John Cruickshank

Family/Spouse: Anne Milne. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Abby Anne Gifford is my 6th Cousin, three times removed. She married John Cruickshank, who was a rare individual with quite a story equal to his reputation of changing the world of Massachusetts and Rhode Island: John Cruickshank's early educatition consisted of several years in a parish school in Glassgow. His parents apparently died before 1832 and he emigrated with his grandparents. They lived at Pictou, Nova Scotia, for a short time, John C. went to work, at age eight, in an uncle's print shop. He learned to set type and he quickly became a fast and accurate compositor. The family lived at River John, Nova Scotia, ( 24 miles from Pictou ) for two years, where his grandfather taught school. ( In a letter to his daughter Maary Jane, dated September 1887, he wrote that he had visited the old homstead at River John. " I stood by the cellar now overgrown with grass, and tried to recall scenes of my early years and as I did so the memory of my sainted grandparents came back and I could but long "For the touch of a vanished hand And the sound of a voice that is still.") John Cruichshank legally added the surname Milne, in honor of his grandparents. In 1835, John Cruickshank emigrated to FAll River, Massachusetts, with his grandparents and an uncle, to join other uncles already there. He worked in the blue dye house of the calico print works of the Andre Robeson and Son, Company, he worked from five o'clock in the morning to six o'clock in ththe evening for two dollars and twenty-five cents per week. In 1838, the Massachusetts legislature required children under the age of fourteen to be educated three months out of the year. The Robeson firm set up an in-house school for three hours per day and John C. attended the school. John Cruickshank went to work for the Patriot newspaper, at a pay rate of four dollars per week, as a typesetter. He gained a reputation for speed and accuracy, and it was said that he was the fastest t typesetter ever seen in Fall River. He attended evening school during this time. In 1840, he attended Pierce Academy in Middletown, Massachusetts for six months, financed by savings from his earlier jobs. Later, John Cruickshank studied with the Reverend George H. Randall, studying in the morning and working for the Patriot from one until eight in the evening. In August of 1844, after deciding that there was not enough money for college, he went to New York City and worked as a compositor for a book publisher. Later that year he received a letter from Thomas Almy, a fellow empolyee at the Patriot. Almy proposed that the two go into the newspapar business on their own. John Cruickshank returned to Fall River on 24 December 1844 and entered into partnership with Almy. Almy contributed the capital, a sum of $600.00 They went to Boston and purchased an old hand operated press. In early 1845 Fall River had a population of 10,000 people. Almy and Milne secured 500 initiaal subscribers. Almy suggested that the paper be named " The Spirit of the Age." Milne replied "How much of the spirit of the age can we express in the little manufacturing village of which the world has hardly heard, yet? Our only purpose can b be to give the public the news and let that be our title." The Fall River News was firts published 3 April 1845 and consisted of four pages ( An original edition is still in family hands. ). It was published weekly, on Wednesdays. Almy and Milne set the paper by hand, operated the press by hand, and delivered it by hand to their subscribers. They made no profit during the first two years, and took no salsaries. Their first delivery of coal was dumped on the sidewalk and the two youg men carried it up to their second floor office in baskets, because they could not afford the extra charge for a second floor delivery. They often took outside printing jobs, and did them quickly. At the end of the third year, the partners split the profits amounting to $512.00 each. It is recorded that one day a wealthy and extremely influential (but unnamed ) businessman challenged Milne and denounced the newspaper. He got a quiet and sturdy answer, and then he complimented Milne on his work. Milne returned to the News offices, secured a bill for two years of suscriptions and returned to the businessman, who protested that he only owed one year. "Well," was the reply, "We have trusted you for a year , and we thought you mighmight be willing to trust us for a year now." The man paid in full ( a sum of two dollars). In 1853, the News purchased a second hand power-operated press, the first one in Fall River. Almy and Milne made a deal with the laundry next door and ran a drive belt through the wall to connect the press to the laundry's power plant. The Fall River News grew steadily, through a combination of accuracy and high purpose. Milne's "Ideals were of the highest. Justiice, righteousness and humility not only characterized his own life, but were made prominent features of the newspaper which was his life's work." The News was never given to sensationalizing local events, as a comparison between the News and its rival, the Herald during the daays of of the Lizzie Borden affair will demonstrate. In 1869, the Fall River Daily News made its debut. John Cruickshank Milne became a citizen of the United States, 10 September 1845. He married Abby Gifford on 28 June 1849 and they lived at 7116 High Street, Fall River. John Cruichshank was secretary of the mechanics' Association, the first labor organization in Fall River, formed in 1845 to secure a ten-hour work day. He was the first clerk of the Second Baptist Church ( formed 1846; now the Baptist Temple) and was Superintendant of the Sabbath School. He later was a memeber of the Central Congregational Church. In 1861, he was named Clerk of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Accounts, by Representative James Buffington. He went to Washington for six months. When not at work, he toured the local hospitals, looking for Fall River boys who had been wounded in battle. On 29 March 1862, he was issued a special pass (#109 from the Provost Marshalall's Office) to enable him to travel in and out of Virginia; the pass was valide until 31 March 1862. Milne resigned his post after six months and returned to Fall River. Between 1861 and 1865, Milne was a memeber of the Fall River City Council. He was, as well, a Director of the Stafford Mills; President of the Osborn Mills 1871-1918); Director of the Massasoit-Pocasset. National Bank (1854-1918); and President of the Citizens Savings Bank (1889-1918), having been a Director of the bank since 1862. Between 1884 and 1889, he was a Massachusetts State Legislator. He was nominated by friends and he refused to make any effort to get elected, so his friends campaigned for him and got him elected. He chaired the Committee on Banks. He secureed a $100,000.00 contract for the construction of the Superior Court Building on North Main Street. He was responsible for setting aside North Pond as a reservoir. He obtained the charter for the B.M.C. Durfee Bank. He often addressed his fellow legislators in verse. On June 8 1888, Milne was issued United States Passport $18898. He was described as 64 years of age 5 foot 5.5 inches tall, with blue eyes and a Roman nose, a high forehead, and had grey hair and a beard. He and his wife and daughter Hannah embarked on a Grand Tour of Europe lasting June through September of 1888, and covering almost every country in Europe and the British Isles. A second daughter, Jennie, was on tour in Europe at the same time and the family met at several places along the way. John Cruickshank invested in Fall River cotton mills, buying stock when the mills were under construction, or loaning money to the contractors and receiving stock in return. In his later years, the dividends from these stocks were so great tha he could not spend them as fast as they came in. He would often walk to his daughters' homes, all within several blocks of his own home, to dispense money and gifts (often jewelry). At age ninety, John Cruickshank Milne retired from the newpapaer business. On 10 October 1918, at a joint meeting of the directors of the Onborn Mills, Stafford Mills, Citizens Savings Bank and the Massasoit-Pocasset National Bank, he was treated to a testimoniall: "His tenacity of purpose and perseverance overcame many obstacles and these traits combined with conservative judgement made him a prudent and wise counselor. His wide reading and receptive mind gave him a vast fund of information, especialllly of historic matters and anecdote relating to this city. His ideals were of the highest. Justice, righteousness and humanity not only characterized his own life but were made prominent features in the newspaper which was his life's work." Fall River Vital Records Fall River News Fall River Daily News ( especially the articles on the occasion of his 88th and 90th birthdays and his obituary) Family Records We are thankful for all of the above information from Richard Greene Howland Knight III Herman Tripp--Remembering......

John married Abby Ann Gifford on 28 Jun 1849 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. Abby (daughter of George Washington Gifford and Elizabeth Betsey Howland) was born on 27 Nov 1830 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA; died on 21 Jul 1916 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Henry Smith Fenner on 12 Dec 1878 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. Henry (son of Henry Greene Fenner and Laura Amy Smith) was born in Smithfield. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

nJoseph Davis Milne is my 7th Cousin two times removed. He was educated at Fall River High School ( 1873 ) and Phillips Exeter Academy. He graduated from Brown University ( 1877 ), a brother of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He was editor and publisher of the Fall River Evening News. He began at the paper as a schoolboy, delivering papers after school. After graduating from Brown, he worked as a reporter, then City Editor, then managing Editor. His father left him a 1/2 half interest in the paper. He continued the newpaper's policy of refusing the advertisement of liquors. He lived at 444 June Street, and had a summer home at Warren's Point, Rhode Island. He was a man of high ideal and standards. "Nothing, except it be absolute misstatement of fact, would arouse him to greater impatience than the misuse of the English language or faulty rhetorical construction." He was Republican, born and bred, but he gave fair play to all opponents. And he had a sense of humor. "One test of a man's quality is that he 'wears well' with those surrounding him in the daily routine of office work. Mr. Milne never failed to meet this test with success." Calvin Coolidge visited his office when running for Lt.Governor and they formed a lasting friendship. Hew wa a Director of the Citizens Savings Bank from 1901 until his death, and served as its president from 1925. He was a Director of the Osborn Mills, the Fall River Historical Society, the Fall River Yacht Club, and the Quequechan Club. He was a Mason He died very suddenly, of cancer. This information comes from Richard Greene Howland Knight, which is much appreciated by all who will read of this in the future. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Joseph married Georgia A. ( Hazzard ) Wright on 19 Nov 1885. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Charles H. Carr. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jeanette Duncan Milne Remington is my 7th Cousin, two times removed. She lived with her husband with Mrs. remington Senior on June Street, until he died, then she moved home and withdrew from the world. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Jeanette married Edward B. Remington on 08 May 1889 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Hannah Elizabeth Milne is my 6th Cousin, three times removed. As one of the later children of John Cruickshank Milne, Hannah enjoyed the benefits of his wealth. She mingled with high society and enjoyed extended trips. James Chadwick emigated from England as a young man with dye formulas in his head. He was Director of the Ancona Company, the King Philip Mills. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Hannah married James A. Chadwick on 16 Dec 1896 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Henry Milne Fenner is my 8th Cousin, one time removed. He attended public schools, graduating from B.MC.Durfee High in 1897. He was honored with the Davis Medal for highest scholarship. He graduated from Brown University in 1901, Phi Beta Kappa, with an A.B. degree. he went to work for his grandfather's newpapaer, the Fall River News. He started in a low position on the staff and worked his way up through the ranks. On 3 may 1903, he was given a raise from $12. per week to $14. In 1907 he became the Bedford Street reporter. Then 13 February 1911 he "gave up most street work, except. Bedford Street, to become assistant to Emory," the city Editor. He would later become the Telegraph Editor, and was a wizard at handling the reports coming in on the wire in Morse Code. He was also an editorial writer, and turned down opportunities to become City Editor (although he occupied that postiion during Emory's absences or illnesses) and Editor-In-Chief. When the News merged wiwith the Herald in 1926, he left the newspaper and founded his own insurance agency. Beginning in 1902 and continuing for fifteen years, Henry Milne kept a daily diary. It is somewhat disappointing, in that it only records a few cold, hard facts, and offers almost no commentary on the passing events (The best example is the note for 6 April 1917: "War delcared. Mother to Prov."), but it offered a few insights into the events of the day. The diary tells of some important events in the n newspaper business in Fall River. A morning edition of the rival Herald was begun 25 January 1904, but folded 23 April 1904. On 16 March 1907, a 12 page daiy edition of the News was published for the first time, using a special press attachmentnt. Then 14 September 1915, a 20 page paper ("biggest yet") was printed for the opening of Fashion Week. Henry M. sent pictures and articles to the New Bedford Standard and to the Boston Globe, some of which were printed. In 1906 the City Council appropriated $1000.00 for the puposes of recording the history of the City of Fall River. Henry M. Fenner and Benjamin Buffington were chosen to author the volume and they worked several nights a week for a number of months on the project. A c committee of citizens was selected to oversee the work, and to check its authenticity and reliability. Henry M. red the history to them at it completion. The committee approved and on 9 July 1906 the manuscript was sent to Smiley Brothers of New York City to be published. The proofs were returned 1 August 1906, and the printed volume arrived 4 October 1906. The Daily Globe (7 October 1906: "It is an attractive volume, not in any way bulky, a valuable addition to any library." The rival Daily Herald (12 October 1906): The book was "prepared under the encouragement of Mayor John T. Coughlin and the City Council." There was "evidence of haste in preparation." And, according to this review, only 400 copies were printed. Henry M.'s own newspaper, the News, perhaps told the story behind the headlines: 'doubless there were distinct limits within what the editor...performed his work and the history probably does not show what he would have produced had he been free of spacace and inclination, "but note that it was " a readable and approximately accurate history.: In 1911, the year of the Cotton Centennial, Henry M. edited his original history into a smaller version, a copy of which was presented to President Taft when he visited the city on 23 June 1911. Henry M. lived at home with his mother, during her liftme. They wee assisted by live-in help, but the diary notes some of the problems with keeping a good staff. In 1904, they were without a cook for ffour weeks. In 1906, there was no "girl" from "September to December, when the "first colored girl entered our employ." Then, in 1908, a series of notation: 7 October: "cook left, intox--trouble getting her out. (The story goes that the famly was sitting at the dining room table and the meal was later than usual. There was loud singing in the basement, where the kitchen was located, so Henry M. went to investigate. He found the cook stark naked and drunk, singing at the top of her lungs.)"; 15 October "new cook arrives."; 22 October "new cook leaves (No.2 series 2)"; 24 October "new cook arrives (No.3, series 2)." Henry M. was a kind and thoughtful man. He stepped into his father's shoes when Henry S. suffered his first strokoke in 1903. He began to act as father to the other children and he paid particular attention to the youngest, George. He accompanied his mother to social events. He handled the details and finances of his sister's wedding. This information comes from Richard Greene Howland Knight III, and is much appreciated for this record for posterity. Herman Willima Tripp--Remembering......

Notes:

Joseph Almy Fenner is my 8th Cousin, one time removed. He attended public schools, but was never considered an eager student--by his own admission "they practically had to burn down Durfee High to get me out!" On 21 June 1903, through the generosity of his uncle, James Chadwick, Joe went to work for the Algonquin Print Works. His temper, always quick to flare, would keep him from rising above the level of supervisor of the Engraving Room. But his fine talents in math and engineering ststood him well in the complicated and intricate work of engraving the brass rollers and setting the gears on the printing machines. Joe worked for the Alganquin until it closed in the 1940s. later did bookkeeping work for Union Hospital. When his brother, Henry M., died, Joe inherited the Insurance business. This information comes from Richard Greene Howland Knight III and is much appreciated by all who will read it in years to come. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Joseph married Lucia Bijou Butterfield on 19 Feb 1914 in New York City, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Laura Fenner is my 8th Cousin, one time removed. She attended Fall River public schools and graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High. Her adolescent years were marred somewhat by her father's stroke and resulting paralysisi ( in 1903 ) untl his death ( in 1907. the Chadwicks helped out whenever they could, taking Laura with them on trips, including a tour of Europe in the summer of 1906, and allowing her to entertain her friends at their house. And Henry M. Fenner was always her big brother.

How exactly she and Richard met is unrecorded. The first mention of their courtship is in Henry M.'s diary, July 1-2, 1907, noting that Laura went to East Greenwich. On September 13th of that year, he notes "Knight here for dinner." Laura spennt a week in June at East Greenwich the following year. In 1909, the two mothers exchanged visits. Laura announced her engagement on December 11th, 1911. Henry M. handled all of the details of his sister's wedding, from the catering to addressinng the invitations, including taking out an $800.00 loan to finance the event. The wedding was on Saturday, February 15th, 1913 at 7:00PM, in the southeast corner of the parlor of the family's home. The Orpheus Orchestra ( piano, violin and cellllo ) played. There were 200 guests. Richard Greene Howland Knight was born and brought up at Howland Hall, East Greenwich. He attended a one room grammar school on the South County Trail. He attended high school at the East Greenwich Academy, o on Pierce Street in East Greenwich. He then took a one-year course in mechanical engineering at the Rhode Island State College, in Kingston, Rhode Island ( now the University of Rhode Island ). A graduate of the Bradford Durfee Textile School of Fall River, Massachusetts, RGHK worked in the textile industry all of his life. Before his marriage, he worked for the Nottingham Mill in Providence. He met and married Laura Fenner and they lived at 22 Pierce Street, East Greenwich. On 15 December 1913, he became Overseer for the Booth Mill in New Bedford, Massachusetts. he and his bride took up residence with Captain Cleveland master of the whaler Charles W. Morgan ( The ship is today fully restored and part of the collection at the Mystic, Connecticutt Seaport. ) Later the moved to 39 Keane Street. In June of 1915, he moved back to Providence ( to 49 Tenth Street ) to work for the Weypoyset Manufacturing Company, located in Central Falls. Then, in 1917, he became the Night Superintendant for the Weypoyset Mill. In 1920\21, he went to Fall River, Massachusetts Superintendant of the Shove Mills, located on South Main Street at the Tiverton line. The B.M.C.Durfee Bank called in a loan and put the company out of business in the early Depression years. he then ran a cork roll factory, which covered rolls for the textile industry. He was Commodore of the Fall River Yacht Club, reelected in 1928. In 1938\39 he became Assistant Superintendant ( and later Superintendant ) of the Panemah Mills at Taftville, Connecticutt, and remained there until his retirement in 1955. He retired to his summer home ( now winterized ) at Wickford, Rhode Island.

Laura married Richard Greene Howland Knight on 15 Feb 1913 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. Richard (son of Arthur Knight and Mary Arnold Howland) was born on 18 Jul 1888 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

George Arthur Fenner is my 8th Cousin, one time removed. After he attended public schools, George worked for several firms (the American Printing Company, the Globe Yarn Mills, SS kresge) and, for the last several years of his life, for the Dedham Mills, East Dedham, Massachusetts. In the spring of 1926, he accidentally drove a nail through his knee at work. Blood poisoning set in and he died 12 April 1926. He never married. Richard Greene Howland Knight provided this information for this record for posterity and is much appreciated by all that will read about it including Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Notes:

Margaret Milne is my 8th Cousin, one time removed. She died of whooping cough. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Janet married Roland H. Ballou on 20 Jun 1912. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John C. Milne is my 8th Cousin, one time removed. He graduated from Princeton and worked for Lord and Taylor of New York City, as a purchasor. He married in his late 60's. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Family/Spouse: Gertrude (-) Milne. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Winthrop Rossiter. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Knight is my 9th Cousin. She graduatd from B.M.C.Durfee High, Fall River, in 1932 and from Vassar College in 1936. She lives at the family home in Wickford, Rhode Island. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Mary married John Godfrey Brimmer on 18 Jun 1936 in West Point, U.S. Military, Academy, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Richard Greene Howland Knight Junior, is my 9th Cousin. He was educated in the Fall River Schools and graduated from B.M.C.Durfee Highschool in 1934, He Graduated from Lowell Textile School, Lowell, Massachusetts ( 1938 ). He went to work at thhe Berkshire Company mill at Fall River, Massachusetts. On 8 February 1941, he was drafted into the Coastal Artillery, a branch of the United States Army and sent to Fort Preble, South Portland Maine. In the Spring of 1942, he was ordered to OCS, Anti Aircraft School in South Carolina, and graduated as a 2nd Lt. He was ordered to Radar School at Fort Monroe, Virginia. In November of 1942, he was ordered to Hawaii for the major part of World War II. His radar unit was located on the eastern side of the Island of Oahu. Returning to Fall River, he went to work in the Efficientcy Department of the Berkshire Fine Spinning Company. In 1951, he moved to Corham, Maine, as Superintendant of the Dana Warp Mill at Westbrook, Maine. In 11959, he returned to Fall River as the Superintendant of the Berkshire Hathaway Company's Parker mill. The family lived in Fall River for one year before settling in Westport, Massachusetts. In 1963, he went to work for the Wabasso Cotton Textile Company and the family moved to Trois-Rivieres, P. Quebec, Canada. He was Manager of Grey Operations and a Director of the company. He retired in 1979 to seasonal homes at Naples, Florida and Loan Lake, Maine. This information has come to me from Richard Greene Howland Knight III, and is much appreciated by all future readers and Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Richard married Gladys Elaine McCrossan on 20 Dec 1947 in Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas Rossiter is my 9th Cousin. He graduated from harvard Univerisity. Herman William Tripp--Remembering......

Notes:

James Rossiter was a graduate of Harvard. Herman Tripp--Remembering......

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]