USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 21
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HARRY J. GEB.
Harry J. Geb, who is engaged in dealing in motorcycles and bicycles and also handles auto tires and accessories, was born in Racine, Wisconsin, June 20, 1884, but from the age of two years has lived in Franklin, his parents being Jacob and Margaret (Huff) Geb, the former born in Sioux City, Iowa, while the latter was a native of Reed City, Michigan. In early life the father went to Racine, Wisconsin, where he worked in the mills for a number of years, and then made his way to the Atlantic coast, settling at Hamp- den, Massachusetts, where he worked in the carding room in a woolen mill. In 1886 he came to Franklin and secured a position in the Ray Woolen Mills, now the American Woolen Mills. He was
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there employed for nearly twenty years, after which he engaged in business on his own account as a partner of Fred P. Chapman. This was about the year 1902. They began the manufacture of yarn under the firm style of the Franklin Yarn Company and conducted the business successfully until their plant was destroyed by fire. They then erected a modern cement building and have since carried on the business, which now furnishes employment to one hundred and twenty-five workmen. They operate both day and night forces and the business has reached very gratifying proportions.
Harry J. Geb was reared in Franklin and the public schools accorded him his early educational privileges, while later he attended the Lowell Textile School at Lowell, Massachusetts. There he learned the business of designing woolen goods and after his course was completed he accepted a position in the Saranac Mills at Black- stone, Massachusetts, as assistant designer. He continued in that position for four years and then returned to Franklin, accepting the position of designer in the Hayward Woolen Mills. In this capacity he has since continued and at the present time he is also engaged in dealing in motorcycles, bicycles, automobile tires and accessories, in which connection he has built up a trade of substantial and gratify- ing proportions.
On the 16th of September, 1913, Mr. Geb was united in marriage to Miss Sara Costello, a daughter of John and Mary Costello. Mr. and Mrs. Geb are Catholics in religious faith and he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. His military connection is that of corporal of Company G of the Thirteenth Regiment of the Massachusetts State Guard. His political faith is that of the republican party and he has always given stalwart support to its principles. He has led an active and useful life and his ability has brought him into prominent industrial and commercial relations in Franklin.
KARLE H. GRANGER, M. D.
Dr. Karle H. Granger, who for a quarter of a century has been engaged in medical practice in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, brings to bear upon the investigations and solutions of professional problems a highly trained intellect and skill in scientific thinking. He was born January 6, 1868, in Barnard, Windsor county, Vermont, a son of Nathan H. and Rose M. (Frazer) Granger. The father
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was born February 16, 1844, in Randolph, Vermont, and passed away at the early age of thirty-four years on June 16, 1878, being long survived by his widow, who died October 5, 1917. Nathan H. Granger was a successful traveling salesman during his whole busi- ness career and was very prominent in Masonic circles. In 1868 he removed to Ames, Iowa, where he continued to make his residence during the remainder of his life, his death occurring at Algona, Iowa.
Karle H. Granger was reared in Ames, Iowa, where he attended school in the pursuit of his education, completing his earlier training by a course in the high school, from which he was graduated in 1885. He then entered Ames College, from which he received his degree in 1888, and in 1889 returned to Vermont and matriculated in the medical department of Dartmouth College, graduating in 1892. In the following year he located in South Weymouth and his present extensive practice proves that he made no mistake in deciding upon this city as his field of labor. He has continued as a physician and surgeon and has a very extensive practice, his patients thoroughly appreciating his splendid knowledge, his effective methods and his pleasant, confidence-inspiring ways. His earnest efforts along professional lines have borne good fruit and are not only recognized by the public but by his colleagues, who have high regard for him because he most rigidly adheres to the ethics and standards of the profession.
On the 13th of February, 1894, Dr. Granger was married to Miss Mary C. Briggs, of Randolph, Massachusetts, a daughter of H. M. and Anna M. (Panting) Briggs. The father was born in Ran- dolph, the mother's native place being Prince Edward Island. Dur- ing his entire active career Mr. Briggs has followed mercantile pur- suits and is now so engaged, residing in Dorchester. Mrs. Briggs is also living. Dr. and Mrs. Granger have two children: Harry Inwood, born April 24, 1897; and Frederick Gordon, born July 22, 1 899.
Dr. Granger has always shown a deep interest in the progress and development of South Weymouth, particularly along educa- tional lines and has served as physician for the town schools of the fourth ward and as town physician. He is a member of the Massa- chusetts Medical Society and through this connection keeps in con- tact with the latest medical proceedings and discoveries which have been made of late years, thereby improving upon the valuable expe- rience which he gained in former years while in attendance at Bos- ton hospitals. Moreover, Dr. Granger was an educator for a number
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of years, this fact being largely responsible for the interest which he yet retains in the betterment of the schools. For four years he was a teacher in the public schools of Iowa and for three years acted in the same capacity in the state of Massachusetts before entering upon his medical career. Fraternally Dr. Granger is prominent, taking a deep interest in Masonic work, belonging to Pilgrim Lodge of Harwich, Massachusetts. He also is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge of South Weymouth and the encampment of East Weymouth. The brotherly principles underlying these organizations he practices in his every- day life and uses them as his guide in his conduct toward his fellow- men. Along religious lines he affiliates with the Universalist church. Dr. and Mrs. Granger reside in a comfortable home at No. . 129 Pleasant street and there extend hospitality to many friends, who appreciate them for their sterling qualities of character, their sin- cerity, their geniality and the warm-hearted, friendly understanding which they extend to all who desire their friendship. Mrs. Granger is very prominent in the Rebekah branch of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having served as state president of the assembly in 1916 and 1917.
JOHN G. PHINNEY.
No history of the business development of Stoughton would be complete without extended reference to John G. Phinney, now de- ceased, who during the course of an active businese life was prom- inently connected with the manufacturing interests of Stoughton and also of Boston. His plans were always well defined and carefully executed and his business principles were those which would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. He thus made for himself an honored position in commercial circles and enjoyed in unqualified measure the trust and confidence of those who knew him. He was born in Stoughton on the 17th of August, 1843, a son of Sylvanus C. and Mary (Russell) Phinney. The father was a native of Maine and established his home in Stoughton at an early day. There he engaged in the manufacture of boot counters, soles and heels and devoted his entire life to that undertaking, his life's labors being terminated in death in 1871. His wife has also passed away.
Reared at the family home in Stoughton, John G. Phinney be-
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came connected with the manufacturing interests of his father, under the style of S. C. & J. G. Phinney, and throughout his entire career he concentrated his efforts along that line. His activity constituted an important element in the growth of the trade and he remained in the business until called to his final rest in February, 1888. Fol- lowing his death the business was incorporated under the name of the J. G. Phinney Counter Company and so continued for about twenty years, when the business was closed out. It had long re- mained one of the foremost manufacturing concerns of the city, con- stituting an important element in the continued growth of Stough- ton's trade relations. Mr. Phinney also operated a leather store on Summer street in Boston and was likewise engaged in the manu- facture of lasts as a member of the firm of Walker & Phinney. He was a man of resolute will who carried forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertook. He recognized that when one avenue of opportunity seemed closed he could carve out other paths whereby to reach the desired goal and his perseverance and energy enabled him to overcome all difficulties which he encountered.
It was in July, 1868, that Mr. Phinney was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Lunn, who was born in South Easton, Massachusetts, in July, 1846, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Newcomb) Lunn, the former a native of England and the latter of Maine. The father was brought to the new world in infancy, the parents starting from England with their family, but one died while en route. Not long afterward Mr. Lunn was left an orphan and was adopted by the ship's captain, who resided at Easton, Massachusetts. After at- taining man's estate he became a thread manufacturer of South Easton, where he conducted that business for several years, and later he turned his attention to the manufacture of shoes, continuing his residence in South Easton throughout his remaining days. Death called him in 1870 and his wife survived until 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Phinney were born two children: John W., at home; and Frank F., who resides in Warren, Massachusetts, where he is en- gaged in the manufacture of the Warren steam pumps.
Mr. Phinney was a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity. He belonged to the Congregational church and his political alle- giance was given to the republican party, which found in him a stalwart supporter. He was interested in everything that pertained to the welfare and progress of his community and gave active sup- port to many movements that were of great benefit to Stoughton. He erected a large and handsome residence at No. 81 Sumner street, which is occupied by his widow. The name of Phinney has long
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been an honored one in Stoughton and the memory of Mr. Phinney is yet cherished and revered by those who knew him while he was still an active factor in the world's work.
LUCIUS W. DANIELS.
The history of agricultural development in Norfolk county would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make refer- ence of Lucius W. Daniels, who has long followed farming on Pond street in Franklin. He is now in the seventh-ninth year of his age, his birth having occurred on the 5th of April, 1839, at the place where he still resides, his parents being Fisher and Ann (Eames) Daniels. The latter was a direct descendant of Thomas Eames, who was the first man shot by the Indians at Boggsto Brook, in East Medway, now Millis. He had come to the new world on the Mayflower and was one of that number of men who constituted the toll that civilization always seems to claim when settlement is extended into new territory. The immigrant ancestor of the Daniels family was Joseph Daniels, who first appeared in Medfield among the subscribers "towards building a new college at Cambridge" in 1678. His son, Joseph Daniels, Jr., married Bethiah
and had six children, Samuel, Joseph, David, Hannah, Ezra and Sarah.
David Daniels was born in 1699 and to him and his wife Mag- dalen were born several children. The father died November 19, 1781, when eighty-two years of age, and the mother passed away October 13, 1780. Their son, Seth Daniels, was born October 30, 1737, and married Unite, daughter of Deacon Daniel and Elizabeth Thurston, of Franklin. He occupied the farm and house that after- ward came into possession of his grandson, Fisher Daniels. He died November 16, 1785, when almost forty-eight years of age, and his wife passed away in October, 1821, at the advanced age of about seventy-three years. They were the parents of four children: Julia, who died at the age of sixteen; Joseph, who was born October 14, 1771 ; Susanna, who became the wife of Job Carpenter and died in early life; and Julia, who was the second wife of Job Carpenter and removed to Sutton.
Joseph Daniels of that family married Susan Fisher, a daughter of Joseph and Susan Fisher, on the 4th of September, 1793. He occu- pied the old homestead and also conducted a small store. Here he
MR. AND MRS. LUCIC'S W. DANIELS
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
TILPLN FOUNDATIONS P
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passed away July 19, 1828, and his wife died on the 17th of Febru- ary of the following year. They had a family of thirteen children. Seth, born September 14, 1794, married Huldah Harris and removed to Oxford. He was a deacon of the Congregational church and passed away February 22, 1878. Fisher, born August 2, 1796, mar- ried Eunice Adams and after her death married Ann Eames, of Hopkinton. He followed school-teaching through the winter months for many years and in the summer devoted his attention to farming. His death occurred March 10, 1874. Julia Maria Daniels, the next of the family, was born August 17, 1800, and became the wife of Rev. J. R. Cushing. Albert Early, born September 25, 1802, mar- ried Olive Hills, a daughter of Joseph and Deborah Hills. He be- came an extensive straw board manufacturer and was prominent in public affairs, filling many offices. Carolina Melita, born October 24, 1804, became the wife of Fisher A. Kingsbury and died December 31, 1854. Willis George, born October 22, 1806, was the next of the family. Susan Fisher, born October 6, 1808, became the wife of Albert Cleveland and died February 6, 1834. Hiram Abiff, born October 30, 1810, removed to Amoskeag, New Hampshire. Martha Carpenter, born March 9, 1813, became the wife of John W. Mason, of Boston and died June 3, 1845. Darwin Joseph, born January 12, 1815, became mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, and died August 15, 1865. Harriet Louisa, born May 25, 1817, became the wife of Rev. M. Blake, D. D. Charles Adams, born August 30, 1820, makes his home in Milford, New Hampshire.
Lucius W. Daniels pursued his education in the high school of Franklin and afterward in the New Hampton Academy of New Hampshire. Reared to the occupation of farming, he early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and throughout his entire life has devoted his energies to that line of work. He has also engaged in lumbering and his has been an active and useful life, in which he has accomplished substantial re- sults. Not all days in his career have been equally bright, for at times trouble has come to him. On the 15th of August, 1886, his barns were destroyed by fire, causing a loss of about ten thousand dollars. At that time he had much hay burned and four horses and thirteen cows were also victims of the fire. On the whole, however, Mr. Daniels has prospered in his undertakings owing to his indefatigable energy, his close application and his persistency of purpose.
On the 3d of September, 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Daniels and Miss Sarah Helen Warfield, a daughter of Eben War- field, at Franklin. They have become the parents of four children.
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Mary L., who was a missionary and was sent out by the American Board of Missions to Harpoot, Turkey, where she labored for twenty- five years, passed through the Armenian massacre of 1895 but escaped with just one suit of clothing. The others of the family are Hattie A., Ernest D. and Edith N. The son, Ernest D., married Gertrude Goodwin, of Boston.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church, to which they have loyally adhered, Mr. Daniels doing everything in his power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence. He is a member of the Grange and has held most of its offices. In politics he is a republican and for two years served as selectman and for a similar period was assessor. He was likewise trustee of the town library and he has ever been interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his community, giving active support to many plans that have been of great benefit in the upbuilding and development of his section of the county.
HENRY ELLIS RUGGLES.
Henry Ellis Ruggles, of Franklin, for thirty years a member of the Massachusetts bar and since 1898 special justice of the district court of western Norfolk, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, July 25, 1858, a son of Calvin H. and Maria C. (Streeter) Ruggles and a descendant of George Ruggles, who settled in Boston in 1632. His ancestors were especially interested in abolition or the anti-slavery movement. George Ruggles, of Boston, was one of the first settlers of that city and his descendants in Boston and Roxbury were very active in town affairs. The name of Ruggles is often found as that of one of the selectmen and Ruggles street is named in honor of the family.
Henry Ellis Ruggles, pursuing his education, attended the Up- ton high school and afterward entered the Phillips Exeter Academy of Exeter, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated in 1877. He next attended the Williston Seminary of Easthampton, Massa- chusetts, and in early manhood he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in the public schools of Uxbridge and of Frank- lin, Massachusetts. For a time he was also employed in the manu- facture of straw hats, but desiring to became a member of the bar, pursued his reading with that end in view and in January, 1888,
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was admitted to practice at the Massachusetts bar. He has since been engaged in the general practice of law and is perhaps best known as a successful jury lawyer. In 1898 he received the appointment for life to the position of special justice of the district court of western Norfolk. His reasoning is strong and logical, his arguments clear and convincing and he seldom fails to win the verdict desired. Aside from his connection with the practice of law he has been a trustee of the Wildey Savings Bank of Boston, Massachusets, since 1894, and he is a director of a number of private corporations.
Mr. Ruggles has been married twice. He first wedded Carrie E. Douglass, of Lee, Maine, their marriage being celebrated in Boston, September 8, 1882. She died in Franklin, March 11, 1894, and on the 27th of October, 1896, in Woburn, Massachusetts, Mr. Ruggles mar- ried L. Maud Weston, a daughter of Israel A. and Elizabeth A. (Davis) Weston, whose ancestors were early settlers of New Hamp- shire. Of the second marriage there has been born a son, Stanley Weston, whose birth occurred in Franklin, October 16, 1898.
Mr. Ruggles is prominently known in fraternal circles. He has membership with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Patrons of Husbandry. He has been especially active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was grand master of the grand lodge of Massachusetts in 1894 and grand patriarch of the grand encamp- ment, I. O. O. F., of Massachusetts in 1911. He was also representa- tive from Massachusetts to the sovereign grand lodge in 1900, 1906, 1912, 1916 and 1917 and is the present representative. He is a direc- tor of the Odd Fellows Hall Association of Boston, is vice president of the Odd Fellows Home of Massachusetts and has been one of its trustees since 1895. He is also chairman of its committee of invest- ments and finance. Politically Mr. Ruggles gave his support to the republican party until 1888. He then supported the democratic party until 1896, when he returned to the republican ranks, where he has since been found. In 1892 he represented his district in the Massachusetts house of representatives and was town clerk of Frank- lin from 1890 until 1892, inclusive. In 1902 he was made a member of the board of selectmen of Franklin and occupied that position for two years. He belongs to the Republican Clubs of Norfolk county and of Massachusetts, also to the Norfolk County Bar Association, the Massachusetts State Bar Association and the Franklin Business Association, having been president of the last named in 1905. Among his strictly personal characteristics are his fondness for deep sea sailing and for flowers. His religious faith is that of the Univer- salist church. His interests are broad and varied and he has had
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much to do with shaping public thought and action in his com- inunity and has left the impress of his individuality and ability for good upon many lines of public progress.
EUGENE E. KIRBY.
Eugene E. Kirby, engaged in the conduct of a livery business in Foxboro, where he was born December 25, 1867, is a son of Jeremiah and Mary (McFarland) Kirby, who were natives of Ireland. The father was born in County Kerry, but in early life bade adieu to the Emerald isle and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, establishing his home at Millville, Rhode Island, where he resided for a year and a half. He then came to Foxboro, where he engaged in railroad work throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away on the 3d of May, 1915, having for a decade survived his wife, who died in March, 1905.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Eugene E. Kirby pursued his education in the schools of Foxboro and then secured employment in connection with the livery business, spend- ing some time in that way for three different men. In September, 1905, he purchased his present business, which he has since conducted. His barn is called the Cohasset Stable. He also conducted a livery business at Oak Bluffs, on Martha's Vineyard island, for three years. He then bought the barn there and continued to operate it until 1915, when he sold the business and turned his attention to the auto- mobile business at that place, where he now operates a large garage and also conducts an auto livery. He likewise is proprietor of the only livery in Foxboro, and also the only auto livery and he enjoys an extensive patronage. He closely studies the needs and wishes of his patrons and his business is steadily growing by reason of the fact that he puts forth every effort to please his customers and to give them the service required.
In November, 1888, Mr. Kirby was united in marriage to Miss Ann C. Barton, a daughter of Andrew and Julia Barton, who were natives of Ireland. They came to America in early life and estab- lished their home in East Foxboro, where the father worked on the railroad section for a number of years. His remaining days werc passed in Foxboro and both he and his wife have now departed this life. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby became the parents of three children : Mildred, who is the widow of William Engley and resides with her
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father; Eugene E., who is twenty-seven years of age and is in his father's employ; and Sumner Barton, seventeen years of age, now a high school pupil. Mrs. Engley has one child, Clair, nine years of age.
Mr. Kirby belongs to several fraternal organizations, having membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Benev- olent Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose as well as with the Knights of Columbus. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, to which he loyally adheres. Politically he is a democrat and gives unfaltering support to the party. He belongs to the Oak Bluffs Rod and Gun Club, an association that indicates something of the nature of his interests and the way in which he spends his time when leisure permits. He has made a creditable record in business by his close application and persistency of pur- pose and his success is the direct outcome of energy and indefatigable industry.
JAMES MEADE.
James Meade is the proprietor of one of the important manufac- turing enterprises of Stoughton, conducted under the name of The Meade Rubber Company. The establishment is devoted to the rubberizing of fabrics and hospital sheetings and to the manufacture of rubber heels and soles. The business was established in 1916 and although it is one of the newer productive industries of the city has already made for itself a substantial position in business circles. Mr. Meade came to the head of this concern with long experience gained in other connections. He was born in Stoughton on the 3d of March, 1868, and is a son of Richard and Mary (Shields) Meade, who were natives of Ireland. In early life they came to America and were married on this side of the Atlantic. After reaching American shores they established their home in Stoughton and Mr. Meade was employed in shoe factories throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1885. His widow survived him for about six years, passing away in 1891.
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