USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 84
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From Timothy are descended most of the name of Keith in what is now Brockton. At one time all the land between what was called Snow's Bridge, and the bridge at the southerly end of the Plain was owned and occupied by some of the Keith family.
The subject of our sketch, whose name appears at the head, is a descendant in the seventh generation, as follows: Rev. James' and Susanna (Edson), Timothy2 and Hannah (Fobes), Timothy3 and Bethia (Ames), Levi4 and Jemima (Perkins), Benjamin5 and Patty (Cary), Charles6 and Mehetable (Perkins), Charles Perkins7 and Mary Keith (Williams), Preston Bonde and Eldora Louisa (Kingman).
Preston Bond Keith was born in Campello, October 18, 1847, on the old homestead, land which had for a long time been in the Keith family. His early days were passed in attending such schools as his native village afforded, and an attendance at the High School in Brockton. In the spring of 1866, at the age of eighteen, he had a laudable desire to learn the shoe manufacturing business, and for that purpose he entered the employ of Martin L. Keith, who was at that time one of the leading manufacturers of Brockton, located in Campello, and having a store in Boston. After an experience of five and one-half years he commenced manufacturing shoes for himself in Campello in a small building which stood on Main street, where Keith avenue is now. There he remained for about three years, when he removed the building to Clifton avenue and enlarged. Three years later he leased his property and erected another large factory, which was opened in July, 1878. At first no steam power was used, and very little machinery, and his output was only 200 pairs of shoes a day. His business has pros- pered from the start and soon outgrew the limited quarters and a new factory was erected next to George Churchill's factory on Clifton avenue, power being supplied by Mr. Keith, for both factories. As both parties increased their business and more room was needed he leased his factory to Messrs. Whitman, Churchill and Alden. Mr. Keith built the main portion of the present extensive factory on Rutland square, where he is now located. The original portion of this new factory was 150x30, to which additions have been made twice till at present it is one of the largest and best appointed shoe manu- factories in eastern Massachusetts. A tour of inspection through this establishment would be one of great interest, as Mr. Keith intends to keep abreast of the times in the introduction of the most modern and improved machinery. The factory is supplied with two large boilers and an engine of seventy horse power, with an improved automatic cut-off. The rooms are all well lighted. It has the automatic sprinklers, fire alarm, and every precaution from fire. The productions of Mr. Keith at the commencement
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
amounted to about $90,000, which have reached to about $1,000,000. The number of persons employed, which at first were thirty to forty, have increased until there is now 400 hands employed.
. Mr. Keith's early experience with his father, and afterward in Boston, gave him such · an insight into business affairs as contributed largely to liis business success at à later period. This, in addition to his natural ability, admirably fitted him for his subsequent career in life. As a man of business, he is quick to grasp business problems, and effi - cient in executing business demands, nature has indeed endowed him with a clear and keen insight into all matters presented to him.
He is in a large sense built after a generous pattern to serve many years and to answer numerous ends in life. As a business man with extensive interests to direct and care for, Mr. Keith has found but little time to devote to public business. His ability, his manly character was, however, early recognized by his fellow-citizens, and who have in many ways shown their appreciative confidence and regard. He was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1882, and re-elected again in 1883. Mr. Keith was one of the board chosen by the town for the construction of the public water works.
He is a staunch Republican, but is in no sense a politician. Modest and unassuming, he not only shrinks from anything that might seem to partake of the spirit of self- seeking or desire for popular favor, but also from taking positions of public trust which he is in every way qualified to fill.
When the Home National Bank was organized in Brockton he was chosen a director which position he has held to the present date, and upon the vacancy caused by the death of Rufus P. Kingman he was elected to fill the office of president. He is offi- cially connected with national and savings banks, and to his financial ability and con- servative spirit is due in a proportional degree the strength and good standing, in the financial world, of the institutions with which he is connected.
In 1895 the Manufacturers' National Bank of Boston elected him a director, thus en- dorsing the opinions above expressed. He was one of the originators of the horse railroad in Brockton, and owner in the same, and a director of the same. He was at one time pre ident of the Campello Co-operative Bank. In religious association he is a Trinitarian Congregationalist , and is a friend to religious institutions, and has been a liberal contributor to the activities connected with the South Congregational Church and Society, and was superintendent of the Sunday School for ten years, in Campello. He has always been interested in the growth and prosperity of the society, and when any extensive changes have been made he has been willing to bear his part. He is not nar- row nor exclusive in his religions views and sympathies, but broad and tolerant, and respects the views of those differing from him in their belief. His charities are unosten- tatious and are given cheerfully whenever it seems to be his duty to give. He has been president of the Young Men's Christian Association.
During the past twenty-five years he has been prominently identified with nearly all the improvements which have been made in the town and city. Reticent but cheerful in disposition, just in liis dealings with all, no man is more highly respected in the com- munity than he, or more worthy of public confidence.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Mr. Keith united in marriage with Eldora Louisa, daughter of Josiah Washburn and Margaret (Dunlap) Kingman, December 8, 1869, and have one child, Allie Louise, born April 2, 1877, who is now a student in Dana Hall Preparatory School for college in Wellesley, Mass. He belongs to the Commercial Club, also to the Congregational Club.
· JONAS REYNOLDS PERKINS.
HON. JONAS REYNOLDS PERKINS, one of Brockton's well known citizens, was born in Braintree, Mass., February 18, 1822. He was the son of Rev. Jonas and Rhoda (Keith) Perkins (See page 354.) He fitted for college with his father and entered Brown University, Providence, where he took a full collegiate course, graduating in the class of 1841. The two years following graduation he was principal of the Academy in Rochester, Mass. It was during his occupying this position he decided to enter the legal profession, his tastes being in that direction. We next find him study- ing law with the eminent Hon. Timothy G. Coffin at New Bedford, one of the leading legal lights of the Commonwealth .. Upon the completion of his studies he became a partner with Mr. Coffin in the general practice of law, the co-partnership ending July 10, 1849. Upon the discovery of gold in California in 1849 and the general excite- ment which it produced, he had his share, and sailed immediately for California, where he remained until July, 1852, when he returned to the east and resumed the practice of his chosen profession in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, in September, 1852, where he entered upon a large and lucrative practice, which continued as long as he remained in the profession.
Mr. Perkins always took a prominent part in the affairs of the town and held various positions of trust and responsibility. He was appointed justice of the peace Novem- ber 20, 1852. He was captain of the North Bridgewater Dragoon Company in 1857, and selectman in 1864. For several years he held the office of trial justice previous to June 16, 1874, when he was appointed justice of the First District Court, Bridgewater, Brockton, East and West Bridgewater being in the jurisdiction of the court. He ful- filled the exacting duties of his office acceptably so long as he held it, to 1885. As a judge in the court he was considered as very lenient in his sentences and often had words of advice and encouragement to give. He was of a sympathetic, generous nature and would sometimes fine a prisoner and afterward rather than see a man go to jail he would "trust " the party and let them go till they could pay.
He was an active member of the First Congregational church in Brockton, as his ancestors were back to 1739, and was a liberal supporter of the church and the charities connected with the same.
MARK PERKINS, of Ipswich, Mass., was the first of this name in the old town of Bridgewater. He settled in the North Parish. Died December 20, 1756, and was buried in the burying ground near Grove street, on Main street. Jonas Reynolds Perkins, Esq., the subject of our sketch, having great regard for the memory of his ancestors, caused a monument or tablet to his memory to be erected in the above grouuds
J
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
some years since. The line of descent is as follows: Mark and Dorothy (Whipple) ; Josiah and Abigail (Edson), 1755; Josiah and Anna (Reynolds), 1790; Jonas and Rhoda (Keith), 1815; Jonas Reynolds and Mary E. (Sawyer), 1859.
He married, first, Jane Avery-Holmes, of Plymouth, Mass., June 22, 1854, who died in July, 1858. He married, second, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Jonathan and Mary C. Sawyer, of Boston, October 26, 1859.
For many years previous to his death, which took place February 19, 1803, he was in feeble health.
HERBERT LEWIS KINGMAN.
HERBERT LEWIS KINGMAN, one of the promising merchants of Brockton, is the son of Lewis Arastus and Mary Jane (Alderman) Kingman, of Mansfield, Mass., born Au- gust 6, 1850, removed to North Bridgewater, now Brockton, in 1851, graduating at the High School of Brockton. His education was supplemented by an attendance at the Academy in Bridgewater, and working in his father's shop at the wheelwright business, like his father and grandfather. Nothing very eventful has occurred in the life of the young man, except habits of industry, and the usual routine of a boy's life. In 1871 Mr. Kingman engaged in butchering in West Bridgewater, supplying the country round about home with meat. In the years from 1876 to 1878 he was a resident of Newport, R. I. In 1888 he commenced the wholesale business in meats with E. C. Cahoon, under the firm name of Cahoon & Kingman, the trade including provisions. In 1890 he became connected with the "Swifts" of Chicago and Brockton, under the firm of Cahoon, Kingman & Swift. The Swifts are among the largest dealers in Chicago, and the firm in Brockton is the largest in Southeastern Massachusetts in that line of goods. Mr. Kingman has in his business what is capital of the best kind, that of a good charac- ter, intelligence, habits of industry, self-control, not afraid of work and with quiet courage, he applies himself to the work and business of life as in his earlier days.
In politics he is a sound Republican, but gives very little of his time to wirepulling or seeking office. In religion his affiliations are with the Methodists, by habit and early training, his father having been a Methodist before him. He is a regular attendant upon church services at the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Brockton, and is a member of the F. and A. Masons, 32d de- gree ; also an I. O. of O. F. in good standing.
Mr. Kingman is happy in his domestic and home life, of which he is very fond.
He married, first, Love Louisa Flagg, daughter of Loring and Lucina (Miller) Flagg, of West Bridgewater. Mass., December 30, 1875, and had
1 .- Alice Mary Kingman, born June 27, 1880; died August 11, 1881.
His wife died February 22, 1881. He married, second, Abbie Adelia, daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Churchill) Peckham, of Fall River, Mass., May 10, 1888, and hac
1 .- Alton Hayward Kingman, born July 9, 1889.
Lewis Arastus Kingman, father of Herbert Lewis Kingman, died March 27, 1892.
William L. Reed.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM LINCOLN REED.
THE ancestor of the numerous family of Reed was Brianus, a noted man of Lincoln- shire, England, who in 1139 was registered as " Brianns de Reed." He left two sons who were respectively named Robert of Recd, and Thomas of Reed-dale. This new Reed family occupied nearly the same locality for several centuries. From it descended William Rede, an eminent mathematician, who in 1369 was made Bishop of Chichester. William Reed was born in 1450, was a great grandson of the Bishop, and had this lineal descent. William, born 1490; William, 1510; William, born 1545; William born 1572. The last named William had two sons, William, born 1596, and Jolin, born 1598. These brothers became participants in the great Massachusetts Land Patent, of which Governor Winthrop (connected by marriage with the Reads) was the leader, and in 1630 came with Winthrop's expedition from near Boston, England, to the place which they named Boston also. William removed to Weymouth in 1635, and was one of the most active nien of the colony.
William Lincoln Reed, a descendant in the sixth generation from William of Wey- mouth, the line being William', Thomas2, Daniela, Thomas4, Isaac", William Lincoln", the son of Dea. Isaac and Nancy (Lincoln) Reed, was born in Abington, Mass., October 5, 1825. His father, Isaac Reed, was a farmer, and a useful member of society and an excellent and worthy citizen. He died in 1847. Ilis mother was the daughter of Caleb Lincoln of Taunton, Mass. (The Lincoln family were among the early and promi- nent settlers of Taunton and Hingham.) She died in 1874. Thomas Reed, grand- father of William Lincoln, is remembered as a man of large frame, over six feet in height, of great physicial endurance and energy of character. He possessed large landed estates.
William Lincoln Reed, the subject of our sketch, received his education in the public schools of Abington, and assisted his father on the farm. But that kind of labor was not to his taste, and he learned the shoemakers' trade, which he prosecuted for several years. In 1853 he commenced shoe manufacturing in a shop connected with his house, cutting his stock and putting it out to be made. In 1855 Mr. Reed's increasing busi- ness demanded more commodious quarters, which he found over the store of Randall Cook, where he remained for the next five years. Business continued to prosper, and in 1860 he built what was then regarded as a large factory near the railroad station at South Abington, now Whitman. Results showed the wisdom of his enterprise, and predicted the coming necessity of still further enlargement. In 1866 he entered into co-partnership with Joseph Bunage, of Abington, and jointly conducted business for the ensuing six years under the firm name of Bunage & Reed. In 1872 his business connection was dissolved by the death of Mr. Bunage. He then entered into partner- ship with David B. Closson, of Boston, the firm being Reed & Closson.
Soon after his association with Mr. Closson the rapidly increasing demands of trade imperatively required enlargement of mannfacturing facilities, which were at once pro- vided. In 1879 a further addition was necessitated. The factory was lengthened by the erection of eighty-two feet so that its dimensions were fixed at two hundred and thirty-two feet in length by thirty-five in width and four stories in height. The annual
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
value of the goods by about two hundred employees exceeded four hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
July 1, 1883, this entensive manufactory, filled with costly machinery, and a large amount of material was entirely destroyed by fire. Since that time Mr. Reed has not been in active business.
Mr. Reed married June 6, 1847, Deborah W., daughter of Ziba and -- Chessman, of Weymouth, Mass.
CHILDREN.
I -- William Bradford Reed, born February 24, 1852; dicd January 4, 1858.
II -- Anna Gertrude Reed, born August 24, 1855; married George Eldon Keith, of Campello, October 23, 1877. Children :
1 -- Eldon Bradford Keith, born October 18, 1879.
2-Harold Chessman Keith, born June 18, 1884.
III-Sarah Chessman Reed, born July 30, 1857. Married Rev. John Thomas Blades, pastor of the South Congregational church, Campello, October 17, 1882. Children :
1 -- Arthur Bell Blades, born October 5, 1884; died May 1, 1885.
2 -- Carlton Reed Blades, born April 4, 1886.
3 -- Gertrude Lincoln Blades, born January 25, 1889.
Rev. Mr. Blades died December 17, 1893.
IV-Walter Lincoln Reed, born November 5, 1859.
He married, second, Mrs. Georgietta A. (Richardson) Clark of Medford, Mass. Mr. Reed has been called upon to fill many official positions. He is Republican in politics, and represented the town of Abington in the House of Representatives in 1858 and 1859. In 1859 he served on the Joint Committee on Towns. In 1865 he was elected to the State Senate to represent the Second Plymouth District, and served on the Standing Committee on Leave of Absence, the Joint Committee on Prisons, and as a member of the Joint Special Committee on the Annexation of Roxbury to Boston. He was returned to the Senate again in 1866, and served as chairman of the Joint Com- mittee on Prisons and as a member of the Joint Special Committee on the Cost of State Aid. In 1867 he was elected to the Senate for a third term, and occupied liis former chairmanship and was a member of the committee on the Hoosac Tunnel, and Troy and Greenfield Railroad. He was afterwards a member of Governor Claflin's Council from the Second Councillor District for 1870 and 1871, serving on the committees on the Hoosac Tunnel and the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, Military Affairs, and the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad. He is a prominent member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons. December 30, 1860, he received the degree of entered appren- tice in the John Cutler Lodge at Abington and on the same day the degree of Fellow Craftsman, that of Master Mason January 28, 1861. March 25, 1861, was elected a member of the John Cutler Lodge, and August 8 withdrew from it in order to connect himself with the Puritan Lodge of South Abington, now Whitman, which was then constituted and dedicated, and of which he was one of the charter members. February
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
9, 1863, he received the degree of Mark Master Mason. March 6, 1'863, that of Past Master, and also of Most Excellent Master in the Pilgrim Lodge. April 3, 1863, he was raised to the dignity of Royal Arch Mason, and October 2 of the same year be- came a member of the Pilgrim Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. December 11, 1863, he received the order of the Red Cross. March 15, 1864, the order of the Temple, and the order of Malta. He is also a charter member of the Old Commandery of Knights Templars. In the Boston Council of Select and Royal Masters he received the degrces of Select Master, Royal Master and Super Excellent Master in succession. Subse- quently withdrawing from the Boston Council he and others as charter members were constituted and dedicated as the Abington Council of Select and Royal Masters. Mr. Reed is a genial person, attractive in manners and actively interested in all local improve- ments. He is a liberal contributor to the cause of Christianty. Endowed with a high and keen sense of honor, always actuated by sound ethical principles, he has acquired unusual personal popularity, even from political opponents. His singularly accurate judgment has almost always preserved him from mistake, and in the guidance of his remarkable energies has raised him to a prominent attitude of social success.
As an evidence of the esteem in which he is held we mention that after the burning of Mr. Reed's manufactory a citizens meeting was called at South Abington, now Whitman, to give public expression of sympathy for his loss, and show the estimation with which he was regarded by the leading citizens of the town where he resided and where he had been a solid factor for many years.
The attendance was large, and the spirit shown was deep and heartfelt. Many promi- nent men of neighboring towns, took part with cordiality and earnestness. The meet- ing was an unselfish tribute of respect, such as few men have while living. From the resolution passed at this meeting we append the following :
Resolved, "That to our fellow citizen, Hon. William Lincoln Reed, the senior mem- ber of said firm, we tender our warmest sympathy, and sincerely trust that he realizes how fully we appreciate his life-long devotion to the best interests of his native town, how heartfelt is our grief over his great loss, and how great is our reliance that he will meet the disaster which has overtaken him with the same courage and ability, which has marked an active and energetic life, and made his name and that of his firm honored and respected, wherever known."
Numerous speakers gave expression to their sympathy and regard for the energy, in- dustry, perseverance, thrift and benevolence of Mr. Reed, and we fittingly close this sketch by an extract from Hon. Benjamin W. Harris.
" I came over from my home to express my deep sympathy for my friend, Hon. Will- iam L. Reed. I have known Mr. Reed for more than thirty years. He began life as a mechanic, at the bottom of the ladder, and by untiring industry, strict economy and un- varying integrity, has won his way up to his high position as a successful business man in the community. He is entitled to active and helpful sympathy. My acquaintance with him has been largely in the social and public relations. In public trusts as well as business relations he has made an honorable and enduring record. During his long public service I have yet to hear of his lacking anything of strict integrity and honorable pur- pose. In his business life he has attained an equally enviable reputation."
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
ALBERT CRANSTON THOMPSON.
ALBERT CRANSTON THOMPSON is one of the successful business men such as one likes to meet. Starting in life with small pecuniary advantages, he has secured a handsome property.
Mr. Thompson is the only son and child of Albert and Charlotte Maria (Warren) Thompson, born in Halifax, Mass., December 19, 1843, the line of ancestry being as follows :
John ' and Mary (Cooke); Jacob 2 and Mary (Hayward); Barnabas 3 and Ilannah . (Porter); Adam4 and Molly (Thomson); Adam5 and Salvina (Wood); Albert6 and Charlotte Maria (Warren); Albert Cranston7 and Marcia Anna (Nickerson).
Mr. Thompson's father being a carpenter and joiner, the son naturally worked in the same line, and learned, that trade, serving until he was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to Brockton February 29, 1864. He immediately entered the employment of Phillip Reynolds, who was engaged in manufacturing musical instruments; at first melodeons, afterwards cabinet organs. In 1869 he was admitted to an equal partner- ship, which lasted until 1873, when he sold his interest to Mr. Reynolds. During that year he purchased the wood turning business of George M. Copeland, then located in the second story of Ellis Packard's mill, now owned by Elmer C. Packard on Crescent street. He afterward leased a lot of land of Oakes S. Soule, on Montello street, at the foot of Ward street, where he erected a steam mill, which he conducted for a time, and then purchased a lot of land of the late William Perry, now No. 70 Railroad avenue, where since 1878 he has had a planing and moulding mill, doing fine wood work for builders. In January, 1893, Mr. Thompson admitted Mr. Ellery C. Dean as a partner to his business. Mr. Dean had learned the trade of Mr. Thompson, and both are now engaged in conducting a successful business under the firm name of A. C. Thompson & Company.
Mr. Thompson belongs to one of the oldest and best known families in his native town, for like the Howards and Packards in Brockton so Fullers and Thompsons pre- vailed in Halifax. It is said that a public speaker once, on commencing his lecture mn that town addressed his listeners as "Fullers and Thomp ons," instead of the usual Ladies and Gentlemen. He received such an education as the district schools of his town afforded, resided in Abington, Mass , one year, and in 1857 attended the Dwight School in Boston. Nature seems to have endowed him with many superior gifts which are needed to battle and cope with the difficulties to be met along the journey of life. Through his own exertions, native abilities, and previous acquirements, he has been successful in business and has applied himself to the study and mastery of its details. He is quick to grasp difficult problems, and efficient in executing demands. He has a clear, keen insight, a discriminating, practical judgment, acting with precision akin to genius ; a man of affairs built after a generous pattern, to serve many uses, a person of wide sympathies, of broad views, of comprehensive purposes and aims, of a liberal spirit, and is restricted to no single line of effort, to no narrow field of desire or en- deavor. In temperance matters he is a Prohibitionist, and not total abstinence.
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