Bristol County, Massachusetts - Biographical sketches (1 of 5 so headed), 1883 (part 2 of 3)

Benjamin S. Rotch (1817-82) graduated at Harvard in 1838, he and his brother William being the two marshals of the class which numbered among its members Lowell, Eustis, Devens, Story, and many other well-known men. In 1846 he married the eldest daughter of the Hon. Abbott Lawrence, and accompanied the latter to England when he was appointed our minister at the court of St. James. It was during this and subsequent visits to Europe that he had the opportunity to improve and cultivate that interest in the fine arts which rendered his influence in artistic matters most valuable. His careful study of foreign collections, supplemented by practical work, made him a competent and fastidious critic, as well as a painter whose landscapes have shown to advantage in many local exhibitions. He was a trustee of the Boston Athenamm and of the Museum of Fine Arts, and chairman of its committee. He also filled most successfully many other public and private offices which were confided to him.

He had seven children, - Edith, Arthur, Aimee (who married Winthrop Sargent), Catharine (deceased), Annie L., William (deceased), and Abbott Lawrence.

Arthur Rotch graduated at Harvard in 1871, and then pursued a thorough course of architecture at the Ecole des Beaux Arts" at Paris. On his return from abroad he settled in Boston, where he has been very successful in the practice of his profession, and has paid considerable attention to matters pertaining to art and music.

Abbott Lawrence Rotch at an early age exhibited a decided taste for mechanical engineering, and is now a student in the Institute of Technology in Boston.

William J. Rotch graduated at Harvard in 1838, in the same class with his brother Benjamin, with whom he was afterwards associated in many business enterprises. Together with L. A. Plummer, of New Bed- ford, they founded the New Bedford Cordage Company, which has always heen one of the most successful corporations of that city. In later years the two brothers were among the first to discover and develop the value of the McKay sewing-machine, which has since won a world-wide reputation.

William J. Rotch has been prominently connected with nearly all the important business enterprises of New Bedford for many years, and has held numerous offices, both public and private, of honor and trust. In 1852, at the early age of thirty-three, he was elected mayor of the city. He has been treasurer of the board of trustees of the Friends' Academy since 1850, and has been a director in many manufacturing companies, railroad corporations, and banks in New Bedford and Boston.

In 1842 he married Emily Morgan, daughter of Charles W. Morgan, of New Bedford, who died in 1861. They had eight children, Charles M. (deceased), William, Helen, Morgan, Isabel M. (who married Pierre Severance), Sarah B. (who married Frederick Swift), Emily M., and Anna S. In 1866 he married Clara Morgan, and they had one daughter, Mary R.

After 1876 Mr. Botch lived in Boston during the winter, and in 1881 he went abroad with his wife and four daughters, returning in the fall of 1882. His residence on County Street, in New Bedford, surrounded by extensive lawns and gardens, which cover several acres near the centre of the city, has for many years been considered one of the finest in Southern Massachusetts, and when occupied by its former owner, James Arnold, its spacious grounds and greenhouses, filled with rare exotic plants, were among the principal objects of interest to all strangers who visited the city.

William Botch graduated at Harvard in 1865, and after a three-years' course at the " Ecole Imperiale Centrale des Arts et Manufactures" at Paris, received the diploma of " Ingenieur civil" in 1869. In 1871 he was appointed assistant engineer of the Fall River Water-Works, the construction of which was begun a few months later; and in 1874 he was appointed chief engineer and superintendent, retaining the position until the completion of the works. He resigned this office in 1880, and removed to Boston, where he was appointed consulting engineer and purchasing agent of the Mexican Central Railway Company. He has been consulting engineer and treasurer of several other railroad corporations during the last three years.

In 1873 he married Mary Botch Eliot, daughter of Hon. Thomas D. Eliot, M. C, and has had five children, - Edith Eliot, William, Jr., Charles Morgan, Mary Eliot (deceased), and Clara Morgan.

Morgan Botch graduated at Harvard in 1871, and has since been engaged in business in New Bedford as a cotton-broker. He has been a member of the Common Council, is a director of the National Bank of

Commerce of New Bedford, and of several other corporations. In 1879 he married Josephine G., daughter of Joseph G. Grinnell, of New Bedford, and has had two children, Arthur Grinnell and Emily Morgan.

Rodman Rotch (1821-54) left New Bedford at an early age, and settled in Philadelphia, where he died at the age of thirty-three. He married Helen Morgan, daughter of Thomas W. Morgan, of Philadelphia, and had two children, Anna S. and Thomas Morgan.

Thomas Morgan Rotch graduated at Harvard in 1870, and, after studying three years at the Harvard Medical School, and holding the position of house physician at the Massachusetts General Hospital for one year, took the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He next studied for two years in the hospitals of Germany and France, and then returned to Boston, where he began to practice in 1876. He was appointed Instructor in Diseases of Children in the Harvard Medical School, and has since held positions in the Boston Dispensary, the Boston City Hospital, and the Children's Hospital. In 1874 he married Helen, daughter of William J. Botch, of New Bedford, and has one son, Thomas Morgan Rotch, Jr.

Seven generations of this family have lived upon the soil of New Bedford from the time when Joseph Botch purchased the " ten-acre lot" in 1765, and suggested the name of the town, and probably no one family has had a greater influence in developing its character and shaping its history.

Jonathan Bourne

JONATHAN BOURNE. Jonathan Bourne, son of Jonathan and Hannah Tobey Bourne, was born in the village of Monument, town of Sandwich, Mass., March 25, 1811, and was the tenth of a family of eleven children. His father a man of inflexible will, strong good sense, and sterling integrity, was a farmer, and his sons were trained to habits of industry and learned the lessons of selfreliance. At the age of seventeen Mr. Bourne came to this city and entered the store of John B. Taylor, remaining there nine months, and then spent the winter months at home in attendance at the village school. The next spring he again came to New Bedford, where he attended for a few months the school of B. F. Fry, and after a brief visit to his home, found employment in the grocery-store of John Webster, under the Mansion House, with whom, after a short time, he entered into partnership. Soon afterwards he purchased Mr. Webster's interest, and managed the business alone until 1838, when he sold out to the late George W. Howland, as his whaling investments were becoming important enough to demand his full attention. He retained, however, an office at his old stand, and being engaged largely both as owner and agent in the whale fishery, he carried on his business there until 1848, when he moved into the counting-room on Merrill's wharf which he has since continuously occupied. Devoted to his business, lie rapidly increased it, until he became at one time the owner, probably, of more whaling tonnage than any other man in the country, if not in the world.

During the late civil war, when other owners, disheartened at the prospects of the fishery, were selling their vessels to the government to be sunk, stoneladen, at the mouth of Charleston Harbor, Mr. Bourne kept his faith in the enterprise and purchased five ships, retaining the entire ownership of three of them, and prosecuted the business with redoubled vigor, and with results proving his sagacity.

Always interested in politics, first as a Whig and later as a Republican, Mr. Bourne has never held any political office, except that of alderman, which, during the early history of the city, he filled for five consecutive years. Decided in his views upon all questions that came before the board, and frank and fearless in expressing them, he encountered persistent opposition at the polls, but never failed of an election.

Mr. Bourne was three times chosen a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and at Chicago, in 1860, was the first of the Massachusetts delegation to abandon Seward and cast a vote for Abraham Lincoln. For five terms, of two years each, he was elected by the Legislature a State director of the Western (now the Boston and Albany) Railroad. In politics, as in business, he has relied mainly upon his own judgment of men and measures, and always had the courage of his convictions. Upon the death of Hon. John Avery Parker, Mr. Bourne was chosen as his successor in the direction of the Merchants' Bank, and upon the death of Charles R. Tucker, in 1876, was unanimously chosen president of the bank, a position he now holds. He also succeeded the late W. H. Taylor, Esq., as president of the Bristol County Fire Insurance Company.

Mr. Bourne's early educational advantages were limited to those afforded by the common schools in his youth, open for about two months each winter, and kept by men poorly paid and often as poorly fitted for their work, and by the brief term he attended Mr. Fry's school in New Bedford. But he made good use of them, and was well fitted for the larger school of practical affairs in which he has taken such conspicuous rank. An eminently successful business man, the secret of his success is an open one. It is due to his tireless industry, to his promptness that never failed to meet every financial obligation, however trivial or however large, to his remarkable personal attention to details, and to a probity and courage, tempered with caution, that have made him sagacious and successful beyond most men. Though quick in his insight into affairs, and sometimes almost passionate in the conduct of his business, he has been just in his decisions and thoughtful of those connected with him.

his bodily vigor, energy in business, and spirited interest in affairs, most forcibly illustrates the value of active habits, possessing as he does, at his advanced age, the physical and mental elasticity and strength generally associated with the prime of life.

Joseph Arthur Beauvais

Joseph Arthur Beauvais, son of Andrew and Patience (Ricketson) Beauvais, was born in South Dartmouth, Mass., Jan. 21, 1S24. His mother was a daughter of Clark and Mary (Wood) Ricketson, of that town. His father was a native of Bordeaux, France. The family having been reduced by the French Revolution, and to avoid conscription into Napoleon's army, which was then taking boys of twelve years of age, he was sent while quite young by his widowed mother to this country, whither his sister, wife of Capt. James Rider, of Dartmouth, had preceded him. He commanded for many years packet-ships from New York in the New Orleans trade, and later in the South American trade, chiefly with Buenos Ayres. His uncle, James Rider, was also a successful shipmaster, sailing from New York in the New Orleans and European trade. In childhood his father and uncle, with their families, removed to New York, and afterwards to Astoria, Long Island, where his mother died. After her decease, Capt. Rider having retired from his seafaring life in 1832, the families returned to South Dartmouth, and he became an inmate of his uncle's family. He was tenderly reared and educated by his uncle and aunt, to whose sterling characters, excellent precepts, and careful training he feels what success he has met with in life is largely due. Capt. Rider engaged quite extensively in the whaling business in South Dartmouth, and subsequently in New Bedford, where he died, and where his wife now survives him.

His early education was obtained in the public and private schools of Dartmouth. In 1840 he came to New Bedford and attended for a short time the Bush Street Grammar School, and was admitted to the High School, John F. Emerson, principal. After graduating in 1842, he entered the counting-room of Barton Ricketson, his uncle, then extensively engaged as managing owner of whaling and merchant vessels, and also of the New Bedford Iron-Foundry. In 1843 he became his uncle's book-keeper and confidential clerk, where he remained until November, 1851, when he assumed a like position in the counting-room of J. B. Wood & Co., then largely engaged in the whaling business. Here he became interested with the firm as an owner in their ships, and was at times managing owner of several merchant and coasting vessels, and also did some business as a broker.

In 1860 he was chosen treasurer of the New Bedford Tannery Company, which built the tanneryworks on Court Street. This enterprise not proving remunerative, after a few years the property chauged hands and the corporation was dissolved. In 1867 he was chosen treasurer of the American Tack Company, of Fairhaven, and subsequently its president, which positions he still retains.

In February, 1872, he severed a most pleasant and harmonious connection of more than twenty- one years with J. B. Wood & Co., and formed the firm of Beauvais & Co. (T. B. Fuller, late book-keeper of the American Tack Company, as partner), and engaged in private banking. In 1874, assisted by H. A. Blood, of Fitchburg, Henry W. Phelps, of Springfield, and others, he organized the Fall River Railroad Company, of which corporation he was president. This corporation contracted with Mr. Phelps to build the railroad from New Bedford to Fall River. It was opened for travel December, 1875. Within two years after the completion of the road he resigned the position of president, but is still a director in the corporation.

In May, 1875, in connection with his partner and others, he organized the Citizens' National Bank, of which he was chosen president and Mr. Fuller cashier. To this bank the banking business of Beauvais & Co. was transferred. This bank was organized with a capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which has been increased to five hundred thousand dollars. He was one of the original corporators and for some time a trustee of the New Bedford Five Cents' Savings-Bank, which position he resigned after a few years. In 1878 he became interested in the organization of the New England Mutual Aid Society for life insurance upon the assessment plan. Of this society he was president until the removal of its office to Boston rendered the discharge of the duties incompatible with his other engagements.

Mr. Beauvais was origiually a Whig, and identified himself with the Republican party on its formation. In religion he is a Congregationalist. For some time he was clerk of the Trinitarian Church, and during eight years was superintendent of its Sabbath-school. At present he is a member of the North Congregational Church.

Mr. Beauvais has ever been an active business man, and at present is president and treasurer of the American Tack Company, president of the Citizens' National Bank, director in the Fall River Railroad, Grinnell Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, Fall River Bleachery, Sagamore Manufacturing Company, Border City Manufacturing Company, and Globe Street Railway Company of Fall River.

I n May, 1848, he was united in marriage with Hannah Cotton Parker, daughter of Ward M. and Hepzabeth (Davis) Parker, and their family consisted of one child, Louise Cecile, who married Max Ritter von Schmaedel, an artist of Munich, and died, leaving a son, Harold Parker von Schmaedel. Mrs. Beauvais died in January, 1879, and in June, 1881, he married Mary Stetson Mendell, daughter of Ellis and Catharine (Allen) Mendell.

Charles B. H. Fessenden

Charles B. H. Fessenden was born in Sandwich, Barnstable Co., July 17, 1813. He was educated at the Sandwich and Amherst Academies and at Amherst College, graduating from that institution in the class of 1833. After completing his law studies at the Dane Law School and in law offices he went to Michigan in 1838, commencing practice in the village of Utica, Macomb Co. In 1839 he was a clerk in the Michigan Senate, and in 1842 was a member of its House. The latter year he returned to his native place, where he opened an office and continued his practice until 1853, when, having been appointed collector of the port of New Bedford, he removed to that city. He held that position until the close of Mr. Buchanan's administration. Soon after leaving the office of collector, in company with Mr. William G. Baker, he purchased the New Bedford Daily Mercury, which was published and edited by them for many years. In 1862 he was elected sheriff of Bristol County, and was re-elected in 1865 and 1868. In 1869 he resigned the sheriffalty, having been appointed United States assessor of internal revenue for the First Massachusetts District. This office he held until by statute its duties were merged in those of collector, when he was appointed to the latter office and retained it until 1876, when the number ol revenue districts in the State was reduced to three. Since that time he has held the position of deputy collector in the Third District, his division being nearly coterminous with the boundaries of his old district.

No one who for the last thirty years has been familiar with the business, political, and social life of New Bedford, can fail to have noticed the value which such a citizen as Col. Fessenden is to a community. His activity in all good works, his genial, winning, and elegant manners, his culture, the keenness of his mind, and the brilliancy of his conversation have all conspired to render him a positive force in the development of the city of his adoption. As collector of customs and internal revenue he has watched over the interests of the government with scrupulous care, while at the same time he has won and preserved the respect and esteem of those with whom he has been called upon to deal. As editor, his varied culture and the brightness and elegance of his style and sparkling wit held his paper up to a standard which dignified the profession of journalism in the community, and exerted a powerful influence upon the manners and conduct of this community, while in his whole career as sheriff of the county, he maintained the ancient dignity of the office and gave to the courts an impressiveness, the loss of which can only result in great injury to the orderly administration of justice. Certainly no history of the bench and bar of Bristol would be complete which failed to record and call to mind the days when Col. Fessenden, with his paraphernalia of office, graced the sheriff's seat, with the incomparable crier opposite, whose " Hear ye ! Hear ye ! Hear ye !" was more truly a clarion blast than that blown on the trumpets by the heralds of old, whire the "good men and true" of the genial clerk seemed to realize in their tone and manner the ideal utterances of a court of justice. No one who was accustomed to practice in that court will ever forget the impression there received, and the tradition of them will be kept forever.

Mr. Harris, who is mentioned on page 96 as editor of a paper in New Bedford, became a journalist as soon as he was of age, beginning his career as associate editor of the Political observer at New London in 1830 ; afterwards editor of the New Bedford Daily and. then acquiring celebrity at Boston as a political writer, he was invited in 1838 by distinguished men of Washington City to go to Tennessee, where he established the Nashville Union, which reflected the influential political opinions of Gen. Andrew Jackson, and represented the rising fortunes of James K. Polk from Congressman to Governor and President.

It is well said by a leading journal that in this connection it is not uninteresting to the people of New London County, Conn., to recall the fact that nearly half a century ago, when the two great political parties of the country were almost as equally divided as they are now, with Henry Clay, of Kentucky, in the lead of the Whigs, and Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, in the lead of the Democrats, two young men, natives of New London County, were invited from the North to conduct the two leading journals of the West and shadow forth to the country the ruling opinions and policy of those two distinguished leaders of men, as emanating from them in their retiracy at " Ashland" and the " Hermitage."

George D. Prentice, of Jewett City, had been called to Louisville, Ky., to conduct the Journal as the voice of Mr. Clay, and J. George Harris, of Groton, was invited to Nashville, Tenn., as editor of the Union. It was at a time when Jackson and Clay were regarded, in the language of the day, as "the embodiment of the principles of their parties" respectively, and the Journal and Union became perfectly oracular in politics. From their exposed position at the front when Kentucky and Tennessee were frontier States, where the people were to a great extent a law unto themselves, these New London boys had repeatedly to stand fire with the wild elements of Western politics. Of course they were wide as the poles asunder as the representatives of their respective parties in the political arena, but their own personal relations, established here at an early day, were never disturbed, although, for the amusement of the public, they did a good deal of sharpshooting at each other between Louisville and Nashville with their quills, which had a tendency rather to strengthen than to weaken friendship. The early prestige of the Journal as the voice of Mr. Clay and of the Union as that of < u'li. Jackson established their influence on a foundation so firm that it is still maintained by them in the Southwest, and in all public affairs they now have wider influence beyond the mountains than any other political newspapers.

Mr. Harris was commissioned in 1843 by Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, as a commercial agent for Europe, and went abroad in that capacity. If we may judge from his voluminous reports to the State Department, of which so large a number of extra copies were printed by the United States Senate, his services were highly appreciated.

After Mr. Polk's election to the Presidency he invited Mr. Harris to conduct the official paper at Washington, which he declined, as he had before declined the editorship of the Madisonian, the official paper of Mr. Tyler's administration. Preferring a life service in the navy to temporary civil service, Mr. Harris accepted in 1845 a commission as disbursing officer of the navy, which commission, with promotions to the highest rank of his grade, he still holds on the list of officers retired for long and faithful services.

The official and personal relations of Mr. Harris in the naval service have ever been exceedingly happy. In Hamersly's " Records of Living Naval Officers" it is stated that Pay Director J. George Harris was attached to the Gulf squadron in 1846-47, and during the Mexican war he was a member of Commodore M. G. Perry's staff on all his shore expeditions; that he was at the capture of Tuxpan, Tabasco, and Vera Cruz, receiving from the commodore special letters of thanks for services rendered afloat and ashore ; that from 1850 to 1854, inclusive, he was attached to the Asiatic fleet, and again with Commodore Perry when the empire of Japan was opened to the commerce of the world.

In his introductory report of the Japan expedition Commodore Perry makes special mention of the aid he had received from Mr. Harris in preparing his volumes for the use of Congress.

Mr. Harris spent two years on the coast of Africa, in the fleet appointed to suppress the slave trade, and his journals, made while on the shores of Liberia and Guinea, were copiously used by Mr. Gurley, the government agent at Liberia, in his reports to Congress. For two years he was attached to the Mediterranean squadron. On that cruise he sent home to public institutions some rare and curious antiquities, which are considered the very best specimens of their kind. During the civil war he held some of the most responsible positions of trust in the navy, both ashore and afloat, disbursing several millions of public money without the slightest deficit or loss to the government.

At the organization of the Groton Heights (Conn.) Centennial Committee, in 1879, he was elected president of the Centennial Commission, and his administration of its affairs, that resulted in such perfect success on the 6th and 7th of September, 1881, was characterized by good judgment and executive ability.

Capt. Henry Taber

CAPT. HENRY TABER. Among those who took the "oath of fidelity" in the old township of Dartmouth in 1684 was Thomas Taber, and among the proprietors of Dartmouth in November, 1694, we find Joseph Taber, Thomas Taber, and Thomas Taber, Jr. Among the early settlers mentioned in the old records we note eleven of the name, viz.: Jacob, Jacob, Jr., John, Jonathan, Joseph, Philip, Philip, Jr., Stephen, Thomas, Thomas, Jr., and William. Thus for two hundred years has this good family of Friends been resident in New Bedford and neighborhood, and connected with its growth and prosperity.

Capt. Henry Taber, son of Benjamin3 and Rhobe (Aikin) Taber, was born in New Bedford, Mass., March 29, 1795. His great-grandfather, Benjamin Taber, and Susannah, his wife, had thirteen children, - Elizabeth, Joseph, Benjamin2, John, Archelaus, Joshua, Mary, Jeduthan, Rebecca, Thomas, Jeremiah, Lewis, and Seth. Benjamin2, born Oct. 10, 1733, died Feb. 5, 1820, was twice married: (1) to Hannah, daughter of Barnabas and Mary Gardner, of Nantucket. She died Feb. 16, 1766. Their children were Barnabas, Daniel. Benjamin3. (2) to Eunice, widow of Joseph Gardner, and daughter of Richard and Lydia Worth, of Nantucket. She was born in 1731, and died in 1814. Their children were Barnabas, Susannah, and Frances. He was the builder of the first whale-boat built in New Bedford. Benjamin Taber3, born Feb. 2, 1766, married Rhobe, daughter of Thomas Aikin, born Jan. 30, 1768, by whom he had eight children, - Hannah, Philip A., James, James2, Henry, Thomas, Shubael, and Rhobe. She died May 11, 1801, aged thirty-three. He then married Merab Coffin, by whom he had six children, - Benjamin C, Sarah C. and Ann F. (twins), Rhobe A., John W., and Avis F. He was a block-maker, and a very inventive genius. He received or owned a patent for boring logs for aqueducts, which business he followed so long as he remained in New Bedford. The last part of his life was passed in Victoria, 111., where he died, aged eighty years. He was a man of sterling integrity, and highly esteemed for his numerous good qualities.

Thomas Aikin, father of Rhobe, came to New Bedford from Canada. He was a man of limited means, also of the Society of Friends, and a blacksmith by trade. He had three sons and three daughters, - Abial, Charles, Timothy, Rhobe, Abigail, and Luramy. Henry Taber remained with the home circle, receiving a limited school education and assisting his father until he was fourteen. At that age he went to sea as cabinboy with his uncle, John Wood, master of the " George and Susan," a ship now owned by Aikin & Swift, and doing good service. (His mother died when he was but six years of age, and the care of his youth was given by his Aunt Luramy, wife of Capt. John Wood. She kept house for his father, and was almost a mother to the family.) This first voyage took him to Virginia, from whence they took a lading of tobacco to Liverpool. His second trip was to Port Glasgow. His third was to Hamburgh as second mate. His last voyage was in the brig " Nancy," Capt. Packard, after the war of 1812, from New York to Dublin. He then for one year was chief mate under Capt. John Wood, on a packet running from New Bedford to New York. The fifteen subsequent years he was captain on the same line, and commanded four different vessels, "Orbit," "Boston," "Experiment," and "Helen," owning a one-fourth interest in the last two. In 1832, Capt. Taber engaged in trade in New Bedford as a grocer and ship-chandler in company with David Sherman, as Taber & Sherman, on Centre Street, near the wharf. Mr. Sherman soon left for Poughkeepsie, N. Y., to look after whaling interests there. After two or three years Capt. Taber formed a partnership with his son, William G., and son-in-law, John Hunt, under firm-title of Henry Taber & Co. This firm continued in successful and prosperous existence until March 1, 1866, when Capt. Taber retired, and the firm-name changed to Taber, Gordon & Co.

About 1834, Capt. Taber became quite largely interested in whaling, and amassed considerable wealth from this source. He is now largely interested in the various enterprises of New Bedford. He was president of the Mutual Marine Insurance Company, now suspended, is a director in the National Bank of Commerce, and is a stockholder in three different banks. He has been twice married : (1 ) to Nabby, daughter of William and Nabby Gordon, Dec. 16, 1819. She was born in New Bedford, March 10, 1800, and died Nov. 9, 1831. The children of this marriage were William G., born Aug. 20, 1821 ; Abby (Mrs. John Hunt), born Aug. 16, 1824; and Robert, born Oct. 4, 1831. (2) to Sally, sister of first wife, Dec. 9, 1832. She was born July 20, 1802. They had one son, Henry A. (deceased). (William Gordon died June 26, 1835, aged eighty years. His wife, Nabby Gordon, died Nov. 16, 1831, aged seventy years.)

In politics, Capt. Taber has ever been a Whig and a Republican. Believing in the principles of these parties he was strong in their support, and, with the exception of two years, served in the State Legislature from 1838 to 1844. Many years Capt. Taber has been one of New Bedford's representative and most successful business men. He has been industrious, cautious, and conservative, showing great financial ability in the many diversified and complicated interests in which he has been engaged. Of strict integrity and frank courtesy, his manly qualities and sterling worth have given him stanch friends all along the path of life, and never was a friend betrayed who trusted his interests in his hands. Those who have known him longest are to-day his warmest admirers.

William Phillips

The firm of William Phillips & Son, for years one of the well-known commercial houses of New Bedford, is a copartnership consisting of William Phillips and George R. Phillips, father and son. The business of the firm is that of ship agents and commissionmerchants, having had considerable interests in the whale fisheries and the buying and selling of its products from the formation of the copartnership to the present time.

The senior member of this house, Mr. William Phillips, who is the subject of this short sketch, was born at Westport, in the county of Bristol, Jan. 3, 1801, and is, consequently, at the present time nearly eighty-two years of age. His father, Capt. Edward Phillips, was born in Dartmouth, in the same county, April 5, 1779, and died in Westport Jan. 28, 1831. He was married to a lady named Amy Tripp, and made his home in that part of Westport known as Tripp's wharf, being near Hix's bridge. William was the oldest son of a family which consisted of eight children, of whom but two sisters and himself are now living.

The age of fourteen found him at work as clerk in a store at the head of Westport River. In this occupation he remained until January, 1820, when he came to New Bedford, where he was employed as clerk by Levi Standish, of that place. Since that time he has lived in New Bedford continuously up to the present time. For five years he was engaged in that or kindred occupations, and in 1825 entered the office of John Avery Parker, of New Bedford, as clerk and book-keeper. After remaining with him about three years he formed a copartnership with Mr. George Russell, and engaged in the business of a shipchandlery and commission-house, under the firmname of Phillips & Russell.

In 1832 this firm, together with John A. Parker, erected the brick building known as Parker's Block, at the foot of Middle Street. A few years later, in 1836, he again entered the office of Mr. Parker, at that time being a firm under the name of John A. Parker & Son, as book-keeper and confidential clerk. He remained in this position until the death of John A. Parker, in December, 1853, the firm having been dissolved some time previous by the withdrawal of the son, Frederick Parker, in 1848.

Mr. John A. Parker, upon his death, left a large estate to be administered upon, and by the terms of his will appointed Mr. Phillips accounting executor and trustee, with his son, Frederick Parker, and Hon. John H. Clifford, the two last of whom died before the final settlement of the estate. The final settlement of this estate was effected in 1880, that being the

The account-books of this trust cover a period of twenty-seven years, and being in the handwriting of Mr. Phillips they are, among other things, interesting as showing the gradual change that years make, " the sensible yet imperceptible growth of age." It was after the death of Mr. Parker that the firm of William Phillips & Son was formed. In the business of the last thirty years Mr. Phillips has often been called upon to perform duties where integrity and a sound knowledge of business were necessary. The offices of executor, administrator, and trustee for various parties and estates, director in insurance, banking, and manufacturing concerns are among the many offices of trust and honor that he has been called to fill, and has filled acceptably in every instance.

His life has been almost entirely one of private business, - a life whose lack of opportunity for display has certainly not created in him any desire for it. He is to-day one of the sound practical business men, a class of people who are by no means the least efficient in helping along good deeds and good morals, and now, at the advanced age of eighty-two, he may justly feel proud of the reputation for honesty and integrity he enjoys, which is one of the results of his long life's work. Habits of industry formed and practiced through long years become second nature. Length of years may impair bodily vigor, but in this case there is no indication of any loss of mental vigor.

Daily at his place of business, he presents the example - an example by no means of frequent occurrence - of a man of great age who still has no idea of retiring from business. The life of a private business man whose promises are kept and whose credit is good is apt to be uneventful as far as the purposes of a biographical sketch are concerned. Such a life is so because good credit accompanies or follows correct t business habits, and such habits mean the smooth running of affairs ; while affairs run smoothly, when each day, though it bring its work and obligations, leaves its obligations complied with and its labor performed. Such a life has been that of the subject of this sketch.

But lives with no startling events, no notorious or famous acts, are the foundation and superstructure of society. The famous and eventful lives may well considered the architectural embellishments, but they must have the solid structure to form themselves upon. Half of the beauty of a picture is a suitable background. Trimming is a good thing in its place, but the most essential thing is to have something to trim. Life is not a dream is the assertion of more than one experience, and the lives of great events are rendered possible only by just such lives as the one in question. Existence to the mass is upright and downright business. The value of right living, straightforward conduct and integrity, is not easily measured. We are apt to be dazzled by the strong glare of what are termed great achievements, and, in consequence, place their common value too high ; but to the people at large, to the common brotherhood of man, for the growth and stability of good solid character and true worth, the example of a well-done life's work is of the highest kind of value. E. J. L.

William C. N. Swift

WILLIAM C. N. SWIFT. William Cole Nye Swift, son of Reuben and Jane (Nye) Swift, was born on the Nye farm in Fairhaven, Mass., April 27, 1815. (For ancestral history, see biography of R. N. Swift, Acushnet.) When William was five years old his father removed to New Bedford, where he received the educational advantages of private and academic schools. He entered Brown University in 1831, being in the class of 1835, but left towards the end of his sophomore year on account of his health. He returned to New Bedford, and began his long and successful business career by entering the counting-room of Benjamin Rodman as assistant book-keeper. He gave satisfaction, and was soon promoted to book-keeper, in which capacity he remained until 1835. His father, largely engaged in the liveoak trade, then offered him a partnership in the firm of E. & R. Swift & Co. Accepting the partnership, William at once entered into active labor, going to Ossabaw Island, on the coast of Georgia, to superintend the getting out of live-oak ship-timber. From this time on, for many years, this was his business. He visited various parts of Florida and Louisiana examining lands and purchasing valuable live-oak lots. He was vigorous, and, although meeting many discomforts, privations, and hardships, enjoyed the life. The above-mentioned firm existed until 1837, and from that time Mr. Swift continued in the liveoak business steadily for ten years, and has been engaged in it at intervals since that time.

In June, 1838, he was a passenger on the ill-fated steamer " Pulaski" when she was blown up by the explosion of one of her boilers on a passage between Savannah and Baltimore. Mr. Swift escaped in one of the boats, and he and another New Bedford man were the first to land through the surf. The land they reached was an uninhabited island in Stump Sound, on the coast of North Carolina.

In 1843, Mr. Swift, who had before owned portions of whaling-vessels, bought the ship " Plowboy" and sent her on a voyage for sperm whales. In 1845, he, with his brother Obed, bought the " Formosa." In December, 1845, he went to Europe, and during the next year contracted with the English government to furnish spars. He was in Europe nearly a year, a large part of the time in Paris, where he gave much time to the study of French. In June, 1847, he married, and in July of that year went again to Europe, accompanied by his wife. They remained there over a year, and were living in Paris at the time of the revolution of the 24th of February, 1848, and during the three terrible days in June, when the provisional government was overturned. In 1849 he again went to Europe for a short time on business, and again in 1851, and was in Paris on the 2d of December, at the time of the coup d'etat of Louis Napoleon. (Mr. Swift has ever since maintained an interest in European, and especially French, politics, which he has followed closely.)

While he was in Europe Mr. Swift established what would probably have been an extensive and lucrative business, having made contracts with the governments of France and Holland, as well as with that of England; but in 1849 Mr. Jireh Perry, Mrs. Swift's father, died. He had an extensive business, and was the owner of several whale-ships, and Mr. Swift was induced to give up his European timber trade and attend personally to managing the estate in connection with Mr. Eben Perry, the son of Mr. Perry. From that time Mr. Swift has extended his business in whaling. His agents, Aikin & Swift, have now twelve vessels engaged in that pursuit.

Mr. Swift married Eliza Nye Perry, daughter of Jireh and Nancy (Nye) Perry, of New Bedford. Her great-grandfather, Dr. Samuel Perry, was a wellknown and honored physician, who practiced in and near New Bedford. Her grandfather, Dr. Ebenezer Perry, was also a successful physician of New Bedford. Her father, Jireh Perry, was connected with the whaling business during his whole life, commencing as clerk for Charles & Seth Russell, and, growing up in the business, accumulated a large fortune.

Mr. and Mrs. Swift have the following children: Henry W., who graduated from Harvard College in 1871, and from the Harvard Law School in 1874. He is now practicing his profession in Boston. Frederick, who graduated at Harvard in 1874, and is now a member of the firm of Aikin & Swift, in New Bedford, agents and managing owners of whaling-vessels. William N., wrho graduated at Harvard in 1874, and from Harvard Medical School in 1879, is now a physician in New Bedford. Franklin, who is in the United States navy, having graduated at the Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1880. He was made passed midshipman in June, 1882. They also have a daughter, Elise, who is the youngest of the family.

Mr. Swift is a man of fine appearance, courteous, hospitable, and affable. His cultivation and wide experience have given him a varied and thorough knowledge of men and events, and he has always been distinguished for sterling integrity of character, and for energy, enterprise, and good judgment. These qualities have made him successful in business, and in earlier years, when he gave some attention to politics, influential in his party in the State. He has for years been one of the prominent business men of New Bedford, and has, among other interests, been for a long time connected with the Bank of Commerce, of New Bedford, having been a director since 1849, and being its vice-president at the present time.

In politics Mr. Swift was ;i Whig until 1856, and since then has been a Democrat. He at one time had great influence in Massachusetts politics, owing to his intimacy with President James Buchanan, but he never abused his power, either by recommending a friend for office or for personal advancement, and could never be prevailed upon to accept office himself.

Mr. Swift has a place on Orchard Street in New \ Bedford, where he and his family live during the winter months; but his residence is in South Dart- ! mouth, where he has a farm called "Rockland," of about a hundred and twenty-live acres, on the shore of Buzzard's Bay. This has been the home of the family in summer since 1856.

Dr. Edward P. Abbe

Probably no country was ever settled by better citizens than by those Huguenots who came from France to New. England in its early colonial days to find the liberty of religious thought denied them in their native land. Their firm religious belief brought persecution upon them with no other effect than to drive them from France to the new world of freedom across the ocean. Thomas Abbe was one of a number of this faith who came to Enfield, Conn., in 1638, and became a resident. He was a man of some importance, was one of the commissioners who laid out the town, and was selectman, etc. It is said that the whole town was originally owned by three men, - Abbe, Terry, and Parsons. He was a farmer, married, in Enfield, Mary Pees ; so it is inferred that he was quite a young man when he left France. He had four children, - Thomas, Hannah, Sara, and Obadiah. Thomas Abbe inherited the land where he and his endants lived and cultivated it, marrying, in 1692, Penelope Terry, by whom he had five children, - Thomas. Mary. Penelope, Sara, and John1. John1 married Sara Root, and had eight children, - Sara, Obadiah, Hannah, Timothy D. (died young), Timothy, Daniel, Roxalana, and John2. John'2 married Charity Simonds in 1764. Their children were John3, Sara. A-enath, Nancy, Roxalana, Charity, and Timothy. John3, born Sept. 11, 1765, married, in 1790, Hannah, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Bradley) Billings, "! Soniers, Conn. (They were both descendants of the English Puritans.) The following children who attained maturity were born in Enfield: Hannah, Harriet, and Alanson. In 1804 he sold the lands which had been inherited in direct line from Thomas, the emigrant, and removed to Warehouse Point, in the town of East Windsor, Conn. Here were born five children, - John B., Loretta, Sophronia, James M., Ann A., and here Mr. Abbe died in

Alanson Abbe, third child and oldest son of the above, was born in Enfield, Conn., June 17, 1795. He was graduated from Yale Medical School in 1821, and settled in Litchfield, Conn., where he had a large and lucrative practice, and became known for his success in orthopaedic surgery. He removed to Boston in 1839, where he practiced his profession until a few years before his death. He married (1) Eliza Woodrutf, daughter of Hon. Jonathan and Rachel (Steele) Barnes, of Tolland, Conn. They had five children who lived to mature years, - Elizabeth F., Edward P., Frederick R., Burr R., and William A. (2) Hephzibah, daughter of Benjamin Burgess, of Boston, Mass. They had one child, Benjamin. (3) Margaret Livingston D., of Albany, N. Y. Dr. Alanson Abbe died of paralysis in April, 1864, when almost seventy years of age. His first wife died Dec. 31, 1887, aged thirtyeight years.

We give a condensed genealogy of Mrs. Abbe's (Eliza W. Barnes) ancestry as far as attainable : John1 Steele, first secretary of Connecticut colony, died 1664, leaving the following children by his wife Rachel : John2, Lydia, Mary, Sarah, Hannah, Samuel. John2

Mary, John, and Samuel. Samuel and his wife Mercy had Thomas, Samuel, Jerusha, William, Abiel, Daniel, and Eliphalet. Eliphalet married Catherine Marshfield, and had Josiah, Catherine, Mercy, Theophilus, Eliphalet, Elijah, Rachel, Ruth, and Jerusha. Josiah married Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Colton, first minister of West Hartford, Conn. They had Elizabeth, Amanda, Eliphalet, Josiah, Marshfield, Rachel, Catherine, George, and Marshfield2. Stephen Barnes and his wife Mary, of Branford, Conn., had children born in Branford, - Benjamin, Stephen, Sarah, and Experience. Stephen married Martha Wheadon, of Branford, and moved to Southington. Their children were Maiy, Stephen, Jonathan1, Martha, William, Nathan, and Asa. Jonathan1 married Elizabeth Woodruff, of Southington, Conn. Their children were Jonathan2, Elizabeth, Mary, Stephen, Sylvia, Lois, Levi, Joel, and Truman. Jonathan2 (graduated from Yale College in 1784) married Rachel Steele and had children, - Jonathan3, Julius S., Edwin, Randolph, Eliza W., William, and Josiah. All these sons of Judge Barnes were professional men.

Edward Payson Abbe, son of Dr. Alanson and Eliza W. (Barnes) Abbe, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Nov. 28, 1827. He was fitted for college at Phillips' Andover Academy, and was graduated from Yale in 1848, and from Harvard Medical College in 1852. The next year he settled in New Bedford, Mass., and began the practice of his profession, which has steadily increased, and which has been his life work. He married, May 2, 1854, Mary Hooper, daughter of William G. and Eunice (Hooper) Black- ler, of New Bedford. She came of an honorable lineage. On her father's side she was descended from Thomas Gerry, Esq., born in Newton Abbot, England, in 1702, and from Madam Elizabeth (Greenfield) Gerry, born in Boston, in 1716. These were also the parents of Elbridge Gerry, Governor of Massachusetts and fifth Vice-President of the United States. Her maternal grandfather was Hon. Nathaniel Hooper, lineal descendant of Bishop Hooper, of England, and his family has been for several generations prominent in the State. They have three children who are now living, - William, Edward, and Mary Hooper. Mrs. Abbe was a woman greatly beloved. She had great energy of character and strong self-reliance, and was an earnest, active, and valued member of Grace (Episcopal) Church. She died Dec. 18, 1881.

Dr. Abbe has quietly and without ostentation pursued his profession unweariedly for nearly thirty years, and has never found time nor inclination to engage in other pursuits. He has been successful in his chosen field, enjoying a large practice among all classes of people. He stands to-day high in the esteem of the leading medical men of this section, and is consulting surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital, councilor of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and was president in 1879-80 of the South Bristol Medical Society.

Republican in his political affiliations, he has never cared for official preferment. He honorably served, however, as member of the school board five years, but has sought honors only in the line of his profession.

Andrew Mackie, M.D.

Andrew Mackie, M.D., was born in Wareham, Mass., Jan. 24, 1794, and died at his residence in New Bedford, May 2, 1871. He was son and grandson of physicians, each successful. His father, Dr. Andrew Mackie, of Wareham, was a leading practitioner in Eastern Massachusetts. His grandfather, Dr. John Mackie, of Southampton, L. I. The son was fitted for college under the care of Rev. Noble Everett, of Wareham, graduated at Brown University in 1813, studied medicine with his father and elder brother, Dr. John Mackie, of Providence, R. I., and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, and commenced practice in Plymouth, Mass., in 1817, and there and New Bedford his professional life was passed ; that he stood well in respect to his associates is shown in the fact that he was twice vicepresident of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and gave by election its annual address in 1850. He kept up his reading of current medical literature to the last; but had doubtless seen so many glittering specialties come and go that, though not rejecting, he was jealous of new novelties.

" Resolved, That by the death of Dr. Andrew Mackie, of New Bedford, the members of this society lose au associate of marked professional ability and uprightness of character.

" Resolved, That, one of the founders of our society, tie has claims to our gratitude for his unvarying support of it, a support given from an often expressed conviction of the correctness of the principles underlying its organization, that by measures promotive of professional good that of our fellow-men will be promoted.

"Resolved, That as individuals our gratitude is due him for the example of steadfast devotion to duty and high moral principle which has governed his course ; that, as a man, a friend, and a physician, his memory will ever be precious.

In early life he united with the Congregational Church, and was ever a faithful and consistent member. In 1834 he was chosen deacon of the North Congregational Church of New Bedford, and retained his official relation till his death. A man is valuable who is strictly conscientious. We have the memory of a man scrupulous to know the right and perfectly fearless to do it at any cost. In his life of seventyseven years he left the testimony of an honest and conscientious man. A strong man, he was strong in his convictions. He reproduced the Puritan idea, modified only to less sternness. A massive strength, a solid faith, a fearless utterance, and though genial, and especially so in his family, where he considered everybody's comfort before his own, yet a character which, if aroused to wrath, one would dread to .encounter. Such men are capable of great severity. He was satisfied with long life. He saw his family long settled, his sons in useful professions. He had the respect of his fellow-citizens as a just man and the regard of those in his own work, to some of whom he was a patriarch.

Fifty years of consistent Christian life are his testimony. Duty was his watchword ; duty fulfilled is preparation. It does take years to make such a preparation. Fruit does not ripen in blossom-time. A great oak is many years from the acorn. A good life, stalwart, vigorous, true, it takes years to build it up. Be patient, young men. Character is a plant of slow growth, but the reward of patient continuance is certain.

Dr. Mackie married, Dec. 4, 1821, at Plymouth, Mass., Hetty A., daughter of Capt. Lemuel Bradford, who was killed in the war of 1812, and a lineal descendant of Governor Bradford.

Of their five children, Rev. Andrew was a dean of the Episcopal Church of Northern Indiana, died in the spring of 1878, aged fifty-five; John H., M.D. ; George F. died at twenty-three, he was a captain in the merchant service; Elizabeth C, wife of George Hastings, of New Bedford; and Amelia B., who died at five years. Mrs. Mackie died Aug. 30, 1880, aged seventy-seven.

John Howell Mackie, A.M., M.D.

John Howell Mackie, A.M., M.D., son of Dr. Andrew and "Hetty Amelia (Bradford) Mackie, of New Bedford. His father was a son of Dr. Andrew Mackie, of Wareham (an eminent physician of that section of the State, and a surgeon in the United States army during the Revolution), and a grandson of Dr. John Mackie, of Southampton, L. I. His mother was a lineal descendant of Governor Bradford. He was horn at Plymouth, Mass., Aug. 24, 1826. Educated at private schools and under private tutors, he pursued his professional studies at Harvard College (on whose roll of honor his name stands), and at the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, where he graduated as M.D. March 9, 1850, and in the same year established himself in practice in New Bedford, where at this time, 1882, he is one of the leading surgeons and physicians. His reputation as a surgeon is not confined to his city or county, but is recognized all through the United States, he having performed many of the most important and difficult operations in surgery, and being frequently called in consultation in various parts of his own as well as other States in New England. From the Massachusetts Medical Society, of which he has been an honored member since 1850, he has received many honors, having been a councilor for many years, and been chosen to represent the State Society at the meetings of the Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and New York Medical Societies. He was also chosen a delegate from the Massachusetts Medical Society to the International Medical Congress of 1876, a congress composed of the most eminent men from all parts of the civilized world, and became a member of that congress. In 1876 he was chosen anniversary chairman of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and presided at the annual dinner in Music Hall, Boston, where among more than one thousand members and guests was Dom Pedro, Emperor of Brazil, and other distinguished strangers.

In 1882 he was chosen vice-president of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He is a permanent member of the American Medical Society, also a member and in 1S63 and 1864 was president of the Bristol South District Medical Society. He is now (1882) president of the New Bedford Society for Medical Improvement. He was appointed consulting physician and surgeon to St. Joseph's Hospital in 1875, and still retains the position. In the late war he was an acting surgeon in the United States navy from May 13, 1861, until March, 1862, when, his health being affected by his service in the Gulf of Mexico, he resigned his position, and was soon after appointed an acting assistant surgeon in the army, and during the rest of the war was in charge of hospitals at the North. Since 1863 he has been a United States examining surgeon for the Pension Bureau. He is a member and in 1881 was elected a trustee and member of the council of the Massachusetts Medical Benevolent Society.

From 1868 to 1871, inclusive, he was a member of the New Bedford City Council. In 1879 he assisted in the arduous work of organizing the first Hoard of Health in the city of New Bedford, and in 1880 and 1881 was its chairman. He also served as quarantine physician, and organized a system of quarantine which received the unqualified indorsement of the national authorities. Dr. Mackie has been largely called upon as a medical and surgical expert before the sessions of all the courts in Bristol County. His well-known thorough knowledge of his profession and the perfect clearness and honesty of his testimony are thoroughly appreciated by juries in the county of Bristol. In politics he was a Whig until the death of the party, when he became a Republican, and has since acted and voted with that party. When a young man he became an Episcopalian, but in later years has gone back to the faith of his fathers, and although not a member of the church, is a constant attendant at the old North Congregational Church, where for so many years his father was an honored member and deacon. His character is formed very much upon his father's, having the same stern devotion to the calls of duty, whatever they may be, and the same uncompromising sense of honor and devotion to his professional duties. Charitable to the poor, equally ready to respond to the call of the humble and the lowly as well as to the honored and wealthy, he is a worthy successor to an honored name and reputation. Jan. 1, 1860, he married Alice Weston, daughter of Henry Tobey, of Falmouth, Mass., formerly of Georgetown, S. C, by whom he had four children, one daughter and three sons, of whom only one is now living.

Charles Almy

Charles Almy, son of Pardon and Mary (Cook) Almy, was born in Tiverton, R. I., June 8, 1819, of parents resident in Little Compton. He is a descendant in the seventh generation from William Almy, who came from England to New Jersey in very early colonial days, and afterwards permanently settled in Rhode Island, where he became a large land-owner. His son Job, born 1640, died at Portsmouth, R. I., in 1684. The descendants of William Almy are numerous in Rhode Island and the contiguous parts of this State. The line of descent from William to Charles is William1, Job'-, Job3, John4, Sanford5, Pardon*, Charles7. The laud first occupied by William lay at Little Compton and Tiverton, and is largely held to-day by his descendants. Sanford Almy, born 1759, died 1844, a large real-estate owner, having several farms, was an active Democratic politician, and all his life in public positions of trust and honor. He was State senator for many years. He manned Lydia Gray, by whom he had fifteen children. He was a man of strong intellect and sterling worth, and, while quiet and unas-

Pardon Almy, their eighth child, born 1792, died 1864, derived such advantages of education from the common schools as to be competent to teach, but soon became a farmer on a portion of the paternal acres, and was an agriculturist during his life. He was a man of good judgment and business sagacity. He held a colonelcy in the militia and was a deacon of the Baptist Church. He was quite retiring in disposition, never seeking office, and accepting it as a duty only when he was considered the best man for the position. He was of uniformly even disposition, and was rarely provoked to anger.

He and four brothers lived on separate places in close proximity to each other, and they were all of strong physique and commanding appearance. They prided themselves on the amount of labor they could accomplish, and the superior manner in which it was done. They were social and hospitable, and none of them addicted to any vices. They were all good types of the best element of our intelligent New England yeomanry, and valuable and valued citizens. Each held an office which gave him an appellation for life. George was "Esquire," Frederick was "Colonel," Oliver H. was " Judge," John was " Major," and Pardon was " Deacon."

Pardon married Mary Cook, a lineal descendant of Governor William Bradford. They had seven children attaining mature years, of whom Charles was oldest.

Charles Almy was reared a farmer, and from early years was accustomed to labor. He had good common school and academic education, and commenced teaching school when but seventeen. He was a teacher for seven consecutive years, and gave good satisfaction. In 1843 he opened a country store at Tiverton, where he remained until Jan. 1,1846, when he removed to New Bedford and engaged in dry-goods and tailoring business at "Old 4 Corners," corner Union and North Water Streets. He shortly after, in partnership with George A. Bourne, as Almy & Bourne, started the auction and commission business now conducted by George A. Bourne & Sons, and was connected therewith four or five years.

He soon became interested in whaling, and devoted himself largely to that lucrative business, relinquishing the management of his store to his brother Sanford, who purchased it in 1861. Mr. Almy continued whaling until the breaking out of the civil war. In 1854 he built a whaling ship (four hundred tons), the "Seconet," at Eairhaven, and afterwards a bark of three hundred and eighty tons for merchant service, which he named for his daughter " Helen W. Almy." This vessel is now running between San Francisco and the Sandwich Islands. For twenty-one years Mr. Almy's office was in the building where he first began his New Bedford business life. The commencement of his present insurance business was in

1864, when he was induced to take the agency of the National Travelers Accident Insurance Company, of New York. This proving to be profitable, he accepted agencies from life and fire insurance companies, and has built up a fine business.

Like the stock from which he sprung, Mr. Almy has independent habits of thought and a strong sense of justice. He would be untrue to his ancestry if he supported wrong, even though countenanced by a powerful and wealthy majority. "There is a minority nearer right than the majority," and with that minority Mr. Almy has willingly taken his place. Anti-slavery in the dark days when opposition to that gigantic evil caused almost social ostracism, antirum from principle long before an organization of a Prohibition party, he has steadily adhered to those principles until slavery has ceased to be in our land, and the best elements of all classes are demanding the prohibition of the manufacture, sale, and use of intoxicating liquor as a beverage. He has given freely his time, his influence, and his money in advocacy of the right.

Originally a Democrat, he became a Free-Soiler in 1848, and supported Free-Soil and Republican candidates and measures until the organization of the Prohibition party, and since then has been one of its most active leaders. He has received the nomination of that party for member of Governor's Council, Secretary of State, and was its candidate for Governor in 1880, 1881, and 1882. He has the friendship and confidence of the best citizens of New Bedford, served on the school board of the city several years, and was its chairman for three years ; has been elected alderman, representative to the Legislature, and has refused several nominations for the mayoralty, twice when the nomination was equivalent to an election.

He was one of the original corporators of the New Bedford Five Cent Savings-Bank, organized in 1855, and has been connected with it continuously ever since as trustee and clerk. He has been a director in the New Bedford Gas-Light Company since its early organization. He was president of the Lyceum of the town of New Bedford for twelve consecutive years, from 186U, during the period of its greatest prosperity. He was one of the early trustees of the Free Public Library, and one of the building commissioners of the Free Public Library building. He joined the First Congregational Church (Liberal Unitarian) in 1846, and has been one of the most constant attendants at its services.

He married, Oct. 28, 1846, Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Cynthia (Smith) Cummings, of Dartmouth. They have four children, - Helen Wayne, Charles, Francis and Frederick (twins). Charles has taken the degrees of A.B. and LL.B. from Harvard University, and is now an Assistant United States Attorney in Boston. Francis has taken the degrees of A.B. and A.M. from Harvard, and is secretary and treasurer of the class of 1879. He is now in the emzt ploy of the Erie and Western Transportation Company (Anchor Line) at Chicago. Frederick graduated at Harvard in 1880, and is now a student in the law department of the same school. He is also secretary and treasurer of his class.

Hon. Warren Ladd

Hon. Warren Ladd was horn at Bradford (now Groveland, Mass.), July 21, 1813. He married Lucy Washburn, daughter of Hon. Abel Kingman, of North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Nov. 22, 1842. They have five children, - Herbert Warren, Sarah Ella, Florence Kingman, Anna Winthrop, and George Milton.

Nathaniel Ladd, Esq., the father of Warren, was born in Haverhill, Mass., Sept. 17, 178G. He removed to Bradford in 1810. For many years he was chairman of the board of selectmen, a justice of the peace, secretary and treasurer of the Groveland Mutual Fire Insurance Company, deacon of the Congregational Church, and for about sixty years was one of its most active and influential members. He married Sally, daughter of Col. Zebulon Ingersoll, of Haverhill, July 14, 1811. Her father, born in Gloucester September, 1757, was a merchant, a ship-builder, and an active, energetic, and successful business man. Her mother was Ruth, daughter of Benjamin Moody, of West Newberry, and her grandmother, Ann, the daughter of Dr. Moses Bradstreet, of Kittery, Me. Warren's ancestors run back through Nathaniel (6), Nathaniel (5), Nathaniel (4), John (3), Samuel (2), to Daniel (1), who came from London in the ship "Mary and John" in 1633-34. There is a tradition that Dauiel was the son of Nathaniel, of Dartmouth, Kent County, England, and that the first Ladds came from France with William the Conqueror, and settled in Deal, Kent Co., where a portion of land was granted them.

Warren Ladd was educated in the public schools, and at the Merrimack Academy. Coming to New Bedford in July, 1840, he entered the employ of the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad Company as clerk in the freight office; was soon promoted to freight agent, and then to general agent at New Bedford. In 1862 he was appointed superintendent of the road, which position he held until 1877. His connection with this road continued from its opening, in 1840, to its consolidation with the Boston, Clinton and Fitchburg Railroad, a period of about thirtyseven years. This long term of service is the highest possible compliment to his integrity, ability, and faithfulness. Though actively engaged in arduous and responsible duties, he found time for intellectual culture, and by a judicious course of reading acquired a general knowledge of scientific, mechanical, and economical subjects. He took a deep interest in municipal affairs, and gave his influence and active effort to the promotion of every measure which in his judgment promised to increase the growth and prosperity of the city. For this reason he was repeatedly called to the service of the city: for five years as member of the Common Council and one year as its president; for five terms a member of the Board of Aldermen ; for several years one of the school committee, and a trustee of the Free Public Library. Of the latter he may rightly be called the father. At the laving of the corner-stone of the present library building, Mayor Howland, in his address referring to the origin of the library, said, -

"On the 8th of seventh month (July) of the same year (1851), Warren Ladd, a member of the Common Council from Ward one, introduced an order into that branch of the city government 'for the raising of a committee to consider the expediency of establishing in this city a Free Public Library.' This order was adopted in the Common Council but was non-concurred in by the Board of Aldermen. This is believed to be the first order ever introduced into any representative body for the. establishment of such an institution, and to this gentleman must and does belong the honor of having taken the initiatory step toward the establishment of a library for the public by the people themselves."

Mr. Ladd was an early and persistent advocate of the introduction of water, and one of the three commissioners under whose direction the water-works were built. As showing the breadth of his views and his terseness in stating them, we quote from a report (written by him) of a committee which had the matter under consideration :

" Your committee are fully of the opinion that the introduction of an ample supply of pure water into the city is an imperative necessity, and one which should not be much longer delayed. It is part of wise statesmanship to look at the future, to anticipate its wants and guard against its casualties. Cities, like men, flourish and prosper only by their own exertions, and it becomes those whom the people have placed in power to be equal to the present emergency. We have the interest and honor of the city in our hands. We know its wants and necessities, and can comprehend the crisis in our affairs. Shall we grasp and control the crisis, turn it with a steady hand to our interest and prosperity? or allow it silently and timidly to pass by and float beyond our reach ? Shall we legislate only for to-day, and shrink from looking the great future in the face ; or shall we, knowing the necessity and perceiving the remedy, fearlessly perform our duty?"

He was upon the committee to which was referred the question of introducing gas ; was an earnest advocate of the construction of common sewers, and introduced into the Common Council the first order for the appointment of a committee to consider the expediency of purchasing a steam fire-engine. The enlargement and improvement of the city common was in a great measure due to his influence and exertion.

In the late civil war he was a member of the Committee on Enlistments, and took an active part, as its records show, in every effort made by the city to aid the national government in putting down the rebellion. He has been connected as director with several corporations, and is now president of the New Bedford and Fairhaven Street Railway Company, and a trustee of the Five Cent Savings-Bank. For thirty years he has held the commission of justice of ; the peace.

Naturally conservative, Mr. Ladd has none of that blind reverence of the past which prevents one from keeping abreast with the spirit of the age, and adopting any new devices and improvements that genius and enterprise may invent or discover.

In politics, originally an ardent Whig, he early became an equally earnest and active Republican; has been chairman of the Republican City Committee, and in 1876 was a Presidential elector from the First Congressional District. He has written largely for the press; was for many years the New Bedford correspondent of the Haverhill Gazette over the signature of " Warren," and has contributed many able articles to the New Bedford papers over the nom de plume of "Julius."

According to an account in an old English history, Thomas Hathaway (the earliest ancestor in America) sailed from England in the " Isabella," bound for Marblehead, previous to the year 1680. He married Mary Starbuck, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Starbuck, about the year 1680. His son Thomas moved to New Bedford (then Dartmouth). His son Jonathan had two sons, Jonathan and Thomas, from whom descended the subject of our sketch, William Hathaway, Jr., also his wife.

Jonathan Hathaway had three children, - William, Elisha, and Jabez. William had four children, and was the father of William Hathaway, Jr. Thomas Hathaway had four children, - Thomas, Gilbert, I Elizabeth, and Mary. Thomas, Jr., was the father of Mary Hathaway, who married her cousin, William Hathaway, Jr. Their descendants are four, - Augustus, William, Mary, and Thomas.

William Hathaway, Jr., was born in New Bedford, July 17, 1798. Having as a boy made two voyages to London with his father, he acquired a taste for the sea, which led him later to pass twenty years in the merchant service. He made many voyages to ports in the Mediterranean, - Trieste, Palermo, Malaga, Cadiz, Seville, and Gibraltar, - also to France, Holland, Russia, England, Ireland, West Indies, and the Southern ports of the United States.

These voyages were marked with pleasant occasions which filled his mind with delightful memories. A few years since, at his home, an officer in the navy, his guest at the time, recalled the pleasant interchange of courtesies which they had enjoyed upon each other's ships in the Mediterranean forty years before, and it was the first time they had met since then. His favorite city was St. Petersburg, of which he always speaks with enthusiasm, and often enjoys relating an interesting incident which occurred in his presence in that city during the raising of a magnificent and colossal monolith of red granite to the memory of Alexander I., when, by the plain common sense of a common sailor, by wetting the ropes and thus shrinking them, the great work was completed when science failed.

Later, in company with Capt. Matthew Luce, he engaged in the whaling business, which copartnership continued for eighteen years, and until the decease of Capt. Luce. Mr. Hathaway continued the business until the time of the Rebellion, when he retired.

Three of the vessels were sold to the government for the stone fleet to blockade Charleston Harbor. Two were destroyed by rebel privateers. The first, the "Virginia," was taken by the "Alabama," the second by the "Shenandoah."

The following is an account, written from facts received from one of the sufferers. The " Virginia" sailed from New Bedford three weeks before she was taken. They had been recruiting at the Western Islands, and were only a short distance from there when captured by the "Alabama." There was no oil on board at the time. The captain, supposing the " Alabama" a friendly steamer, as she was sailing under English colors, ordered a boat lowered to go to her, thinking they might have letters ; but, just before starting, seeing a boat from the steamer coming towards them, they drew theirs back to the deck. The boat from the steamer neared, and ten men, under Lieut. Waddell (afterwards commander of the privateer "Shenandoah") boarded the "Virginia." Great was their dismay when Lieut. Waddell, after saying "good-morning" to the captain, passed immediately by him and commenced pulling down the colors. Simultaneously the English flag on the " Alabama" was lowered and the Confederate flag hoisted in its place. As soon as the flag on the " Virginia" was taken down, Lieut. Waddell threw it over his arm, and approaching the captain with a haughty air, said, "Capt. Tilton, you are a prize to the Confederate steamer ' Alabama.' I will give you all two hours to leave the ship, and allow you two changes of clothing, which must be taken away in bags. You are then to be sent on board the 'Alabama,' as your ship is to be burned."

There was great consternation on board, but no one dared to raise an objection. Before the last boat left they set fire to the "Virginia" in three places. As they stepped on the deck of the "Alabama" each was handcuffed, and remained in that condition through fifteen long days and nights. The disheartening sight of the burning ship was before them for over twelve hours, from eleven in the morning till twelve at midnight.

The flames flashed forth at first with all fury, as if battling with the raging winds, emblematic ofSemmes' barbarity. As night drew around them the winds abated and the flames grew less and less, till the midnight hour revealed only a spark, the last bright symbol of what their noble ship had been to them, now only a phantom in imagination. Oh, that day's experience, what a thought ! so weird, so terrible in their overwrought and excited brains. Even the large Newfoundland dog partook of the distracted feelings of the ship's company. He was enraged when the pirates came on board, and after coolly surveying them he rushed to the highest place in the stern and growled and barked fiercely. He seemed to know they were disturbing the peace. The illomened guests showed some consideration by allowing the poor creature to follow his friends. On the "'Alabama" the dog seemed sorrowful and full of compassion for their ill fate.

The men were confined on deck all the time, through sunshine and storm, weary with exposure and fatigue. Through the tedious days and nights the wind at times blew so heavily that in their awkward position, witli hands confined, they were at its mercy, tossed about in their effort to steady themselves by holding on the rail as be-t they could, the handcuffs chafing their wrists, causing extreme pain, so increasing their intense physical suffering. During the fifteen days three other ships were captured, and two of them burned. The last one taken (the " Emily Farnham") they made use of to rid themselves of all the prisoners ; placed them, numbering eighty men (from the three burned vessels), on board, including the dog, and sent them to Liverpool, from which place most of them shipped for home. Capt. Tilton had deep scars upon his wrists, caused by the handcuffs, and died soon after reaching home, being completely broken down by the sad and painful experience.

Mr. Hathaway has been a director of the Commercial Bank of New Bedford for more than forty years, and also held the same position in the New Bedford Institution for Savings. He has always been marked for his system and order. "Not one member of his family has ever been obliged to pick up the smallest thing belonging to him." He has a place for everything, and keeps everything in its place to a remarkable degree for one of his advanced age. Although eighty-five years of age, he has quite good health, has never, used spectacles in the daytime, and sometimes reads in the evening without them. He is one of the most generous of fathers, and particularly thoughtful of the welfare of those about him.

Thomas Hathaway, Sr., was born in New Bedford in 1732. Being the oldest son, he inherited the principal part of his father's estate, and in 1764 commenced the business of ship-building upon the Acushnet River, and carried it on with profit until the Revolution (1776). He erected the three-story dwelling on the southwest corner of South Water and School Streets, in New Bedford, and made it his residence in 1772. It was an elegant private residence. for those days, and a mark for the British soldiers in 1778, but not much injured.

At the breaking out of the war Mr. Hathaway espoused the Tory cause, being connected by marriage with the family of Col. Bradford Gilbert, of Nova Scotia. His wife was Miss Deborah Gilbert, a daughter of that gentleman. In January, 1777, owing to his Tory principles, Mr. Hathaway was obliged to leave the States. He went to Nova Scotia, and remained nearly six years in the family of Col. Gilbert, with the exception of thirteen months' service upon a British ship-of-war. Before leaving home he placed his family for safety in his country residence, a short distance north of New Bedford, where his wife lived in retirement, devoting herself to the instruction of her four children.

Her son, Thomas Hathaway, Jr., often spoke of his mother as " a lady of great personal dignity and refinement," qualifications borne in his character to a very great degree. He was a fine scholar in mathematics and an excellent penman, and often boasted that his instruction was entirely from his mother.

He was their oldest child, and was born in 1768. Sept. 5, 1778, the British under Gen. Grey landed to burn New Bedford, and hiding her plate and valuables, Mrs. Hathaway trusted to the loyalty of her husband to protect her; but she was treated with violence and given a shock from which she never recovered, but gradually failed, and died in 1783, soon after her husband's return.

Soon after the Revolution the noted Jemima Wilkinson came to New Bedford on a proselyting tour, and was there at three different times, once remaining nearly a year. She made two tours to Connecticut, preaching nearly every day, and gathered many followers. In these two journeys she was accompanied by Thomas Hathaway, who joined her society in 1784, and his son, Thomas Hathaway, Jr. In 1788 she left New Bedford, with a large band of followers, for Philadelphia, purposing to go to Western New York from there and establish a colony in that great wilderness. Thomas Hathaway sold all his property, much of it at a sacrifice, and, with his four children, - Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, and Gilbert, - accompanied her. He was the leader of an exploring party sent the next year to find a locality, but after going as far as Painted Post, on the Canisteo, they returned with an unfavorable report. Nothing daunted, she in 1790, with her whole following, passed up the Susquehanna to Newtown, now Elmira, under the guidance of Gen. Sullivan, who had fought the Indians in that section in 1779. There he left the party, and with great difficulty they made their way to the outlet of

Crooked (Keuka) Lake, which Thomas Hathaway was one of the three of the company to first discover. During the troublous times and discomforts of the establishment of this colony, Thomas Hathaway, Sr., and Thomas Hathaway, Jr., were of great aid by reason of their fertile ingenuity, good judgment, and strong, practical common sense. They were fitted well for this work, and much of the hardship rested upon them. Thomas, Jr., and Gilbert, his brother, built the first sail-vessel on Seneca Lake, for the transportation of supplies from Geneva.

Thomas Hathaway, Sr., in company with other gentlemen, bought large tracts of the public lands. He was a stanch follower of the Friend to his death, and gave freely of his possessions to gratify her many whims. He died in Jerusalem, N. Y., in 1798, aged sixty-six years. His daughter Mary married Eliphalet Norris, and lived most of her life upon a plantation in Maryland. His daughter Elizabeth, a lady of rare brilliancy of mind and dignity of character, married Judge Joshua Ferris, of Tioga County, N. Y., a gentleman of culture, and for many years the principal surveyor of public lauds in the southern section of the State. He also held many offices of trust in the gift of the government, his commissions being from Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. Gilbert Hathaway was a large landholder in Yates County, N. Y., and lived to the age of eightyone years.

Thomas Hathaway, Jr., was for many years a regular Friend, and belonged to the society of Jemima Wilkinson until his marriage in 1793 to Mary, daughter of Elnathan Botsford, who was a follower of Jemima Wilkinson, from New Milford, Conn. The rules of the society forbade marriage, and both were excommunicated and forbidden to enter her meetings. Jemima endeavored to alienate his father against them that she might control his large property, but did not succeed. He purchased five hundred acres of land at one dollar per acre, for which his father had paid twenty-five cents per acre. This was sold in 1855 by his descendants for sixty-five dollars per acre. He was for many years one of the principal surveyors of Western New York, and was prominent in civil and military matters. He lived fifty-nine years on the farm in Milo, Yates Co., where he first settled, raised seven children, and died May 23, 1853, aged eighty-four years. His wife was a more than ordinary woman in many ways, and died Nov. 3, 1866, in her ninety-sixth year. They were buried in the first cemetery laid out in the county, and done by Mr. Hathaway himself.

Simeon Ii A Wes

SIMEON II A WES. Simeon Hawes was born on Tarkiln Hill, New Bedford, Mass., Aug. 14, 1818. His paternal grandfather, Levi Hawes, was a native of Stoughton, Mass., and a farmer by occupation. Levi died at the age of forty, from the effects of an injury he had received. He left a widow and several children, of whom Levi, Jr., was one, born May 25, 1792, in Stoughton, Mass. In early life he was a hatter by trade, but during a period of more than sixty years he was a farmer on Tarkiln Hill, in the town of New Bedford, Mass., where he settled previous to 1818. He was a worthy member of the Congregational Church, and for more than half a century was a deacon of the same. He was respected, and those who knew him best were his warmest friends. He married, first, Harriet Peirce, in 1813. She was a relative of Mayor Peirce, of Boston, and was born June 16, 1796, and died Feb. 20, 1820. They had four children, - Levi, Harriet, Simeon, and Jason L. Harriet (deceased) married Calvin Marshall, of Easton, and had children, - Levi and Jason L., died young. Simeon alone remains of this family. Levi Hawes married for his second wife, July 16, 1820, Azubah, daughter of Lieut. Jonathan Capen, of Stoughton, Mass. His wife was a Miss Glover, a member of a very prominent family.

Of this union there were Eleanor, Azubah (deceased), Levi (deceased), Jonathan C, Thomas R., Elisha, and David C. Mrs. Hawes died August, 1879, aged eighty-eight years, and Mr. Hawes died April, 1880. Simeon Hawes, above referred to, spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm, receiving such advantages for an education as the district schools of that day afforded. At sixteen we find him working on the farm by the month for Capt. William Hathaway, and during the two following years he worked at ship-building for Wilson Barstow, of Mattapoisett. At nineteen he returned home, and continued to reside with his father, working on the farm, until he was twenty-four. April 25, 1841, he married Maria E., daughter of Joseph and Polly Brightman, of Westport, Mass. She was born June 2, 1818, and died May 26, 1880. Their children are John F., Andrew S. (deceased), Charles S. (deceased), Sylvanus T., Harriet E., Levi (deceased), George W., Cynthia A., Mary A., and Joseph B. Mr. Hawes settled on his present farm in his native town soon after his marriage, and has resided here ever since. For more than fourteen years he has been interested in the manufacture of lumber at Smith Mills and in Acushnet; for twenty-six years he has been engaged in the ice business, and owns a quarter-interest in the New Bedford Ice Company, which has proved remunerative, and for many years was the superintendent of " paving streets and roads."

Mr. Hawes has met with some severe losses by fire, first in 1877, when his interest at Smith Mills was destroyed, and second, June 7, 1882, when his house, his ice buildings, etc., were destroyed, causing a loss of more than fifteen thousand dollars. In politics, he is a Republican. He was a member of the Common Council one year, but, as a rule, has not been an aspirant for political honors. Mrs. Hawes was a member of the Baptist Church, and he is a liberal supporter and attendant upon the Congregational Church. His sons John F. and Sylvanus T. are engaged with their father in the manufacture of lumber at Smith Mills, under the firm-name of Hawes & Sons.

Capt. Jonathan Capen Hawks

Capt. Jonathan Capen Hawes, son of Levi by his second wife, Azubah Capen, was born on the home farm, Tarkiln Hill, New Bedford, Mass., May 8, 1826. He remained at home assisting his father on the farm summers and attending the district school winters until he was some fourteen years of age, having in the meantime, however, lived with bis uncle, Thomas Capen, in Stoughton, Mass., and attended school in that place some six months.

At sixteen, in 1842, he commenced his whaling life as a common sailor in ship " Roman," Alex. R. Barker, master. They went to the Northwest coast via Good Hope, returning via the Horn, thus completing his first trip around the world in about two years. His second trip was with the same captain and ship as a boat-steerer ; time, thirty months. During his third voyage, as third officer, he visited the eastern coast of the Eastern Continent, and was gone some four and one-half years from home. His \ next trip took him into Behring's Strait, - this time ' as first mate. They lost their ship at Fort Clarence, and Mr. Hawes returned home via California and the Isthmus.

At twenty-eight years of age, in 1854, Mr. Hawes became master of the ship " Eliza Adams," Edward C. Jones, agent. They went into the North Pacific Ocean, were very successful, and returned after being absent thirty-one months. His second trip as master was in the ship " Emma C. Jones," visiting the coast i of Western Africa and St. Helena. After a voyage j of some twenty-four months he returned home and remained some time, when he again took command of a ship, this time the "Milo," and visited the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans. It was during this voyage that he was captured by Capt. Waddell,of the "Shenandoah." He compromised with Capt. Waddell by giving bonds to the amount of forty-six thousand dollars, and he was permitted to proceed to San Francisco with his ship and some two hundred men.

He closed his career as a whaler in 18G9, and has since resided in his native town. Since his return he has been engaged in the lumber business with his brother Simeon in the Acushnet Saw-Mill. In politics he has been a Republican. In 1874 he was member of the City Council, and in 1876 member of the board of aldermen. He has been three times married. First to Jerusha Blake, of Stoughton, June 1(J, 1854. They had two children, - Addie R. (deceased;, who married John Leonard, of New Bedford, and has one son, John H. Frederick B. is a young man, and resides at home. Mrs. Hawes died at sea, in the North Pacific, Aug. 8, 1868, and her remains were brought home and interred in the cemetery at Acushnet. Capt. Hawes married for his second wife, Nov. 20, 1869, Mrs. Sylvia R. Leonard, widow of John W. Leonard, and daughter of James and Phoebe Tucker, of Dartmouth. They had one. daughter, Alice T., who died at ten years. Mrs. Hawes died June 13, 1876, and the captain married for his third wife, April 10, 1877, Mary W., widow of Albert Collins, and daughter of Noah and Hannah Davis, of Fall River. Of this union there have been three children, viz., Jonathan C, Jr. (deceased), Mary A., and Grace W.

Capt. Hawes and his brother Simeon are among the wide-awake business men of Acushnet Avenue. They make no pretensions to wealth or fame, but are living in a quiet way, surrounded with the comforts of happy homes, the legitimate result of industry and frugality. They enjoy the confidence of their townsmen, and are worthy representatives of one of the old families of New England.

Edward Haskell

EDWARD HASKELL. Anything written of the mercantile history of New Bedford would be decidedly incomplete without something more than a mere mention of Edward Haskell, one for so many years identified with its business interests. He was son of Deacon Calvin and Ann (Hersey) Haskell, and was born in Still River, Mass., about 1828, and passed his early life in school, but on account of the business reverses of his father was compelled to go to work early, and finally was in the employ of a Boston firm, for whom he came to New Bedford as a young man to dispose of a stock of goods, intending only to remain a short time ; but meeting with success, his employers concluded to keep him in trade here, especially as he liked the place and found warm friends. In 1849 he began business for himself in a small way on the west side of Purchase Street, between William and Union Streets, as a dry-goods merchant. He was successful, full of energy, and very popular, and after a year or so passed there, moved across the street to the middle store of the number lately occupied by him. Here his business rapidly increased, and he showed remarkable business capacity in securing the class of goods most salable, and introduced many departments not strictly classed as dry goods. For more than thirty years Mr. Ha>- kell continued in trade on the same site, and was compelled to enlarge the capacity of his premises frequently, and finally, at the time of his death, Dec. 11, 1882, the firm of Edward Haskell & Co. (formed in 1876) occupied four stores, consolidated into one large emporium of trade. In spite of competition of the closest kind, Mr. Haskell had a steady advance in his business from his very first day of trade, and stood for years as the leading and representative mer- chant of New Bedford. He married, first, Sarah Claflin, of Pawtucket, R. I., by whom he- had one child, George Edward, now the junior member of the mercantile house of Abram French & Co., Boston, Mass. He married, second, Louisa B., only daughter of Alexander H. and Louisa (Crandall) Seabury, of New Bedford. They had two children, - Mary Crandall and Helen Parker. Mr. Haskell was for many years a prominent and active member of the North Congregational Church of New Bedford, and was one of its deacons, and for eleven years was superintendent of its flourishing Sabbath-school, in which he was greatly interested.