One of a Thousand/Daggett, Handel N.

 

Daggett, Handel N., son of Ebenezer and Sarah (Maxcy) Daggett, was born in Attleborough, Bristol county, January 27, 1821.

His education was gained by attending the common schools of Attleborough, Day's Academy, Wrentham, three years, and two years in Perkins's Academy, Attleborough.

Mr. Daggett commenced business as manufacturer of print cloths at Falls Village, Attleborough, January, 1844, in connection with his brother, Homer M. Daggett, and continued in this business several years under the firm name of H. N. & H. M. Daggett. This firm was dissolved in 1855. In 1861 Mr. Daggett began the manufacture of mohair braids, his being the first establishment of the kind in the country. This proved remunerative under the protective tariff of 1862. He still continues the manufacture of braids of all varieties, and on an extensive scale, as sole owner.

Previous to 1861, mohair, as well as alpaca braids, were imported from England, France and Germany. In less than three years after the manufacture was begun here with American machinery, the foreign article was driven out of the market, the American braids being of a quality far superior to the foreign.

Mr. Daggett has enjoyed the confidence of his townsmen, in early life serving them in various offices—selectman, overseer of the poor, assessor, town clerk, etc., covering a period of ten years.

He represented his town in the General Court in 1863, and again in 1883.

He is director in the First National Bank, Pawtucket, R. I., and in North Attleborough National Bank; is vice-president of the Cotton & Woolen Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Boston, treasurer of

HANDEL N. DAGGETT.

Handel N. Daggett.

the Attleborough Branch R. R. Co., and is treasurer of several manufacturing and other corporations.