USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 86
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Mr. Clark united in marriage (1) with Julia Ann, daughter of Bildad Washburn of Kingston, Mass., (2) with Georgietta Almira, daughter of George and Elizabeth Jane (Randall) Richardson, of Medford, Mass., June 11, 1874.
Mrs. Julia Ann Clark died February 28, 1871.
Bargillar Bary
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
BARZILLAI CARY.
THE subject of our sketch, whose portrait accompanies the same, is a descendant from John and Elizabeth (Godfrey) Cary, who came from Somersetshire, England, in 1639, and settled in Duxbury, Mass. He removed from thence to West Bridgewater previous to the division of the old town of Bridgewater, and became the first clerk of the town, The line of families is as follows: John1 and Abigail (Allen), Jonathan" and Sarah (Allen), Deacon Recompense8 and Mary (Crossman), married 1711; Deacon Jonathan4 and Mary (Curtis), married December 30, 1747 ; Moses" and Susanna (Field), married August 25, 1780 ; Barzillai6 and Vashti (Snell), married November 17, 1808; Barzillai" and Augusta (Gurney), married November 29, 1849.
Mr. Cary was born on what was known as the Nahum Snell farm, in West Bridge- water. At the age of eight years he removed to the farm on a portion of which his present elegant dwelling is located on Main street, Brockton, where he assisted in the labors of the farm till he arrived at the age of seventeen, when he spent a few months with Simeon Thayer, of Braintree, Mass., learning the shoemaker's trade. Returning to North Bridgewater he engaged in that business, having with him his two brothers, Lucius and Nathan Snell, who were learning the trade of him.
Upon arriving at the age of twenty-one Mr. Barzillai Cary, in company with Nahum Snell, Edward Snell and Nahum Leonard, began the manufacture of shoes in West Bridgewater, on the farm where the late Henry Copeland resided, and afterward con- tinued the business alone. In 1853 he returned to the old homestead of his father, and engaged at work in the factory of his brother-in-law, Daniel S. Howard, with whom he remained twenty years. He afterwards manufactured shoes with his nephew, Isaiah A. Beal, who came from Hebron, Me., under the firm name of Cary & Beal. Retiring from shoe manufacturing, Mr. Cary has given his attention to his ex- tensive real estate interests, of which he has a large amount of valuable building lots, which, with the rapid growth of the town and city, have been in great demand, until the once cultivated land has become a city of elegant residences.
The life of Mr. Cary has nothing startling or eventful in it, but he has ever kept on his quiet way, and has witnessed the growth, continued expansion and prosperity of the business in which he was engaged, and in which he was one of its founders. He is a person of warm and generous impulses and enduring friendship. In manner, affable courteous and kind, has no fondness for club life, and moves but little in fashionable , society and mixes none in the common frivolities of the age. In politics he is thoroughly Republican, not ambitions for office of any kind, preferring the quiet domestic life at home to the unrest of political strife. In his religious belief he is in affiliation with the Trinitarian Congregational church, both by his early formed habits and training, and in his convictions he is liberal in his interpretations of religious truth.
He has of late years been deeply interested in the formation and organization of the new church and society known as the "Olivet Memorial Chapel," erected in memory of his late wife, a purely devoted Christian and mother, and his daughter, Helen Augusta Clark. He has caused to be erected on a lot of land nearly opposite his home on Main street a building of the value of $4,000 which with the land on which it stands is val-
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
ued at about $6,000 dollars. Adjoining to this he has recently erected a parsonage house which with the land is also valued at about $3,500, making in all the generous sum of nearly $10,000, a truly commendable testimonial to the memory of his beloved wife and daugliter, as well as showing his interest in the promotion of evangelical truth. And these gifts only are in sight. He has otherwise given in public charities in various ways which are not made the subject of notice, for he is not a noisy person, blazing his benefactions abroad. In the quiet contentment of old age, having nearly reached four- score years, he enjoys the society of his personal friends and family, the principal charm of his life being in his home circle.
In a green old age, He seems like an oak, worn but steady, Amidst the elements, while the younger trees, Fall fast around him.
Mr. Cary married Augusta, daughter of Azel and Polly (Knapp) Gurney, of North Bridgewater now Brockton, November 29, 1849.
CHILDREN.
1 .- Helen Augusta Cary, born April 1, 1854, married George H. Clark, of North Middleboro, Mass., 1880. She died July 30, 1884.
2 .-- Louisa Frances Cary, born January 17, 1855, married Daniel D. Tilden, of Brockton, November 29, 1874.
Mrs. Augusta G. Cary, the mother, died February 13, 1888.
EDGAR EVERETT DEAN, M.D.
DR. EDGAR EVERETT DEAN, the well-known and prominent physician of Brockton, was the son of Charles and Lydia (Wilbur) Dean, of Easton, Mass., born December 17, 1837. His early boyhood was passed like most other boys, attending such schools as his town afforded, until he arrived to the age of fourteen years, at which time he en- tered Bristol Academy, Taunton, where he was a student for three years. Having formed a desire to practice medicine he entered the office of Dr. Luther Clark on Pinck- ney street, Boston, with whom he studied, attending at the same time the Harvard Medical School, from which he graduated in 1861. He pursued his profession in Bos- ton for a while, and afterward removed to North Bridgewater, now Brockton, and succeeded Dr. Alexander Hichborn, who had entered the army. Here lie built up a large and lucrative practice, having among his patients many of the best families which remained with him till feeble health compelled him to retire from active labor for a time. In 1878, wearied by his constant labor, he visited Europe, improving the time in observation and study in the celebrated Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and other hos- pitals, graduating August 10, 1878.
In the years immediately following the war Dr. Dean was an ardent Republican and a prominent figure in the party, and his advice on political questions was often sought. He was a staunch believer in the principles of his party until Gen. Benjamin F. Butler
1
Edgar E. than.
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seceded from its ranks, when Dr. Dean, who was a warm personal friend of Butler, as well as a political admirer, followed his leader and withdrew from the councils of the party, with which he had been so long identified.
Twice he was a candidate for Congress as a member of the Democratic party and re- ceived a highly complimentary vote. In 1882 he was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen from Ward One, Brockton. In 1885 he was appointed by Mayor J. J. Whipple a member of the Board of Health. In 1888 he returned to his early choice, to the Republican party, and voted for Gen. Benjamin II. Harrison for presi lent. When General Butler was elected governor he appointed Dr. Dean a member of the State Board of Health, which office he held for three years with credit to himself as well as to the interests of the commonwealth. When the question of sewerage was settled by the city and a committee was to be appointed, Mayor W. L. Douglas ap- pointed Dr. Dean a member for three years, but in a few months he had to resign on account of ill health.
IIe was a prominent member of the Free and Accepted Masons.
Dr. Dean united in marriage with Helen Amanda, daughter of Charles James Fox and Adaline (Packard) Packard, a descendant of one of the oldest and most prominent families of the old town of North Bridgewater, January 17, 1866. Children: Marian Everett, Charles Edgar and Arthur Packard Dcan.
ELLIS PACKARD.
AMONG those who have occupied a prominent position in North Bridgewater, now Brockton, was the late Ellis Packard, Esq. He was the son of Micah and Lucinda (Hartshorn) Packard, born July 30, 1820. Mr. Packard spent his life as child and boy upon the highlands which were known from the early days of the old North Parish of Bridgewater as the West Shares. Here on the old farm, for which nature has done so much, but for which hard labor spent in the removal of rocks and in the breaking up of unsubdued lands by his father did more, till its smooth fields divided by handsome lines of substantial stone wall showed it to be the best farm in town, he lived and worked, laying the foundation of the robust health he afterward enjoyed. At the age of sixteen he became a scholar in Bristol Academy, Taunton, then under the charge of Mr. Frederick Crafts, where he stayed two years, and after that pursned his studies for a short time with Rev. John Goldsbury, previously pastor of the Unitarian Church in what is now Brockton. At the age of twenty he went to Cincinnati and was occupied in a shoe store for a couple of years; but the West having no charms for the young man he returned to Massachusetts. A few months later he started business on his own account, buying shoes in Boston and taking them to Baltimore, where he found for them a ready sale. Seeing a way open for larger profits by manufacturing his goods himself, he started a shop at the West Shares, and commeneed business in that line; but circumstances soon arose which induced him to relinquish that enter- prise, especially the wishes of his father, then in advanced life, that the son should assume the care and management of the farmn.
L
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
The next twelve years of Mr. Packard's life was spent among the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, though he was not a man to be shut up at home or to be withdrawn from an active interest in business matters and the public affairs of the town. The esteem in which he was held by his townsmen is shown by the fact that at the age of thirty-five he was chosen a member of the Board of Selectmen, to which office in the years following he was repeatedly re-elected. A farmer's life, however, was never con- genial to his tastes, and in the year 1862, an active business opening being presented, he gave the farm over to other hands and stepped into the place he afterwards oc- cupied.
It was on the 1st of April, 1862, after an investigation of an offer made to him by Bela Keith, to purchase the grain and coal business previously carried on by Lewis Keith, a bargain was made and the business, together with the buildings, land, water power, etc., came into his possession. At that time there was no other coal yard in town, and the entire yearly sales probably amounted to less than 800 tons. The grain business was of equally small proportions, having become considerably diminished by the uncertain manner in which it had been conducted by the several parties who un- dertook to carry it on after the death of Lewis Keith. The mill buildings included in the purchase were substantially as at present, with some additions. The firm of Snell & Atherton then occupied quarters in the west building, though a single room afforded them all the accommodations they needed. In the lower story was a grist mill of limited capacity, and power was supplied by two water wheels-one breast and one turbine-together with an engine and boiler which had been put in by Mr. Keith shortly before his death, the whole furnishing only about thirty horse power.
Mr. Packard introduced few improvements till 1868, devoting himself to the re- organization and building up of the business which previous changes had so greatly demoralized. By that time he found that his efforts had so far succeeded as to warrant the improvements and enlargements he had for some time had in mind. These con- sisted of two water wheels of the most approved pattern, a new engine and boiler rated at seventy-five horse power, additional facilities for grinding, and a new line of coal sheds, which, with subsequent additions, gave him a length of 230 feet by 40 feet in width. Through the sheds he had a side track constructed with arrangements for dumping directly into the bins beneath, and in connection with this track a grain con- veyor opening directly into an elevator leading to the grain bins in the upper story of the mill, the latter of sufficient capacity to hold 20,000 bushels. It would be difficult to devise a more compact and convenient arrangement for handling both coal and grain than is found at this establishment.
In the meantime the conveniences of room, power and locality were attracting other industries to this quarter. Besides the sawing and planing business carried on by Mr. Packard himself, another apartment was hired by G. M. Copeland, who built up quite a business in ornamental sawing, turning, etc., which was afterwards sold to A. Cranston Thompson, who removed to new quarters in a short time, having entirely outgrown the place. In 1870 M. Linfield moved his last manufacturing business from Stoughton to this town, finding accommodations in a new building erected for his use by Mr. Packard and furnished with power from his engine. The manufacture of packing boxes
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
was some years ago commeneed in the east building by Vittum & Bonney and continued by Mr. Vittum. For several years the manufacture of leather shoe strings was carried on in a building ereeted for the purpose near the mill by James A. Smith, furnishing employment to fifteen or twenty hands, but the business was in 1875 sold to parties in Holbrook and removed thither. About the year 1876 machinery for the manufacture of shoe tacks and nails was put into the east building by F. S. Reed & Co., who con- dueted quite an amount of business, since removed. But spreading out above all these is the well-known shoe tool manufactory of Snell & Atherton, whose demands for more room keep increasing to such a degree that they now occupy one eutire half of the west mill and the third story of the cast mill,
Suffice it to say that the old grist mill, which the "honest miller " used to occupy a long time sinee, was so changed after coming into Mr. Packard's possession that it can hardly be recognized. It is hard to find a livelier seene of activity than that around the Packard mill.
Mr. Packard retired with a competeney in 1382, and the business passed into the hands of his son, Elmer C. Packard.
The twenty years of active business life of the subject of our sketch witnessed the principal growth of the old town of North Bridgewater, and the business as conducted by him kept pace with the same. Mr. Packard was a prompt, energetie business man and ever willing to lend his assistance to forward any movement looking to the welfare of the town. He was a director in the Home National Bank of Brockton from its or- ganization to his death, and quite an extensive owner of real estate, He was one of the solid business men of the town, always reliable. In polities he was a Whig, and later a good Republican. In his religious belief he was in affiliation with the Uni- versalists, and was one of the original members of the First Universalist Church of Broekton and deaeon of the same. He had a taste for innsie and at one time was the leader of a brass band in what is known as Broekton Heights.
He was a charter member of Massasoit Lodge No. 69, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in March, 1845; a member of the School Committee, 1870-75; appointed justice of the peace by Gov. Henry J. Gardner, March 24, 1857.
Mr. Packard united in marriage with Nancy G. Reeves, of Wayland, Mass., January 12, 1844. The wife died July 10, 1845. He then married Abby H., daughter of Newell Heard and Jerusha Grout, of Wayland, June 15, 1847.
CHILDREN : 1 .- Clara J. Gray, born September 28, 1849; died February 13, 1875. 2 .- Warren Newell born April 8, 1852; died October 11, 1861.
3 .- Elmer C., born March 8, 1854. Married Hattie L. Tueker, of Stough - ton, Mass., December 28, 1880.
4 .- Marion Heard, born July 9, 1855; died November 7, 1879.
5 .- Allen Ellis, born March 3, 1859. Died July 9, 1894.
6. - Horace Newell, born December 12, 1862.
7 .- Isabel Abby, born January 3, 1868.
The father died October 25, 1887. The mother died April 13, 1894.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
BELA KEITH.
BELA KEITH, EsQ., son of Benjamin and Martha (Cary) Keith, was born in Campello, then Bridgewater, February 2, 1793. He was a branch of the numerous and honored Keith family who were descended from Rev. James Keith, the first ordained minister in Bridgewater. The line of descent is as follows: Rev. James,1 Timothy," Timothy, 3 Levi,4 Benjamin,6 and Bela."
From early manhood till his death Bela Keith was prominently identified with the in- terests of Campello, and was an active worker in all measures which had for their ob- ject the advancement of the social, material, and religious welfare of the town. Hle was a carpenter and builder by occupation, and carried on a large business in the erec- tion of residences, churches, etc. He built the second church edifice belonging to the First Congregational Church in Brockton, and also the first house of worship at Cam- pello. Mr. Keith also owned a farm at Campello, upon which a portion of the village is now located. He was a safe and prudent man to trust in the management of town affairs, and as early as 1837 he was commissioned justice of the peace. He was chosen seleetman in 1845, and again in 1848-51 and 1854, and was also assessor and overseer of the poor for a number of years, and in all these various official positions he dis- charged their duties with an eye single to the public good, and died honored and es- teemed by his fellow· citizens, and a large circle of friends and relatives. He was a consistent Christian, and one of the principal founders of the South Congregational Society. He died September 6, 1867.
We take pleasure in copying the following notice which was written by one who was well acquainted with the family.
" The last of four brothers whose lives were spent in the vicinity of their early home at Campello, has been called away from the scenes of his early labors, cares and bene- factions. Respected and honored in life wherever he was known, he is in death uni- versally lamented by neighbors and fellow citizens. Seldom has so large an assembly of sincere mourners gathered to pay the last token of respect to a departed friend, as congregated at the funeral of Mr. Keith in the church at Campello. It wanted no elo- quent language to awaken the sympathy of the audience, and well did the pastor re- mark that "the deceased needed no eulogium from him." His life was a transparent one-well known and well read by his acquaintances and friends. Of an unpretending and unambitious spirit, his fellow citizens have often called him to positions of trust and honor. In every liberal public enterprise, in every philanthropic object at home and abroad, he has taken a generous interest ; in supporting the institutions of religion, in erecting temples of worship, in maintaining the preached word, he has borne no hum- ble part, but has willingly stood up under the burden and heat of the day.
Many have been the young men who received their first lessons in business under his direction, and there is not one who does not gladly attest to his unfailing integrity and serupulous uprightness even in matters of the smallest consequence, and they will always remember his almost paternal solicitude for their welfare, and the constant courtesy and kindness which characterized his demeanor toward them.
Such a family of brothers,-Charles, Ziba, Arza and Bela Keith cannot soon be for-
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gotten. The blessed fragrance of their lives and example will remain to exert an abid- ing influence on their surviving cotemporaries. They were worthy to bear the name of the first minister of Bridgewater, whose descendants they were, and may their mantles fall on others who shall live and act like them."
FAMILY RECORD.
BELA KEITH united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Seth and Judith (Washburn) Kingman, January 1, 1821.
CHILDREN :
I .- Lewis, born November 12, 1821, married Charlotte Louisa, danghter of Isaae White, of Norton, Mass., June 3, 1847.
The mother died June 22, 1854. HIe then married Marietta, sister of the first wife, June 5, 1855. The father died June 11, 1859.
CHILDREN.
1 .- Lyman Erving Keith, born March 5, 1849.
2 .- Chester Vernice Keith, born June 27, 1851.
3 .- Clara White Keith, born June 14. 1853, married George L. Forbush, of Peterboro, N. H., May 13, 1875, and had Ruth Isabel Forbush, born June 29, 1876,
II .- Seth Kingman, born September 23, 1823. Died August 12, 1825.
III .- Henry Kingman, born December 17, 1826, married Vesta Snell, daughter of Bar- zillai and Vashti (Snell) Cary of North Bridgewater, now Brockton, July 18, 1847.
CHILDREN :
1 .- Lewis Henry Keith, born June 8, 1848, married Laura Louisa Bailey of Kingston, Mass., January 3, 1872.
CHILDREN. 1 .- Louisa Cary Keith, born December 9, 1872. 2 .- Annie Louise Keith, born June 24, 1876,
IV .- Mary Kingman, born October 12, 1829.
V .- Louisa, born September 20, 1830, married Simeon Franklin Packard, of North Bridgewater, now Brockton, Mass., January 25, 1855.
CHILDREN.
I .- Frank Edward Paekard, born May 7, 1857, married Jane Ellen Evans, of Brockton, Mass., April 2, 1890.
II .- Nellie White Paekard, born March 4, 1862, married Horace Alden Keith, of West Bridgewater, April 12, 1887.
CHILDREN. 1 .- Roger Keith, born May 8, 1888, 2 .- Louisa Keith, born January 25, 1889. 3 .- Gerald Keith, born Mareh 13, 1893. III .- Alice Louisa Packard, born May 14, 1863. Died August 15, 1863. VI .- Ellen Sherman, born September 13, 1836, married Jonas Reynolds, of Brockton, November 29, 1866.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
CHILDREN. 1 .- Abbie Keith Reynolds, born June 20, 1868. 2 .-- Mary Louise Reynolds, born October 20, 1872. 3 .- Martin Elbert Reynolds, born January 23, 1876.
Bela Keith, the father, died September 6, 1867. Mary, the mother, died October 30, 1868.
BRADFORD KINGMAN.
BRADFORD KINGMAN is the son of Josiah Washburn aud Mary (Packard) Kingman, was born in the town of North Bridgewater, now the city of Brockton, January 5, 1831, and is a lineal descendant of Henry and Joanna Kingman, wlio came from Weymouth, England, in 1635, and became one of the earliest settlers of Weymouth, Mass., and from whom nearly all of that name are descended. His early days were passed in the duties pertaining to a large manufacturing establishment for the manufacture of cabinet furni- ture of all kinds ; attending the district schools of his native town, as well as the Adelphian Academy, then under the care of Messrs. Silas L. and L. F. C. Loomis, in the centre of the village, afterward attended Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass. ; studied law in the office of Lyman Mason, Esq., of Boston, attending the law lectures at Harvard Law School by Professor Emery Washburn. Admitted to the Suffolk bar, Boston, April 21, 1863. Appointed justice of the peace by Gov. John A. Andrew January 22, 1864, and was trial justice for the trial of criminal cases for Norfolk county, many years ; notary public for the same county, and commissioner of deeds for several States. Is an attorney and counsellor at-law, resident of Brookline, to which place he re- moved May 1, 1856. Mr. Kingman had from his youth a special fondness for historical and genealogical studies and has made them a specialty in connection with his legal pro- fession. For several years past Mr. Kingman has given much attention to local history and lias published several works, and has been a contributor to many magazines and newspapers.
Among the many contributions may be mentioned Historical Sketches of the Churches of North Bridgewater, Mass., published in the Congregational Quarterly several years since; " Memoir of Deacon Lewis Bradford," of Plympton, Mass., " History of Andover " and " North Andover " in the History of Essex county ; " History of the City of Brock- ton " in the History of Plymouth county in 1884. In 1892 he published an illustrated volume on the Epitaphs of Burial Hill, Plymouth, containing twenty-three hundred in- scriptions.
In 1866 he published an elaborate History of North Bridgewater, Mass., containing about 700 pages, with extensive lists of families. In 1889 a History of Brookline in the History of Norfolk County. In 1894 the present volume was written, entitled " His- tory of Brockton."
In October, 1870, Mr. Kingman became the pioneer in newspaper enterprise in Brookline by publishing the "Brookline Transcript," of which he was the Editor and Proprietor for nearly three years.
Bradford Kingman.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
On the 6th day of February, 1861, he was elected Resident Member of the "New England Historic Genealogical Society " of Boston, Mass., U. S. A., and later a Life Member of the same ; also Member of the " Pilgrim Society," of Plymouth, Mass. ; Essex Institute, of Salen, Mass. ; Weymouth Historical Society, Weymouth, Mass. ; Webster Historical Society, Boston; Corresponding Member of Wisconsin State Historical Society ; Bostonian Society, Boston ; Dedham Historical Society, Dedham, Mass .; Old Colony Historical Society, Taunton, Mass. ; Maine Historical Society, Brunswick, Me .; Old Bridgewater, Historical Society, Bridgewater, Mass.
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