History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 24

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 24
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 24
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 24

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Walter L. Kent was married, in 1926, to Gertrude L. Cronin, who was born in South Boston.

CHARLES C. CROOKER-For more than thirty- eight years, Charles C. Crooker has been serving efficiently as treasurer of the Brockton Savings Bank, and through this connection he has been an impor- tant factor in achieving the high rating which that financial institution now holds.

Abner Cushman Crooker, father of Mr. Crooker, was born in Merrimack, New Hampshire, and died in 1874. He was a mariner and a master mechanic. and during the last ten years of his life was con- nected with the Brockton Police Department. He married Mary Snow Sears, of East Dennis, Massa- chusetts, whose death occurred in 1905.

Charles C. Crooker, son of Abner C. and Mary Snow (Sears) Crooker, was born in Pembroke, Mas- sachusetts, August 29, 1851, and received his educa- tion in the public schools of his birthplace, and of Boston, Massachusetts, where he moved at the age of nine years. He prepared for an active career by tak- ing a course in a commercial college, and then was engaged in various lines of business activity until

1871. In that year he entered the employ of the West Boston Savings Bank in clerical capacity and that connection he maintained for about five years. At the end of that time he severed his connection with the West Boston Savings Bank, came to Brockton, and here associated himself with the Lincoln Black- ing Company, with whom he remained until 1880. He had long been desirous of engaging in some business for himself, however, and in 1880 he formed a partner- ship with William O. Drake, under the firm name of Drake and Crooker, and engaged in the retail grocery business in Brockton. This concern maintained a main store in Brockton and three branch stores in communities located near Brockton. In 1881, the part- nership was dissolved, and Mr. Crooker took over the three branch stores, which he continued to success- fully operate until 1890, a period of nine years. In 1890 he was elected treasurer of the Brockton Savings Bank, which position he is still (1928) efficiently fill- ing. During the thirty-eight years of his incumbency in that official position he has been one of the impor- tant factors in the development of that financial in- stitution. During that long period of time he has never missed an annual meeting of the corporators or a quarterly meeting of the board of trustees, which rec- ord is a unique one in the history of banking activi- ties, and through his efficient business methods and his sound judgment, added to his long experience and his knowledge of conditions and people in Plym- outh County, the Brockton Savings Bank has come to be rated as one of the outstanding financial insti- tutions in this section of the State. A service of nearly four decades is in itself a distinctive achievement, and the quality of the service he has rendered during that time has made him one of the chief factors in the marked success of the bank. Along with his business interests Mr. Crooker has never been too busy for local public service, and in addition to service on va- rious unofficial boards and committees appointed for various community undertakings, he has served as a member of the city council and as a member of the Board of Aldermen from the Second Ward for a per- iod of five years. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which order he has occupied all the chairs, and of the Knights of Pythias. He is a mem- ber of Brockton Chamber of Commerce, of Brock- ton Commercial Club, and of Thorny Lea Golf Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.

Charles C. Crooker was married, in 1876, to Addie F. Rhodes, of North Bridgewater, Massachusetts, daughter of Eben Graves and Lucy Jane (Lincoln) Rhodes. Mr. and Mrs. Crooker were the parents of three children, two of whom survive: 1. Fred R., who died in infancy. 2. Molly S., married Robert C. Pritchard, and they have one son, Robert C., Jr. 3. Paul Rhodes, a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, married Geneva Cross, of Canajoharie, New York, and they have two children: Norma C., and Charles C. (2).

EDWARD EVERETT GOODWIN, M. D .- For more than a quarter of a century Dr. Edward Everett Goodwin has been successfully engaged in general medical practice in Brockton, Massachusetts, where he has built up a very large practice. He is a grad- uate of Boston University, is identified with several medical societies, and is a member of the surgical staff of Emerson Hospital of Boston.

Edward Everett Foodwas mal

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

Dr. Edward Everett Goodwin was born in North Mariaville, Maine, October 28, 1864, son of George P. Goodwin, a native of Mariaville, who was engaged in farming to the time of his death in 1909, and of Caroline (Dexter) Goodwin, who was born in Ded- ham, Maine, and who survived her husband for five years, her death occurring in 1914. Dr. Goodwin attended the public schools of Dedham, Maine, and of Brockton, Massachusetts, and studied in the Medi- cal School of Boston University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899, receiving at that time the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During that year he opened an office in Brockton and engaged in the general practice of medicine and of surgery. Dur- ing the many years which have passed he has been continuously and successfully ministering to the needs of a very large number of the residents of Brockton and vicinity. His office is located in Room 208, No. 28 Main Street, in Brockton, and he is widely known as a skilled homeopathic physician. His thor- ough knowledge and his faithfulness have made for him a high place in the regard of his fellows, both among his patients and among his professional as- sociates, and his long term of service in Brockton has brought him in close contact with practically all of the old families of this section. He is a member of the Massachusetts Homoeopathic Society, of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, of the Boston Surgical Society, and of the Brockton Medical So- ciety, of which he is a past treasurer. He is also surgeon of the staff of the Emerson Hospital, of Boston. Fraternally, he is identified with Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Satucket Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; Brockton Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar; also all the bodies of the Scottish Rite; Massachusetts Consistory; and Aleppo Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Po- litically, he gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. During the World War he served as a member of the United States Medical Advisory Board. His religious af- filiation is with the Central Methodist Church of Brockton, which he has served as a member of the official board for forty years. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for ten years, has served as treasurer and as a member of the board of trustees for thirty years, and was steward for about ten years. His special interest is surgery, to which he devotes a great deal of attention. On the mother's side of the family Dr. Goodwin is a descendant of "Mayflower" ancestry, and both his paternal and maternal fore- bears were closely associated with the early history of New England.

Dr. Edward Everett Goodwin was married, in 1888, to Mary J. Gregg, who was born in Lynn, Massa- chusetts, and died in 1921. Dr. and Mrs. Goodwin became the parents of two children: Marguerite and Janice.

JOSEPH C. CROCKER, Jr .- After a varied busi- ness career, Mr. Crocker has reached commercial prominence in the position of responsibility he now holds with one of the most influential financial in- stitutions of the city of Brockton. The experience he gained in the early days fitted him very aptly to discharge the duties within his authority, and he is recognized as a leading banker of the city. Hav- ing gained his success in the city wherein he resides, Mr. Crocker possesses an intense civic pride which

he exercises by sponsoring and being associated with movements which lend themselves to commun- ity development, in which he has been instrumental in furthering numerous enterprises of great public benefit. He is the son of Joseph C. and Elizabeth Jane (Congdon) Crocker, formerly of Hyannis, Mas- sachusetts, where the father was long identified as a painter and decorator, and now residents of East Bridgewater.

Joseph C. Crocker, Jr., was born at Boston, Mas- sachusetts, June 25, 1882. He went to the grammar and high schools of his local district, and upon finish- ing his education was employed for two years as clerk with the W. L. Douglas Shoe Company, with which organization he remained two years. Finding an opportunity for advancement, Mr. Crocker joined the National Biscuit Company as office manager, until he went with the staff of the "Brockton Times" as business manager. In 1906, he made his last change by finding employment with the Plymouth Trust Company in which institution he became bookkeeper and teller. It was not long before he received a pro- motion to the position of assistant treasurer, and then to vice-president and treasurer, which office he now holds. He is also a member of the board of di- rectors of the institution. During the World War, Mr. Crocker served on various boards and committees re- lated to patriotic work. He is treasurer of the local chapter of the American Red Cross Society and a member of the executive committee; likewise treasurer of the Community Chest Association. His fraternal affiliations include St. George Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and Satucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. In politics, he is an enrolled Repub- lican, and being a communicant of the Episcopal faith, attends St. Paul's Church of that denomination in Brockton.

In 1911, Mr. Crocker married the late Lillian A. Mooney, daughter of Robert E. and Agnes C. (Col- lins) Mooney of Brockton. Mrs. Crocker's death oc- curred in August, 1926.

LAWRENCE T. BRIGGS, prominent citizen of Brockton, Massachusetts, has the unique honor of having been in the service of the United States Post Office Department ever since he became gainfully employed, and he is now postmaster at Brockton. Mr. Briggs was born June 5, 1871, at Raynham, Massa- chusetts, a son of George D. and Emmeline (Wilbur) Briggs, both of whom are now deceased. George D. Briggs was born in Scotland, Massachusetts, and died in 1918. He served with distinction during the Civil War, and in his commercial life was for many years prominent in the shoe industry of New England. Em- meline (Wilbur) Briggs, a native of Raynham, Mas- sachusetts, died in 1916.

Lawrence T. Briggs was educated in the grammar and high schools of Raynham, and at once entered the office in which he was destined to remain all of his days: Brockton Post Office. Starting in as a postal clerk, Mr. Briggs continued to apply the stal- wart training of his youth until he eventually began to climb, holding first one position and then another, straight up through the ranks in that same post office. He finally became superintendent of the mails, a position which he retained for several years. In this phase of the work, based upon the knowledge he had already gained in the numerous other positions he had filled. there was little that went on around him that he did not fully comprehend. Every detail of that

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

intricate office, a transfer point, distributing four ways from the incoming main line, was as an open book to this observing young man. Thus, there was never an undue delay in the workings of the office, large enough to require a particularly smooth-running sys- tem, and yet small enough to permit of personal supervision of every department in the place and each employee in each department. Naturally, such work as this soon attracted the attention of the post- masters in general charge; and when the vacancy oc- curred, December 8, 1923, Mr. Briggs was appointed Postmaster of the Brockton Post Office. His ap- pointment was verified and signed by Calvin Cool- idge, President of the United States. It is well to note, in relating the achievements of this indefatig- able and trustworthy man that, two years later, Mr. Briggs was able to show a record of increased ef- ficiency; a decided growth in volume of mail handled; a negligible increase in staff, and a large increase in speed and accuracy of reception, sorting and distri- bution.

Mr. Briggs has ever found time to take a profound interest in the civic and social affairs of the township. In his political preferences, he is a Republican; he is affiliated, fraternally, with Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Brockton.

Lawrence T. Briggs married, in 1893, Marcia E. Smith, daughter of George and Sarah (Williams) Smith, of Brockton. Mr. and Mrs. Briggs are the parents of four children: DeWitt G., Roger, C., Bar- bara, and Eldin C. Their home is at No. 1401 Bart- lett Street, Brockton, where they. attend the First Congregational Church.

LAURIE S. MACDONALD-The long-established shoe manufacturing industry of Thompson Brothers, at Campello, now at the highest point yet attained of its successful career, has for its general manager and member of its board of directors, Laurie S. Mac- donald, who has devoted his business energies to shoe manufacturing, from shop employment to department and general supervision, exclusively, and it is through his efficiency and his comprehensive knowl- edge of shoe manufacturing that the firm he . thus represents has secured its place of leadership in this section.

Laurie S. Macdonald is a son of John D. Mac- donald, who was engaged in the shoe industry and died in 1919, and of Martha B. (Daniels) Macdonald, who died in 1920, both parents natives of Nova Scotia. Mr. Macdonald was born August 5, 1877, at Truro, Nova Scotia, where he attended the public schools and a business college. Practically all his life he has been associated with some branch of the shoe busi- ness; serving with the T. D. Barry Company, from 1897 to 1916, the latter part of that period as super- intendent. In 1916, Mr. Macdonald was appointed superintendent of Thompson Brothers Shoe Company, and in 1919, he was made a member of the board of di- rectors and given the general management of the concern, a position he now holds.

The story, in brief, of this prominent representative of the shoe industry, is as follows: It was during the early part of 1880 that John F. Thompson and his brother, George H. Thompson, began the manufac- ture of the Thompson Shoe, under the firm name of Thompson Brothers, starting in a small wooden building that was erected on the land that is now occupied by the Thompson Brothers Shoe Company.

After a five years' occupancy of this, their first place of business, with the steady increase in the demand for their line of work, the firm requiring larger quar- ters, erected the first building that is the nucleus of the present plant. As equal partners, the two brothers continued until the death of John F. Thompson, in February, 1903, when George H. Thompson became the sole manager of the company, so continuing until his death, in July, 1911. The heirs then assumed control until February, 1916, when the firm became Thompson Brothers, Incorporated.

Reorganization of the firm was effected on Decem- ber 15, 1919, under the firm name of Thompson Brothers Shoe Company, this change being necessi- tated because of the continued growth of an annual business of $1,000,000 in 1915 to approximately $6, 000,000 in 1919; and with this reorganization, which brought about further expansion and secuned the perpetuation of the business, the foremen, depart- ment heads, and salesmen, as a result of their coop- eration and faithful service, became stockholders in the company.

International in the scope of its business dealings, this modern and up-to-date plant, employing. six hundred people, and occupying 125,000 square feet of floor space, manufactures 3,000 pairs of shoes daily. An up-to-date lunch room is maintained for the use of the employees. The present officers and directors of the company are: Howard W. Fitz, president; Herbert M. Fillebrown, vice-president and treasurer; Laurie S. Macdonald, general manager; Joseph E. Small (q. v.), secretary and assistant treasurer, Jo- seph L. Schlesinger, Donald Atwood and Harry T. Baldwin, directors.

A Republican in his political views, Mr. Macdonald with his vote and influence supports the principles of his party. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association; the Commercial Club; and Thorny Lea Golf Club. His religious affiliation is that of the Porter Congregational Church.

Laurie S. Macdonald married, November 30, 1905, E. Josephine Whiting, of Brockton, daughter of Wil- liam and Ella L. (Morse) Whiting.

JOSEPH E. SMALL of Campello and Brockton, Massachusetts, is an officer and stockholder of a large manufacturing company and an ardent worker in behalf of the First Parish Congregational Church, and the various activities of its members.

Joseph L. Small, father of Joseph E. Small, a native of West Dennis, Massachusetts, married Beccie D. Eldridge of South Harwich, who died in 1910. Jo- seph L. Small was in his earlier life a captain of a sailing schooner and in later years was engaged as a carpenter and a builder.

Joseph E. Small, son of Joseph L. and Beccie D. (Eldridge) Small, was born January 14, 1891, at West Dennis, Massachusetts, and received his edu- cation in the public and high schools. He began his business career in the capacity of clerk for the Charles A. Eaton Shoe Company of Brockton, Mas- sachusetts, with which concern he was associated for a period of three years. He was then connected with T. D. Barry Company, with whom he remained until 1916, when he became . associated with the Thompson Brothers Shoe Company as office and credit manager. Upon the reorganization of this concern Mr. Small, in 1919, was elected secretary and assistant treasurer of the company. This company was originally founded in the early part of 1880 under

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

the name of Thompson Brothers, the firm at that time having consisted of two brothers, John F. and George H. Thompson. The original plant was con- tained in a small wooden building which stood on the land now occupied by the large plant of the Thompson Brothers :Shoe Company. When the company was finally reorganized and adopted its present name, the foremen, department heads, and salesmen who had demonstrated their fidelity to the interests of the business, were accepted as stock- holders, and the enthusiastic associates have worked ceaselessly to the end that the Thompson Brothers Shoe Company now transacts a volume of business of international dimensions.

Mr. Small is naturally proud of the great industry in the development of which he has been an active factor. His greatest interest in life, aside from his family and business, is the First Parish Congrega- tional Church, of which denomination Mr. Small is a member of the board of trustees and formerly a deacon, and president of the Men's Club which is affiliated with the church. He also holds member- ship in the Young Men's Christian Association, the Commercial Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

Joseph E. Small married, in 1915, Elizabeth M. Haswell, a native of Kingston, New York, and daughter of Frederick and Susie Haswell. Mr. and Mrs. Small are the parents of Cynthia H., born No- vember 8, 1919; and Robert L., born November 6, 1926.

HAROLD DEXTER BENT-One of the most popular men in the town of Brockton is its mayor, Harold Dexter Bent, who, in addition to his official duties as mayor, is also at the head of a Citizens' Council, formed for the purpose of making of the town a "better Brockton." He is well known in fraternal and club circles and is one of the most en- thusiastic of Brockton's "boosters."

Mr. Bent is a son of Frank D. Bent, of Worcester, Massachusetts, who for many years was engaged in the shoe manufacturing business there. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was well known in Worcester and vicinity. He died in 1883, survived by his wife, Anna L. King, of Wareham, Massachusetts, who is now (1926) aged seventy-nine years.

Harold Dexter Bent, son of Frank D. and Anna L. (King) Bent, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, December 21, 1881, and received his education in the local public schools. After completing his course in the high school he began his business career by securing a position as clerk in one of the drygoods stores of Brockton, where he remained for a period of three years. At the end of that time he made a change and widened his experience by associating himself with F. L. Price, of Brockton, who was in the same line of business activity, but after a time he associated himself with the concern known as Bowles Brothers and Company as a partner, and engaged in the manufacture of beverages. This en- terprise was successful and carried on a lucrative trade, but Mr. Bent is versatile in his tastes and abilities, and in 1922 he became interested in the res- taurant known as The Plaza Lunch. He also re- constructed the New Palace Hotel, owned by a com- pany of which he was president. When the opportune time came he sold out his interest in the hotel and engaged in the wholesale confectionery business under his own name, and in this enterprise he continued active until he was elected mayor of Brockton, suc-

ceeding William A. Bullivant. As mayor of Brock- ton he is one of the most popular officials who have ever held that office there, and he is devoting his en- ergy and his enthusiasm to the improvement of the city which has thus honored him. No matter pertain- ing to the welfare of Brockton is too small to claim his attention, and no other business is too urgent for him to lay aside when the interests of Brockton de- mand attention. He gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and previ- ous to his election to the office of mayor served as a councilman from Ward One and as a member of the Board of Assessors. During the World War he served as a member of the Draft Board, and aided in every possible way the various campaigns which carried forward the war work of the community. Frater- nally, he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is also an actively interested member of the Brockton Chamber of Commerce. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church, in which organization he is a mem- ber of the Layman's League. Brockton is not only proud of her mayor, but the community in general is ready to follow his lead in the matter of the de- velopment of the general welfare, and Mayor Bent is fortunate in having as his special charge the city of Brockton. The combination is likely to accomplish much in the way of progress.

Harold Dexter Bent has been married twice, his second wife being Ella Ahlstrom. To the first mar- riage was born Frank H., and to the second, a daugh- ter, Gloria E.

JOSEPH ALGER, now deceased, for many years one of the very prominent citizens of Middleboro, Massachusetts, and the president of the well-known Alger Paper Box Company, was born October 20, 1870, at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Mr. Alger was a son of Siras and Sarah (Haywood) Alger, both of whom are now deceased, his father one of the well-to-do farmers of West Bridgewater.

Joseph Alger received his early education at the local schools of Brockton, and later was graduated from the Howard Collegiate Institute. Immediately after the completion of these courses of study Mr. Alger at once branched out for himself, receiving his first real contact with the world of commerce in the general type of work which he was destined to follow all of his days, and in which he was to achieve his greatest success-the manufacturing of paper boxes. His first position was with the Nelson Paper Box Company with whom he remained until May 20, 1893. He then formed a business partnership with his brother, Arthur Alger, with whom he established the Alger Paper Box Company. This turned out to be a particularly successful venture and the one in which Mr. Joseph Alger continued until the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1921. Mr. Alger had married some years previous to this time, how- ever, and upon his death, Mrs. Alger took over the reins of business in a most competent manner, and has since carried on with increasing success. There are but few cases of this kind in the annals of com- merce-perhaps more so now than in the early part of the twentieth century. However, few can sur- pass Mrs. Alger in either her integrity or keenness of commercial foresight. She has carried on the ex-

PLYMOUTH, NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 24

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874- Publication date: 1928 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642