ALBERT A. MEAD

Albert A. Mead, whose record is that of business enterprise, intelligently directed, has worked his way steadily upward until he now occupies a creditable and enviable position in manufacturing circles in Stoughton as the president of the Upham Brothers Company. He was born November 17, 1872, in Stoughton, his parents being A. W. and Mary E. (White) Mead, who were also natives of Stoughton. The father early took up the business of shoe making and eventually became a shoe manufacturer, spending his entire life in Stoughton, where he passed away in July, 1886, at the age of thirty-nine years. His widow survived him for three decades and passed away in July, 1916, at the age of sixty-seven years.

Albert A. Mead made his initial step in the business world after completing a public school education at Stoughton by entering the dry goods store of George Monk, with whom he remained for six years. He then accepted a position as traveling salesman with the Upham Brothers Company, shoe manufacturers, and contributed in large measure to the development of the trade by his ability as a salesman. Later he was admitted to the firm and the business was incorporated under the name of the Upham Brothers Company, of which Mr. Mead became the president. They control one of the important productive industries of the city, having a well equipped factory and turning out about one thousand pairs of ladies' high priced shoes per day. In addition they also manufacture men's shoes to some extent but largely concentrate their efforts and attention upon the former line and their business has now reached gratifying proportions.

In June, 1902, Mr. Mead was united in marriage to Miss Lily Proctor, of Camden, New Jersey, a daughter of Thomas and Henrietta Proctor, who were natives of England and came to America in early life, settling in New, Jersey, where the father engaged in the provision business for many years. He died in 1915 but his wife is still living.

Mr. Mead is a director of the Stoughton Trust Company and has been identified with various interests of public concern in his native city. He is now serving as one of the trustees of the public library and for two years has been the president of the Stoughton Board of Trade. He is also a member of the Chicatawbut Club and has a genial social nature which has won him many friends. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and his religious faith is that of the Universalist church. Men who meet him recognize him at once as a "square" man, one in whose record there is nothing sinister and nothing to conceal, a man whose life has been guided by strength of purpose and honorable motives and whose success is the direct outcome of perseverance, determination and laudable ambition.

Source: History of Norfolk County Massachusetts 1622-1918 (New York, S. J. Clark Publishing Co., 1918), 2:242-243.

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