action at Fort Steadman, Va., while serving, with other volunteers, a previously silenced and aban- doned gun, mounted en-barbette, at Fort Haskell, being exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's sharp-shooters." During the fight at Fort Steadman he captured and disarmed a North Carolina captain and a Georgia major and still has their re- volvers in his possession. Excepting his service with General Burnside in the west and at draft headquarters in Boston, he was with the Army of the Potomac, where he experienced hard fighting with the 2d, 5th and 9th Army Corps. He was mus- tered out August 8, 1865, having served three and one-half years. His discharge certificate gives him the credit of having been in twenty-one engagements with an exceedingly brilliant and meritorious record. After the close of the war Major Deane returned to Freetown, and in May, 1866, began the retail grocery and provi- sion business in Fall River in partnership with Alonzo Hathaway, under the firm name of Hathaway & Deane, on Bedford street. This partnership was dissolved in 1872 on account of the ill health of Mr. Hathaway and Mr. Deane then continued the business for himself. In 1876 he removed to the Borden block on South Main street, where he now has one of the best appointed general merchandise stores in New England, employing about thirty-five men. Major Deane served Richard Borden Post as commander five years; was a member of the Department of Massachusetts Council of Administration, in 1889, chief mustering officer in 1890, assistant quarter- master-general in 1893, junior vice department commander in 1895, senior vice-de- partment commander in 1896 and department commander in 1897. November 22, 1866, he married Mary G. Pearce, and of their union are five children: Milton Irving, Richard Boynton, Charles Learned, Anna Louise Andros, and Wallis Pearce. Three of his sons are in business with their father. Mrs. Deane was department president of the Mass. W. R. C. in 1892, and has served her corps in Fall River in some capacity ever since its organization. In 1897 she was chairman of the execu- tive committee of the National Organization and also chairman in the Massachusetts department of the committee on patriotic teaching in public schools.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 92

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