USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 142
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Among those who have been engaged in the manu- facture of boots or shoes, we publish the following names :
Micah Faxon.
George B. Blanchard.
Col. Edward Southworth.
George C. Cary.
Silas Packard.
Allen Leach.
Maj. Nathan Hayward.
Henry Cross.
Benjamin Kingman.
Charles R. Ford.
Isaac F. Curtis.
Richard M. Fullerton.
Noah Chesman.
Marcus Holmes.
David Howard.
Daniel S. Howard.
Henry Howard.
F. O. Howard.
George W. Bryant.
Cyrus Jernegan.
Thomas A. Ford.
Fearing W. Bent.
Charles L. Hauthaway.
Frederic G. Jones.
Samuel S. Brett.
George A. Haven.
Edward S. Packard.
0. 0. Patten.
Francis M. French.
J. O. Patten.
William French.
Nathaniol R. Packard.
Ambrose Packard.
Washburn Packard.
Oliver Leach.
Georgo Sawyor.
Oliver F. Leach.
II. B. Packard.
Marcus Leach.
Enos Reynolds.
Peleg S. Leach.
E. L. Thayer.
Cyrus B. Kingman.
George R. Thompson.
Martin L. Keith.
Lovi B. Whito. Welcome White.
Charles P. Keith.
Charles Keith.
Varanes Wales.
Franklin Keith.
Darius Howard.
Arza B. Keith.
Frederic Howard.
Albert Keith.
Howard Tilden.
Howard P. Keith.
John Tilden.
Willard Keith.
Caleb Howard, Jr.
Elmer Keith.
David Eldrid, Jr.
Isaac Perkins.
Thomas Swift.
William S. Huntington.
B. F. Hayward.
Alpheus Andrews.
Samuel D. Keith.
Robert A. Stoddard.
Simeon Dunbar.
William Snell.
Lysander Howard.
John O. Emerson.
George Clark.
George Stevens.
F. O. Thayer.
Gardner J. Kingman.
F. A. Thayer.
Howard Reynolds.
Lewis, Whittier & Griffin.
Gardner Reynolds.
Aaron B. Drake.
M. V. & J. W. Reynolds.
Josiah Fuller.
George Loring & Co.
Arza Keith.
B. G. Stoddard.
George W. Dunbar.
B. Cary, Jr.
Bradford Dunbar.
W. H. II. Hebard.
Howard T. Marshall.
Benjamin F. Reynolds.
Henry A. Ford.
Perez Marshall.
Edwin C. Ames.
Russell Alden.
During 1865 there was a decided increase in the number of manufacturers, and several steam-engines, with the requisite machinery for making shoes, were introduced. A year or two since Messrs. A. & A. B. Keith introduced a new method of making shoes by new and improved machines. This firm was the first in the country to adopt nearly all machinery, such as pegging, sewing, cutting, scouring, etc. They had a large factory at Campello, and another in Raynham, where they manufactured a large amount of goods for the Southern market, having a store in Pearl Street, Boston, for the sale of their goods. This firm have retired from business. Martin L. Keith had a large establishment for manufacturing goods at Cam- pello, and a store in Pearl Street for the sale of his goods. His factory was totally destroyed by fire, and Mr. Keith is in other business in Boston.
Among the manufacturers who early introduced steam-engines in the manufacture of boots and shoes, was the late Charles R. Ford, who ereeted a very large building in the north part of the Centre, on Main Street ; Danicl S. Howard had a large manu- factory on Montello Street, and formerly used a hot-air engine for power, now uses steam-power ; F. O. & F. A. Thayer had a large new engine in their manu- factory on Centre Street ; Samuel Herrod also intro- duced steam-power in his factory, at the north end of the eity, on Main Street ; George Stevens had a large and commodious building for manufacturing boots and shoes by steam-power, on Montello Street, Cam- pello. This was in 1865.
The foregoing manufacturers were the first to usc steam for power; now they are numbered to over a hundred who have steam boilers in the eity.
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Thomas Young.
Horaco Bryant.
681
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Probably no city in the country has superior ad- vantages or facilities for manufacturing boots and shoes than the city of Brockton ; the facilities of transportation to Boston and New York are conve- nient, and workmen of all kinds are at hand to do any amount of labor that may be required.
In 1835, George W. Bryant manufactured custom boots and shoes, and sold leather to manufacturers.
B. P. Davis commenced the retail boot and shoe business on Main Street in 1850, and is the oldest dealer in that business in the city. Charles D. Brig- ham had a boot and shoe store at 423 Main Street. Thomas P. Reynolds had a custom boot and shoe store in Central Block, on Centre Street.
The present retail dealers are Benjamin P. Davis, A. M. Niles, E. E. Carll & Co., George H. Jameson, Walter C. Packard, John H. Carr, Sweetzer & Son, Thayer & Whitman, T. A. Corcoran, Kent & Hickey.
We present to the reader the following list of the shipments of boots and shoes at different dates, giv- ing an idea of the growth and prosperity in that leading branch of business of Brockton. A careful examination of the tables explain themselves.
It will be understood that the figures in each col- umn represent first the shipments for the week ending on the date opposite which they are placed, the foot- ings for the month being placed after the figures for the last week in the month. The columns under Brockton show the shipments from the whole city, including Campello ; those under Campello the ship- ments from Campello alone.
COMPARATIVE SCHEDULE.
1878.
1877.
January
3
1531
1408
10
1779
1938
17.
3027
3297
24.
2940
3378
31
4125-13,402
3823-13,844
7
3181
4843
1174
1521
14
4433
4487
1672
1201
21
4676
5291
1500
1546
28
4959-17,249
4124-18,745
1525-5,871
1280-5,548
21 ..
4462
4816
4 ...
5676
3702
2045
1376
11
5743
3905
1777
1323
18
5572
5049
1815
1334
25 ..... 6168-23,159
5528-18,184
1806-7,443
1494-5,577
4
... 5968
5991
1905
1613
11
6243
5927
1945
1686
28.
4353-16,788
4997-20,751
18
6316
6011
1991
1681
25
6648-25,175
5460-23,389
2121-7,962
1534-6,514
1 ...
6521
3807
2117
1501
8 ..
4544
4320
1405
1260
15
4899
5075
1602
1622
22.
5573
4849
1764
1566
29 ..
... 5315-25,852
4935-22,686
1196-8,084
1422-7,371
6.
4984
4723
1848
1809
13 ...
4926
4100
1880
1365
23.
3026
2922
27.
June
3
2635
2871
912
932
June
6
2171
2125
10
3421
2980
1213
835
2267
17
3070
3172
1080
1427
20.
1867
2124
1
2991
2253
1008
496
8
1890
1352
606
388
15
2483
2200
755
550
22
3476
2757
1136
833
29 ..
4058-14,898
/3690-12,252
1284-4,789
1048 -- 3,315
August
5
4378
3847
1642
1216
12 ..
5075
4473
1440
1298
19 ...
4780
4565
1881
1315
8
3047
2926
26 ..... 4985-19,218
4465-17,350
1825-6,788
1411-5,240
2
840
691
1531
703
505
1208
9
1210
569
1779
1162
582
1744
16
2111
916
3027
1659
872
2531
23
2129
811
2940
1849
1001
2850
30.
3105
1020
4125
2468
1062
3530
Feb.
6.
2580
1150
3730
2662
1249
3911
13
2861
1298
4159
2820
1314
4134
20.
3323
1139
4462
3295
1241
4536
27.
3490
1220
4710
3240
1228
4468
6
3426
928
4354
3086
1419
4505
13
2936
1127
4063
3387
1453
4840
20.
2865
1153
4018
3682
1480
5162
27.
3001
1352
4353
3450
1647
5097
April
3
3105
1144
4249
3555
1467
5022
10.
3177
1026
4203
2962
1279
4241
17.
3313
796
4109
3495
1510
5005
24
3075
1054
4129
3111
1292
4403
May
1
2871
1025
3896
3466
1320
4786
8
2665
1033
3698
2420
1128
3548
Totals
52,083
19,452
71,535
52,472
23,049
75,521
COMPARATIVE TABLE OF SHIPMENTS OF CASES OF BOOTS AND SHOES FROM Brockton.
Campello.
1881.
1880.
1881
1880. 4
February
3730
4774
14.
4159
4449
28
4710-17,061
March
14
4063
5383
21.
4018
5347
April
11.
4203
4610
18
4109
3914
25 ...
4129-16,690
May
2 ..
3896
9.
3698
3793
16.
3243
3150
20.
4764
3716
1814
1349
4379-19,053
3585-16,124
1714-7,256
2318-6,841
24
2527-11,653
2360-11,383
1075-4,280
756-3,950
27 ..
1647- 7,832
July
4
1802
11
1186
18.
1533
1866
23.
2173- 6,694
2249- 6,720
August
1
2600
3418
1878.
1877.
August
15.
3342
3107
22
3716
3542
29.
3840-16,545
3141-15,134
September 5
3965
3569
12
3886
3703
19
4126
3178
26.
3727-15,704
3290-13,740
October
3
3830
3536
10
2149
1976
17
3714
2963
24
3362
2810
31.
2881-15,936
2049-13,334
November
7.
2318
2000
14.
1943
1279
21
1650
1105
28.
1524- 7,435
1060- 5,444
December
5
808
810
12
920
884
19
974
1252
26
1285- 3,987
1080- 4,026
Totals
154,510
154,296
Number of cases shipped in 1876, 142,010.
1878.
1879.
Brock- ton.
Cam- pello.
Total.
Brock-
Cam- pello.
Total.
ton.
January
February
5216-19,255
4354
5024
4
4249
5251
April
4081-17,856
3322
May
30.
2573-16,436
2780-15,967
1709- 8,225
July
1502
1103
13 ..
2147
March
March
Jan.
682
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
1881.
1880.
1881.
1880.
1883.
1882.
1883.
1882.
September 2 ..... 5246
4990
1752
1440
March
2 ... 8403
6570
2574
2761
9 ..... 4833
4502
1815
1488
9 ... 7655
6006
2612
2056
16 ..... 5253
2561
1848
1225
16 ... 7631
7091
2532
2401
23 ..... 4622
4547
1777
1395
23 ... 7660
7328
2513
2344
30 ..... 4154-24,108
3014-19,614
1504-8,796
1505-7,053
Octobor
7 ..... 4549
3746
1130
1107
April
6 ... 6484
6188
2219
1938
14 ..... 3026
3604
966
1106
21
... 3803
2456
1432
1278
20 ... 6282
6918
2158
2032
28 ..... 3594-15,172
1851-11,657
1394-4,522
1324-4,815
November
3190
2605
1206
985
May
4 ... 7072
6335
3111
1392
11
3190
2531
120G
917
18 ..
... 2922
2531
879
917
25.
... 2240-11,542
2067- 9,734
762-4,053
856-3,675
December
2 ..... 1925
1650
623
644
June
1 ... 4990
5176
1625
1726
8 ... 5165
4960
1978
1725
16 ..... 1611
2433
810
733
23 ..... 3060
1526
1211
820
30 ..... 3021-11,657
1674- 8,372
786-4,303
676-3,579
Totals.
218,726
189,490
74,147
63,478
Total shipments for 1879, 181,372; for 1878, 154,510; for 1877, 154,296; for 1876, 142,010.
Brockton.
Campello.
1882.
1881.
1882.
1881.
January
6 ... 4440
3181
1267
1174
13 ... 4455
4433
1751
1672
20 ... 4982
4676
2109
1500
27 ... 5791-19,968
4959-17,249
1490- 7,617
1525-5,871
February
3 ... 5596
5676
2197
2345
10 ... 5916
5743
2085
1777
17 ... 6378
5572
2118
1815
24 ... 6599-26,589
6168-23,159
2454- 8,851
1806-7,443
3 ... 6570
5968
2761
1905
10 ... 6806
6243
2056
1945
17 ... 7091
631€
2401
1991
24 ... 7328
6648
2344
2121
April
7 ... 6188
4544
1938
1405
14 ... 6977
4899
1946
1602
21 ... 6948
5573
2032
1764
28 ... 6317-26,430
5315-25,852
1920- 7,806
1196-8,084
5 ... 6335
4984
1392
1848
12 ... 6093
4926
1851
1880
19 ... 6419
4764
1701
1814
June
2 ... 5176
2635
1726
912
9 ... 4960
3421
1725
1213
16 ... 4810
3070
1744
1080
23 ... 4192
2527-11,653
1281
1075-4,280
30 ... 3218-22,356
2991
950- 7,426
1008
7 ... 3201
1890
909
666
14 ... 2316
2483
918
755
21 ... 3283
3476
1622
1136
August
4 ... 5071
4378
1929
1642
11 ... 4653
5075
1711
1410
18 ... 5140
4780
1921
1881
September
1 ... 6264
5246
2462
1752
8 ... 6412
4833
2579
1815
15 ... 5993
5253
2122
1848
22 ... 5968
4622
2072
1777
29 ... 5642-29,779
4154-24,108
1880-11,115
1504-8,796
6 ... 5316
4549
1738
1130
13 ... 5140
302G
1713
966
20 ... 4999
3803
1776
1432
27 ... 4981-20,436
3594-15,172
1660- 6,887
1394-4,522
November 3 ... 4061
3190
1350
1206
10 ... 3704
3190
1028
1206
17 ... 3467
2922
1272
879
December
1 ... 2915
1925
971
623
8 ... 2417
2040
918
873
15 ... 3256
1611
1373
810
22 ... 3864
3060
1496
1211
29 ... 3704-16,156
3021-11,657
1177- 5,935
786-4,303
Totals ..
261,657
218,726
92,367
74,147
The total shipments for 1880 were 189,490; in 1879, 281,372; 1878, 154,510 ; 1877, 154,205; 1876, 142,010.
Brockton.
Campello.
1883.
1882.
1883.
1882.
January
5 ... 6109
4440
2419
1267
12 ... 6144
4455
1811
1751
19 ... 6519
4982
2605
2109
26 ... 6490-25,562
5791-19,968
2421- 9,256
2490-7,617
February
2 ... 7487
5596
2228
2197
9 ... 7946
5916
2660
2085
16 ... 8104
6378
2775
2119
23 ... 7637-31,174
6599-26,689
2806-10,469
2454- 8,851
6412
1998
2579
14 ... 6437
5993
2126
2122
21 ... 6329
5968
2109
2072
28 ... 6108-24,871
5642-24,015
2119- 8,352
1880- 8,653
5 ... 6111
5316
931
1738
12 ... 5060
5140
1853
1713
19 ... 5781
4999
1720
1776
26 ... 4834-22,686
4981-20,436
1857- 7,361
1860- 6,887
November
2 ... 4939
4061
1446
1350
9 ... 4176
3704
1018
1028
16 ... 4246
3467
1527
1272
23 ... 3961
3306
1514
1587
30 ... 3651-20,973
2915-17,453
1320- 6,825
971- 6,208
7 ... 3421
2417
1219
918
14 ... 3015
2256
1078
1373
21 ... 3945
2864
1322
1496
28 ... 4193-14,574
3704-13,241
1397- 5,061
1177- 4,964
Totals.
300,052
261,651
99,296
92,367
The total shipments for 1881 were 218,726; for 1880, 189,490; 1879, 181,372 ; 1878, 154,510; 1877, 154,205 ; 1876, 142.010.
26 ... 5391-18,238
4379-19,053
1714- 6,558
1714-7,256
July
28 ... 4106-12,906
4058-14,898
1733- 5,182
1281-4,789
25 ... 5940-20,704
4985-19,218
2199- 7,760
7825-6,788
24 ... 2306-14,538
2240-11,542
1587- 5,237
762-4,053
Brockton as a Boot and Shoe Manufacturing City .- Brockton is one of the most active and enter- prising manufacturing towns of its size in Massachu- setts. In this city, which comprises the wide-awake little village of Campello, there are between seventy and eighty shoe manufacturers, employing in the prosecution of the business in all its different depart- ments between four million and five million dollars, and from three thousand five hundred to four thou- sand operatives or workmen. There is but very little ladies' work made here, but the great bulk is men's, boys', and youths' congress, Alexis, Balmorals, and, in fact, all the different kinds of men's and boys' goods which are sold everywhere.
Heretofore Brockton has had a reputation of making cheap goods, and, while this is still true at the present time to a certain extent, it may be said with equal truthfulness that she makes whatever the demand is for; and while, in these depressed times, the con- sumer is obliged to make a dollar go as far as possible, and can only pay for a cheap shoe, her manufacturers are on the alert to comply with the demand, and let no opportunity escape to convert their leather into the kind of goods that will sell in the market. But it gives pleasure to note the gradual improvement and the growing inclination on the part of the manufacturers
1640
1921
24 ... 5617
5940
859
2199
31 ... 5799-25,774
6264-27,068
1866- 8,416
2462-11,222
September 7 ... 5997.
6 ... 2465
3201
1098
909
13 ... 2329
2316
798
918
20 ... 3559
3283
1481
1622
27 ... 4667-13,020
4106-12,906
1727- 5,104
1733- 5,182
3 ... 4712
5071
1570
1929
10 ... 4725
4653
1481
1711
17 ... 4921
4810
1338
1744
22 ... 4206
4192
1613
1281
29 ... 4842-23,246
3218-22,356
2001- 8,555
950- 7,426
July
18 ... 6005
6419
1859
1701
25 ... 5511-23,730
5391-18,238
1745- 8,223
1714- 6,558
9 ..... 2040
1089
873
706
11 ... 5142
6093
1508
1851
27 ... 6169-25,426
6317-26,430
2142- 8,852
1920- 7,806
30 ... 7757-49,016
7162-34,957
2636-12,867
2431-11,993
13 ... 6491
977
2333
1916
4 .....
March
31 ... 7162-34,957
6521-25,175
2431-11,993
2117-7,962
May
15 ... 4143
August
5140
October
December
October
1
18
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io
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sto
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683
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
each year to substitute good solid leather work, made '. upon honor." for the cheap, low-priced goods, filled in with what is commonly known as shoddy. In 1875 this new departure was made in a large way,- although previous to this date some fine work was made .- and now there are some six or eight large fac- tories whose machinery is run altogether on fine, first- class work. and the workmen in which are all skilled in the higher branches of the business. Brockton people are justly very proud at the turn manufactur- ing has taken in this direction, and it can be stated, without fear of successful contradiction, that some of the finest. most " nobby," and yet serviceable, men's goods to be found in the country are turned out at this enterprising shoe centre. Looking through the stock- and sample-rooms, one is forcibly impressed with this radical change from cheap to high-grade goods, as the leather used for both "uppers" and " soles" is of the very best quality and tannage, and the " sam- ples," in the almost numberless varieties of styles and patterns, are certainly worthy to grace, as they do, the counters and shelves of many of the first-class boot and shoe stores.
From those early days to the present, the manufac- ture of boots and shocs has been a distinctive business with the people of this city, and with the march of improvement and the adoption of the modern facilities for prosecuting the growing business, Brockton has kept pace, and from a few little obscure rooms once used, supplied with rudely-constructed shoemakers' benches, old-fashioned awls, waxed-ends, etc., have sprung up large two-, three-, and four-story buildings, constructed on modern principles and supplied with all the latest and most improved machinery known or used in the prosecution of the business. Nowhere has capital been more lavishly expended to secure the best facilities, and nowhere is a greater degrce of enterprise manifested to keep up with the times and compete successfully with other manufacturing towns and cities.
Daniel S. Howard is one of the pioneers and most successful shoe manufacturers in the city of Brockton. He commenced this business about thirty-six years ago, with small eapital, and is now said to be the wealthiest shoe manufacturer in the city. He has a large factory on Montello Street, and employs about 250 workmen ; daily capacity of factory, 1500 pairs.
George Elden Keith, one of the leading and most successful manufacturers of Southeastern Massachu- setts, was born in Campello, Feb. 8, 1850. He re- ceived the education afforded by the common and high schools of his native town, and was a member of the first class at the opening of the high school at
Brockton. Idleness formed no part of Mr. Keith's life. While in school the mornings and nights were employed in working at the bench, making boots and shoes. After leaving school he continued at this work until July 1, 1874, when, in company with W. S. Green, he commenced manufacturing under the firm-name of Green & Keith. This copartnership continued until 1880, when he disposed of his inter- est to Mr. Green and erected his present large fac- tory, and has since carried on the business as sole proprietor. This is one of the largest boot and shoe manufactories in this part of the State, the value of the annual product being from six hundred to seven hundred thousand dollars, and employing three hun- dred hands. It is a representative institution, and reflects great credit upon its enterprising proprietor, who in the brief period of ten years has gone from the bench to the ownership of this immense establish- ment.
Mr. Keith is a Republican in politics, and was a member of the first board of aldermen of the city of Brockton. He is president of the Campello Loan Association, and a director in the Brockton National Bank, and also in the Brockton Savings-Bank. In religion he is a Congregationalist, and a member of the South Congregational Church.
Oct. 23, 1877, he united in marriage with Anna G. Reed, daughter of the Hon. W. L. Reed, of South Abington, and they have one child, Elden B., born Oct. 18, 1879.
Mr. Keith traces his ancestry to Rev. James Keith, who came from Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1662. He was the first ordained minister in Bridgewater, having been ordained in February, 1664. The line of descent is as follows: Rev. James, Timothy, Timothy, Levi, Benjamin, Capt. Ziba, Franklin. Franklin married Betsey, daughter of Paul Bailey, of Sidney, Me., and had six children, of whom George E. was the fourth.
George Elden Keith is essentially a self-made man. He has gained nothing by mere luck, but everything by perseverance and well-digested plans, and the intel- ligent application of his energies to the end in view. In social life he is gentlemanly and affable, and is one of Campello's most cuterprising and honored citizens.
Preston B. Keith traces his ancestry in this coun- try to the Rev. James Keith, who came from Aber- deen, Scotland, in 1662. He was the first ordained minister in Bridgewater. The line of descent. is as follows : Timothy, Timothy, Levi, Benjamin, Charles, and Charles Perkins, the father of the subject of this sketch, who was born June 20, 1820, and married Mary K., daughter of Josiah Williams, Dec. 4, 1843,
684
HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
and had three children,-Sarah Williams, Preston Bond, and Rufus Perkins.
Preston Bond Keith was born in Campello, Oct. 18, 1847. He was educated at the High School in Brockton, and at the age of eighteen went to Boston, and entered the employ of Martin L. Keith, who was a shoc manufacturer in Brockton, with a store in Boston. Here he remained five and a half years, mastering the shoe business. Returning to Brockton in 1871, he commenced business for himself in Cam- pello, in a factory which stood ou Main Street, where he continued three years, when he removed the build- ing to Clifton Avenue, and enlarged it. Three years later Mr. Keith leased this property and erccted his present large manufactory, which was opened in July, 1878. At the commencement of business the annual product amounted to about ninety thousand dollars, and he employed from thirty to forty hands. Mr. Keith has increased the business until at the present time the value of the annual product amounts to over four hundred thousand dollars, employing one hun- dred and seventy-five persons. A business man, with large manufacturing interests to direct and care for, Mr. Keith has found but little time to devote to the public business. He was elected member of the board of aldermen in 1882, and re-elected in 1883. He is a director in the Home National Bank, and has been since its organization. He is a director in the street railway company, and vice-president of the Campello Co-operative Bank. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the South Congregational Church.
Dec. 8, 1869, Mr. Keith united in marriage with Eldora Louisa, daughter of Josiah W. and Margaret (Dunlap) Kingman, and they have one child, Allie, born April 2, 1877.
James S. Allen, in East Bridgewater. (See bi- ography of.)
Warren A. Howard commenced business in 1870. His factory is one hundred by thirty-five feet, four stories high. He manufactures about 1200 pairs of shoes per day, and employs about 200 hands.
S. Gardner Jones commenced the manufacture of shoes in 1878, and has continued to the present time. He employs 100 hands, and the value of the annual product amounts to $200,000. Probably there is no establishment in the city that manufactures finer goods than Mr. Jones. He is a live man and always abreast of the times in style. Mr. Jones shows his good taste in the care of his manufactory and grounds, which arc very attractive.
Burt & Packard, on Pond Street. This firm was originally Jones & Packard, and commenced business in 1872. In 1875, Fred Packard was sole proprietor,
afterwards Fred Packard & Co. till 1881, when John W. Burt, of New York, was admitted as a partner. The business was started with $5000 eapital, and has been remarkably successful, till now the firm has a capital of $160,000, employing 225 men, manufac- turing all kinds of fine goods for retail trade. This is one of the representative establishments of the city.
The financial agent of this firm is Hon. Edward Crocker, son of Perez and Freelove (Thompson) Crocker. He was born in Brockton, March 16, 1814. In his early youth he attended the common schools of his native town, and at the age of thirteen en- gaged as a clerk in a store at Boston Highlands, where he remained five years, and then (1833) removing to New Bedford, entered the employ of William H. Crocker, a merchant of that city. He continued with Mr. Crocker until 1837, when he pur- chased the establishment and conducted the business as sole proprietor until 1842, when, having disposed of his dry-goods store, he commenced furnishing sup- plies for whaling vessels, there being at that time about four hundred hailing from that famous old whaling town. In 1849, well remembered as the year of the great exodus to the gold fields of California, Mr. Crocker joined the adventurous pioneers, and going to California located in Benicia, where, in company with Samuel C. Gray, he commenced general merchandising, and here remained until 1859. In that year he re- turned to New Bedford, and in 1864 to his native town, where he has since resided. While in Benicia he was chosen one of the trustces of the first female academy established in the State of California.
Mr. Crocker is held in high esteem by his fellow- citizens, and has been honored with various positions of trust and responsibility. In 1868 he represented his district in the State Senate ; has been an assessor of the town three years ; was a member of the first City Council, and is now one of the commissioners of the sinking fund. He is a director in the Home National Bank, and has been since its organization, in 1873.
Feb. 3, 1840, while residing iu New Bedford, he united in marriage with Caroline H. Blackmer, of that city, and they had one child, Edward Leslie, who died at the age of four years.
In 1873, Mr. Crocker became financial agent of the firm of Burt & Paekard, shoe manufacturers, and has continued in that position to the present time, and it is only justice to add that no man in the eity of Brockton has done more than Edward Crocker to aid its manufacturing enterprises by counsel and ad- vice ; his praetical knowledge of business rendering
Edward Crocker
685
HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
him an important factor in this large and rapidly-in- creasing manufacturing centre.
The Charles W. Copeland Manufacturing Company is a corporation formed under the laws of the com- monwealth of Massachusetts, and has succeeded to the business of the well-known firm of Charles W. Copeland & Co. This company owns a large factory at Campello, five stories high, and well equipped with the latest improved machinery. The capacity is from 80 to 100 cases of boots and shoes every day.
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