USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3 > Part 55
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chester Unity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held all offices up to and including past grand. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Glenn married, in 1903, Marion Taylor of St. John's, Newfoundland, daughter of James Taylor of that city. They are the parents of one daughter, Alvina, born February 5, 1904.
BYRON EVERITT EDDY-Success in any line of endeavor is obtained by keeping the goal always in sight, and when a man lays a foundation of knowledge in the details of the business he is un- dertaking, his industry combined with that generally lands him where he aims to be. Not content with what he could learn in the mill during the day- time, Byron Everitt Eddy attended textile school at night while learning his trade, with the result that he rose in his positions until he became super- intendent of the concern for which he works.
Mr. Eddy was born July 28, 1886, at Swansea, Massachusetts, son of John Baker and Ann L. (Place) Eddy; his father a native of the same place, was born October 5, 1859, had a piano store, and was also a piano tuner and an instructor of music in Warren, Rhode Island. His mother was a native of Warren, Rhode Island, born April 17, 1861, and died in January, 1919. Byron Everitt Eddy was educated in the Swansea schools, and at the B. M. C. Durfee High School at Fall River, from which he was graduated in 1905. He then entered the employ of the Stevens Manufacturing Company, where he worked in the office for a short time, and then went in to the mill to learn the business. At the same time he attended the textile night school, and so valuable did he make himself, that when he left after fourteen years, he was overseer of the finishing department. He then became superin- tendent of the Conanicut Mill, in which capacity he served four years, and of the American Linen Mill Company, where for one and one-half years he did splendid service. On January 1, 1923, hav- ing severed his connections with these two mills, he entered the employ of the Stafford Mills of Fall River, one of the large manufacturers of cotton goods, where he is superintendent. Mr. Eddy is active in the civic life of the city, being a Repub- lican in his politics, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In his religious affiliation he belongs to Christ Church of Swansea, serving as a member of the vestry, and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, holding the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
He married, October 6, 1915, at Swansea, Cora A. McGowan, daughter of Christopher and Harriet (Walker) McGowan. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy are the parents of a daughter: Eleanor M., born March 30, 1918.
JOSEPH E. GAYNOR, LL.B .- In legal circles in Bristol county, Massachusetts, Joseph E. Gaynor
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is a well-known figure, his professional activity hav- ing now covered a full decade. He has been emi- nently successful along general lines of practice and is considered one of the progressive men of the day in the profession of the law. He is a son of Thomas F. Gaynor, a prominent grocer of Norton, Massachusetts, and the mother, Mary (Hayes) Gay- nor, was born in Mansfield, Massachusetts, and died in 1896.
Joseph E. Gaynor was born at Mansfield, Massa- chusetts, June 18, 1892. Attending first the local public schools of that community, he later became a student at the Attleboro High School, and was graduated with the class of 1909. Spending one year at Boston College in the liberal arts course he then entered the Boston University Law School from which he was graduated in the class of 1913 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Admitted to the bar in the fall of the same year, Mr. Gaynor entered upon the practice of his profession in At- tleboro, with offices in the Gifford building at No. 16 Park street, and has continued in this location until the present time (1923). He has followed general lines of practice from the beginning and has attained noteworthy success. Mr. Gaynor was a member of the first City Council of Attleboro, representing Ward Five, and has been a member of this body for six years, during the last year serving as president. During the World War Mr. Gaynor acted as a member of the Advisory Com- mittee in charge of Ward Five, and was a leading figure in the various Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives, receiving from the United States Government a certificate in recognition of services rendered. He is affiliated with St. John's Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Gaynor married, in 1917, Helen Westberg of Waltham, Massachusetts, daughter of Charles and Augusta Westberg.
LESTER PINGREE BROWN-As president of the L. P. Brown Machinery and Tool Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts, Lester Pingree Brown holds a broadly noteworthy position, and his en- deavors are contributing in a marked degree to the advance not only of local industries but of industrial Interests in all parts of New England. Mr. Brown brought to his executive responsibility as the head of this concern long experience and practical ability, and has been a vital force in its development and present success. He is a son of John P. Brown, who was born in Littleton, Massachusetts, and was active throughout his lifetime as a quarryman, for many years being superintendent of a stone quarry . at different places. He died in 1908. The mother, Clara E. (Richardson) Brown, was born at Otter Creek, Maine, and still (1923) survives her husband. Lester Pingree Brown was born at Westboro, Massachusetts, July 28, 1883. His education was begun in the local public schools, and, following nis graduation from the Westboro High School, he entered the Rhode Island School of Design, where ne covered a comprehensive course in mechanical engineering. Thereafter Mr. Brown associated him-
self with the Brown & Sharpe Company of Provi- dence, Rhode Island, internationally famous as manufacturers of the Brown & Sharpe screw ma- chines and other machinery. In this connection Mr. Brown learned the trade of machinist, also re- maining for a time after mastering the trade, and spending about six years in all with this concern. He then went to Windsor, Vermont, where he en- tered the employ of the Windsor Machine Tool . Company as a tool-maker, and was there active un- til the year 1908. For a time he worked at Bel- lows Falls, Vermont, then returned to his native State and became identified with the Card Manu- facturing Company at Mansfield, Massachusetts, re- maining with that concern until 1916. Mr. Brown then formed his present affiliation with J. A. Mar- tin (whose sketch follows), Frank H. C. Young also becoming a member of the firm. Under the name of the L. P. Brown Machinery and Tool Company these progressive men went forward in the manufacture of machinery and tools, making a specialty of the finer branches of the business. Their leaders in the way of jewelers' tools are marvels of accuracy and excellent workmanship and their products are everywhere acknowledged of un- usual merit. Occupying the lower floor of an in- dustrial building at No. 104 County street, with about 6,500 square feet of floor space, they employ normally about twenty-five or thirty hands, and are doing a very prosperous and constantly grow- ing business. The scope of their activities has by no means been limited to the local demand, but their product is shipped throughout New England. Mr. Young resigned from the firm in the year 1918 and Messrs. Brown and Martin have since con- ducted the business together, Mr. Brown as presi- dent and Mr. Martin as secretary and treasurer. A. Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Brown takes a deep interest in all advance, but has never per- mitted his name to be brought forward as a can- didate for public office. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Brown married, in 1903, Elsie A. Gridley of West Springfield, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of three children: Beatrice P., born November 6, 1904, a graduate of the At- tleboro High School; Howard P., born January 9, 1909, and Helen E., born March 5, 1910.
JOSIAH A. MARTIN-Along special lines of manufacture in the production of machinery and tools Josiah A. Martin is a prominent figure in Attleboro, Massachusetts, as secretary and treas- urer of the L. P. Brown Machinery and Tool Com- pany. With life experience in this general field of endeavor Mr. Martin is achieving large success as one of the executive heads of this enterprise, and his activities are bearing direct relation to the present day progress in industrial affairs. Mr. Mar- tin is a son of George J. and Emma F. (Bowen) Martin, his father throughout his lifetime a promi- nent farmer of Rhode Island, who died in 1913.
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BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS .
The mother, who was born at Rehoboth, Massa- chusetts, is still (1923) living.
Josiah A. Martin was born at East Providence, Rhode Island, December 9, 1883. Receiving a broadly practical education in the public and high schools of his native place, Mr. Martin entered the business world with the Providence Engineering Company as an apprentice to the trade of machinist. Interested particularly in the finer branches of me- chanical work, he later took up jewelers' tool-mak- ing, and was employed by various concerns in the Attleboros about three years, and then for eight years was employed with the S. W. Card Company at Mansfield, Massachusetts, when he struck out in a more independent way. At that time, in associa- tion with Lester P. Brown (whose sketch precedes) and Frank H. C. Young, Mr. Martin established the L. P. Brown Machinery and Tool Company, with plant at No. 104 County street, particulars of which appear in the preceding sketch. Mr. Martin is secretary and treasurer of the company. In public affairs Mr. Martin takes an active interest, support- ing the Republican party in political matters. He was treasurer of the Republican Town Committee of Mansfield for several years. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is a member of St. James Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Mansfield, Massachusetts, and the New England Order of Protection. His religious affilia- toin is with the Second Congregational Church.
Mr. Martin married, in 1907, Lottie Nelson, and they are the parents of one child: Allen A., born December 7, 1908.
LAWRENCE PIERSON KEELER, who stands among the noteworthy executives of the jewelry industry of Attleboro, Massachusetts, has won marked success in the manufacture of this pro- duct, which forms so important a part of the indus- trial life of this city. Interested in this field of endeavor from boyhood, he was affiliated with his father until the death of the latter, and has since been president of the firm of McRae & Keeler, of which his father was one of the founders. Mr. Keeler comes of a very old New England family and his grandfather, Rev. S. C. Keeler was promi- nent in the Concord Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Lydia Williams, daughter of Ira Williams, and both are now long since deceased.
Charles Pierson Keeler, son of Rev. S. C. and Lydia (Williams) Keeler, was born in Milford, Connecticut, August 29, 1860. The profession of his father necessitating frequent changes of resi- dence, his education was received in Brooklyn, New York, and as a young man he came to At- tleboro, Massachusetts, where he entered the em- ploy of Smith & Crosby. He was later identified with the firm of J. F. Sturdy & Sons, where he learned the manufacture of jewelry. In 1894, four- teen years after coming to Attleboro, Charles Pier- son Keeler, in association with Arthur A. McRae, formed the firm of McRae & Keeler, and began
the manufacture of jewelry. This enterprise pros- pered largely, and throughout the intervening period Charles Pierson Keeler remained at the head of the organization until his death, which occurred on March 10, 1921. Mr. Keeler was a very promi- nent citizen of Attleboro, a director of the First National Bank of this city, and a member of its finance committee. During the World War he dele- gated the responsibilities of the business largely to others in order to devote his time almost wholly to the home war activities of the period. He served on various boards and committees and was one of the leaders of the Liberty Loan drives, receiving from the United States Government a certificate in recognition of services rendered.
Charles Pierson Keeler married, in 1883, Ada G. Bullock, daughter of John Bullock of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and Mrs. Keeler still (1923) survives her husband.
Lawrence Pierson Keeler, son of Charles Pier- son and Ada G. (Bullock) Keeler, was born at Attleboro, Massachusetts, January 26, 1890. His education was begun in the public schools of his native city, and he was graduated from the Attle- boro High School in the class of 1908. There- after followed a course at the Andover Preparatory School, and he entered Boston University Law School. He did not finish the course, however, but became associated with his father in the manufacture of jewelry, in which interest he has found his legal studies of the greatest value. Gaining a broad familiarity with the various departments of the business by the practical method of experience in different parts of the plant, Mr. Keeler fitted him- self for executive responsibility, and upon the death of his father, in 1921, the firm was incorpo- rated. The officers of this concern have since been Lawrence Pierson Keeler, president; Arthur A. Mc- Rae, treasurer; and Ada Keeler, secretary. The history of this business is one of steady advance from the beginning. Their first location was at No. 60 West street, and with the growth of the interest they were later obliged to secure adequate quarters, so removed to their present location at No. 61 Union street. There they occupy one entire floor, having 17,000 square feet of floor space, and employ nearly 200 people. They specialize on ladies jewelry and are counted as one of the oldest concerns in Attleboro continuing under one name. They are leaders in their special field and their product is distributed in all parts of the world. Mr. Keeler is interested further in the business activities of this city as a director of the Attleboro Investors. He is a member of the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce and politically supports the Republican party, al- though he has never accepted public honors. Fra- ternally he is identified with Ezekiel Bates Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a well-known member of the West Side Club of Attleboro, and a member and director of the High- land Country Club. He has for years been identi-
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fied with religious advance as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Keeler married, July 2, 1913, C. Grace Sher- wood, of Connecticut, daughter of Rev. Richard O. Sherwood, of Connecticut, and Annie (Easton) Sherwood, of Newport, Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Keeler are the parents of two children: Law- rence C., Jr., born June 7, 1918; and Robert Wayne, born May 17, 1920.
JAMES E. WILLIAMS, one of the well known residents of Bristol county, Massachusetts, since December 21, 1921, has been in Federal employ, as postmaster of North Dighton. Mr. Williams was only a little more than twenty-six years old at the time of his appointment and is probably the young- est postmaster in the township.
Born in Somerset, Massachusetts, August 15, 1895, James E. Williams is a son of John F., who was engaged in the iron business in Somerset, Massachusetts, and of Ellen (Hearn) Williams, who is now living in North Dighton. After receiving a careful preparatory education in the public school of Somerset, Mr. Williams became a student in the Bristol County Business School, and later com- pleted his preparations for active life by taking a course in Clark's Business College. Upon the com- pletion of his training in the latter institution, he found his first employment with the Mt. Hope Fin- ishing Company, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, which position he held for about one year. At the end of that time he became traffic manager in the employ of the same concern and until the entrance of the United States into the World War, he con- tinued to efficiently discharge the duties of that position. Immediately after the entrance of the United States into the World War, he enlisted in the United States Army Aviation Service as a private, and was sent to France, where he re- mained in active service from October 12, 1917, to July 2, 1919, as a member of the 56th Aerial Squad- ron. At the end of that time he was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Upon his re- turn to civilian life he renewed his connection with the Mt. Hope Finishing Company, where he re- mained for a period of ten months. At the end of that time, December 21, 1921, he received his ap- pointment as postmaster of North Dighton, and since that time he has been carefully and efficiently taking care of that part of Uncle Sam's postal service. He is giving the people of North Dighton a vigorous and efficient local service and has made bmmany friends in that city. Politically he gives his support to the principles and candidates of the Republican party, and his religious affiliation is vith St. Joseph's Church, of North Dighton. James E. Williams is unmarried.
WILLIAM H. BELL, one of the foremost jewelry manufacturers of the great jewelry center of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, has been active in this general line of industrial advance throughout his entire career. A native of the State of Connecti-
cut, Mr. Bell is the son of Edward Thomas Bell, who was born in England, of Scotch parentage and came to this country when a youth, living for a while in New York and finally settling in Water- bury, Connecticut. He was one of the old time boot and shoemakers, who preceded the day of machinery for the manufacture of boots and shoes. He moved his family to Woodbury, Connecticut, when William Bell was a child, where he followed his trade until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company E of the 6th Connecticut In- fantry and served for about eighteen months when he received honorable discharge. He reënlisted in Com- pany I, 19th Regiment of 2nd Connecticut Heavy Ar- tillery, where he served until his death which occurred in a United States hospital located at Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he had been taken to recover from illness. In Cothren's "History of Ancient Woodbury," he is spoken of as an excellent soldier who fought bravely in the battles of Cold Harbor, Wilson's Creek, Newbern, and many other engage- ments, and he attained the rank of sergeant and was citied for valorous conduct in service. The mother, Julia M. (Sculler) Bell, was also born in England, and survived her husband for many years, passing away in 1909.
William H. Bell was born in Waterbury, Con- necticut, January 9, 1857. His education was re- ceived in the public schools of Woodbury, Con- necticut. As a youth he became active in agricul- ture, which he followed until about twenty years of age. He then studied for one year at Yale Busi- ness College, New Haven, then coming to North Attleboro, Mr. Bell entered the employ of the Mason, Draper Company in the capacity of book- keeper and remained for about six years. He then went on the road as traveling salesman for B. S. Freeman & Company, a leading jewelry manufac- turer of that day, following this line of activity for three and a half years. Then in association with a Mr. J. L. Cobb, Mr. Bell entered business for himself as a manufacturing jeweler, locating at At- tleboro Falls, where the Briad Mill now stands. At the end of three years Mr. Bell bought out his partner's interest and has since continued independ- ently under his own name, developing a success- ful business. In the year 1908 he removed to his present location in the locality known as Robinson- ville, in North Attleboro, where he occupies one entire floor of about 6,500 square feet of floor space. He manufactures, almost wholly, gold filled chains and the special product of this concern has a high standing among the wholesale jewelry trade. Em- ploying about forty people, he does a conservative, substantial and prosperous business and his products go to all parts of the United States, also reaching very considerable export trade.
Mr. Bell is a director of the Attleboro Trust Com- pany, of which he serves on the trust committee, and in all branches of community and welfare ad- vance he has been a leading figure. For three years he served as president of the North Attleboro Board of Trade and was vice-president of that body for
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a number of years. Before the city government came in force he served as chairman of the Board of Selectmen for four years, and for six years was active as a member and chairman of the school committee, also as a member of the town finance committee. A Republican by political affiliation and for many years a worker in the ranks of the party, he has during recent years served as chairman of the Republican town committee. During the World War he was very active in all home endeavors in support of the American Expeditionary Forces, serv- ing as a director of the Red Cross work and a member of the advisory board. He has been very prominent in trade organizations, especially in the New England Manufacturing Jewelers' and Silver- smiths' Association. In fact there are few interests of the community or of the industry in which Mr. Bell is engaged that have not at one time or an- other felt the influence of his constructive and pro- gressive endeavors. He attends the Congregational church of Attleboro Falls.
Mr. Bell married, May 5, 1890, Eliza E. Briggs, of Rhode Island, daughter of Daniel F. and Rhoda Westcott Briggs, her father being a well known manufacturing jeweler. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are the parents of three children: Florence B., now the wife of Henry M. Merrill, of Arlington, Massachu- setts; Hollis Westcott, who is associated with his father in business; Randolph Everett Bell who is vice-president of the A. S. Ingraham Company, of Attleboro, Massachusetts, manufacturing jewelers and dealers in chemicals and supplies for the jewelry and kindred trades. Both of the sons served in the World War and were commissioned second lieu- tenants.
EDWARD W. SHEA-As skilled mechanicians, there are few in Bristol county who are the peers of Edward W. Shea, who is an expert in marine and general stationary engine repair work, as well as the usual automobile repair service. For the past fifteen years his shop and garage has been located at 179 Central street, in Fall River. Mr. Shea is of Irish parentage, his father, Dennis M. Shea, having been born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1833. Den- nis M. Shea came to this country as a young man and throughout the entire period of his active career was on the sea, a marine captain during all the later years. He died in 1915.
Edward W. Shea, son of Dennis M. and Cather- ine (Crowley) Shea, was born in Fall River, Massa- chusetts, October 2, 1868, and received a practical education in the public schools of that city. From childhood he had been interested in machinery and his father's position as sea captain had early in- terested him in marine engines. When his school training was completed, he at once apprenticed him- self to a machinist, giving three years to the mas- tering of his trade. At the end of that time he identified himself with Reed & Creighton, with whom he remained for seven years. In 1896, how- ever, he decided to engage in business for himself. He formed a partnership with his brother, Henry
M., under the firm name of Shea Brothers, and engaged in general machine work. The brothers successfully continued as partners until 1917, when Edward William purchased the interests of his brother. Since that time he has conducted the business, which has steadily grown, alone, and his shop on Central street is well known as a place where expert workmanship can always be secured. Besides marine and stationary engine repairs, he does a vast amount of cylinder grinding, crankshaft turning, and general automobile repair work, in- cluding the shrinking of steel ring gears on old flywheels. During. the fifteen years in which Mr. Shea has been given expert mechanical service in the Central street shop and garage, he has estab- lished a reputation which steadily brings new pa- tronage. At the present time, 1923, the volume of work which is regularly done requires the services of ten men all the year round. Mr. Shea is a man of sound business principles as well as a man of mechanical genius, and prompt and cour- teous attention are included in his excellent business policies.
Politically he casts his vote independently. He is a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce, and has always been deeply interested in the ad- vance of the public welfare of the community in which he lives. Fraternally he is affiliated with Lodge No. 18, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and his religious affiliation is with St. May's Catholic Church.
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