History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

Personal Sketches 209
Avis Mabel Gray passed away in 1903, after a week's illness from
pneumonia.
She was a graduate of Thibodeau's Business College. A young lady,
whose gracious manner and sterling qualities had made her highly and
widely esteemed.
Lewis Herbert Gray married Hattie LueUa daughter of Charles Henry
and Margaret T. Cook, residents of Fall River, in 1902.
Lewis H. is employed by the government as R. F. D. in Swansea. One
daughter, Edith Wilbur Gray was born in 1903.
Clarence Wilbur Gray married Patience Dillon of Fall River, in 1909.
Clarence Wilbur is in the employ of his father, Lewis S. Gray, who is
characterized as one of the leading New England horsemen, doing a large
business in Swansea and neighboring towns and cities. One son, Charles
Dillon Gray was born to them in 1909.
Daniel R. Child
His ancestral line was from Caleb, John, Christopher, Cromwell,
and he was born in East Smithfield, Pa., on June 23, 1827, the son of
Edward and Betsey Pierce Child, of Warren, R. I. He received his education
in his native town, and at the age of 21 years came to New England,
apprenticing himself to learn the shipcarpentering trade at Barney\Tlle,
North Swansea, Mass., which at that time was a ship-building centre.
Here the young man became acc[uainted with many of the masters of
vessels sailing from Narragansett Bay and, when the gold fever broke out
in 1849, Mr. Childs had no trouble in embarking at Warren, R. I., for San
Francisco, on a saihng vessel, Chario', a famous ship in her time, saiUng
1849, a voyage of six months. Upon his returning east in 1853, he resumed
his trade as ship carpenter at Swansea.
Nov. 30, 1854, he married Elizabeth Mason Barney, of North Swansea;
and they had children as follows: Charles E., Abby B.; Bessie;
Angelena, and Mary E.
In 1864, the Civil War having completely destroyed the ship-buUding
industry along the Narragansett Bay tributaries, Mr. Child decided to
enter the manufactimng jewelry business, in Providence, 1858; locating
in Swansea, at a place known as BarneyvUle, in 1878, and continued therein
until 1893, when he became interested in aluminum and produced a large
line of small wares, novelties, etc. This he continued until 1905 when he
retired from active business on account of advancing years and failing
health. He was one of the old-time manufacturing jewelers, one of the
sturdy upbuilders of the industry with which he was prominently indentified
for more than a half a century.
Mr. Child devoted several years of his life actively in politics while
residing in Swansea, serving as a Selectman of that town for eight years;
and he was also Representative for one term in the Massachusetts Legislature.
He was prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being
a member of What Cheer Lodge of Providence which he joined in 1866,
and of Calvary Commandery Knights Templars, also Providence.
He died May 23, 1914.
Rev. William Miller
Mr. Miller was born in Swansea April 23, 1817, and passed his early
life in that town, attending the pubhc schools there. When a young man