USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 64
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 64
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 64
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Mr. Stretton worked in Germantown, which is now part of the city of Philadelphia, until 1866, when he removed to Massachusetts and located in the town of Canton. All this time he was working with the idea of starting a small factory of his own. In 1869 he moved to Ponkapoag, a small village of Canton, and with his two sons, John and Thomas, started business with three hand frames in part of his house, making cardigan jackets and fancy knit goods. They were all knit by hand and given out to the farmers' wives and daughters to seam and make up. In 1891, Mr. Charles Stretton retired, and his two sons put in power ma- chinery to manufacture underwear.
In 1893 they moved to Stoughton. Messrs. Russ, Eveleth and Ingalls, of Boston, sold and controlled all Stretton prod- ucts under the name "Stag Head" until 1905, when we commenced to sell direct to the retailer under the trade mark of "Stretton."
In the fall of 1907 Mr. John Stretton passed away, and one year later Mr. Charles Stretton died at the age of eighty- five years, thus leaving Mr. Thomas Stretton the only sur- viving member of the old firm. In January, 1909, the main factory was destroyed by fire. Mr. Stretton had plans and specifications drawn up for a much larger aud more modern mill. Work was immediately commenced on these buildings, which were built and installed with the most expensive and up-to-date machinery, run entirely by electricity, generated by the latest pattern Curtiss turbine and generator, which furnishes power, light and heat.
A close corporation was formed under the laws of Mas- sachusetts, with Mr. Thomas Stretton as president and treasurer and Mr. Charles W. Jones as assistant treasurer and manager. Mr. Jones is a grandson of the late Charles Stret- ton, and started with the firm when a boy, working his way up through the different stages to his present position, thus making three generations of the family who have devoted their whole lives to this business.
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Mr. Jones is a member of the Republican party and of the Universalist church. He has never joined clubs or fraternal orders, desiring to give all his spare time to his business. His constant application to duty has won him the undying respect and admir- ation of a wide circle of friends, taken with his char- ities and attention to civic movements for the good of the community.
Mr. Jones married, in 1901, M. Emily Snowden, of New Brunswick, Canada, daughter of William and Mary (Mckenzie) Snowden, and a representative of a family of standing and achievement in the progress- ive province across the border.
HOWARD BOYDEN CAPEN - Although a young man, Howard Boyden Capen has been very active in local public affairs in Canton, Massachusetts, and at the present time (1928) is serving as deputy- sheriff of Norfolk County and as town treasurer of Canton. Mr. Capen is a native of Canton, and the greater part of his mature years, as well as those of his youth, have been spent in this community.
Howard Boyden Capen was born in Canton, Oc- tober 15, 1895, son of Oscar D. Capen, of Canton, who was engaged as a salesman for a number ;of years, and who was also deputy-sheriff of Norfolk County to the time of his death, which occurred in 1923, and of Abbie (Lewis) Capen. He attended the local public schools and after leaving high school was a student for a time in the Massachusetts Agri- cultural College. Later he entered the employ of the Plymouth Rubber Company of Canton, and after severing that connection was employed by the Kid- der-Peabody Company. Still later he was associated with the George E. Keith Company, of Brockton. In 1923, after the death of his father, he succeeded the latter as deputy-sheriff of Norfolk County, and two years later, in 1925, he was made town treasurer of Canton, succeeding Thomas D. Mullin. Both of these public offices he is still filling with credit to himself and with satisfaction to those whom he serves. Mr. Capen is a member of the board of di- rectors of the Canton Co-operative Bank, and is known as an able and enterprising business man, as well as an efficient public official. He is a member of Chi Alpha College Fraternity, and is also identified with Blue Hill Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and with the Rebekahs. He is a member of the Canton Fish and Game Club, of Wampatuck Country Club, and of the Layman's League, of Canton, and his religious membership is with the Unitarian church.
Howard Boyden Capen was married, in 1923, to Helen S. MacPherson, of Canton, daughter of James E. and Laura (Shepard) MacPherson. Mr. and Mrs. Capen are the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth, who was born August 11, 1925.
CHARLES H. FRENCH-Throughout his active career Charles H. French has been identified with the firm of French and Ward, manufacturers of woolens, and since the death of his father, who founded the business, he has been the senior partner of the firm. The concern is well known to the trade and its prod- uct goes to all parts of the world where woolen goods are used. Mr. French is a Mason, and is well known in Canton and vicinity as a successful man and a public-spirited citizen.
His father, Charles Howe French, was a native of Canton, and one of the founders of the French &
Ward Company, which was established in 1858 by Mr. French and Henry Ward, under the firm name of French and Ward, for the purpose of engaging in the manufacture of woolen goods. The enterprise prospered and steadily grew, and has continued in the same location to the present time (1928), a period of nearly seventy years. As time passed, Mr. French's son, Charles H., Jr., became associated with his father in the business and eventually succeeded him. Charles H. French, Sr., was for many years the president of the Neponset National Bank, and he was also a colonel in the Fourth Regiment of the Massa- chusetts National Guard. He married Almira K. Everett, of Canton, who died in 1885.
Charles H. French, son of Charles Howe and Almira K. (Everett) French, was born in Canton, Massachusetts, April 17, 1848. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of his birthplace and in Bryant & Stratton Business School. Upon the com- pletion of his school training he became associated with the firm of French and Ward, and he has been associated with that business ever since. After the death of his father he became his successor in the business with Robert Ward, the son of Henry Ward of the original firm, and later, upon the death of Robert Ward his son, Holcombe Ward, became a partner in the firm with Charles H. and Malcolm B. French, which now continues under the manage- ment of the present partners. The enterprise, at the present writing, employs about two hundred people. Its products go to all parts of the world where there is a demand for first-class woolens, and the plant has grown to proportions which cover several acres of land. The growth has been gradual and healthy, and the firm of French and Ward has long been one of the standard manufacturers of woolens. Mr. French has succeeded his father as president of the Neponset National Bank, he being the president of this institution until it was sold. Politically, Mr. French gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and fraternally, he is affiliated with Blue Hill Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Mt. Zion Chapter of Stoughton; and Cyprus Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Unitarian church, in the work of which he takes an active part, and which he has served in various offices and which he now serves as a member of the board of trustees.
Charles H French was married, in 1871, to Teresa I. Noyes, of Canton, Massachusetts, daughter of Samuel B. and Georgianna (Beaumont) Noyes. Mr. and Mrs. French are the parents of three children: 1. Charles H., who is a graduate of Harvard Law School; is married, and has two sons and one daughter. 2. Malcolm B., who is associated with his father in business. 3. Norman B., a graduate of Har- vard College, degree of Bachelor of Arts; is married and has one daughter.
GEORGE H. LEACH-A member of an old New England family, and himself a native and life- long resident of Massachusetts, Mr. Leach has been connected throughout his entire business career, cov- ering over a quarter of a century, with one of the largest shoe manufacturing concerns in the world, the Geo. E. Keith Company, of Brockton, Plym- outh County. Having entered this concern as a young man in the capacity of clerk his industry gained him. from time to time, promotion to differ- ent positions of increasing importance and respon-
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sibility, until he became vice-president of the cor- poration, an office which he continues to hold. His position as an executive officer of one of the leading industrial establishments of the United States has also brought him into contact with other important financial interests. Naturally he is considered one of the leading citizens of Brockton, where, as in Boston, he is prominently active in fraternal, civic and social affairs.
George H. Leach was born at Malden, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, April 14, 1877, a son of the late George Henry and H. Elizabeth (Damon) Leach, the former, a druggist, deceased since 1888, the latter since 1893. He was educated in the public grammar and high schools and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which latter he left before graduation. At that time he entered the employ of the Geo. E. Keith Company, as a clerk. After having occupied various positions of increasing im- portance, he became secretary of the company in 1918, and, some years later, vice-president. The Geo. E. Keith Company manufactures the inter- nationally known Walk-Over shoes, is one of the five largest shoe manufacturing concerns in the United States and one of the most important industrial establishments of Brockton. Mr. Leach has made valuable contributions to its continuous growth and prosperity and is highly regarded in the shoe in- dustry as an able and progressive executive. He is also a director of the Brockton National Bank, the Morris Plan Bank and the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company of Boston. During the World War he took a very active part in all of the patriotic movements of that period, serving with efficiency and success as the chairman of practically every drive in Brockton. For many years he has been effectively active in con- nection with the affairs of the Brockton Hospital, of which he was president for seven years and which has greatly benefited by his unselfish interest and by his great executive ability. For many years he was a trustee of the Brockton Public Library. He is a member of St. George Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of various other bodies of the Masonic Order, including Aleppo Temple, of Boston, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Commercial Club, the Brockton Country Club, the University Club of Boston, and the Brockton Chamber of Commerce, of which he was vice-president for several years. In politics he is an Independent, while his religious affiliations are with the Congregational church, and more particu- larly with South Congregational Church, of Brock- ton, in the affairs of which he has taken an active and very helpful part for many years, serving as a teacher in its Sunday school for some twenty years.
Mr. Leach married, in 1910, Mary E. Porter, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a daughter of Clinton and Susan (Settle) Porter. Mr. and Mrs. Leach are the parents of three children: Richard P., Janet and and George H., Jr.
CHARLES ROBERT STOREY-Entering the specialty garment business in 1890, in association with his brother, J. A. Storey, of Loweil, Massachusetts, Charles Robert Storey has continued in this line and built up a business at Brockton, Massachusetts, in which he employs about fifty people.
Charles Robert Storey, son of John W. and Mar- garet (Trench) Storey, was born in 1865, at Rich- mond Hill, Province of Ontario, Canada. He was
educated at the local schools of Richmond Hill, and after finishing his schooling he entered the printing business and became foreman of the local newspaper plant where he served for about two years. He then moved to this country and began his business career at Lowell, Massachusetts, where he and his brother operated a specialty shop which was third of its kind in New England. In 1901, Charles Robert Storey established another store in Brockton, and in 1922 his company was incorporated as Storey and Com- pany. In 1926, Mr. Storey bought the outstanding stock and became the sole owner and in the same year he opened a branch store in Taunton, Massachu- setts. Mr. Storey has built up a good business which now serves a wide territory, and he is justly proud of it. During the Spanish-American War, Mr. Storey became a private in the Massachusetts Militia, and was selected by Captain Myles Standish as one of two men from Lowell to serve as a bayman on the hospital ship "Bay State." He is a charter member of the Rotary Club, a member of the Commercial Club, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Storey is a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, and in that order has gone into the higher ranks, being a Knights Templar and a member of the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order No- bles of the Mystic Shrine.
On June 19, 1901, Charles Robert Storey married Mae Edna Flannagan, of Lowell (q. v.).
MAE EDNA (FLANNAGAN) STOREY (Mrs. Charles R. Storey)-It is frequently said that some great work is due to the efforts and influence of some one man, but it is not so frequent to point with such pride to a woman who has shown such initiative and executive ability as Mrs. Mae Edna (Flannagan) Storey of Brockton, Massachusetts, to whom the city owes a debt of gratitude for the good music that is brought to this city every season through the Ten Times One Club, of which Mrs. Storey. is an execu- tive member and in the office of chairman of the committee which presents the concerts, has a re- sponsibility that can only be carried by one of her calibre.
The Ten Times One Club of the Unity Church was founded about twenty-five years ago, on the principles and ideals of Edward Everett Hale. It took its name from one of Hale's stories, entitled "Ten Times One is Ten," and adopted as its motto, the mottos in the story which are: "Look up not down," "Look forward not back," "Look out not in," "Lend a hand." Several years ago, Mrs. Storey made a suggestion to the board of directors of the club that the club present to the music lovers of Brockton artists of international fame and the best and most high class obtainable. The board members caught Mrs. Storey's splendid vision and immediately authorized her to put the plan into effect. No better choice could have been for one to carry out such an ideal, for Mrs. Storey spent much time, not in writing to, but in visiting New York City and talk- ing to the managers of the leading musical artists and arranging to bring to the city of Brockton such artists as are rarely heard outside the great metropol- itan cities throughout the world. Through Mrs. Storey's activity as chairman of the committee, whose members she was allowed to select, these concerts have been a remarkable success. This committee, composed of seventeen ladies who assist in the detail
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work, has been composed of the same members al- most since its beginning. The club has an enroll- ment of about three hundred members and all can point with pride to the work done by Mrs. Storey. Such artists as have been brought to Brockton through this means are: Amelita Galli-Curci; Frieda Hempel; Sigrid Onegin; Tito Schipa; Maria Jeritza; Elizabeth Rethberg; John McCormack; Marion Tal- ley; Jose Echaninary; Rosa Ponselle; Richard Crooks; Laurence Tibbetts; Albert Spalding, and others. In the inauguration of this work and carry- ing it on as she has done, Mrs. Storey has not only endeared herself to the citizens of Brockton, but has written her own record in the annals of the history of the city to which she has added so much for its cultural welfare.
Mae Edna Flannagan was born in Lowell, Mas- sachusetts, the daughter of Edward J. and Emma (Burroughs) Flannagan. She was educated in the public schools of Lowell, and in 1901 she was married to Charles Robert Storey, of Brockton, whose sketch precedes this.
HORACE RICHMOND, a member of the well- known firm of L. Richmond & Company, paints and painting contractors of Brockton, a descendant of one of the oldest and best-known families in the Twin Counties, and a substantial citizen in his own right, was born on August 18, 1860, at Brockton, and died December 31, 1927. He was a son of Lucius and Ann M. (Pool) Richmond, both of whom are now deceased. Lucius Richmond, the father, was the founder of the concern which his sons afterward owned and operated in Brockton.
Horace Richmond received his education in the grammar and high schools of the community in which he was born, and received his first business experience as a clerk in the Brockton National Bank. At the end of two years, he was well fitted to take his place as a member of the firm his father had established and had operated so successfully over a long period. This firm, L. Richmond & Company, is one of the oldest concerns dealing in paints and oils and doing painting contracting work in this part of the State.
Mr. Richmond ever found time in which to make a keen and active interest in the civic and community affairs of his township. He was known as a depend- able citizen, a man always counted upon to stand firmly behind any movement or plan designed for the welfare or general advancement of his community. In his political views he was a Republican, and as such served in various town and county offices of trust. He was a director of the Brockton Agricul- tural Society, and a member of the board of direc- tors of the Brockton Public Library for over thirty consecutive years, and chairman of this board for several years. He collected a large number of old photographs and drawings of Brockton and the im- mediate vicinity, and then presented this valuable collection to the Library as a means of preserving an authentic and intimate knowledge of the district in which he was born. Mr. Richmond was also ac- tive in his club and social life, for he not only held membership in the Brockton Chamber of Commerce, the Brockton Commercial Club, and was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Brockton, but he was also affiliated, fraternally, with Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Council, Royal and Select Masters; the
Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; the Commandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, holding the thirty-second degree in Masonry.
Horace Richmond married (first) Annie N. Thompson, and by this union there were two chil- dren: Edward A., and Alice Newell, who married C. R. Goodwin. Mr. Richmond married (second) Leila Delano; and by this marriage there were three children: Philip D., Robert M., and Barbara D. Of these children, the two elder sons, Edward A. Rich- mond and Philip D. Richmond, served during the World War. Edward A. Richmond achieved the rank of first lieutenant in the Aviation Section, Sani- tary Corps, United States Army, and he was com- pleting his final training for overseas service when the Armistice was signed. Philip D. Richmond served in the American Expeditionary Forces in France, remaining in the war zone for twenty-two months. He held the rank of first lieutenant during this period, and after the cessation of hostilities and his return to the United States, he was promoted to the rank of captain, United States Army Officers' Reserve Corps, and attached to the One Hundred and first Regiment of Field Artillery. Their service stands as an honorable chapter of family history.
EVERETT S. RUGGLES-Deviating from the line of work for which he originally had prepared, Everett S. Ruggies now holds a partnership in a shoe manufactory which, though still one of the younger enterprises, gives promise of becoming a leading in- dustry in that section in the years to come. Mr. Ruggles, by his connection with prominent manu- factories in that line, has acquired valuable experi- ence which has enabled him to reach the position he now occupies.
Everett S. Ruggles was born in Boston, Massachu- setts, July 23, 1882, and is the son of Henry R. and Arabella (Porter) Ruggles, both parents natives of Nova Scotia, the father a contractor and builder. The son was educated in the public and high schools, and after his school days were over, learned the trade of watchmaker and jeweler. Two years later he en- tered the office of the Regal Shoe Company of Bos- ton, in the capacity of clerk. After a time he accep- ted a position as road salesman for the firm of Field and Flint, shoe manufacturers of Brockton, Massachusetts, and remained with them for about thirteen years. In 1923, Mr. Ruggles, in partner- ship with Bruno E. Schwarz, established the firm of Schwarz-Ruggles Shoe Company, Incorporated, the former president and treasurer and Mr. Ruggles the secretary and clerk of the company. The plant is located in the Campello section and occupies a floor space of seventeen thousand square feet, and em- ploys one hundred and thirty people. They manu- facture men's medium grade shoes and the efficiency of their work is generally recognized throughout the business world, and the rapid development of their busines is evidence of the capable management of these enterprising executives. Mr. Ruggles is a member of Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also affiliated with the Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Stony Brae Country Club, and the Chamber of Commerce of Brockton. Politically, he holds to the Republican principles, and is a Congregationalist in religious belief.
Everett S. Ruggles married, in 1906, Edna B. My-
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ers, daughter of Edward and Frances (Clyde) Myers, and they are the parents of two children: Edward Everett, and Richard Porter.
ARTHUR IRWIN LOHEAD-The entire life of Arthur Irwin Lohead has been identified with Brock- ton, the town in which he was born. Immediately after completing his school course he became as- sociated with the Geo. E. Keith Company, of Brock- ton, and his connection with that concern has been continuous to the present time (1928). He is now a member of the board of directors of the company and merchandise manager of the retail stores.
Arthur Irwin Lohead was born in Brockton, August 25, 1886, son of William J. Lohead, who has charge of the advertising department of the Geo. E. Keith Company, and of Annie L. (Weymouth) Lohead. He received his education in the public schools of Brockton, and then, in 1904, he began his long connection with the Geo. E. Keith Com- pany, rising through various promotions to his pres- ent responsible position of merchandise manager of all the retail stores. He is also a member of the board of directors, and has been one of the helpful factors in the progress which the concern has made during the last few years. Politically, Mr. Lohead supports the Republican party. He is an active and interested member of the Brockton Chamber of Com- merce, also of the Commercial Club, and he finds recreation and pleasant associations through member- ship in the Brockton Country Club and the Walk Over Club. Fraternally, he is identified with the Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and his religious affiliation is with the Central Methodist Church.
Arthur Irwin Lohead was married, in Brockton, April 16, 1912, to Myrtle Gladys Jones, and they are the parents of five children: Kathryn, Richard W., Robert S., Bettina and Herbert B.
DANIEL W. FIELD-One of the best-known citizens of Brockton is Daniel W. Field, at one time president of six shoe companies, and also of the Montello Heel Company. He formerly had one of the largest jobbing houses of New York City or Boston, and is a large real estate holder. His bene- factions to the city of Brockton are numerous and valuable, and he has the honor of being one of the eight members of the visiting committee of Harvard College; also a trustee of Bryant & Stratton Col- lege.
Daniel W. Field was born in North Bridgewater, Massachusetts, February 18, 1856, son of William L. Field, a farmer, and of Mary Dennison (Holmes) Field. He attended the public schools of North Bridgewater, and then took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College of Boston. He always has been a student, deeply interested in nature, and after he was fifty years of age he attended Harvard College three years, where he pursued extensive studies relating to his interests as a naturalist. He also was a special student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, class of 1903. Meantime, however, when his course in the business college was completed, he served an apprenticeship of four years with D. S. Howard, who was engaged in shoe manufacturing. In 1879, when he was twenty-two years of age, he began the manufacture of shoes in a small way, starting with only seven men, and making thirty- six pairs of shoes a day. As the years passed he
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