Page:One of a thousand.djvu/181

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DAWES. DAWES. 167 thoroughly familiar with its working. Two years later one of these machines was smug- gled out of England and delivered in Fall River, cut up into small pieces. Mr. Davol re-adjusted the parts and set up the ma- chine a complete and perfect whole. He also made most valuable improvements upon the original. This is but one of many improvements in this special line of inventions made by Mr. Davol, from which New England has been the recipient of untold benefits. He fitted up the Metacomet Mill with its com- plement of machinery, at the time of its erection in 1847. This was acknowledged the model mill of the country. The results of Mr. Davol's skill and ability extended beyond any narrow limits. He was often called into different parts of New England to solve mechanical problems connected with cotton manufacturing. By nature, training, and practical experience, he was a studious, industrious, and clear-headed mechanic. As a business man, his record is without a stain, and whether in prosperity or ad- versity, he has ever been upright, conscien- tious, honorable. The Davol Mills, built in 1867, were named in his honor, and of them he was president. Although he lost his property by endorsing for others, who failed in 187S— '79, these reverses left him as they found him, kindly and charitably disposed as ever. Mr. Davol was married October 30, 1S28, to Martha R., daughter of Gilbert and Mary (Slocum) Taber. Of this union were four children, of whom only William C. Davol, Jr., is living, an active and re- spected business man of Fall River, who inherits to some extent the mechanical talent of his father. DAWES, Henry Laurens, son of Mitchell and Mercy (Burgess) Dawes, was born in Cummington, Hampshire county, October 30, 1816. Fassing through the common and pre- paratory schools, he entered Yale College, and was graduated therefrom in the class of 1839.' In 1840 and '41 he was engaged in teaching. He subsequently edited the " Greenfield Gazette " and was afterwards managing editor of the " Adams Tran- script." He then studied law in the office of Wells & Davis at Greenfield, and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1842. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in North Adams. In 1864 he removed to Pittsfielcl, which place he has ever since made his legal residence. His power and ability soon attracted the attention of his fellow-townsmen, and he was sent to represent them in the General Court, serving as a member of the House of Representatives in 1848, '49 and '52, and as member of the Senate in 1850. He was a member of the state Constitutional Convention in 1853 ; was district attorney for the western district from 1853 until '57 ; was elected a Republican represen- tative in the 35th, 36th, 37th, 38th, 39th, 40th, 41st, 42d, and 43d Congresses, being chairman of the committee of ways and means, and leader of the House in the two last Congresses. He declined being a can- didate for election to the 44th Congress, and was elected to the United States Senate as a Republican, to succeed Charles Sumner (whose unexpired term had been filled by William B. Washburn). He took his seat March 4, 1875, and was re-elected in 1881, and again in 1887. His term of service will expire March 3, 1893. Wil- liams College conferred upon him the de- gree of LL. D. in 1869. 1 HENRY L DAWES. Mr. Dawes was married in Ashfield, May 1, 1844, to Electa A., daughter of Chester and Anna (Allis) Sanderson. Of this union there are three children living : Anna Laurens, Chester Mitchell, and Henry Laurens Dawes, Jr.