USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 8
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now makes his home at Peabody, Massachusetts, where he is living retired, enjoying a well earned rest. His wife passed away in 1912.
Orlando Mckenzie was largely reared in Nova Scotia and mastered the branches of learning taught in the public school there. He afterward learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has followed throughout practically his entire life. In 1885 he took up his abode at Medfield, Massachusetts, where he resided for four years, and in 1889 he removed to Norfolk, where he operated a blacksmith shop until 1906. He then disposed of his business at that place and re- moved to Foxboro, where he has since carried on a shop, and in connection therewith he conducts an automobile business, handling the Oldsmobile cars. He is alert and energetic, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and a spirit of unfaltering enterprise has been one of the strong and salient char- acteristics in his growing advancement.
Mr. Mckenzie was united in marriage to Miss Agnes F. Crane, of Medfield, on the 4th of June, 1889, a daughter of William and Ella M. (Richards) Crane, who were natives of New Hampshire and of Medfield, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, respectively. The father arrived in Massachusetts in early life and worked at his trade, that of a hatter, in the straw shops. He was also a newspaper correspondent for a long time and he became widely known in his section of the state. He passed away October 6, 1912, having for five years survived his wife, whose death occurred on the 2d of August, 1907. Mr. Crane was a veteran of the Civil war. When the country became involved in hostilities between the north and the south he enlisted as a member of the "Boys in blue" of Company E. First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, with which he served for four years. He was wounded in battle and always felt the effects of the injury which he thus sustained. After the war he established his home at Medfield, Massachusetts, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. To Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie have been born four children : Leola F., born June 11, 1891 ; Ethel V., who was born October 24, 1892; Russell E., born December 21, 1895; and Harold E., born August 17, 1899. The birth of Mrs. McKenzie occurred in Medfield, Norfolk county, March 4, 1869, and she has always resided in this county.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie are loyal members of the Congre- gational church and he is identified with several fraternal orders, belonging to the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the first named society he holds office and at all times he is a worthy exemplar of the spirit of the craft. His
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political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has taken a deep interest in public affairs. He is now filling the position of chairman of the board of selectmen of Foxboro and has acted in that capacity for about eight years, his record being at all times most creditable. He has also served as clerk and treasurer of the town of Norfolk and at the present writing is chairman of the board of overseers of the poor and also of the board of water commissioners and a member of the board of health. He is likewise serving on the republican town central committee. Still higher political honors, however, have been conferred upon him, for in the fall of 1904 he was elected to the state legislature from Norfolk and served for one year. During that period he had the pleasure of establishing the town of Plainville through the promotion of legislative enact- ment. In 1914 he was again elected to the legislature from Foxboro and again served for one year, leaving the impress of his individuality upon important legislative measures enacted during that period. He stands at all times for progress and improvement in public affairs and cooperates heartily with those well defined plans which have pro- duced results of far reaching and lasting benefits.
GEORGE R. WHITING.
George R. Whiting, who is engaged in the manufacture of wool shoddy at Franklin, was born March 24, 1852, in the city which is still his place of residence. His parents were Daniel Peter and Lydia (Briggs) Whiting, both of whom were natives of this state, the former born in Franklin and the latter in Norton. The Whiting family has been represented in Norfolk county for more than two centuries. The early representatives of the name lived in South Franklin and were owners of a farm of two hundred acres there. George R. Whiting has in his possession a deed bearing the date 1717, in which the king of England granted this land to the family. Several branches of the family are still living in Norfolk county, where the name has figured prominently through many generations. The grandfather, Joseph M. Whiting, had a family of two sons, Daniel Peter and Joseph Milton, and a daughter, Ruth. His son, Joseph Milton, was a farmer and box manufacturer until his death and the daughter became the wife of Winslow Cook and continued her residence in Franklin until she was called to her final rest. Joseph M. Whiting, the grandfather, devoted his life to general
GEORGE R. WHITING
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agricultural pursuits and also conducted the first grist mill in Frank- lin which he operated for a number of years. His landed possessions comprised two hundred and fifty acres which he brought under a high state of cultivation, and in addition to tilling his fields and oper- ating his grist mill he conducted a sawmill. His life was thus one of marked activity and usefulness.
His son, Daniel Peter Whiting, remained in his father's employ for a number of years and afterward followed in his business foot- steps by giving his attention to farm work and also to industrial activities. In addition to the cultivation of his fields he turned his attention to box making, in which he engaged until about twenty years prior to his death. During his last two decades, however, he gave his entire attention to farming. He was one of the stanchest supporters of the republican party. Nothing could cause him to deviate from that course and yet he did not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith was that of the Con- gregational church and permeated his entire life in its every rela- tion. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Adeline Briggs, was a daughter of Emerson and Lydia Adeline (Richardson) Briggs, of Norton, Massachusetts, whose family numbered ten children. Her father was a farmer and hollowware turner, in which connec- tion he manufactured trays and dishes from wood. He also became the owner of a grist mill and, prospering in his undertakings, he en- gaged in loaning money. The Briggs family was also one of the oldest and most respected families of Norfolk county. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Whiting there were ten children: Sam- uel, who died at the age of seventy years; Lydia, now the widow of Bennett R. Harris, of Franklin; Martha, who passed away at the age of seven years; Alfred D., who reached the fifty-first milestone on life's journey; George R., of this review; Etta Eva, who died at the age of twenty years; Isabella F., now the wife of Edgar Kings- bury, of Medfield, Massachusetts; Abbott D., who died at the age of fifty-eight years; Clara, who is now the wife of Charles E. Wood- ward, of Franklin; and Joseph M., the third in order of birth, who passed away at the age of seventy-two years.
George R. Whiting pursued his early education in the public schools of Franklin and afterward continued his studies in Dean Academy, where he was a pupil through three winter sessions. In his youthful days he worked with his father upon the home farm, assisting in the development of the fields until he reached the age of twenty years, when he started out in business independently. He began the manufacture of wool shoddy, building a factory at South
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Milford, in which he personally installed the machinery. Since that time he has engaged in the manufacture of fine wool shoddies and extracts. While thus engaged he lived with his father upon the home farm and managed the farm until his father's death. He later built a mill at Unionville which he still operates under the firm name of George R. & A. D. Whiting. He still owns the old home prop- erty and gives personal supervision to its cultivation but does not reside upon the place at the present time, making his home at No. 40 Cottage street, in Franklin. He thoroughly understands every phase of shoddy manufacturing and his business has been carefully and wisely directed, so that substantial results have accrued.
On the 4th of January, 1893, Mr. Whiting was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Woodman Sprague, a daughter of George W. and Olive (Osmund) Sprague, who were residents of East Bridge- water but formerly resided at Scituate, Massachusetts. Her father in early life had been lighthouse keeper at Scituate Point and later he was a shoe cutter at Brockton and at Bridgewater, but both he and his wife have now passed away, their remains being interred in the Bridgewater cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Whiting was born a daughter, Gertrude Sprague, who is now the wife of Bertram Turner, of Franklin, Massachusetts, and has one child, who was born on her father's birthday in 1917 and was named George Whiting Turner. In January, 1911, Mr. Whiting was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in that month. On the 24th of July, 1917, he married Lilla Malora Marble, a daughter of Newell Marble, of Ashburnham, Massachusetts.
Mr. Whiting is a member of the Masonic lodge, the Royal Arch chapter and the Knight Templar commandery of Milford and he also has membership in Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Boston. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and his entire life has measured up to its standards and teachings. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he is now a member of the board of selectmen of Franklin, of which he is serving as chairman. He is one of the most respected and prominent business men of Franklin and still manages his factory interests, although not so active as formerly. His success permits of greater leisure and he has time to indulge in those things which are matters of interest to him. He occupies a fine home in Franklin and still owns the original farm property, which has long been in possession of the family. In his business career he has been actuated by a laudable purpose and ambition that have brought excellent results and the course which he has ever pursued has been one which would
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bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of highest re- gard, recognizing the fact that his course has ever reflected credit and honor upon an untarnished family name.
WILLARD HENRY BENNETT.
Willard Henry Bennett, a carpenter and builder carrying on business at Wrentham, where he was born February 20, 1857, is a son of Henry Albert and Charlotte Thomas (Potter) Bennett. The father was born at Wrentham, November 2, 1814, while the mother's birth occurred at Pawtuxet, Rhode Island, May 3, 1813. Mr. Bennett was a cabinet maker by trade and in following that pursuit provided for the support of his family.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Willard H. Bennett largely devoted his time to the mastery of the branches of learning taught in the Wrentham schools and thus qualified for life's practical duties and responsibilities. He afterward began work at the carpenter's trade and the thoroughness of his instruction and the breadth of his experience made him thoroughly qualified for work of that nature. Later he took up building operations on his own account and has since been known as one of the leading carpen- ters and builders of Wrentham, where many evidences of his handi- work can be seen in the substantial structures of this section of the county. He thoroughly understands the scientific phases which un- derlie his work as well as all of the practical duties in connection with carpentering and building and his thoroughness and efficiency have been the means of bringing to him a continually growing patronage.
On the 5th of June, 1878, in Wrentham, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage by Rev. William R. Tompkins to Miss Ida Lunette Powers, who was born at Blakes Hill, Wrentham, February 25, 1856, a daughter of James R. and Martha Miranda (Wolcott) Powers. The father was engaged in the dry goods business, follow- ing that pursuit for many years at Wrentham. Mrs. Bennett was educated in the public schools of Wrentham, and took up the pro- fession of teaching, which she followed in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and also in the Wampum school of Wrentham. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born three children. Philip Albert was born July 4, 1879. Harry Potter, born September 3, 1883, married
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Isabel Talbot Landre, by whom he has two children, Willard Potter and Ralph L., and is now engaged in the foundry business. Raymond Sayles, born December 13, 1892, is in France as a member of Com- pany I of the First Regiment of the American Expeditionary Force.
Mr. Bennett is serving as one of the town assessors and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He is always loyal to the best interests of the community which he repre- sents and his standards of life are high. His position on the tem- perance question is shown by the fact that he votes with the prohibi- tion party and that he is interested in the moral progress and devel- opment of his community is shown in his active work in the Original Congregational church, of which for twelve years he was deacon. His life has always been actuated by high and honorable principles and his fellow townsmen attest his genuine worth and bear testimony to the advanced standards which actuate him in all of life's re- lations.
JAMES D. BOSWORTH.
James D. Bosworth, president of the Emerson Coal & Grain Company, Incorporated, at East Weymouth, has been identified with the business since 1914 and since that date has contributed in no small measure to its successful management. He was born in Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, November 23, 1872, and is a son of William H. and Anna O. (Davis) Bosworth, who are natives of Rhode Island. The father has always been engaged in the leather business in Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, carrying on his interests independently until the last few years, but is now connected with the firm of Carter, Rice & Company of Boston. He makes his home in Somerville, Massachusetts, where he and his wife are most pleasantly located.
James D. Bosworth was reared and educated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He then took up electrical engineering and followed that pursuit for a quarter of a century, carrying on business on his own account most of the time after leaving school. He still does work as an electrical engineer to some extent in addition to his other business interests. On the 4th of April, 1914, he came to East Weymouth and purchased an interest in the Emerson Coal & Grain Company, thus becoming associated with T. H. Emerson. He has since been active in this line but is now associated with W. H. Bartlett, who purchased Mr. Emerson's interest. They continue
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to carry on the business, however, under the name of the Emerson Coal & Grain Company, Incorporated. They have large mills and have built up a gratifying business as grain merchants and they also handle hay and coal, receiving a liberal patronage in each line.
On the 19th of October, 1907, Mr. Bosworth was united in marriage to Miss Mabel D. Decoster, a daughter of George H. and Lucy (Blanchard) Decoster, the former a veteran of the Civil war, now residing in West Acton, Massachusetts. He was born in Ver- mont and has spent his entire life in New England. His wife passed away in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth reside at No. 678 Broad street, where he has recently purchased a fine modern residence, and their home is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality.
Mr. Bosworth belongs to the Masonic fraternity and his political belief is that of the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Christian Science church. These associations indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct, and at all times he commands and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens, who recognize his loyalty to the best interests of the community and who find in him a progressive and representative business man.
D. W. TOOMEY.
D. W. Toomey, superintendent of the shoe manufacturing plant of the Upham Brothers Company and one of the stockholders in the business, was born in Randolph, Massachusetts, July 1, 1861, a son of Eugene and Ellen (Coughlin) Toomey, natives of Ireland. The father came to America in early life, arriving about 1852, at which time he established his home in Randolph. Later he re- moved to North Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where he resided for a few years, and then established his home in Stoughton, Massachu- setts, about 1868. He secured employment in the shoe factories of the city and remained in Stoughton until called to his final rest in 1876, when he was sixty-one years of age. His wife passed away in the '8os.
D. W. Toomey was reared and educated in Stoughton and be- gan work in a shoe factory, continuing in that line until 1900, dur- ing which period he was thoroughly mastering the various branches of the business and gaining knowledge and experience which qual-
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ified him for his present position. In the year indicated he was called to the position of superintendent of the shoe factory of the Upham Brothers Company, where he has been employed from the age of sixteen years. He knows every feature and phase of the business and he has become a member of the firm, purchasing stock therein. He is well qualified for his present responsibilities and is making a most excellent record by the capability with which he directs the operations of the plant.
Mr. Toomey is of the Catholic faith and politically he maintains an independent attitude. He has been prominent in community affairs and his aid and influence are always on the side of progress and upbuilding. He served for three years on the school board, acting as chairman for one year, is a member of the board of trade, which he joined on its organization and in which he has taken an active part through service on important committees. He belongs to the Red Cross and has done valuable work in raising funds, act- ing as chairman of the local chapter. He likewise did important service in connection with the raising of the campaign fund for the Young Men's Christian Association and was also treasurer thereof. He is much interested in outdoor sports and turns to these for rest and recreation when leisure permits. With him, however, busi- ness responsibilities and public duties take precedence of pleasure and he cooperates heartily in every movement that has to do with the welfare and progress of his community, while at the present time he feels the deepest concern in relation to public affairs in general and does everything in his power to uphold the policy of the government in its relation to the war.
MINOT P. GAREY.
Active and alert in business affairs, Minot P. Garey is well known through his connection with real estate and insurance interests at East Weymouth, where he was born July 24, 1855. His parents, Andrew J. and Ellen S. (Pratt) Garey, were natives of Saco, Maine, and of East Weymouth, respectively, the latter belonging to one of the old families of Norfolk county, her parents having also been natives of East Weymouth. Andrew J. Garey was a carpenter and shoemaker by trade. In 1861 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, after which he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company A of the Twelfth Massachusetts Volun-
MINOT P. GAREY
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teer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and on one occasion was wounded in the arm, after which he never again had the use of that member. After being wounded, he returned home on a furlough and in 1864 he was married to Susan Ford Gannet. They became the parents of two children: Frank, who died in infancy; and Dr. Charles W. Garey, of Quincy, Massachusetts. There were also two children born of the first marriage, Minot P. and Sarah W., the latter the wife of Frank W. Browne, residing in Cohasset, Mas- sachusetts. Following his return from the war, Andrew J. Garey was a member of the state police force for twelve years and for several years he occupied the position of postmaster of East Wey- mouth. He later served as a town officer for several years and at length retired from active life. He passed away on Thanksgiving day of 1896, when sixty-two years of age.
Minot P. Garey was reared and educated in East Weymouth and in early life learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for six years. He also worked to some extent in shoe factories and later learned the shoe and boot cutting business, which he continued to follow for seventeen years. At a subsequent date he engaged in selling books for a year and then turned his attention to the insurance business, while later he broadened the scope of his activities to in- clude the real estate business. He has since conducted a real estate office and has negotiated many important property transfers. He also writes a large amount of insurance annually and his business has reached gratifying proportions. He is also serving as justice of the peace and for twenty-one years has been notary public. Since 1897 he has occupied his present office and directly opposite is a residence which his grandfather erected in 1838. In addition to his other activity Mr. Garey does considerable probate work and he is one of the valued and representative business men of East Wey- mouth.
On the 3d of February, 1877, occurred the marriage of Mr. Garey and Miss Annie H. Vining, a daughter of James H. and Mary (Richards) Vining, who were natives of East Weymouth. The father was a tack maker by trade and later engaged in shoe making. while during the last quarter of a century of his life he was a boot cutter. He passed away in April, 1903, having for twelve years survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1891. To Mr. and Mrs. Garey were born two children : Fred V., who was born August 25, 1881 ; and Mary Humphrey, born November 16, 1887. The son was graduated from Harvard with the class of 1902 and is now Vol. IT-6
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teaching high school in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He is also a musician of considerable ability and talent and has charge of the music in that school, while from the age of sixteen years he has played the organ in churches. He married Miss Anna B. Bates and they have three children, Doris B., Carl B. and Freda V. Mary Humphrey Garey is the wife of Styles A. Fisk and they have one child, Styles A., Jr. They reside at No. 619 Commercial street, in East Weymouth, and Mr. Fisk is assistant lecturer for the Southern Pacific Railway Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Garey own and occupy a beautiful and attractive residence at No. 45 Randall avenue. His political faith is that of the republican party, while his religious belief is that of the Con- gregational church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery, and he is also identified with the Sons of Veterans. He is serving as one of the trustees of the East Weymouth Savings Bank and is the secretary of the town planning board. He manifests the deepest interest in all that has to do with community progress and upbuilding and has lent active aid and support to many plans that have been of great benefit. His business affairs have been wisely and carefully directed and his sound judgment has enabled him to avoid all unwarranted risks and also the unrestricted progressiveness which often leads to failure. On the other hand, his business dis- cernment and sagacity are sound and his efforts, intelligently di- rected, have brought to him substantial success.
ALBERT C. MASON.
Albert C. Mason is a well known business man of Franklin, where he is conducting a well appointed drug store. He is descended from some of the oldest and most prominent families of Massa- chusetts. His birth occurred in Swansea, Massachusetts, October 10, 1868, his parents being Gideon P. and Ruth Ann (Luther) Ma- son. The ancestry in the Mason line can be traced back to Benjamin and Ruth (Rounds) Mason, the former a son of Sampson Mason, who was the original American immigrant, coming to this country and settling in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1649. He was mar- ried there in 1653 and died September 15, 1676, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Butterworth, passed away August 29, 1714. Benjamin and Ruth (Rounds) Mason were the parents
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