USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 97
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with E. C. Chandler (an uncle) and William Gifford. When eighteen he became a journeyman, and at the age of twenty-two began contracting, opening a shop where the Cummings block now stands. In 1855 he moved into his present shop at 177 North Water street. Mr. Hammond was successively a partner of Simeon Ashley and Otis T. Sherman. He continued the business of contracting, carpentering and stair building for many years. About 1882 he took his son Edgar B. into partner- ship, under the firm name of C. Hammond & Son, and since then their business has been the practice of architecture. Mr. Hammond is one of the oldest carpenters and contractors in New Bedford, and has always conducted an extensive business. As an architect he has been equally successful. He has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and has served as an alderman, as a member of the City Council, a member of the School Committee, and as city surveyor, in which capacity he built the New Bedford and Fairhaven bridge in 1871 and laid out some of the first city cemeteries. He was also a member of Phoenix Engine Co. No. 4 and foreman of Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, and has always been more or less active in temper- ance work. In April, 1852, he married Anna, daughter of Perry Hazard and Anna Tompkins of Westport, Mass., and they have two sons: Edgar B., a civil engineer and architect, and Henry F., a carpenter, both of New Bedford.
Harding, David E., was born in Mansfield, May 26, 1826, a son of Alfred Harding and grandson of David Harding, who settled in Mansfield about 1775. Alfred Hard- ing married Eliza, daughter of Obediah Pierce, and through life was identified as a farmer. David E. Harding was educated in the common schools and about 1850 entered the employ of John Rogers, dealer in straw goods, and later the firm became Rogers, Corney & Co., Mr. Harding being the company. In 1882 be organized the firm of S. W. Card & Co., which in 1893 was incorporated as The Card Manufactur- ing Company. Mr. Harding married, in 1843, Frances E. Rogers, and they have three daughters: Eva L., Mabel F. and Florence. Mr. Harding served as a member of the Legislature in 1875; president of the Co-operative Bank and takes an active interest in educational and religious matters.
Harrington, George Stanley, a son of Andrew J. and Eliza Catherine (Davenport) Harrington, was born in Utica, N. Y., September 20, 1857, and received his early education in the public schools of New York city. In 1872 he went to work for the drug firm of Caswell, Hazard & Co., remaining there a year and a half, when he en- gaged with L. M. Bates & Co, dry goods, remaining with them three years, and then was employed with E. S. Jaffray & Co., as salesman for five years, at which time he went to Colorado Springs on account of ill health. In the spring of 1883 he engaged in the dry goods business for himself at Grand Junction, Col., under the name of Harrington, Bliss & Co., where he stayed three years, and then came to Taunton and went to work in the City Hotel as clerk; here he remained until 1893, when he started in the publishing business and later mercantile printing, which he follows at the present writing. December 25, 1888, Mr. Harrington married Lydia A. Roebuck, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Roebuck of Taunton, and they have three children: Russell C., Ruth and Katherine.
Harrington, Randall A., lessee and manager of the Taunton Theatre, came to Taunton from Providence and assumed the control of this house in February, 1896. Up to this time the theatre had been managed by two different parties and neither
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cared to continue. Mr. Harrington took it and made an effort to book all first class attractions and he has put the house on a paying basis. He has played many of the star attractions of the day and varies the prices of the house to fit the company he is playing. It is one of the best equipped houses on the New England circuit and is fitted with all the latest inventions for the safety and comfort of its patrons. There is not a cosier theatre in New England than this.
Haskell, Edward, was born at Still River, Mass., about 1828, a son of Deacon Cal- vin and Ann (Hersey) Haskell. He was obliged to leave school at an early age owing to the business reverses of his father, and he entered the employ of a Boston firm for whom he came to New Bedford to dispose of a stock of goods. He managed the venture successfully and his employers decided to keep him here in trade. In 1849 he began, in a small way, a dry goods business for himself, locating on the west side of Purchase street between William and Union streets. He was full of energy and a popular young man and soon gained a good trade. Later he moved across the street, the business meantime rapidly increasing under the impetus of the remarkable business ability which he developed, and the store being enlarged into several departments. In 1876 he organized the firm of Edward Haskell & Company and the four stores then operated were consolidated, forming a large department store, one of the first in New Bedford. Mr. Haskell continued in the business until his death in December, 1882. Although his early education had been limited, he developed a fine literary and artistic taste. He was an enthusiastic lover of flowers and all that was beautiful in art and nature. He was a devoted member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and received a silver medal at its exhibition in 1881 for his collection of "nymphæas " Mr. Haskell was a strong friend, a pleasant, courteous, hospitable and generous man. As a speaker he was remarkably fluent and effective. For many years he was a member and deacon of the North Congre- gational Church and served as superintendent of the Sunday school eleven years. He married first, Sarah Claflin of Pawtucket, R. I., and of their union one son was born, George Edward Haskell, who became a member of the Boston firm of Abram French & Company. For his second wife Mr. Haskell married Louisa B., only daughter of Alexander H. and Louisa (Crandall) Seabury of New Bedford, who sur- vives him. Their children are Mary Crandall and Helen Parker.
Seabury, Alexander H., who died in New Bedford, July 17, 1887, in the eighty-first year of his age, was one of New Bedford's most prominent business men. He was born in Tiverton, R. I., and when a mere lad commenced his business career in a grocery store of which he finally became proprietor, an early evidence of a remark- able business ability which he later exhibited in larger interests. When twenty- seven years of age he came to New Bedford and opened a grain and provision store which he conducted for twenty-five years, having from time to time as partners his brother, Pardon G. Seabury, Joseph Ricketson, and from 1845 to 1857 his nephew,
Albert G. Corry. In the latter year William Baylies and the late Nathaniel S. Can- non were admitted and upon the death of Mr. Corry the active management of the concern was taken by them, although Mr. Seabury still retained an interest and gave the firm the benefit of his advice and experience. For many years he successfully conducted various other enterprises. He established packet lines to New York and Albany and his vessels brought large quantities of grain and flour to this market.
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He also became heavily interested in the packing business of beef and pork in asso- ciation with men in Indiana. Much of this product was used in fitting New Bedford whalers. He was agent from 1836 to 1841 for five whaleships and later became an extensive owner of whale shipping. He also engaged in stock raising and in real estate enterprises near the city of Lafayette, Ind. Mr. Seabury was also a leading spirit in establishing the city of New Bedford as a manufacturing center and invested in nearly every industrial concern started in the city. He was one of the chief pro- moters of the Mt. Washington Glass Works and the Pairpoint Manufacturing Com- pany; he was one of the incorporators of the Five Cents Savings Bank and for many years its vice-president; a director in the First National Bank, and in a number of the cotton manufacturing corporations of New Bedford and Fall River. On August 23, 1830, he married Louisa Crandall, a native of Tiverton, R. I., and a member of a prominent Rhode Island family. One daughter was born to them, Louisa B., who married Edward Haskell of New Bedford. Mr. Seabury was a man of strong per- sonality and possessed of indomitable will. He was most public spirited and his name will go down as one who aided materially in the development of New Bedford.
Hastings, John, from his connection with the famous oil manufacturing firm of Hastings & Co., can be justly said to have been at one time one of the foremost business men of New Bedford. He was born at Hatfield, Mass., March 17, 1817, a son of Samuel and Lucy (Andrews) Hastings. The family trace their genealogy back through the Puritans to the time of William the Conqueror, who married a daughter of the House of Flanders from which the " Hatfield Hastings" are proved to have descended. When John Hastings was an infant, his father, a successful merchant, removed to Heath, in Franklin county, Mass. His education, though limited, was thorough, the schools of the vicinity being good. A few miles away, in Greenfield, the firm of Allen & Root conducted a large general store, and when he reached the age of fourteen a position as clerk for this firm was obtained for him and he remained in their employ, receiving an excellent business training, until he reached his majority. Being a young man of adventurous spirit he now decided to go west, and settling in Cleveland, Ohio, was employed there for one year in a whole sale grocery store. He then went to Illinois, which at this time was largely unde- veloped, and bought out a squatter who had settled on a tract of 1,000 acres about three miles from Rockford on the Rock River. This land he afterward purchased at the government rate. He at once began to engage in extensive farming opera- tions, having under cultivation in the first year over 100 acres of corn and in follow- ing years growing large crops of corn and wheat, besides giving much attention to stock raising. At the end of a period of five years he advantageously disposed of his land and soon after came east to Springfield, Mass., where, in company with his brothers, Waitstill and George Hastings, he engaged in the manufacture and sale of lard oil. The enterprise was successful from the start and in about three years the firm removed to Boston, where they engaged in a general oil business. This led to a removal in 1854 to New Bedford, where a factory was erected and wharves for the accommodation of a large business acquired. The main office of the firm was then established in New York city. The firm gained a reputation for their product which was almost world wide, for while they sold oil in every State in the Union, nearly one-half of their trade was in foreign countries, the bulk of this being in England,
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France and Scotland. This trade was not conducted in the usual way through com- mission houses, but by the establishment of European agencies, Mr. Hastings mak- ing trips to England and the continent for this purpose. There is no question but that the firm of Hastings & Co. were at this time the largest manufacturers of whale and sperm oil in the world. For many years the average annual output was over 25,000 barrels. Jonathan Bourne, one of the leading business men of that time, has said that this firm undoubtedly did more for New Bedford than any other one enter- prise, first by creating a market for oil, and second by keeping their product up to a good standard of excellence. In addition to the trade in whale oil their foreign trade in menhaden oil grew to large proportions. The business declined with the whaling industry and in 1879 Mr. Hastings purchased his brother's interest and has continued the business to the present time, although of necessity in a small way. In the same year he interested his capital in the Photo-engraving Company of New York city. and had soon acquired a controlling interest in the stock of the company, of which the inventor of the process, Mr. Moss, was a member. As is well known this half- tone process was long kept a secret and the company had a monopoly in the business for several years. Mr. Hastings was made president and treasurer and devoted to it all the power of his mature judgment and experience. The business of the corpo- ration was enormous, requiring a rare tact and executive ability in its management, and of these qualities Mr. Hastings was possessed. He closed his connection with the concern in 1890. In the mean time, in 1886, he had engaged in the coal business in New Bedford and this he continued until 1896, when he leased his wharf to the City Coal Company. Mr. Hastings has during his entire life been a staunch Whig and Republican and his party has several times remembered his devotion by the tender of different nominations, the acceptance of which was always precluded by his extensive business cares, so that the only public service he ever rendered was as alderman, in which capacity he served four terms, being chairman of the committee which purchased the South Cemetery while a member of the board. Although in his eighty-second year he is still active and of good memory, a notable example of the well preserved man. He has been a deacon of the North Congregational Church for upwards of twenty four years. In 1850 he married Lucy, daughter of Deacon Henry Fowler of Westfield, Mass.
Hathaway, Charles E., & Son. - The pottery of Charles E. Hathaway & Son, while not the most extensive, enjoys a large and influential trade in the distribution of its products, which find a ready market in all the principal cities of the United States, besides a large export trade to Canada. The members of the firm are prac- tical men; Mr. Charles E. Hathaway began the business when only eighteen years of age, having learned the art with David Purington of Somerset, and afterwards with the Somerset Pottery Co., which later became the Somerset & Johnsonburg Manufacturing Co., where he was made superintendent and remained until 1893, then in connection with his son Howard, established the present business. An ex- perience of twenty-seven years in the art places the firm in a position to command the confidence of the large number of patrons who handle the products of the con- cern, which consists of a general line of stone and earthen ware, flower pots and all the various kinds and styles of tile for electrical insulation. The firm has extensive dealings in the latter goods with electrical outfitters and electrical companies through-
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out the country and the Dominion. In 1873 Mr. Hathaway married Mary E. Sher- man, and their children are Howard W., in business with his father; Sidney L., who resides in Pottersville; Florence S., Marion P., Alice L., Anna G. and Charles E., jr., who reside at home.
Hathaway, Chester B., was born in Somerset Center, in August, 1856, a son of William T. and Mary M. (Chase) Hathaway. At fourteen years of age Mr. Hatha- way left home and went to sea, a life which he intended to follow only for failing eyesight, which necessitated the giving up of a long cherished occupation. After leaving the sea he learned the carpenter's trade with Aaron Mellon of Fall River, where he remained three years. In 1873, business being very dull, he again took up the life of a sailor and shipped on the schooner Henry J. May of May's Landing, N. J., as second mate; afterwards he shipped in the Sarah E. Allen, a West India ship, for one year. He then came to Somerset for a short time, then went to Colorado, where he followed his trade as carpenter, carrying on the business for himself there, the last year traveling and prospecting for silver mines. After three years in the west he returned to Somerset, and gradually drifted into the floral greenhouse and market gardening business. In politics he is a Republican and has been a member of the town school board for four years; is a member of Pioneer Lodge, F. & A. M., of Somerset, and was formerly active in Grange work. In 1887 Mr. Hathaway married Luella F. Winslow, daughter of John and Amanda Winslow of Fall River, and they have three children: Elsie L., Francis W., Ada L.
Hathaway, Herman H., was born in Fairhaven, August 23, 1857, and has lived in that town all his life. He is a son of Daniel K. Hathaway, who was for a number of years a painter and decorator in Fairhaven, and of Catherine D. (Wing) Hatha- way. He spent his early years in the public schools of his native town and in learn- ing his father's trade. Upon leaving school he went directly into business with his father and at the latter's death succeeded him. From a small beginning Mr. 'Hatha- way has built up a remarkably large business, considering the field to which his trade is confined. He has been located on Main street for over twenty years and in 1891 built the building which he now occupies; employment is given to an average of twenty-four men. Mr. Hathaway has been a member of the Village Improvement Society for a number of years; he is also a trustee of the Riverside Cemetery Asso- ciation. Ever since boyhood he has been a member of the Unitarian Church of Fairhaven, and is now serving the congregation as treasurer. In addition to his painting, decorating and wall paper business Mr. Hathaway is extensively engaged in buying and selling real estate.
Hathaway, Ira A., was born in the town of Somerset, May 30, 1855, a son of William T. and Mary M. (Chase) Hathaway, and educated in the common schools of the vicinity. His father was a mason by trade, plying his vocation and finding work in the community in which he lived. Mr. Hathaway's grandfather, Jonathan Hath- away, was one of the early pioneers of Bristol county and was proprietor of the first express line between Bristol and Boston. When seventeen years of age Mr. Hath- away started out in life for himself and learned the carpenter's trade with Shaw & Wilber of Fall River, in whose employ he remained for ten years, after which he went into business for himself in the vicinity where he now resides, and many of the substantial dwellings in the vicinity were erected under his supervision. Mr. Hath-
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away's business location is such that in years past he has found it advantageous to carry other lines in connection with that of building and has a building devoted to carriage wood work and turning and boat building. His latest enterprise is that of undertaking and embalming, a building being devoted entirely to this business. His facilities in this line are unsurpassed and this department is increasing among a class who appreciate suitable and reverent attention in the sad duties of disposing of the dead. With all his diversified interests to attend to Mr. Hathaway has organ- ized, instructs, and conducts Hathaway's Social Orchestra, a musical feature of the community. He is also a leader of music and has probably done more than any other agency towards keeping up an interest in the art than all others combined. He has been a member of the First Christian Church of Somerset since 1873, and is a member of Elysian Lodge, I.O.O.F. He has been twice married; his present wife was Mary E., daughter of William Sherman of Dighton, whom he married in De- cember, 1897.
Hathaway, James Henry, city treasurer of New Bedford, is the son of James Henry Hathaway and Elizabeth Wilcox, his wife, and a grandson of Capt. William Hathaway, a native of New Bedford and a merchant sailing master from New York. His father, James H , sr., spent most of his life in New York city as an accountant, dying in February, 1844; his wife survived until 1890. Mr. Hathaway was born in New Bedford, Mass., November 1, 1835, received a high school education, and then engaged in the hat business in his native city, having his uncle, David B. Wilcox, as a partner. He had become a member of the New Bedford City Guards in 1859. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Co. L, 3d Mass. Vol. Inf., and served three months, being stationed at Fortress Monroe. Afterward he was appointed a clerk in the navy de- partment under Paymaster Thornton and in this capacity served with the expedi- tions on the sounds of North Carolina, at Roanoke Island, and at Newbern, where, on August 5, 1862, he received the appointment of acting assistant paymaster in the U. S. navy, which position he held until March, 1866. He served mainly in this latter capacity with the Mississippi squadron, being in the Red River and other ex- peditions, and after the war closed having charge of a number of light clad boats laid up to be sold at Cairo, Ill. For several years after receiving an honorable dis- charge from the U. S. navy he was connected with the New Bedford city assessor's office. On April 6, 1874, he was appointed assistant to the late James B. Congdon, then city treasurer, and on April 6, 1879, he succeeded Mr. Congdon as city treas- urer, which office he has creditably and satisfactorily filled ever since, having been, with one exception (1897), unanimously re-elected by the City Council on joint bal- lot. Mr. Hathaway is an honored and respected citizen, and a member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Post 1, G. A. R. May 12, 1858, he married Mary E., daughter of Arvin Smith of New Bedford, and they have had two sons: William W., his assistant in the office from 1879 till his death on October 27, 1896, and Charles R., his present assistant.
Hathaway, Marcus M., druggist and physician, a son of James and Lydia G. (Brown) Hathaway, was born in Fall River, December 17, 1841. He obtained his education in the Fall River public schools and early in life carefully learned the drug business with P. S. Brown, the oldest druggist in Fall River. In 1871 he entered into partnership with Mr. Brown under the firm name of P. S. Brown & Co., which
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name has since been retained, although Mr. Brown is now deceased. Having taken a partial course in medicine in the University of Vermont, he began to practice as early as 1872 and has since followed the profession. Many of his patients come from among the poor and unfortunate classes in whose condition and material wel- fare he has always shown a kind and sympathetic interest. In his chosen field of work Dr. Hathaway has accomplished much good for his fellowmen and he is highly esteemed for his unostentatious acts of charity and benevolence. He devotes all his time to his business and profession. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Hathaway, Paul Spooner, son of Isaac T. and Hannah (Maxfield) Hathaway, was born in the town of Dartmouth (now New Bedford, Mass.), June 23, 1830. His father was a prosperous farmer and at one time was captain of a company of militia. Mr. Hathaway has his discharge, dated at Headquarters in Boston, February 20, 1832. Paul Spooner received his education in the district schools, which was supplemented by two terms at the New Bedford schools. His first business experience was in the capacity of clerk in the restaurant of his brother-in-law, Edward Wing, of New Bed- ford, where he was employed for a period of eight years. Having saved the greater part of his earnings during this time he bought the business and conducted it alone, which was then in Liberty Hall at Nos. 67 and 69 William street, where he re- mained for ten years. He then disposed of his business and removed to his father's farm in Dartmouth, where he resided for twenty years during which time he bought the farm. He then sold his farm and removed to Smith's Mill, where he has since lived in semi-retirement. Politically Mr. Hathaway is a Republican and in 1876 was elected a member of the City Council of New Bedford. In April, 1898, he was elected constable of the town of Dartmouth, He was married in October, 1853, and has three children: Phoebe R., wife of John S. Sheldon of Loda, Ill .; Lizzie E., wife of Charles L. Peck of Dartmouth; and Isaac P., who is now in the U. S. Navy on board the man-of-war Independence stationed at Mare Island, Cal. Whether in public station or out of it, Mr. Hathaway has always been noted for the able and scrupulous discharge of every duty incumbent upon him.
Hathaway, Robert N., treasurer of the Union Belt Company, a son of William H. and Adeline P. (Lincoln) Hathaway, was born in Fall River, August 13, 1854. He attended Fall River public schools until nine years old and then lived with a family in Assonet village until fourteen, and completed his education in the schools of his native city. At the age of seventeen he was employed by a civil engineer and for one year or more assisted in surveying and laying out the land upon which are now erected the Richard Borden and Tecumseh Mills. He also assisted in laying out the land in part of Flint village, where the cotton mills have been built. He was next employed in the shoe store of Stephen L. French for three years. In 1875 Mr. Hath- away was tendered the position of bookkeeper for the Union Belt Company, which position he held until 1886, when he was elected treasurer, and since 1892 has been agent and treasurer of the company, filling the position with exceptional ability and devoting his entire time to the business. The Union Belt Company manufactures oak tanned leather belting for mills, top roll covers for spinning frames, etc., and employs about thirty workmen. Mr. Hathaway is treasurer of the Masonic Hall As- sociation of Fall River, past master of King Philip Lodge of Masons, member of
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