JAMES
KEITH
JAMES KEITH, who was for
a number of years Postmaster of East Stoughton (now
Avon
), was born in this town,
October 23, 1827
. He is a son of Clifford and Arethusa (Harris) Keith, and a
direct descendant of the Rev. James Keith, a Scotch Presbyterian
clergyman, said to have been the first preacher to locate in old Bridgewater,
Mass. Clifford Keith was a general merchant of the former town of
Stoughton, and was also for some time engaged in boot manufacturing there. A
prominent citizen, he was for many years a Selectman of the town; and he served
for a number of years as justice of the Peace. He died in 1878, in his seventy-seventh
year.
James Keith received his early education in his native town, and later
attended the academy in
East Bridgewater
. He then obtained a position as clerk in a wholesale shoe store in
Philadelphia
. After remaining there for a time, he was employed as clerk in general
merchandise stores in
Stoughton
and
Randolph
successively. He subsequently found employment in shoe factories in
East Stoughton
, performing manual labor, and also acting as book-keeper. He was afterward
engaged in the sale of stationery, periodicals, and gentlemen's furnishing goods
in
East Stoughton
. Mr. Keith, who is a Republican politically, was appointed Postmaster of
East Stoughton in 1867, and capably performed the duties of the office for
seventeen consecutive years. For two years he was Town Treasurer of Avon, and
for a number of years he has served as Justice of the Peace.
He has been twice married. His first wife, Eliza A. Packard, of
Randolph
,
Mass.
, left one daughter, Emma F., who is the wife of E. Lawrence Paine,
of
Randolph
. His second wife, who was in maidenhood Miss Lucy S. Baker, of
Bingham
,
Me.
, bore him one son, James Frank [1862-1897], who is now deceased.
Mr. Keith is a member of Rising Star Lodge, I.0.0.F., of
Randolph
. He is well known in
Avon
and the vicinity, and is a very popular citizen.
Source: Biographical Review - Volume XXV - Containing life sketches of
leading citizens of
Norfolk
County
Massachusetts
. (Boston, Mass., Biographical Review Publishing Co., 1898), pgs. 419-420.
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