USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 44
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 44
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 44
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which was received with enthusiasm. Mr. Emery is a member of the local lodges of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and likewise is affiliated with the Commercial Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Press Club. In the politics of the times he is Republican.
Mr. Emery married, in 1892, Clara M. Lincoln, the daughter of George A. and Helen (Livingston) Lin- coln of North Bridgewater, Massachusetts. They live in Brockton and have the following children: 1. Helen O. 2. Ruth L. 3. Elsie L., married Claude Woodward.
HARRY R. TALBOT-In the practice of his pro- fession as an attorney-at-law, Harry R. Talbot has established his repute in this county for his abilities as a pleader and a general legal adviser, and with his offices in Plymouth he is well known and widely sought in practice. As the head of his own insurance agency and its increasing interests, he has won that degree of leadership that is dependent upon sterling capabilities in that field, and popular and business- like worth. He is a son of Richmond Talbot, who was born in Norwell, and entered upon salesmanship and the confectionery business, and Frances (Ford) Talbot, also a native of Norwell.
Harry R. Talbot was born May 13, 1884, in Plym- outh, where he attended the public schools and was graduated at the high school with the class of 1902. Taking the liberal arts course at Boston University, he was graduated there in 1906 with the degree Bachelor of Arts; and preparing for his profession at the Law School of his alma mater, he was graduated there in 1909 with his degree Bachelor of Laws.
Mr. Talbot began the practice of law in Boston, where he was associated with the office of Morse & Friedman for two years; and in 1911 he came to Plymouth, where he continues in the successful prac- tice of his profession. At first, Mr. Talbot took a half interest in the firm of Stoddard & Talbot, in- surance brokers, and a few years later, upon the death of Mr. Stoddard, he took over the entire business that at the present time is accounted one of the largest insurance agencies in Southeastern Mas- sachusetts.
Politically affiliated with the activities of the Den- ocratic party, he served as a member of Constitutional conventions, and for several years was a member of the Plymouth Board of Health. He is a member of the board of directors of the Plymouth Co-operative Bank, and a trustee of the Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank.
During the World War, Mr. Talbot was a member of the Legal Advisory Board for Plymouth. He is a member of the Plymouth County Bar Association, and, fraternally, he is affiliated with Mayflower Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Sagamore Encampment. Old Colony Club, and the Chamber of Commerce. He attends the Unitarian church.
Harry R. Talbot married, December 19, 1911, Grace Whiting. Their children: Frances, and Richmond W.
JAMES W. HURLEY, prominent in the civic and commercial worlds of Wareham, Massachusetts, one of the oldest coal dealers, in point of establishment, in that community, was born there, November 27, 1849. He is a son of James and Alice J. (O'Brien) Hurley, both now deceased. James Hurley was born in Ireland, but came to this country while he was a young man, and settling near Wareham, he carried
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on his trade as an iron worker. Alice J. (O'Brien) Hurley was also born in Ireland.
James W. Hurley received his education in the public schools of the community in which he was born, and then entered the employ of the Tremont Nail Company, of Wareham, as a stevedore, a position which he retained for more than forty years. His work, in particular, was the receiving of all the coal used by this large concern, checking it in at the tide-water line, and unloading it from the barges in which it arrived. In this manner, Mr. Hurley learned about all there was to know about the coal business. Therefore, in 1906, when he resigned his position with the Tremont Nail Company, he was well fitted to carry on a thriving coal business of his own, which he has since done with marked success. In his polit- ical preferences, he is strongly inclined toward the Republican party; and as such, he was elected to the office of constable for the township of Wareham, a post which he has filled with ability and dispatch for more than thirty-five years. He has also been deputy sheriff for an even longer period, having been elected to this position in 1883, and has served ever since. Mr. Hurley is a member of the Lotus Club.
James W. Hurley married (first), in 1872, Ellen G. Fraher, born in East Weymouth, Massachusetts. To this union three children were born: 1. Emma F., married Francis P. Walsh, of Wareham. 2. Ellen G., married Henry T. Buffington, of Wareham. 3. Alice J., married Edward L. Bartholomew, of Ware- ham. Mrs. Ellen G. (Fraher) Hurley, mother of the foregoing children, died, and Mr. Hurley married (second) Emily V. Bump, who was born in Middle- boro, Massachusetts. By this union there was one child, Harold W. Huriey, of whom further.
Harold W. Hurley was born on October 3, 1893, at Wareham, Massachusetts. His early education was received in the public and high schools of the com- munity in which he was born, and he later attended the University of Maine where, for two semesters, he pursued the regular academic course. Making up his mind to be a professional man, he changed to the School of Law in the same university, completing this training and graduating with the class of 1917, when he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. About the time that Mr. Hurley completed his train- ing, the United States entered the World War, and he at once offered his services to the government. He was assigned to duty in the United States Army, in which he served until 1919, when he was honorably discharged. He then entered business, continuing thus for two years. In 1922, he was appointed by the government to the office of Clerk of Fourth Dis- trict Courts for Plymouth County, a position which he still retains. In the spring of that year, Mr. Hurley enlarged his commercial activities to include the real estate and insurance business; and he now has offices at No. 255 Main Street, in Wareham.
The details of Harold W. Hurley's service in the United States Army follow: Enlisting in April, 1917, he was assigned to duty with the United States Infantry. In May, 1917, he was ordered to the Of- ficers' Training Camp at Plattsburg, New York, where he remained until August, 1917, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant, Quartermaster Corps, United States Army; after which he was or- dered overseas in November, 1917, to become a part of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, where he remained for eighteen months. He was later transferred to the Motor Transport Division of
the 110th Supply Train of the 35th Division; and he saw active service in the battle of St. Mihiel; the Meuse-Argonne; and was severely gassed in the latter action. Returning to this country, he was hon- orably discharged in May, 1919, with the rank of second lieutenant. Mr. Hurley is a member of the American Legion, having served as the first com- mander of Wareham Post, No. 220. He is also affil- iated with Plymouth Lodge, No. 1496, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is an active member of the Lotus Club. Mr. Hurley is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
Harold W. Hurley married, in 1924, Dorothy S. Handy, who was born in Wareham. Mr. and Mrs. Hurley reside in Wareham; as do his parents.
GEORGE A. PHILBROOK-Throughout his ac- tive career to the present time (1928), George A. Philbrook has been identified with the electrical business, and since 1894 he has been identified with the town of Middleboro in this field, serving in charge of the electric light station of the town, later as superintendent of the gas and electric, light plant, and finally as general manager. His office is in the Town Hall, at Middleboro, and he is giving to the residents of this town service that is winning him the warm commendation of his community.
George A. Philbrook was born in Woburn, Massa- chusetts, April 3, 1870, son of William H. Philbrook, who was born in Saco, Maine, and was engaged as as a machinist and stationary engineer to the time of his death in 1888, and of Mary J. (Wentworth) Philbrook, who was born in Canada and is now, de- ceased. He received his education in the public schools of Lyn11, Massachusetts, and then entered the employ of the Thomson-Houston Company of Lynn, an electrical concern which was later taken over by the General Electric Company. He maintained that association for two years and then went to Providence, Rhode Island, where for one year he was employed by the Narragansett Electric Light Company. He returned to Lynn, and entered the employ of the General Electric Company with whom he remained for eight years. In 1894 he came to Mid- dleboro and took charge of the electric light station of this place. Five years later, in 1899, he was made superintendent of the gas and electric light plant, and in 1902 he was made general manager. His lifelong association with the business and his long term of service in the town of Middleboro have enabled him to provide expert service, and this is fully appreciated by those whom he serves. Politically, Mr. Philbrook gives his support to the principles and candidates of the Republican party, and he has been actively in- terested in the general welfare of the community from the beginning of his residence here. He has served as deputy chief of the Middleboro Fire De- partment since 1914; superintendent of fire alarm system since 1908, and has been a generous supporter of all civic movements which have promised improve- ment for the town. Fraternally he is identified with Mayflower Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; with Old Colony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; also Sut- ton Chapter, of Lynn, Massachusetts; Brockton Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bay State Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Brockton; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Middleboro Lodge, No. 1274, Benevolent and
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Protective Order of Elks; the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a member of the Middleboro Con- mercial Club, and of the Middleboro Fish and Game Club, and his religious interest is with the Central Congregational Church, which he has served as a member of the Standing Committee and the Music Committee.
George A. Philbrook was married, in 1891, to Mer- tise S. Pray, who was born in Lakeport, New Hamp- shire, and they are the parents of one daughter, Mertie E. The family home is at No. 114 South Main Street, Middleboro.
BENJAMIN SEARS-Proprietor of the largest de- partment store in Hyannis, Barnstable County, Ben- jamin Sears is an important figure in the business world as well as in the community life of that sec- tion of the State. Descendant of one of the promi- nent pioneers of Colonial days, Mr. Sears is of old New England ancestry and has brought to his busi- ness dealings the strength of character and upright- ness which characterized those early settlers. He is an active member of many of the local fraternal, civic and social organizations and is always active in all projects for the advancement and progress of Barnstable County.
The first member of the family of whom there is a record in this country was Richard Sears, who came to this country from England in 1630, and as- sisted in founding Yarmouth in 1639. The Sears were prominent in Barnstable County throughout the generations to the present day, taking a leading and active part in all matters affecting the community. Benjamin Sears was born in Harwich, July 3, 1875, the son of Simeon K. and Clara A. (Ellis) Sears. The father of Mr. Sears was a prominent merchant of Harwich who, on April 27, 1905, removed to Hy- annis, where he established a general mercantile business which speedily developed into the big department store now operated by his son, who has been owner and in sole control of the business since May, 1914.
The early education of Mr. Sears was received in the public schools of his home town, after which he took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business Col- lege, in Boston. When he had completed the busi- ness course he entered his father's establishment at Harwichport and after a short experience in that store he went with the H. W. Robinson Company, at Brockton, where he had charge of several of the departments. When his father located in Hyannis, Mr. Sears gave up his Brockton position and asso- ciated himself with the new store, subsequently, as stated, taking over the business in 1914.
A staunch Republican in political beliefs, Mr. Sears takes no active part in party affairs. He is an active member of Fraternal Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, Hyannis, and of Orient Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of Hyannis Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He belongs to the local Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trade, and the Rotary Club. With his family, Mr. Sears worships at the Federated Church, Hyannis.
On August 17, 1898, Mr. Sears married, at Harwich, Sarah Ethel Jordan, the daughter of Jahiel Jordan, a prominent resident of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Sears are the parents of two children, as follows: 1. Phoebe E., born May 22, 1905. 2. Kendrick, born February 11, 1909.
WILSON SCOTT SCUDDER-Few more widely known names are associated with the coal business in Plymouth and Barnstable counties than that of the firm of Scudder Brothers, of which Wilson Scott Scudder, of Middleboro, is the president, his associa- tion with the prosperous history and various additions and mergings of the company being inclusive of his entire business career. Mr. Scudder is identified with every movement for the progress of township and county, and his interest in the advancement of the mercantile and the general social life of Middleboro is that of public-spirited citizenship.
Wilson Scott Scudder, a son of Walter Scott Scud- der, who was born in Osterville, and engaged in the retail coal business all his life, and Mary (Crosby) Scudder, a native of Centreville, was born in Oster- ville, Barnstable County, December 28, 1897, where he attended the public schools. He began his busi- ness career in his father's employ in the coal retail- ing activities at Osterville, and so continued for three years, and during the following two years he was active in automobile interests, for a year or so at Sandwich, and the next year as a draftsman for the Keith Car Company, at Sandwich.
In 1919, Mr. Scudder became associated with his brother, Stuart Franklin Scudder, in the retail coal business at Osterville under the name Scudder, buy- ing out the interests their father had established. In 1920, this firm purchased, successively, the coal yard owned by Frank P. Hellett, and the H. B. Chase Coal Company, both of Hyannis, and the same year they became proprietors of the B. W. Dortridge Coal Company, of Cotuit; all of the yards in Barnstable County having the coal transported by means of their own barges from New York and New Bedford.
Įn 1921, this company established a cash coal busi- ness in Brockton; and in 1922 they bought out the Osterville Ice Company, and took over the agency for the Federal Truck, for the town of Osterville. In 1923, the firm came to Middleboro and established another coal yard, the main office still being retained at Osterville, in Barnstable County. With the in- corporation of the business under the name of Scud- der Brothers Coal Company, in 1924, another coal yard was opened at Plymouth, and the company bought out the Independent Coal Company, though a short time afterwards they disposed of this business to the Green & Wood Lumber Company, of New Bedford. It was at about this time, too, that both the Hyannis yards were transferred to another brother, Frederick F. Scudder. In 1925, the firm bought out the People's Coal Company, of Taunton, in Bristol County, which was later sold to the Staples Coal Company, and the same year they came into possession of the Franconia Coal Company, of Ware- ham, that was later leased to Charles Smalley.
Fraternally, Mr. Scudder is affiliated with Mariners Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Cotuit; Old Colony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Middleboro Lodge, No. 1274, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and his clubs are: Middleboro Commercial, Middleboro Driving, Cummaquid Golf, Middleboro Fish and Game, Middleboro Agricultural Society. In politics Mr. Scudder is a Republican; and he at- tends the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is in- terested in horses, being a member of the Racing Association.
Wilson Scott Scudder married, April 14, 1920, Mil- dred Fisher, who was born in Cotuit. Their children: Edson F., Roger C., and Marylin.
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MYRON L. HINCKLEY, prominent optometrist and jeweler of Middleboro, Massachusetts, and a man who has long been active in the commercial life of this community, was born April 21, 1881, at Hyannis, Barnstable County. He is a son of Gilbert Leslie and Laura Lovell (Linnell) Hinckley; and a dircct descendant of the Hinckleys who settled in Barnstable in 1600. Gilbert Leslie Hinckley, born in Hyannis, Massachusetts, is a painter and paperhanger by trade. Laura Lovell (Linnell) Hinckley also was born in Hyannis; she died in 1913.
Myron L. Hinckley received his early education in the public schools of the community in which he was born, and attended Hyannis High School, from which he graduated with the class of 1899. Upon the completion of these courses of study, Mr. Hinckley associated himself as an apprentice to F. M. Weber, watchmaker and jeweler. It was here that Mr. Hinckley gained a knowledge of this work, remaining in Mr. Weber's employ for nine and a half years, counting the part-time work he put in prior to his graduation from high school. During the year 1903 Mr. Hinckley removed to Middleboro, Massachu- setts, where he became a member of the staff of the jewelry and optometrical store owned and operated by Edward F. Tinkham, a concern with whom Mr. Hinckley remained for more than ten years. It was just about this time that Mr. Hinckley obtained a private course of education in optometry, and in June, 1914, he became a registered optometrist. In the early part of the following year, 1915, he went into business for himself, opening a well-equipped estab- lishment at No. 51 Centre Street, in Middleboro. Such has been the success with which this venture has met that Mr. Hinckley has remained at this ad- dress up until the date of the writing of this bio- graphical history.
Mr. Hinckley has been quite active in the civic and community life of the township in which he resides; and in his political preferences he is inclined toward the Republican Party. He has also played a promi- nent part in the commercial welfare of his township, for he holds active membership on the board of direc- tors of the Middleboro Commercial Club; he is secre- tary of the Merchants' Committee; and he also is a member of the American National Retail Jewelers' Association, and the Massachusetts Society of Op- tometrists. It is a point of interest that he is also a member of the Musicians' Union of Brockton, Mas- sachusetts. Mr. Hinckley has been prominent in club and social life; he is affiliated with Mayflower Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is at present Junior Warden; and with Old Colony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is also affiliated with Shedad Grotto, of Brockton; and he is one of the contributing members of the Hannah Shaw Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
Myron L. Hinckley married, in 1905, Lilla Florence Gray, born in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley are the parents of three children: Richard Gray, Vivian, and Leslie M. Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley and their family reside at No. 17 Benton Street, Middleboro, in which township they attend the First Unitarian Church, of which Mr. Hinckley is clerk, and also a member of the parish committee.
EZRA F. SHAW-Continuing with great success to meet the present-day demand for the excellent grade of varnishes manufactured by the George H.
Shaw Company, at East Grove Street, in Middleboro, Ezra F. Shaw, the president of that company, ex- panding the interests of the business established and for a half century conducted by his father, has an acknowledged place among the leaders in that in- dustry in the country. He is a dircct descendant of George Shaw, an early scttler of Carver, and member of a family long established in the southeastern sec- tion of the State.
George H. Shaw, father of Ezra F. Shaw, was born March 9, 1831, in Middleboro, son of George and Lydia (Washburn) Shaw, and he was engaged in the manufacture of varnish and japan for more than fifty years, retiring from active business in 1918. Be- sides his business repute, Mr. Shaw was well-known throughout New England in connection with his earnestness and influence in evangelistic work. Dwight L. Moody, the famous evangelist, whom he closely resembled, was a personal friend, and on many occasions the two men worked together in the field of evangelism. Mr. Shaw served for years as a member of the board of trustees of the Moody Schools at Northfield, was associated in religious work with Henry M. Moore and S. M. Sayford, was a charter member of the New England Evangelistic Association, and for years served as a member of its board of directors. His religious activities had great weight locally, as well. He was the first president of the Young Men's Christian Association, having been prominent in its organization, and he was of foremost influence in the State Association, having served as a member of the State Committee fron 1873 to 1877; and he was chosen president of the 12th State Convention that was held in Worcester in 1878. Mr. Shaw was a member of the Central Con- gregational Church, in Middleboro, and was the oldest member, both as to age and length of membership. He was moderator of the Plymouth County Neigh- borhood Convention, almost from the date of its . institution, and he had rarely missed attendance at a session. As honorary member of Post No. 8, Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Shaw, who had been a Staff Cavalry captain, with headquarters at New Bed- ford, during the Civil War, was deeply interested in the welfare of the veterans, and a frequent attendant at their anniversary gatherings. He died in 1922, having lived a most useful life, highly valued in all his loved associations, religious, social, and business.
George H. Shaw married, June 11, 1854, Anna Elizabeth Marble, of Fall River, their happy married life continuing unbroken for sixty-eight years. They had six children: Mrs. Richard T. Supple; Mrs. Alton E. Briggs; Mrs. Josephine Perkins; Mrs. Ida B. White; Mrs. Alfred Elliott; and Ezra F., of whom further.
Ezra F. Shaw was born August 13, 1858, at Middle- boro, where he attended the public schools, and was graduated at old Peirce Academy, and he then be- came associated with his father in the business of varnish manufacturing. The George H. Shaw Com- pany was started in 1858 by George H. Shaw, for the manufacture of varnishes and driers, the founder of the business at that time making up a kettle of japan drier, and with his horse and wagon journeying to the Cape townships, where he disposed of his product. He was alone in the business until 1910, when his company was incorporated, with George H. Shaw as president and general manager; Ezra F. Shaw, vice-president; Louis F. Harding, treasurer. In 1922, upon the death of George H. Shaw, his son,
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Ezra F., became president of this company, and Mr. Harding continued as treasurer. The concern, the largest manufacturer of driers and varnishes in South- eastern Massachusetts, was first located on Water Street, near the old shovel works. After a short period in that location, the business was burned out, and removal was made to West Street; but three years later, the plant was again burned, and the business reestablished, this time, as at present, at East Grove Street.
A Republican in his political convictions, Mr. Shaw holds no public office, but is active in the develop- ment of the civic interests of this community. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with Middleboro Lodge, No. 1274, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and he is a member of the Middleboro Commercial Club. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church.
Ezra F. Shaw married (first), December 2, 1885, Mabel Schocker, now deceased, a native of Lake- ville; he married (second), February 11, 1925, Gertrude A. Ball, of Medford. The children, by the first mar- riage: 1. Gordon A. 2. George R., served thirteen months with the 66th Engineers, as sergeant, now a member of George H. Shaw Company. 3. Merrill A. 4. Howard S., served in the United States Army during the World War.
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