USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 31
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 31
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 31
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Erskine H. Cox married, in 1909, Ethelwyn M. Crossley. Mr. and Mrs. Cox now maintain their principal residence in Randolph, in which commu- nity they attend the Episcopal church.
SAMUEL H. CAPEN-In his long tenure of responsible office and his capable execution of the duties of sheriff of Norfolk County, Samuel H. Capen has performed a service in behalf of the people of this section of the State that excels that of the long-term sheriffs of early days, by reason of the expanding scope of the activities of the office and its present-day demands. He has had the lifelong re- spect and esteem both of his colleagues in civic life and of his community, his county, and his many official affiliations and allied interests. He is a son of George Capen, a machine manufacturer who died February 17, 1863, and of Clara (Boyen) Capen,
whose death occurred in 1901; both parents were natives of Canton.
Samuel H. Capen was born March 12, 1848; at- tended the public schools and an academy. Mr. Capen began his career in business lines as a sales- man in a clothing store in Boston, afterwards suc- ceeding Aaron E. Tucker as proprietor of a general store at Canton, continuing therein for fifteen years. It was in 1878 that Mr. Capen was appointed a deputy sheriff of Norfolk County, and in 1898 he was elected to the office of sheriff, and has con- tinued in that office to the present time. The choice of both Republican and Democratic parties, there has never arisen any opposition to his election; and on January 1, 1928, he had completed fifty years in this service. Sheriff Capen is also a director of the Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and a trustee and vice-president of the Dedham Institution for Savings.
Fraternally, Sheriff Capen is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite of the thirty-second degree; he is a Past Eminent Commander of Commandery, Knights Templar; a member of the Temple, Ancient Cyprus Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Besides being a
past president of the Dedham Society for the Appre- hension of Horse Thieves, Sheriff Capen is a member of the Fisher Ames Club, and the Craftsman Club. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian church.
Sheriff Samuel H. Capen married, October 24, 1871, Adelaide T. Tucker, of Canton, daughter of Aaron E. and Elizabeth A. (Taber) Tucker. Their children: Samuel H. Capen, Jr .; and Harold T. Capen, who was a first lieutenant in the Air Service during the World War.
RICHARD F. FORREST-A native of Randolph, and a citizen who, upon all occasions, has demon- strated his capability in business matters, particularly those relating to civic interests, Richard F. Forrest has held a number of offices of leading importance in this town. As chairman of the Board of Select- men, he represents the town's progress and the ex- pansion and increased usefulness of its institutional and community life, as he has at all times proven him- self a public-spirited citizen. He is a son of Au- gustus Forrest, of Boston, a veteran of the Civil War in the United States Navy, was for years connected with the shoe industry, and is now more than eighty years of age, and of Margaret (Reynolds) Forrest, of County Longford, Ireland, who died in 1912.
Richard F. Forrest was born November 26, 1873, at Randolph, where he attended the grammar and the high schools. For some years, Mr. Forrest was engaged in the express business, and later was em- ployed by the Haggerty & Sullivan Stove Company. In 1900 he was elected to the superintendency of the Randolph Water Works, and since that date, also, he has held various offices in the gift of the town, such as those of overseer of the poor and in the Health Department, Chief of the Fire Department, and chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Forrest was at one time a member of the Massachusetts State Militia, in Company K. He is a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Richard F. Forrest married, November 27, 1900, Bridget E. Dunn, daughter of John and Catherine (Green) Dunn. Their children: Charles H., Grace M., and Mabel.
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WALTER H. LYONS-A representative Ran- dolph citizen in all that pertains to the progress of this township's activities, and one who by word and action has aided the general advancement of the com- munity, Walter H. Lyons has held office to the satis- faction of his constituency, and has led in matters industrial and civic. He is a son of John W. Lyons, who engaged in the shoe industry in Randolph, and Elizabeth (Winnett) Lyons, now more than eighty- seven years of age.
Walter H. Lyons was born February 12, 1859, in Randolph, where he attended the public schools. With the exception of about two years, when he was em- ployed in Boston, Mr. Lyons has been an agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In 1916 he was appointed tax collector for the Town of Ran- dolph, and he has held that office to the present.
Fraternally, Mr. Lyons is affiliated with the Royal Arcanum, has been secretary of the local lodge since 1886, and he is a member of the local Camp, Sons of Veterans. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church.
Walter H. Lyons married, October 15, 1879, Isa- belle Salome Wales, of Braintree, who died in 1925, daughter of George and Isabelle E. (Moulton) Wales.
FRANKLIN PRINCE HIGGINS-One of the oldest undertaking establishments in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, is that which operates under the name of Smith and Higgins, located at Dedham. The junior partner of the original firm of Smith and Higgins was the late Franklin Prince Higgins, whose death occurred in 1925. Since that time the business has been continued under the old name by Frances A. Higgins, widow of the deceased.
Franklin Prince Higgins was born in Boston, Massachusetts, June 2, 1850, son of Jeremiah Fogg, a native of Dedham, Massachusetts, and of Mary A. (Snow) Higgins, a native of Nantucket, both now de- ceased. He attended the local public schools and after finishing his high school course secured employ- ment with the Amos Lawrence Company of Boston, with whom he was continuously connected for thir- teen years. He then became associated with his father-in-law, Timothy Smith, in the embalming and funeral directing business at Dedham, and later was made an equal partner in the business under the firm name of Smith and Higgins. The business was con- ducted under that name, in partnership until the death of Mr. Smith, and then by Mr. Higgins alone under the same name, until the death of Mr. Hig- gins, which occurred in 1925. Since that time the business has been ably conducted by Frances A. Hig- gins, widow of Franklin Prince Higgins, who is a daughter of Timothy Smith, founder of the business. Politically, Mr. Higgins was a Republican, and though he never either sought or desired public office he was a public-spirited citizen who was always ready to serve in private capacity. Fraternally, he was iden- tified with the Free and Accepted Masons and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he was a member of several of the local clubs. His religious interest was with the Baptist church, which he served as treasurer for many years. A man of skill and in- tegrity in his business relationships and of loyalty in his social relationships, the death of Mr. Higgins, in 1925, at the age of seventy-five years, was a dis- tinct loss to the community. He was very well
known and highly esteemed in this section of the State, as was also his father-in-law, Timothy Smith, and his loss will long be keenly felt by those with whom he was most closely associated.
Franklin Prince Higgins was married, October 21, 1873, to Frances A. Smith, of City Mills, Massachu- setts, daughter of Timothy, a native of Stoughton, Massachusetts, a member of an old family of that place, and of Emily (Hamilton) Smith, a native of North Scituate, Massachusetts, whose death occurred in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins had one son, Her- . bert F., who was born May 31, 1875, and who died in 1909. He was a member of the Masonic Order and was associated with his father in business.
ERNEST B. SOUTHWORTH-For nearly two decades Ernest B. Southworth has been associated with the George E. Belcher Company, of Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, a concern which manufactures shoe lasts, and of which he is now (1928) vice-president and general manager. Mr. Southworth has been identified with manufacturing interests throughout his active career, and has been prominent in local civic and social affairs in Stough- ton. He is a member of the Old Stoughton Musical Society, the oldest singing organization in America.
Ernest B. Southworth was born in Stoughton, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, April 18, 1872, son of Gurdon, a native of Stoughton, who was engaged as a mechanic until his death in 1912, and of Sarah B. (Staples) Southworth. He attended the local public schools and then further prepared for an ac- tive career by taking a course in the Bryant & Strat- ton Business College, in Boston. When he had com- pleted his commercial training he entered the em- ploy of the Stoughton Rubber Company, at the age of seventeen years, and after a time was made super- intendent of that concern, in which capacity he served until 1909. He then severed his connection with the Stoughton Rubber Company and became associated with the George E. Belcher Company, of Stoughton, manufacturers of shoe-lasts. The shoe- last business in Stoughton dates back to 1850, the first shoe-last factory built there being operated by Moses Linfield and Leonard Drake, in the building known as the old steam mill on Summer Street, a portion of the land on which it was built being oc- cupied now by the Stoughton Rubber Company. The old steam mill was burned to the ground, July 15, 1870, and never rebuilt. Meantime, on February 22, 1870, George Dale, a last-turner in the employ of Moses Linfield, associated himself with Mr. John G. Phinney, under the firm name of Phinney and Dale, established a last factory on the corner of Summer and Winter streets, in Stoughton, and en- gaged in the manufacture of shoe lasts. In 1871 Mr. Dale was replaced by George F. Walker, and the firm name became Walker and Phinney, under which style the business was continued until the death of Mr. Phinney, after which Mr. Walker continued the business under his own name until 1892. In that year, George E. Belcher purchased the business and, under the name of the George E. Belcher Com- pany, continued the business for more than thirty years. In 1893, about a year after the purchase of the business, Mr. Belcher purchased the Hill and Drake Boot Shop on Pleasant Street, and by means of a series of changes, additions, and remodelings, completed the present adequate set of buildings, the
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last group of which was built in 1912. The business grew and prospered, ach.eving name and fame and extending its market to a scope which is international, and finally, on April 1, 1924, Mr. Belcher incorpor- ated his four business enterprises, namely, the Bel- cher Last Block Fastener, the Belcher Shoe Stretcher, the Apex Fibre Forms for Shoes, and the manufacture of men's boys', women's, and misses' and children's shoe lasts, into one unit under the name of the George E. Belcher Company. The con- cern has grown to proportions which require the services of about one hundred and twenty-five em- ployees, and occupies four floors. The death of George E. Belcher in August, 1924, only about four months after the consolidation of his interests, neces- sitated changes in the official personnel, and at the present time (1928), the officers of the company are as follows: J. Howard Leman, president: Ernest B. Southworth, vice-president: G. H. Belcher, treas- urer; and S. A. Upham, assistant treasurer. In addi- tion to the cares of his official connection with the George E. Belcher Company, of which he is also general manager, Mr. Southworth is interested in the Co-operative Bank of Stoughton, and he is also chairman of the Board of Registration, in which capa- city he has served since 1898. Fraternally, he is iden- tified with Rising Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was Master, 1908-1909, and was elected Treasurer in 1912. He is a Past High Priest of Mt. Zion Chapter Royal Arch Masons, and its Treasurer since 1915, and a member of Brockton Council, and Bay State Commandery, No. 38. He is a member of the Chicataubut Club, of the Boston Boot and Shoe Club, and has been very prominent in the Stoughton Musical Society, the oldest singing organization in America.
HERMAN W. FRENCH, one of the most promi- nent business men and bankers of Randolph, and a man who has long been associated with the Randolph Co-operative Bank, was born on June 17, 1883, in that community. Mr. French is a son of Royal and Jen- nette B. (Spear) French. Royal French, who was a native of Randolph, was connected with the shoe in- dustry, and died in 1897. Jennette B. (Spear) French, also a native of Randolph, is still (1928) enjoying good health in the ninetieth year of her age.
Herman W. French received his education in the public and high schools of the community in which he was born. Upon his graduation from high school, Mr. French studied civil engineering, and he followed that line of endeavor until the year 1913. At that time he gave up his profession as a civil engineer to establish himself in the insurance business in Ran- dolph. Mr. French handles general risks and fire and casualty insurance. He has carried on this work in which he has been so eminently successful up to the present time. In addition to this business, he also is treasurer and clerk of the Randolph Co-operative Bank. This institution was established in 1889 by a group of business men of Randolph, the first presi- dent being John B. Thayer. Mr. Thayer was later succeeded by Franklin W. Hayden. Now the total assets of this well-known institution amount to one million five hundred thousand dollars, the greatest part of which has been acquired since the year 1918. Mr. French is also vice-president of the Randolph Savings Bank.
Mr. French has ever found time in which to
serve the people of his community in civic affairs. A staunch supporter of the Republican party, it was upon this ticket that he formerly served as town clerk and treasurer of Randolph. During the period of the emergency created by the entry of the United States into the World War, Mr. French was particu- larly active, serving as local chairman of Liberty and Victory Loan drives instituted by the United States Treasury Department. He also provided sub- stantial aid to the various committees and boards formed for the support of the troops in France. He has been equally active in his social life, for he is a member of many local clubs and organizations.
Herman W. French married, in 1909, Libbie A. Anderson, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. French are the parents of two children, both of whom are daughters: 1. Grace, who was born on February 28, 1910. 2. Mildred, who was born on August 28, 1911. Mr. French and his family main- tain their residence in Randolph, in which community they attend the First Congregational Church, of which he is a member of the various boards.
IRVING LEO GIFFORD, D. D .- Educated for the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church in America and in Rome, Rev. Irving Leo Gifford. D. D., at present ministers to the parishioners of St. Pat- rick's Church, in Brockton.
He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, May 17, 1886, and received his early education there and later at Boston College, from which last-named institu- tion he was graduated in 1906 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He is a son of Gustavus C., and Frances A. (Doland) Gifford, the first-named hav- ing been a restaurateur. After his graduation from Boston College he attended the American College in Rome, Italy, from which he was graduated in 1911 with the ecclesiastical degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology.
GEORGE P. DOLE-A street railway and public transportation man, the route of whose successful career has been traced with the expanding history of public travel all along the eastern boundary of Mas- sachusetts, George P. Dole, for many years general superintendent of the New Bedford and Onset Street Railway Company, is one of the most familiar figures in transportation interests in the southeastern part of the State. He is a son of Eben S. Dole, a native of Newburyport, who died in 1918, and Fannie C. (Dearing) Dole, who was born in Newburyport, and died in 1914. Eben S. Dole, for many years super- intendent of a hat factory, was afterwards chief en- gineer of the Newburyport Fire Department; and, a Democrat in his political views, he was twice elected a member of the Massachusetts State Legislature. A veteran of the Civil War, he served as a corporal with the Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery.
George P. Dole was born March 13, 1870, in New- buryport, Essex County, where he attended the public schools. From the outset of his career, he has been engaged in street railway work. Entering the em- ploy of the Newburyport & Amesbury Horse Rail- road Company as conductor in 1891, he was later em- ployed as conductor on the Chelsea Division of the Lynn & Boston Street Railway Company, and on Division Two of the West End Street Railway Com- pany, of Boston. In that and other divisions of this company, Superintendent Dole was assigned to many
Herman W. Fruch
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positions of responsibility and trust, while serving as a conductor. He entered the employ of the James F. Shaw Company, of Boston, as assistant superin- tendent, in 1897, his duties requiring the supervision of organizing, equipping and putting into operation of the various trolley lines that were then in course of construction by that company; and he also served in a like capacity with the following-named companies: Brockton, Bridgewater & Taunton; Brockton & East Bridgewater; Bridgewater, Whitman and Rockland; Providence & Taunton; and as superintendent of the Providence & Fall River Street Railway Company.
It was in May, 1906, that Mr. Dole entered the em- ploy of the New Bedford & Onset Street Railway Company as general superintendent of the road, and continued until the dissolution of the company, Oc- tober 1, 1927. At that time Mr. Dole took over busses and rights that that company had, and obtained such other rights as were necessary to continue the bus operation. He then obtained more busses to replace the service that had been discontinued by the trolley cars. Mr. Dole is carrying on this business as an individual under the name of Gateway Bus Line, operating in the following towns: Mattapoisett, Mar- ion, Wareham, Bourne, Rochester, and Middleboro. Working in conjunction with the Union Street Rail- way Company of New Bedford, he is performing a thorough service between New Bedford and the towns above mentioned. Mr. Dole has established headquarters of the Bus line at Wareham, and is at present using the same offices that were formerly used by him when with the Street Railway Company.
A Republican in his political convictions, although he has not sought public office, Mr. Dole is much interested in the municipal welfare and progress. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Washington Lodge, No. 3, Free and Accepted Masons, of Warren, Rhode Island; Royal Arch Chapter of Masons at Fall River; the Chapter at Wareham; De Bouillon Commandery, Knights Templar, at Fall River; and Agawam Chap- ter, Order of the Eastern Star, at Wareham. He attends the Protestant Episcopal church.
George P. Dole married, in 1889, Lizzie R. Hicken, who was born in Newburyport. Their children: Mildred I., deceased; Theodore R., deceased.
HORACE MANLEY CROSBY-One of the most notable points of interest of the town of Osterville, Massachusetts, is its boat building yards, and among those who have been active in this line of endeavor for many years is Horace Manley Crosby. He has a natural aptitude for designing and building of boats of all kinds. Now, on the shore of West Bay at Osterville, where the memories of fisherfolk of the early Colonial days are still recalled by the ebbing and flowing tides, this son of Massachusetts con- tinues to build boats for use and for pleasure, the reputation of these "Crosby" boats having gone far and wide.
Horace Manley Crosby was born at Osterville, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, January 25, 1871, the son of Horace Stoughton and Lucy Ann (Backus) Crosby. His father. Horace S. Crosby was skilled in the trade of a wheelwright, and in the olden days when wagons were in more general use, his services were much in demand. He followed this trade for many years, until 1860, when he went into the boat building business in partnership with his brother, Worthington Crosby. This contact formed the
foundation of the present Crosby Yacht Building and Storage Company, which has continued to the pres- ent day in the Crosby family, and which enjoys the enviable reputation of being one of the largest boat manufacturing enterprises on Cape Cod.
Horace Manley Crosby received his education in the local public schools, and grew up in close con- tact and with a natural bent for designing and build- ing boats. Under the guidance of his able father he became so familiar with the manner of boat con- struction that when but a lad of sixteen years he built his first boat. Into the business established by his father and uncle nearly half a century ago, Mr. Crosby has brought new ideas and modern methods, until it is now one of the largest boat manufacturing enterprises on Cape Cod, having been in continuous operation for the longest time. The firm build Cape Cod cat boats, knockabouts, yawls, launches and dif- ferent kinds of pleasure boats, and they also have ample storage room for one hundred and fifty boats, taking care of and storing boats for people during the winter months. They also have a marine rail- way which greatly facilitates the handling of the boats. Mr. Crosby has grown up with the company until now he is the designer and superintendent of the Crosby Yacht Building and Storage Company of Osterville, and under his able supervision and man- agement the firm has enjoyed increasing volume of business and expanding marketing and distribution of their boats, attaining a position of potent force in the trade. They have built nearly seventy Wianno knockabouts for the Wianno Yacht Club since 1914, all of which have been designed by Mr. Crosby. The business is held as a partnership in the family, Mr. Crosby's four sons now being connected with the firm in official capacities.
While Mr. Crosby's interests have naturally cen- tered in his profession, he has always taken a great interest in music. He is a skilled cornetist and led the Osterville School Band from the age of fifteen until it was disbanded in 1913. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Osterville Yacht Club.
Horace Manley Crosby married, in Osterville, June 1, 1892, Velina Parker Ames, daughter of Bradford and Isadore (Parker) Ames. Mr. and Mrs. Crosby are the parents of five children: 1. Malcolm, who served with the Engineer Corps, Yankee Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France, and who is now associated with his father as president of the Crosby Yacht Building and Storage Company. 2. Carroll Parker, who also served with the Engineer Corps, Yankee Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France, being gassed while in action; he now serves as vice-president of the Crosby Yacht Building and Storage Company. 3. Alma Lucille, married Law- rence Gile of Pembroke, New Hampshire. 4. Wilton Bradford, now treasurer of the Crosby Yacht Build- ing and Storage Company. 5. Horace Manley, Jr., now employed in the plant.
JONATHAN ELDREDGE-Prominent in
the civic affairs of the Cape is Jonathan Eldredge, who has been Deputy Sheriff for the past twenty years and has held many other political offices, in addition to which, he is one of the leading business men of the vicinity. Mr. Eldredge, in his early life, followed the fishing industry for many years, later engaging in cranberry growing. With his son, he was one
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of the founders of the Acme Laundry, which organ- ization he serves as president.
Mr. Eldredge was born in Harwich, Massachu- setts, December 2, 1855, son of William Wickson Eldredge of Harwich and Dorcas (Young) Eldredge of Dennis. William Wickson Eldredge spent the early years of his life as a fisherman, but later engaged in farming, which he followed the rest of his life.
Jonathan Eldredge received his education in the Harwich public schools, and at the age of fourteen, engaged in mackerel fishing, having his own boat. He continued in the life of the sea for almost thirty years, and then giving up 'the fishing business, started raising cranberries in Chatham and Harwich, carrying on this business successfully for thirty years. About twenty years ago, Mr. Eldredge was appointed Deputy Sheriff and he continues to exercise the duties of his office for the best interests of the community. At the present time he confines his activities to his legal duties and to his position as president of the laundry business in which he is associated with his son, Leo Vernon Eldredge. The Acme Laundry is one of the most progressive in the State, and the larg- est on the Cape east of Brockton. Mr. Eldredge is an important factor in the financial life of the vicinity, being a trustee of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank of Harwich, and in the promotion of civic wel- fare and improvement, he has always been an en- thusiastic worker. In politics, Mr. Eldredge is a member of the Republican party, and served as con- stable for many years, also as road commissioner. He has been a member of many town committees as well as holding various county offices, all of which he filled efficiently, winning the approval and acclaim of his fellow-citizens. In fraternal circles, he is a member of Saint Martin's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is Past Master; a member and Past Worthy Patron of the Pleiades Chapter, No. 90, of the Order of the Eastern Star; a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Orleans Fra- ternal Lodge. He takes an active part as member of the Board of Trade, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Deputy Sheriff Association of Massachusetts. He attends the Universalist church.
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