Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 94

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 94

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Ellis, John P., son of Thaddeus and Rosanna (Preston) Ellis, was born at Har- wich on Cape Cod, May 18, 1826. His father was a prominent farmer of Harwich for many years. John P. was the oldest of a large family and was early obliged to contribute his share to its support, so that his schooling was limited to about three months of the year. When only nine years old he went to sea as cook in a fishing

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

vessel and relates how the sailors having lost the "56 weights " would place him on the other side of the beam when they weighed the fish, as he only weighed fifty- seven pounds. He became mate and then a captain while yet a mere boy in years. When he reached his eighteenth year he removed to Fairhaven and began an ap- prenticeship with J. B. Morse, under whom he learned the blacksmith's trade. In February, 1849, he joined a company of Nantucket men, organized by Capt. Francis B. Folger, and sailed for California in the bark " Russell" from New Bedford, the voyage requiring four months and twenty-two days. Arriving in San Francisco he was offered a mate's berth at $250 per month on a ship bound for Portland, Ore., to bring a cargo of lumber to San Francisco for building purposes, and upon his re- turn engaged for a time in unloading ships. He finally reached the mines and being fairly successful he returned after five months to San Francisco and engaged in the hotel business. His hotel was rather a crude structure which he called the " Fairhaven House," and at that time it was the only temperance hotel in the city. He was fairly successful, but owing to bad health decided to sell out and make a voyage to Panama; he shipped as a passenger, but when the ship was only seven days out cholera broke out among the crew with the result that the mate and several seamen died, and he being a sailor was obliged to perform the duties of mate. Upon reaching Panama he decided to go home and upon his return to Fairhaven engaged in the livery business, which he continued for four years and then sold out and en- gaged in his old trade of blacksmithing until 1868. He then began in the milk, wood and grocery business, in which he still continues. Mr. Ellis is a firm advo- cate of total abstinence and has voted the Prohibition ticket for several years. He has also lectured to some extent on the subject in nearly all the towns. He married Charity E., daughter of Thomas Sanford of Fall River, in 1851, and ten children have been born to them, eight of whom survive: Susan, wife of Charles Lamb; Rosanna, wife of Francis Carleton; Ellen, wife of Benjamin Tripp; Lloyd N. P., Edward M., Thomas S., Florence, wife of Alfred M. Gifford; and Bessie W., wife of Charles H. Gifford.

Evans, Edwin Hubert, is a son of James Madison and Emeline Elizabeth (Hath- away) Evans, and was born in Taunton, October 11, 1860, and educated in the pub- lic schools and Bristol Academy. He commenced his business career about 1877 as a clerk for Bodfish & Evans, in the grocery business, but soon tiring of this he went to the West Indies and engaged as a merchantman among all the islands from Porto Rico round to Curacoa, finally returning to the United States and settling in Taun- ton. He was appointed on the police force as patrolman in 1884, and served seven years, when he was appointed chief of police and served the city in that capacity five years. In November, 1895, he was elected sheriff of Bristol county for three years and took this office January 1, 1896. Mr. Evans was married in September, 1885, to Ella, daughter of Capt. Dennis C. and Mary W. Sturgis, and they have one child, Shirley Cotelle. Mr. Evans is a member of the several Masonic orders, among them being Alfred Baylies Lodge, St. John Commandery and St. Mark's R. A. Chapter.

Evans, Williams A., son of Philip and Harriet (Bliffins) Evans, was born in Frec- town, Bristol county, Mass., February 10, 1867. His boyhood was passed in the public schools and on his father's farm, and on attaining his majority he began farm- ing on his own account, which he has since conducted very successfully. On Feb- k

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ruary 28, 1894, he was married to Delia, daughter of George and Marie (Gifford) Terry, and they have two children: William B., born March 7, 1895, and Earl V., born April 11, 1897. Mr. Evans has taken quite an active interest in town affairs and for the last five years has been road commissioner of the town.

Everett, Nathan B., dealer in cotton, son of Isaac Colburn and Matilda (Osgood) Everett, was born in Dedham, Mass., August 18, 1850. His grandfather, Nathan Everett, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Nathan B. Everett attended the public schools of his native town, and was graduated from the High School. He then spent three years in traveling, chiefly in sailing vessels. He went to California around Cape Horn four times in his youth, and twice doubled the Cape of Good Hope. In 1872 he came to Fall River and was employed as clerk and paymaster in the Durfee Mills. He was treasurer of the Fall River Spool and Bobbin Company from 1876 to 1878, then returned to the Durfee Mills, and in 1879 went to Paterson, N. J., where he had charge of the cotton and silk mills of R. & H. Adams. In 1881 he returned to Fall River and engaged in the cotton brokerage business with W. C. Gerry, under the firm name W. C. Gerry & Co. Mr. Gerry died in 1888 and since then Mr. Ev- erett has conducted the business alone under the name of N. B. Everett & Co. Mr. Everett was alderman from Ward 7 in 1887, 1890 and 1894. He is a past master of Mount Hope Lodge of Masons, is a member of Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar; and Palestine Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the order of Elks. In 1872 he married Mary, daughter of Captain Horatio N. and Rebecea (Drake) Brightman of Fall River, and they have two children: Bertha M., married John C. Anthony, principal of New Britain (Conn.) Grammar Schools, and Dana Colburn Everett. Mr. Everett's first American ancestor, Richard Everett, came from Watertown, Eng- land, in 1636, and settled at Dedham, Mass., where many of his descendants have resided.

Farnham, Charles H., architect, was born in Red Wing, Minn., February 3, 1859, and removed with his parents to Boston when three months old. He obtained his preparatory education in the public schools of that city, and then entered the Massa- chusetts Normal Art School, where he took a four years' course in drawing. He was graduated from that institution in 1878 and passed the three succeeding years in the offices of Boston architects and one year with D. M. Thompson & Co., mill engineers, Providence, R. I. He was next employed in the office of the city architect of Boston four years, until there was a change in the city administration and new officials as- sumed control. Mr. Farmham then spent eight months traveling through the far west, and upon his return to the east in 1890 located in Fall River and formed a part- nership with Ichabod Burt, who died in the autumn of the same year. Among the buildings he has designed are the residence of Chauncey Sears, St. Luke's church, Brayton M. E. church, Bogle Street Christian church, Foresters' building, Home for Aged People, and Young Men's Irish-American Society building. Mr. Farnham is a Mason, a member of Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar. He married Maria L. Brown, daughter of Louis J. Brown of Fall River, and they have two children: Marion and Dorothy W.

Faunce, Loun H., son of John and Eliza C. (Ashley) Faunce, was born in North Dartmouth, March 15, 1835, and during his early boyhood he worked on his father's

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

farm and attended district school, and when he was seventeen years old came to New Bedford to work as a laborer. He remained in New Bedford about two years and then went to South Boston and began an apprenticeship to the cabinet maker's trade, and later he returned to his home in Dartmouth and in the spring of 1854 came to New Bedford, entering the employ of Bosworth & Hathaway, contractors and builders. He worked for this firm six years and when they dissolved partner- ship, continued with William Bosworth for fourteen years and then went into busi- ness on his own account as a contractor and builder, and as such has gained a large measure of success. Mr. Faunce has served in the Council from Ward 2 for seven years, and has been a member for many years of Vesta Lodge of Odd Fellows, and for the past ten years a deacon in the Spruce Street Christian Church. In 1862 he married Phoebe Borden Davis, daughter of Abiel Davis of North Westport, and they have three children: Charles L., Vernon C., and Myra. Mr. Faunce is directly de- scended from William Faunce, an early settler and Baptist preacher in Plymouth Colony, and the family has been of much prominence in New England history.

Fenner, Henry Smith, treasurer of the Slade Mills, was born in Smithfield, R. I., May 31, 1846, the eldest son of Henry Greene and Laura Amey (Smith) Fenner. He is a direct descendant of four of the oldest and most noted of Rhode Island fam- ilies, a lineal descendant in the eighth generation from Capt. Arthur Fenner, a lieu- tenant in Cromwell's army, who settled in Rhode Island in 1649, where after varied military experiences he was appointed on June 19, 1676, chief commander of the king's garrison at Providence, and of all other garrisons there; in the ninth genera- tion from Roger Williams; and in the ninth generation from Richard Waterman, who on October 8, 1638, was one of the twelve to whom Roger Williams deeded the land acquired from the Indians and one of the twelve original members of the First Baptist Church of Providence, R. I., organized in 1639; and also in the ninth gen- eration a descendant from John Greene, the first settler of Warwick, R. I., from whom in the fifth generation descended Major General Nathaniel Greene of Rev- olutionary fame. Mr. Fenner is also in the eighth generation from Richard Borden of Aquidneck, R. I. Henry S. Fenner was prepared for college at Lapham Institute, North Scituate, R. I., and was graduated from Brown University, Bachelor of Phil- osophy, in 1870. Among his classmates were President E. Benjamin Andrews and Professors N. F. Davis, Alonzo Williams, Wilfred H. Munro, and Richard S. Col- well of Brown University and Dean John M. English of Newton Theological Sem- inary. His father's uncle, John Fenner, entering a mill in 1818, was a cotton mill agent in the earliest days of cotton manufacture, and his father, Henry Greene Fenner, followed the same business all his life, as did his only brother, George A. Fenner, until his death in 1892. Mr. Fenner, like the rest of his family, was a cotton manufacturer, and after having charge of several mill plants in Rhode Island came to the Slade Mills in 1875 as superintendent and was chosen treasurer in 1876. He was also chosen a director in the Fall River National Bank, a trustee in the Fall River Home for the Aged, was a member of the City Council and was president of the Brown Alumni Association at Fall River in 1890. December 12, 1878, he mar- ried Mary Jane, daughter of John C. Milne, of Fall River, and they have four chil- dren: Henry Milne, Joseph Almy, Laura and George Arthur.

Fernandes, Joseph H., son of Joseph and Clara (Felicia) Fernandes, was born in

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

New Bedford, July 17, 1860. Both of his parents were natives of the Western Isl- ands (Azores) and came to this country when young, settling at once in New Bed- ford, where they have resided all their lives, and his father, who was a whaler, mer_ chant, and hotel proprietor, was well known and universally respected in New Bed- ford. Mr. Fernandes obtained a good common school education and in 1871 went into the Wamsutta Mills, remaining until 1873, when he went to the Potomska Mills, his service there covering a period of nine years. In 1882 he entered the employ of the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company and later went to the Acushnet Mills, where he be- came a second hand, and in June, 1887, he established a general provision business on Potomska street, which he has since continued with success. He is one of the representative members of the Portuguese race in New Bedford. In 1896 he was elected on an independent ticket as councilman from Ward 6, having been previously nominated and defeated twice. For some time he has served as president of the Portuguese-American Political and Naturalization Club, and is a member of the Monte Pio Society and the Royal Arcanum, and is also chairman of the Landlords' Protec- tive Association of New Bedford. In 1884 he married Mary E., daughter of Patrick Murray of Novia Scotia, and they have four sons, two of whom survive: Joseph and George E.

Field, Chester R., was born April 1, 1843, son of Rathbun and Matilda M. (Leonard) Field, of Raynham, was educated at the district school at Winniconett, East Norton, and attended one year at Easton. Soon after leaving school he began work for the Mount Hope Iron Works, in Somerset, Mass., and was soon promoted to a clerkship in their office and was afterward sent to Boston, in 1868, to take charge of the sale of their goods, where he remained until the affairs of this com- pany were closed out. After this he went to Providence, in the employ of the Parker Mills, where he remained for about one year, and then the Mount Hope Iron Works resumed again at Somerset, Mass., so he again became identified with them, where he remained until June, 1882. From 1882 to February, 1888, he was identified with the Somerset Pottery Works, acting as their general manager. In March, 1875, he was chosen town clerk and treasurer and for seven years he issued warrants and took bail, continuing to hold those offices until August, 1888, when he resigned to take the treasurership of the North Easton Savings Bank. He is treasurer of the water works system of North Easton, and treasurer of the North Easton village dis- trict. In September, 1863, he married Abbie L. Robinson, daughter of Henry and Mary Robinson, and has four children: Mary M., who married Stephen L. Leonard, of East Norton, Mass .; Chester R., deceased; John R., clerk for Oliver Ames & Sons Corporation ; George C., clerk at the First National Bank, North Easton, Mass. Mr. Field is a member of Elysian Lodge of Odd Fellows of Somerset.

Field, Herbert, manager of the Congdon Carpenter Company in Fall River, is a son of Jeremiah and Malvina (Knight) Field. He was born in Scituate, R. I., March 8, 1857. He obtained his education in the district schools, Lapham Institute at North Scituate, aud Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Providence, R. I. On May 20, 1879, he entered the employ of the Congdon Carpenter Company as entry clerk, and on February 1, 1882, was given the position of manager of the business at their branch establishment in Fall River, which had been started in 1874. This company is extensively engaged in the sale of iron, steel, lead, copper, heavy hard-

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

ware, carriage material, blacksmith supplies, harness, etc. The sale of bycicles has lately been added to the business. Under Mr. Field's management the business at Fall River increased threefold and has outgrown its quarters on Pocasset street. In 1897 the establishment moved to the handsome new building on Fourth street, corner of Hartwell, where with enlarged capacity and increased facilities the best of oppor- tunities are afforded for a still further advancement. They have furnished the iron, lead and other metals to most of the Fall River cotton mills built within the past fif- teen years, as well as to many other large and small buildings in the city and vicin- ity. In 1883 Mr. Field marriet Harriet E. Brown of Providence, and they have two children: Mabel B. and H. Edward. Mr. Field is a member of King Philip Lodge, F. & A. M., Chapter, Council and Commandery. He is also a member of Fall River Lodge No. 219, I. O. O. F.

Fielden, Dr. John William, dentist, a son of John and Mary (William) Fielden, was born at Summit, near Rochdale, England, November 1, 1863. When he was eleven years of age he came with his parents to America, landing August 16, 1874, and located soon thereafter in Fall River, where he has since resided. Dr. Fielden first attended school in his native country and completed his education in the public schools of Fall River. For a time after leaving school he was employed at the Amer- ican Print Works; and upon deciding to prepare himself for the profession of dent- istry, entered the office Dr. W. B. Stevens of Fall River, with whom he remained two and one-half years. He was next associated in practice of dentistry with Dr. W. H. Lawrence for the same length of time, and then opened an office in the Water- man block. In 1894 he removed to his present location in the Jennings building on Pleasant street. Dr. Fielden practices dentistry in all its branches and has acquired a reputation for skill in his profession. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and an active member of the First Primitive Methodist Church of Fall River.

Fisher, Henry H., well known in New Bedford as a leading manufacturer of bread and general baker's goods, was born in Medfield, Norfolk county, Mass., December 3, 1823, a son of Caleb and Eliza (Plimpton) Fisher. He attended the public schools very little, for owing to the death of his father he was thrown on his own resources at an early age. This lack of early- educational training Mr. Fisher made up later in life by observation and wide reading. When he was sixteen years of age he began an apprenticeship to the baker's trade under Wesley P. Balch of Medfield, with whom he remained five years, or until he reached his majority. At that time he went to Fall River to work for his brother, Mason Fisher, who had also learned his trade under Mr. Balch in Medfield, and had then gone to Fall River and established a small retail baking business. He remained with his brother until March, 1848, when he came to New Bedford and for eleven years thereafter ran a bread cart on com- mission for Watson & Manchester. Having been prudent and thrifty he was ena- bled in 1859 to purchase their business, located on Union street, above the corner of Sixth. This store he conducted for nine years and sold out to establish his present store on the corner of Purchase and North streets. At this location Mr. Fisher has conducted a successful business for over thirty years, his store having become a ver- itable landmark in that section of the city. Mr. Fisher has always upheld the prin- ciples of the Republican party, but has never taken an active part in politics. How-

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ever, he served in the council from the Third ward one term. In 1847 he married Judith E. Brightman of Little Compton, R. I., who died January 1, 1897. Two chil- dren were born to them: Henrietta M., wife of Erskin H. Pierce of New Bedford, and Harry W., deceased.

Fisk, George W., son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Davis) Fisk, was born in Provi- dence, R. I., February 22, 1854. When three years old he removed with his parents to Manchester, N. H., and was educated in the schools of that city. His father was a cotton manufacturer and Mr. Fisk followed that business for several years in Con- necticut and Massachusetts, holding positions in different mills as overseer. He came to Fall River in 1880 and in 1882 went into the employ of Sanford & Covel (now Covel & Osborn). He remained with them in the capacity of a salesman for nearly ten years and in 1891, when the old Fall River Steam and Gas Pipe Company made an assignment, he, with others, became interested and formed a new company, which was incorporated in the same year under the old name. Mr. Fisk became general manager of the business and has since held that position. The company is conducting an extensive trade among retailers in this vicinity and employs a large force of men. Mr. Fisk has been active in building up this trade and is widely known for his pleasant manners, tact, and good executive ability. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In 1873 he married Mary J., daughter of Joseph and Lydia (Smith) Abby of Norwich, Conn. They have five children: Royal, Edith, Walter, Flossie and Fred.

Flint, Benjamin K., was born in Maine, September 19, 1825, a son of Samuel and Louisa (Hodgman) Flint. He was educated at Freedom Academy, Freedom, Maine, and when seventeen years of age started out in life for himself as a carpenter, at Watertown, Mass. September 19, 1862, he enlisted for one year in Co. A, 47th Vols. After his discharge in 1863 he returned to Watertown and three years later located at Newton, Mass. Later he located in the town of Mansfield and purchased the milling interest and farm where he now resides, and which business he has since fol- lowed. He married Martha M., daughter of Joseph and Mary Bird of Watertown, and they have two children: Benjamin and Maria. Mr. Flint has been active in town and county affairs, and selectman many years. He is not a member of any secret society.

Forbes, John P., was born in Middleborough, Mass., March 25, 1855, was educated at Bridgewater and Middleborough Academies and Harvard University. On Sep- tember 11, 1878, he was ordained to the ministry and installed pastor of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church in Westborough, Mass. In 1882 he was called to the First Church in Arlington, Mass., where he remained until April, 1887, when he received and accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate of the First Congregational Society in Taunton. In April, 1898, Mr. Forbes was called to the pastorate of the Church of the Saviour, Brooklyn, N. Y. At present writing he is carrying forward his work in Brooklyn. June 22, 1876, he married Maria Almy Sawyer of Westborough, and they have one son, Roger Sawyer Forbes, born October 24, 1878, in Westborough.

Fortin, Julien Elzear, M.D., was born in St. George, Henryville, P. Q. May 10, 1858, and after an eight years' course was graduated from the Seminaire St. Sulpice, Montreal, in 1880. He studied medicine at Laval University, Quebec, and later en-

PERSONAL REFERENCES.

tered Victoria College, Montreal, and afterwards entered the medical department of the University of Vermont at Burlington, passed his examinations, and was grad- uated with the degree of M.D. in June, 1883, after which he spent three months in the hospitals of Montreal. On September 7, 1883, Dr. Fortin came to New Bedford, where he has since practiced his profession, making a specialty of the diseases of women and children and of extracting teeth. He was chief commander of the Garde d'Honneur for six years and long physician to the society, and not only among his own people, but among all classes he has a host of friends. June 23, 1884, he mar- ried Elise Bonneau of New Bedford, and of their five children, three are living, viz. : Marie Rose Clara, Julien Joseph Alfred and Eva Malvina.

Foster, James R., M.D., was born in Foxborough, May 2, 1844. His father, James W. Foster, was a native of Southbridge, Mass., afterwards moving to Vermont, where he studied medicine and was graduated from the Berkshire Medical College. He practiced in Foxborough sixteen years and in 1854 moved to North Attleborough, where he married Harriet D., daughter of Ira Richards. James R. Foster was ed- ucated at Middleborough, completing his studies in Europe. In 1874 he entered Harvard Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1877, and then entered into partnership with his father, which continued until 1885, when his father died. In 1879 he married Eva Phillips, who died in 1882. Dr. Foster is one of the pro- gressive men of his profession; is chairman of the Board of Health and takes an active interest in educational and religious institutions.

Fowler, Frank Eugene, is the son of John C. and Abby L. (Congdon) Fowler, and was born December 11, 1856, in Montville, Conn., where he received a public school education. When fifteen he became a clerk in a grocery store in his native town, and three years later entered the publishing house of Henry Bill, in Norwich, Conn., where he remained ten years, becoming supervisor of agents. In 1884 he accepted a position as traveling salesman and in 1885 he opened a general store in Uncasville, Montville, Conn., which he continued about nine years. He was postmaster there during that period and for several years was also a member of the town school board and of the school committee of Uncasville. In December, 1893, Mr. Fowler came to New Bedford and purchased the wholesale coffee and spice house of Davis & Hatch, at 28 Union street, which he has since conducted successfully. This busi- ness was established on High street in 1865 by Thatcher C. Hatch and Timothy Davis, and after Mr. Davis's death Mr. Hatch continued it alone under the old firm name of Davis & Hatch until he sold out to Mr. Fowler in 18.3. The latter carries it on under the style of the Davis & Hatch Spice Company. It is the only concern engaged in roasting coffee and grinding spices and cream of tartar in southeastern Massachusetts. The business was moved to 28 Union street about 1887. Mr. Fowler is a member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., of Acushnet Lodge, I.O.O.F., and of the A. O. U. W. In May, 1884, he married Sadie L., daughter of Edward B. Swift, of Falmouth, Mass., and they have four children: Florence J., Allan S., Harold C. and Arthur E. Mr. Fowler's father served in the U. S. navy and later became a lieutenant colonel in the Union army in the Civil war, and at the time of his death, in Denver, he was a member of the G. A. R. staff of Colorado.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 94

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