USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 27
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Samuel Julius Shaw was born in West Cummington, Massachusetts, July 24, 1830, the son of Lora and Lydia (Morgan) Shaw. He obtained his early education in the public schools of his native town, and when eleven years of age removed with his parents to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he finished preliminary education, also attending school at Chicopee, Massa- chusetts. Upon the completion of his studies Dr. Shaw expressed a desire to enter the business world. He took up the trade of piano making, which he learned thoroughly, and in a short time worked his way upward, until he became superintendent of a large piano factory at Montague City, Massachu- setts, and later superintended a factory at Leominster. It was about this time that Dr. Shaw decided to study dentistry, as the professional life ap- pealed strongly to him. For this purpose he went to Boston and studied in the office of a well known dentist, and shortly afterward, which was at the close of the Civil War, he opened an office at Marlboro, Massachusetts, in the Hunter building. Dr. Shaw remained in practice there until he came to the
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decision to advance himself further in his chosen profession. To carry out this wish he entered Harvard Dental College and graduated in the class of 1869, this being the first class in dentistry at that school, and was comprised of six members. Dr. Shaw then went to Boston, where he knew that a larger and better field was open to him. His office was located at No. 283 Dartmouth street, and the business is still conducted there by his son-in- law, Dr. Eugene H. Smith, who is Dean of Harvard Dental School. Dr. Shaw's practice was large and brought him into intimate personal relations with a very great number of his fellow-men, and everywhere he went he brought with him good cheer and hopeful optimism. In him were happily blended the characteristics of a strong man, decision, toleration, firmness, and with all he was approachable, companionable and loveable. He has gone to his reward, but his splendid spirit and example still remain and will con- tinue to remain as long as life lasts. God buries his workers, but he carries on their work.
In 1903 Dr. Shaw retired from all active practice and removed to Marl- boro, Massachusetts, where he lived the remainder of his life. The surname Shaw is a very common English name, used also as a termination. It means a small wood, from the Anglo-Saxon scua, a shade or place shadowed or sheltered by trees. Several places and parishes bear the name, and from these doubtless the families of Shaw took their surnames. Dr. Shaw was the possessor of inventive genius, with the ability to develop, enlarge and sustain. Dr. Shaw, for a pastime, took up wood carving and made many beautiful hand-carved clocks, inlaid furniture, etc. He patented a number of dental devices, and for his work in that direction was made an honorary member of the Massachusetts Dental Association, which was in itself a great honor. Dr. Shaw was a former member of the United Brethren Lodge, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons, and served as most worshipful master of this lodge. He was an attendant at the services of the first Spiritualist So- ciety in Boston. Dr. Shaw was a man whom one felt it was a privilege to know. He was one who always had a kind and helpful word, and whose en- tire life had been devoted to making others happier and more contented.
His funeral services were conducted by the Rev. F. A. Wiggin, of the Church of the Unity, of Boston. Mrs. F. T. Curtis sang many beautiful se- lections, among which were: "Passing out of the shadow," "There's only a curtain between us," and "Sometime we'll understand." There were many floral tributes, and the burial took place in Maplewood Cemetery, Marlboro, Massachusetts. The pall-bearers were George B. Herrick, Louis F. Putnam, Frederick H. Kirk, George M. Moore, Joseph H. Barnes and Edward E. Southwick.
Samuel Julius Shaw married (first) Frances Hunter, of Montague City, Massachusetts, who died, leaving one child, Carrie Shaw, who is now the wife of Eugene H. Smith, Dean of the Harvard Dental School. On January 15, 1903, Dr. Shaw married (second) Melina A. Westcott, who was born in
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Samuel Julius Shaw, D.D.S.
Providence, Rhode Island, but had spent most of her life in Marlboro, Mass- achusetts. Mrs. Shaw is a daughter of Josiah Edwin and Lucy Bond (Barnes) Westcott. Josiah Edwin Westcott was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and his wife of Marlboro, Massachusetts. They were the par- ents of two children, namely: Mrs. Samuel Julius Shaw, and Charles Ed- win Westcott, now deceased. Mrs. Shaw was a teacher in the Marlboro School for twenty-eight years, seven years of which she was principal of the Hildreth School. She received her education in the schools of Marlboro and Framingham, Massachusetts Normal School. Like her husband, Mrs. Shaw is an attendant at the services of the First Spiritual Society.
Dr. Shaw was indeed a man of intense earnestness, firm convictions and commanding ability. These qualities, combined with a loyal devotion to his chosen profession, made him a power for good in the professional world. Personally, he was one of the mose delightful of men, kind-hearted and ge- nial, made friends among all classes, and his strong individuality exercised a magnetic influence upon all who were brought into close contact with his charming and forceful personality. His rare mentality and strong intellec- tual tastes constituted one of the salient features of his character. The home life of Dr. Shaw was a singularly happy one, and it was perhaps at his own fire-side that he was seen at his best, for he never seemed more con- tented than when surrounded by the ones he loved the most. He was a man of very little hesitation on any score, and was generally equal to any proposition. Quick in his judgment of men and the affairs of men, he was usually accurate in all of his convictions. He was indeed a strong and de- pendable sort of a man, who possessed that indefinable something called per- sonal magnetism which drew all men toward him.
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Isaiah Additon Beals
A MONG the many manufacturers who have given to the State of Massachusetts a high position in the industrial world, none have surpassed the late Isaiah Additon Beals, in those quali- ties of character and mind which are so essential to the suc- cess of a business man. He was one of that group of business men whose careers have been closely identified with the greatest and most recent period in the development of the city of Brockton, Massachusetts, one of those broad-minded, public-spirited citizens whose efforts have seemed to be directed quite as much to the ad- vancement of the city's interests as to their own. There is a type of merchant and business man, only too common to-day, of which this cannot be truly said, whose energies are never expended in the interests of others, whose aims and purposes are purely personal, and not broad enough to compre- hend a larger entity. But of those men of a generation past, whose enter- prise has spelled growth and increased prosperity for the community of which they were members, and especially of the distinguished gentleman whose name heads this memorial, the phrase is entirely appropriate. Of this class and of him, so prominent a member thereof, it is entirely true that the ventures and enterprises they engaged in were of so wide a caliber that the welfare of their city was as directly subserved as their own, and that they were unable to entertain an aim in which the rights and inter- ests of others were set aside or even disregarded.
The death of Mr. Beals was a real loss to the community, not alone be- cause it cut short all the valuable activities in which he had been so long en- gaged, but also because it removed from among his fellow-men a strong and winning personality. On the sad occasion of his death, which occurred in the city of Brockton, Massachusetts, February 13, 1905, the entire com- munity was a participant in the loss.
Isaiah Additon Beals was born in Turner, Maine, May 18, 1842, and was one of thirteen children. His father was a farmer, prosperous and en- ergetic, and a great believer in giving his children a good education, so Mr. Beals' youth was spent in acquiring an excellent education, and for this pur- pose he attended the public schools of Maine. He was twenty-three years of age when he presented himself before the late Daniel S. Howard, seeking employment. After being employed in that gentleman's firm for twelve years, he became a partner in the concern, and continued in that capacity for seven year, under the best of instruction. By that time he had so thoroughly mas- tered all details that he felt capable of managing a plant on his own ac- count, so without hesitation he started manufacturing shoes for himself, un-
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Isaiah additon Beals
der the firm name of I. A. Beals & Company. He was a man of more than ordinary business ability and talent, and became successful in a short time. After doing a large business for about five years, the factory was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Beals rebuilt it again, and formed a stock company, which continued the business for three years in the building now occupied by E. M. Low, the paper manufacturer. The members of the firm of I. A. Beals & Company were the following business men: I. A. Beals, Isam Mitchell, Fred O. Sterling and John Stetson. The factory was located at No. 367 Main street, Brockton, and about three hundred hands were employed. His em- ployees who were ambitious to rise felt sure that they had in Mr. Beals a friend, while even the undeserving were equally as sure of a just hearing and another chance. He was well liked by all those under him, and there was nothing like unpleasant aggression in his dealings with men, even with those whom he met in the relation of employer and employee. He was a man of very marked character, and a man who could not fail to impress him- self upon all those with whom he came in contact. For some time Mr. Beals' health had become impaired, and owing to this he took a less active part in business affairs and later retired. He was succeeded by the Hollis- ton Boot and Shoe Company, and the business was removed to Holliston, Massachusetts.
On May 5, 1865, Isaiah Additon Beals was united in marriage with Vesta S. Perkins, a daughter of Luke and Susan (Cary) Perkins, of Au- burn, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Additon Beals were the parents of two children, as follows: I. Dr. Arthur L. Beals, of Brockton, Massachu- setts, who was united in marriage with Helen Andrews, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts; they are the parents of two children, namely, Bettina, and Barbara Loring. 2. Suzanne Cary, who became the wife of Dr. Samuel J. Gruver, of Brockton, Massachusetts. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Beals has continued to live in Brockton, at No. 389 Main street.
To his adopted city, Mr. Beals was most generous, his public spirit be- ing everywhere manifested. In the obligations of affection and devotion which the family relation demands, he was what might have been called punc- tilious. The fact is that in no other relation of life did he find the same hap- piness that this simplest and most fundamental of the relations, the inter- course of the family, gave him, nor could he gain elsewhere the rest and recreation of his faculties so essential to continuing effectively in his busi- ness career. He was the possessor of a very large circle of personal friends to whom he was devoted, and who reciprocated his feeling most warmly, while his personality was one that will not be quickly forgotten by the great host of those who called him friend. His popularity was gained by upright living, square dealing, broad-minded tolerance for the rights and opinions of others, and a sincere effort to be just to all. The career of Mr. Beals indi- cates the sterling character of the man. To establish on solid foundations and to build up the enterprise under his management required traits rarely
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found in the walks of every-day life. His mind was well disciplined and evenly balanced, while his judgment was practical in the highest degree. His life was a splendid example of the much respected citizen, energetic and en- terprising. Mr. Beals was a prominent member of the Bay State Command- ery, Knights Templar.
The keynote of Mr. Beals' nature, as the keynote of all worthy na- tures must be, was a certain innate honesty of purpose, a certain justice in dealing with others, which forms the only possible ground of social inter- course. No one who knew him but felt the latent energy of his temperament, no one who associated with him at all constantly, but saw it actively mani- festing itself in some useful work. He was not merely satisfied and content to perform whatever tasks were placed before him, but was ever proposing and instituting new matters of importance. Indeed, there was no depart- ment of activity in which he did not establish a splendid record, a record of which he and his family might well feel proud. He was a man of impres- sive personality, broad-minded, and had the characteristics which ever gain esteem, confidence and friendship. Viewing his life in its perspective, none can fail to have an appreciation of his great accomplishments, and he should ever be remembered as a noble, kindly, and public-spirited man of affairs.
Edward Franklin Childs
T HE death of Mr. Childs, which occurred at his home in Law- rence, Massachusetts, April 24, 1915, sent a thrill of sorrow throughout his adopted city, and was received with a sense of personal bereavement by his large host of friends. He was a man who was devoted to the ties of family and friend- ship, regarding them as sacred obligations. His name ever stood as a synonym for all that was enterprising in business and progressive in citizenship.
His ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were New England people for many generations, and intimately connected with the history of those sec- tions where they made their homes. He was a direct descendant of William Childs, one of the earliest emigrants to the Massachusetts Colony, who came to this country with his brother, Ephraim Childs. He was made a freeman in 1634, settling in Watertown, Massachusetts, and looked upon as a man of some estate. Edward Franklin Childs was a grandson, on the maternal side, of Asa Bigelow, who was one of the leading newspaper men of the early days, being the founder and editor of the Concord [Massachusetts] "Freeman," while his paternal great-grandfather was Captain Abijah Childs, a Revolu- tionary soldier.
Edward Franklin Childs was born in Weston, Middlesex county, Mass- achusetts, October 16, 1834, the son of Franklin and Adeline A. (Bigelow) Childs, old and highly respected residents of Weston. Mr. Childs, first at- tended the public schools of his native place, and later acquired an excellent education at the Chauncey Hall School of Boston. Upon his leaving that in- stitution, Mr. Childs became a clerk in the store of Thomas Groom & Com- pany, of Boston, dealers in account books and office supplies. After termi- nating his service with that firm, he went to Lawrence, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 5, 1855, and entered into the book and stationery business with Lewis Stratton, located at No. 262 Essex street. Mr. Childs remained but a few years in company with Mr. Stratton, disposing of his interest in the business to that gentleman in 1857. He then left Lawrence, and for the next four years was located in the South, having gone to Kentucky, where he remained until 1861. He returned to Lawrence in 1866, and again took up his resi- dence in that city. He engaged in business in Boston, which necessitated his journeying daily to his office in that city for over thirty-nine years, and was credited with being the oldest ticket holder on the Boston & Maine Railroad. Mr. Childs was considered a pioneer resident of Lawrence, and for forty- five years was a most successful business man, well known and popular in both social and business life.
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Coward Franklin Chilos
During all his life in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the name of Edward Franklin Childs was associated with the First Methodist Episcopal Church, later known as the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, after consolidation with another church of the same denomination. He was always interested in church work, and it was only natural that upon his arrival in Lawrence he should become a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and become actively interested in its work. For thirty years Mr. Childs was the Sunday school superintendent, and was a member of the board of trustees and board of stewards of the church, having been a trustee for thirty-seven years, and chairman of the board; and steward for forty-three consecutive years. This, briefly told, was Mr. Childs' partial work in the cause of religion and Metho- dism in Lawrence. Who shall estimate the value to a community of such personal labor? He was in every respect a splendid Christian gentleman. Of the many tributes to the character and work of Mr. Childs, the follow- ing resolutions of the Bible School of the Central Methodist Church is per- haps the most comprehensively appreciative:
For fifty years, the late Edward Franklin Childs was an active Sunday school worker, serving as superintendent for a period of thirty years. During this time he was a teacher in the school, and his class has had a longer continuous existence than any other in our entire school. By the death of Mr. Childs, the Central Church Bible School has lost a faithful, capable teacher, and all Sunday school workers associated with him mourn a true friend. Always an eager, earnest student of the Bible, he found the greatest pleasure in sharing with others the results of his study and research. He was a man of intense earn- estness, firm convictions, and commanding ability. These qualities, together with a loyal devotion to the Sunday school work, made him a power for good in our school. A just, heroic, manly, unselfish conscientious Christian and gentleman has gone out from among us. We shall miss him and his kindly smile, his wise counsel, and his able leadership. The influence of his Christian life must surely abide with us, leading us upward to higher purposes and to better lives. In memory of all that our friend was to us, we offer these few words as a simple token of our deep love and sincere appreciation.
On November 18, 1855, Edward Franklin Childs was united in mar- riage with Anna A. B. Smith, the youngest daughter of Captain John Smith, one of the pioneer settlers of Lawrence, Massachusetts, before its incorpo- ration as a city. At that time Captain Smith lived in the old farm house, which was a landmark in its day, and where Mr. Childs later built his mod- ern residence on Haverhill street. Captain Smith, who was a skilled wood- worker, upon coming to Lawrence from Methuen, Massachusetts, made pat- terns for Adolphus Durant, from which the wall paper, made at his mill, was printed, and after its establishment was for some years employed as pattern maker at the Lawrence Machine Shop. Mrs. Childs, as a school- girl, first attended the old town school on the Haverhill road, on Tower Hill, and the private school of Miss Harriett Christie, which was held in the old farm house which stood upon what is now the corner of Haverhill and Franklin streets, and like the house in which she lived was an old land-
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mark. Going to Lawrence, Massachusetts, as a young girl in 1845, Mrs. Childs was one of the oldest in length of residence in the city. Her death occurred on February 1, 1912. She was a woman of splendid qualities, being greatly interested in the welfare of nurses, and was a director of the Law- rence General Hospital, as well as secretary of the Training School for Nurses. Mr. and Mrs. Childs were the parents of two children, namely: I. Bertha L., who is a teacher of music in Lawrence. 2. George Edward, who was united in marriage with Minnie Reece, of Lawrence. Like her hus- band, Mrs. Childs was a member and worker in the First Methodist Church, and also of the Ladies' Union Charitable Society and Women's Club, of which she was a charter member. In 1866, Mr. Childs purchased the property of Captain Smith, and there built the present Childs residence.
On April 30, 1913, Mr. Childs was united in marriage with Susan C. Smith, a daughter of Francis Smiley Smith, of Salem, New Hampshire.
Mr. Childs had retired from active business affairs a few years prior to his being taken away from all earthly environment, but up to that time was always able to attend to his business requirements every day, rain or shine. In his political belief, Mr. Childs was a Republican and a staunch advocate of the principles upheld by that party. His industry and energy, his cour- age and fidelity to principle, are illustrated in his life career, and a sketch of his life falls far short of justice to him if it fails to excite regret that there are not more citizens like him in virtue and ability. It is highly prob- able that no other man in Lawrence, Massachusetts, had a larger number of warm personal friends than had Mr. Childs. Personally, he was one of the most delightful of men; kind-hearted and genial, he made friends among all classes, and his strong individuality exercised a magnetic influence upon all who were brought into close contact with his charming and forceful person- ality. His rare mental ability and strong intellectual tastes constituted one of the salient features of his character. The home life of Mr. Childs was a sin- gularly happy one, and it was at his own fireside that he was seen at his best.
Mr. Childs was a member of Tuscan Lodge of Masons, that being the only fraternal order with which he was associated. A fond husband and fa- ther, his children were devoted to him, and he seemed never more contented than when surrounded by the ones he loved best. He was a man of very lit- tle hesitation on any score, and was generally equal to any proposition. Quick in his judgment of men and the affairs of men, he was unusually accurate in all of his convictions. He was a strong, dependable sort of a man, who possessed that indefinable something called personal magnetism, which drew all men to him.
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George Estes Toward
T "HE late George Estes Howard, for many years a well known business man of Wakefield, Massachusetts, enjoyed the re- spect and confidence of the business world and the friendship of all those whom he met in a social manner. We certainly should not forget those who, although unobtrusive in their everyday life, yet by their individuality and great force of character mold the commercial destiny and give tone to the communities in which they dwell. No visionary dreams of impossibilities ever filled the mind of Mr. Howard, who was so practical in all his ideas, ever building up instead of tearing down as he journeyed through life, thus benefiting his fellow-men and seeking to leave the world all the better for his having lived in it. Among the citizens of the State of Massachusetts who have achieved distinction in business, entitling them to be placed among the representative men of the community, there are many whose quiet persever- ance in a particular pursuit, while it excites little notice from the great masses, as the years pass by, yet results in elevating them to positions enviable in the eyes of their fellow-men, and as lasting as well merited. In this class of men may be placed the distinguished gentleman whose name heads this memoir, and one who gained a success in life that is not measured by finan- cial prosperity alone, but is gauged by the kindly and congenial associations that go to satisfy man's nature. The methods by which Mr. Howard at- tained the position which held the estimation of his fellow-men attested his qualities of both mind and heart, and he carved out of enduring granite his success in life, as a monument to himself and to his exceptional qualities. The death of George Estes Howard, which occurred at his home in Wake- field, Massachusetts, at the age of seventy-one years, May 14, 1915, came very unexpectedly, and was a great shock to his many friends and associates, and all felt that he left behind him many monuments to his skill and ability. Mr. Howard illustrated in himself the composite character of our great American citizenship, and presented in his temperament and disposition a masterful, forceful, intellectual and versatile quality of our race.
The birth of George Estes Howard occurred in Amesbury, Massachu- setts, September 9, 1844, the son of Calvin and Julietta (Riley ) Howard, both of whom were natives of the New England States. His father, Calvin Howard, was born in Paxton, Vermont, and was a sorter of wool by occu- pation, while his mother was a native of Buxton, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Cal- vin Howard were the parents of two sons, namely, John Calvin, and George Estes, in whose memory we are writing. The surname Howard is of ancient
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