USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 69
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 69
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 69
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George E. MacDuff was born on Prince Edward Island, June 4, 1877, son of Frank and Elizabeth (Proud) MacDuff, the first-mentioned of whom was for many years a shoe worker. Mr. MacDuff at- tended the public schools of his native district, and then came to the United States, where he found his first employment with the Faring Paper Company, of Brockton, Massachusetts, with whom he remained until 1905. He then became associated with the At- wood Paper Company as treasurer, and that official position he has continued to fill to the present time (1928). The concern is firmly established, well known to the paper trade, and numbered among the sub- stantial enterprises of Brockton. Politically, Mr. MacDuff gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is identified with Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Satucket Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Brockton Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Bay State Commandery, Knights Templar. He is an interested member of the Brockton Chamber of Commerce, and his club is the Kiwanis. His re- ligious affiliation is with the Central Methodist Church of Brockton. Mr. MacDuff has many friends in Brockton and vicinity, who hold him in high es- teem because of his sterling qualities of character.
George E. MacDuff was married, at New Bedford, Massachusetts, to Miriam Simpson, who was born in New Bedford, daughter of Orton and Sarah (Favour) Simpson. Mr. and Mrs. MacDuff are the parents of two children: Francis H., and Orton S.
FRED CLINTON RUDDY-Good printers con- sider their trade one of the highest callings in the calendar, containing as much potentiality for good through the dissemination of correct ideas or bar- gains for the people to buy. Benjamin Franklin, of Philadelphia, founder of "The Post Boy," which later became the "Saturday Evening Post," was of such lofty attainments that he deserved to be called am- bassador, minister, diplomat, statesman, editor or publisher, educator and patriot; yet he preferred (and he always so announced to his friends) to be called a printer, for it was in this art that he re- ceived his early training and of which he was the most proud. He was a printer first, last and all the time, nor would he allow the title to be dropped in favor of "inventor," because of his achievements in coaxing lightning out of the skies. Fred Clinton Ruddy, the well-known Stoughton printer and pub-
Charles N. Atwood
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lisher of the Stoughton "News-Sentinel," feels the same way about it, for he loves the art with a con- suming devotion. He meets the qualifications Ben Franklin laid down for printers-so what else need be said?
Fred Clinton Ruddy was born May 15, 1887, at Holyoke, Massachusetts, son of George Ruddy, well- known salesman, and of Ida Belle Ruddy, a woman of great strength of character and charm. He at- tended grammar and high schools of Springfield, and applied himself with faithfulness and energy to the extent of making a very creditable record. He made his choice between a college course and an early business career by entering one of the many enter- prises which are open to boys just leaving school. He entered the printing business which pointed di- rectly to his preference. When the World War broke out for the United States in 1917, he held him- self in readiness for such duty as he might best be fitted for, and in 1918 (being above the military age), he accepted an assignment to the Medical Unit of Camp Mills, where he rendered effective service until 1919, when he was discharged and returned home to find his life-work. In 1920 he started in the print- ing business in Southboro, Massachusetts, remain- ing until 1925, when he sold out his job plant and became the printer and publisher of the Stoughton "News-Sentinel," at the town of Stoughton. He has been here ever since, putting out a good newspaper and a fine line of printing. Mr. Ruddy is a member of the Typographical Union, the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce and the Methodist Episcopal church. He is popular with his fellow-townsmen and enjoys splendid standing among them.
Mr. Ruddy married, June 15, 1919, at Framing- ham, Lovina Merritt, daughter of Burton and Mary Eliza (Sproul) Merritt, members of families who have long been noted for their achievements in the varied activities of this section.
CHARLES S. PORTER, well-known citizen of Stoughton, Massachusetts, and who has long been prominent as a stone mason of that community, was born March 3, 1857, in Stoughton, a son of U. C. and Ann Elizabeth (Gill) Porter, both of whom are now deceased. The father, U. C. Porter, who was also a native of Stoughton, was a stone mason, and a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Com- pany G, Forty-seventh Infantry, during that entire conflict. He died in 1907, and Ann Elizabeth (Gill) Porter, who was also born in Stoughton, died there, in 1911.
Charles S. Porter received his education in the public schools of the. community in which he was born. Upon the completion of these courses of study, he followed in his father's footsteps, carrying on the trade of stone mason. He has been engaged in this work for many years in and around Stoughton. So expert has he become in this line of endeavor that he has always been called upon to undertake the masonry construction in many important buildings. During these years Mr. Porter has laid the founda- tions of many of the finest buildings and residences in the town. Besides his work as a stone mason, Mr. Porter has been very successfully engaged in farming.
Despite the many exacting duties of the work in which he has been engaged, Mr. Porter has found time in which to take a part in the affairs of his
community. In his political preferences, he favors the Republican party, and he is noted for the ex- cellent manner in which he stands behind any move- ment designed for the welfare or advancement of his community. During the period of the emergency created by the entry of the United States into the World War, Mr. Porter took a particularly active part in all the Liberty and Victory Loan drives in- stituted by the United States Treasury Department, and he also gave substantial aid to the various boards and committees formed for the support of the soldiers. He has been active in social life, holding membership in many of the local civic organizations.
Charles S. Porter married, in 1877, Ella C. Barrett, a daughter of Ferdinand Barrett. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have one child, an adopted daughter: Celia T. Porter. They reside in Stoughton, where they attend the Methodist church, of which Mr. Porter is a member of the official board.
CHARLES NELSON ATWOOD-It is through careful and painstaking foresight in his business af- fairs, and business thrift and energy that Charles Nel- son Atwood, throughout a long and highly respected career, has won his well-merited place of leadership in the industry of box manufacture in Plymouth County. Furthermore, it has been through his probitty of char- acter and his invariably upright methods of dealing, that he holds the regard of his associates in business and social life. He is a descendant of one of the oldest families in this historic section of Massachu- setts, and is of the seventh generation from John At- wood, who came to Plymouth in 1643, twenty-three years after the landing of the Pilgrims. He is a son of Ichabod F. Atwood, who was born March 13, 1820, at Fall Brook, Middleboro, and after gradua- tion from Peirce Academy, began to teach, and for thirty years was a teacher in this county, and for several ycars was connected with the mills at Fall Brook. A Republican in his politicai views, he held many important local offices, and was often called upon to administer estates; he was a justice of the peace for more than forty-five years; surveyor forty years, selectman and overseer of the poor three years; member of the school committee, auditor and assessor. He married, in 1841, Abigail T. Thomas, daughter of Harvey C. and Hannah C. (Atwood) Thomas, and they had four children: Emery F .; Charles Nelson, of whom further; Harvey N., and Hannah Z. Ichabod F. Atwood died in 1901, aged eighty-one years, and his wife died in 1906, aged eighty-four years.
Charles Nelson Atwood was born June 22, 1844, in Middleboro, where he attended the public schools, and worked on the farm until 1879. He then took charge of the mill and made it one of the successful industries in this section.
The Levi O. Atwood Box Company, as it is now known, was started in 1865, when the business was known as Rock Mill. After continuing under that name for three years, it became known as H. N. Thomas & Company, running under that name until 1878, when with the purchase of the plant by Charles Nelson Atwood, the business title became C. N. At- wood Box Company. About 1912, Mr. Atwood took his son, Levi O. Atwood, into the business as a partner, when the firm name became C. N. Atwood & Son; and in 1914, Charles N. Atwood sold out his interest to his son, and the name became, as at present, Levi O. Atwood Box Company at Rock.
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When this business was first started it was a very small mill of twenty horsepower, and nine men were employed. At the present time, about forty nien are employed, and the mill is one of 250-horsepower electric engine. The firm is the only manufacturer of wooden boxes and shooks in this part of Plymouth County.
On June 1, 1893, Charles N. Atwood and Alton B. Atwood, associated with Henry P. McManus, started a mill and box factory at Chelsea, Mr. Atwood con- tinuing as a partner therein until 1914, when he sold out his interest to his son, Ichabod F. Atwood, who has since been a partner in the firm of Atwood and McManus Box Company. This firm, the largest man- ufacturer of boxes in New England, also maintains a branch factory in Cambridge. In 1914, Charles N. Atwood retired from active business life. He is a trustee of the Middleborough Savings Bank, and of the Co-operative Bank, of Middleboro. A staunch Republican in political matters, Mr. Atwood served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1913-14, and he was selectman in Middleboro from 1908 to 1914.
Charles Nelson Atwood married (first), October 23, 1866, Rozilla A. Barrows, who died November 22, 1874, daughter of William Orville and Amanda N. (Wood) Barrows. They had two children: 1. Al- ton Barrows, born September 20, 1868, at Middleboro, and is a member of the box manufacturing firm of Atwood and McManus, in Chelsea; he married (first.), in January, 1895, Maud L. Webster, of Chelsea, who died September 7, 1900; he married (second), April 17, 1907, Mabel E. Coan of Everett. 2. Levi Orville, born May 4, 1870, is head of the present box-making firm in Middleboro, and is prominent in the business and social life; he married (first), September 27, 1892, Eva G. Tinkham; he married (second) Gertrude Col- lier; his children, by the first marriage: Rose Anita, born October 24, 1897, and Marian Nelson, born May 18, 1899; child by second marriage: Grace Elizabeth, born August 27, 1908. Charles N. Atwood married (second), October 17, 1876, Sarah A. Gibbs, who died April 10, 1923, daughter of Francis Bradford and Tir- zah Swift (Morse) Gibbs of Middleboro. They had one son, Ichabod F., born February 28, 1882, and now engaged in box manufacturing in Chelsea, with his brother.
HENRI L. JOHNSON-A life of accomplishment in the business realm, a life worth living, indeed, in the high standards attained in his every sphere of action, was that of Henri L. Johnson, whose interests in the shoe industry in Stoughton were those of the founders, and whose life-work in behalf of the history of the township was unceasing, patriotic and pro- ductive of lasting results. An offspring of one of Stoughton's first families, he was a son of Lewis and Esther (Talbot) Johnson, both natives of this section of the State.
Henri L. Johnson was born August 8, 1836, in Stoughton, where he attended the public schools, afterwards being employed in the shoeshops that then abounded in the town and county. In 1869, he entered into partnership with Henry B. Crane, pioneer shoe manufacturer of Stoughton, under the firm name of H. D. Crane & Company. After con- ducting their business thus until 1872, they consoli- dated their interests with those of the Upham Brothers Factory, when they took the business title
of Upham Brothers and Company, so continuing until 1890, when they were incorporated and enlarged. Mr. Johnson was connected with this firm until his death in 1926, and up to that time he was the only living meniber of the firm from the time of its origin.
Aside from his business and his home life, perhaps that which most interested Mr. Johnson was what- soever pertained to the history of township and county, for he venerated everything that had to do with the beginnings and the progress of the com- munity wherein his own ancestors had so large a share. It was through his incessant activities that the Stoughton Historical Society was organized, in 1895, and the charter members unanimously elected him as the first president of that society, an office he held for eighteen years. In political matters, Mr. Johnson was an Independent voter and in 1869 he served his district in the Massachusetts Legislature. He was interested, as a director, in the Stoughton Co-operative Bank; was a trustee of the Evergreen Cemetery Association, and was identified with the Universalist church.
Mr. Johnson married, April 25, 1859, Louise M. Atherton, of New York City; and they had two children: 1. Frank Lewis, who was accidentally killed August 4, 1896. 2. Helen L. J. Metcalf, widow of Arthur S. Metcalf.
Henri L. Johnson died November 5, 1926, at the residence of the family in Stoughton. It has been truly said of him that: "He was a man of sterling qualities, he stood for everything that was right, and out of his big heart had lived to help others to live, and assisted many over the rough places of life."
JOSEPH E. HILL-As president of one of the largest fruit and produce companies in Brockton, Mr. Hill, in association with his four brothers, is carrying on the business started by the father more than a quarter of a century ago. As the directing head of the organization, Mr. Hill has contributed substantially to the continued growth and prosperity of the company, and has managed and supervised the policies of the firm with marked success since he assumed control in 1920. He is a popular member of the community and enjoys the respect and admira- tion of all with whom he associates in the business, social and fraternal circles of the city. He is the son of I. E. and Fannie L. (Eastman) Hill, both of whom are deceased. In 1896, I. E. Hill established the firm of I. E. Hill Company, wholesale dealers in fruit and produce.
Joseph E. Hill was born at Brockton, Massachu- setts, May 5, 1891. He attended the public schools of his native district and was graduated from the Brockton High School in 1910. Immediately upon the completion of his educational training, he was employed by the Home National Bank of Brockton as a clerk, and remained with that institution for ten years, during which time his faithful and loyal service was recognized by the increased confidence and responsibility he was given by his superiors. In 1920, upon the death of his father, he resigned his position in the bank and became associated with his brothers in the I. E. Hill Company. It was incorpor- ated at that time under the laws of the common- wealth of Massachusetts, and Mr. Hill was elected president and treasurer of the concern, Roy C. Hill was made vice-president, and Fred C. Hill became the clerk. With himself and his four brothers, Roy
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C., Fred C., Ernest, and Walter, constituting the board of directors of the company, he has carried on the business with increasing expansion and he has developed a wide market for the products of the company. Mr. Hill is a member of Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is affiliated with the Kiwanis and Commercial clubs and the Chamber of Commerce of Brockton, in which organ- izations he contributes materially to their welfare and efficiency. He is an enrolled Republican, and with his family is a communicant of the Congrega- tional faith, attending the Porter Congregational Church of the city.
Mr. Hill married Ethel Jones, April 19, 1916, and they are the parents of a son, Howard T., born February 26, 1919.
MINOT HERBERT BATES-That branch of the shoe industry given over to the production of trim- mings and findings has been accorded a fine impetus and standing by the activities of Minot H. Bates, founder, treasurer and general manager of the M. H. Bates Company, one of the leading concerns in the shoe trade. The Bates Company centers its oper- ations in the shoe metropolis of Brockton, where its principals hold the confidence of the public and the good will of a large and valued clientage. Its president and assistant manager is Mr. Bates' son, Herbert F. Bates, an influential member of the younger group of business executives who lend tone and give leadership to the industrial life and civic endeavors of the Brockton community.
To be concerned with some department of the leather trade is a tradition of the Bates family. Nathan W. Bates, father of Minot Herbert Bates, has been connected with the sole leather department of Edwin Clapp & Sons' shoe factory at East Wey- mouth ever since he was a young boy. His wife Linda brought to the domestic circle the wifely and motherly traits that fitted her for the responsibilities of family life.
Minot Herbert Bates, son of Nathan W. and Linda Bates, was born in East Weymouth, January 21, 1870. Having received a good common and high school education, he remained true to type, entering the employ of J. A. Roarty, who conducted a shoe trimming and finding business in his native town. He made rapid progress in learning the rudiments of the trade, and soon was enabled to build on his experience, organizing his own business in Brock- ton under the name of the Brockton Leather Com- pany. In development of an expansion program, he purchased, about 1911, the C. A. Browne shoe trim- ming and finding business, changing the style to the M. H. Bates Company. This business was formerly carried on in Montello, but, about 1923, Mr. Bates acquired by purchase the F. M. Shaw plant, No. 257 Center Street, Brockton, where the M. H. Bates Company has centralized all its manufacturing opera- tions. A monument to patient and intelligent applica- tion of high business principles and a business acumen out of the ordinary, the Bates trimming and finding establishment holds its place in that hive of industry which is Brockton.
Mr. Bates has no business connections other than that which bears his name. His fraternal affiliation is with Massasoit Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Brockton Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Club of that city.
He is an attendant and supporter of the Porter Congregational Church, Brockton.
Minot H. Bates married, at East Weymouth, Nancy B. Pratt, daughter of Henry and Leora Pratt. They are the parents of two children: 1. Averil Ernestine, born April 8, 1894. 2. Herbert Franklin, of whom further.
Herbert Franklin Bates, son of Minot Herbert and Nancy B. (Pratt) Bates, was born in East Wey- mouth, August 27, 1898. He attended the public schools of his town, and then entered Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1920 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He served in the Students' Army Camp of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps for two months.
From college he turned his attention to pro- fessional work, and was with the Boston Under- writers' Laboratories for two years. He then came to Brockton, having elected a business career in association with his father in the M. H. Bates Com- pany. In 1922, he was elected president and assist- ant manager of the concern, in which capacities he has ever since employed his gifts and training in helping his father, the founder, to expand the inter- ests and service of the company. It is a matter of common knowledge in the shoe trade that he has successfully achieved his purpose, and so continues. He has made valued and constructive contributions to the commanding position which the house of Bates enjoys in the industry. Like his father, he has membership in the Brockton Chamber of Com- merce and the Commercial Club of that city. He is affiliated with Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Satucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Brockton Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Brockton Commandery, Knights Templar. His re- ligious association is with the Porter Congregational Church, Brockton.
Herbert F. Bates married, September 8, 1923, at Brockton, Marion E. Fudge, daughter of Edward J. and Lillian F. (Heyn) Fudge. They have two chil- dren: 1. Elizabeth Marion, born May 22, 1925. 2. Barbara Nancy, born October 23, 1927.
THOMAS H. DOWD-For half a century, Mr. Dowd has devoted his time and energy to business pursuits, and for more than a quarter of a century has been identified in Brockton as a leading furniture dealer. In the company which bears his name, he has achieved prominence, has won the respect and admiration of the business men of the community, and enjoys a commanding position in the trade throughout this section of the county. He is the son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Hart) Dowd, but of whom are deceased. During his lifetime, the father was engaged in the shoe industry.
Thomas H. Dowd was born at Hopkinton, Massa- chusetts, December 8, 1864. He attended the local public schools of that town, and when his parents removed to Medway, completed his educational train- ing at the schools of that district. Entering the busi- ness world at an early age, he was first employed as a shoe worker in Medway, and was engaged in that trade for twenty years, during which time he was given increased responsibility, discharging his duties with skill and loyalty. At the end of that period Mr. Dowd came to Brockton and engaged in
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the shoe industry of that town until 1900. With a keen foresight and enterprising nature, he established the Dowd Furniture Company. Under his careful and shrewd management the volume of business steadily increased year by year, and he is now the head of the second largest furniture concern in the city, and he enjoys a county-wide market for his products. He is keenly interested in the welfare of his community and in promoting the cooperation and betterment of conditions among the commercial interests of the town. He is actively identified in the Chamber of Commerce of Brockton, and lends his generous aid to all movements of civic enhancement and progress, He is a communicant of the Catholic faith, and at- tends the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church of that city.
Mr. Dowd married, December 1, 1917, at Brock- ton, Elizabeth E. Dean, and they are the parents of a daughter, Patricia, born in 1923.
EDWARD B. HAYWARD-The oldest civil engi- neer in Brockton, in point of service, is Edward B. Hayward, who has been engaged as a civil engineer since 1879, a period of nearly fifty years. Mr. Hay- ward is said to have done more railroad construction work than any other man of his profession in Plym- outh County, and he has also been very active in the designing and building of parks.
Edward B. Hayward was born in Easton, Massa- chusetts, November 8, 1861, son of Edward R. Hay- ward, who was engaged in farming throughout his active life and died in 1918, and of Caroline (Belcher) Hayward, whose death occurred in 1900; both were natives of Easton. Edward B. Hayward received his early and preparatory education in the public schools of Easton, and after completing his high school course began the study of civil engineering in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before the class graduated he left and began the practice of his profession at Easton, Massachusetts. That was in 1879, and during the more than forty-seven years which have passed since that time he has con- tinuously and successfully engaged in construction work of various kinds. After a few years of practice alone he took Mr. Howard into his business as a partner under the firm name of Hayward and How- ard, and later his brother was associated with him under the firm style of E. B. and C. L. Hayward. The firm is now Hayward & Hayward, with offices at No. 28 Main Street, Brockton, Massachusetts. Among numerous other achievements in a profes- sional way Mr. Hayward built the Taunton-Brockton Street Railway, the Stoughton & Randolph Railroad. and numerous others, and he also did practically all of the transmission work for the Edison Electric Light Company of Brockton. It is said that no other civil engineer in Plymouth County has done so much in the field of railroad construction work as has Mr. Hayward. He has also been especially interested and active in the designing and construction of parks, and to his work Plymouth County is indebted for several of her most beautiful public gardens. To have been actively engaged in construction work in one county for nearly half a century necessarily means that one has made a large contribution to the devel- opment of that section, and it is certainly true that as Mr. Hayward travels about in Plymouth County he may see everywhere the work of his brain and of his hands. Plymouth County has been enriched
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