Untitled - citizen hylbom blog

9S4: SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Thomas C. Atherton, father of LeBaron
Atherton, was born in New Brunswidv, Canada,
where his life was spent, and where he
died at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
For many years he was a well known merchant
of Southampton, where he successfully conducted
a general store and was also largely interested
in the lumbering business. Although
a quiet, unpretentious man in manner, he possessed
sterling qualities which won for him the
sition of the store in Lewiston this concern has
since entered the same business in Waterville,
Maine, Bangor, Maine, Brockton, Mass., Wor-
cester, Mass., Springfield, Mass., Pittsfield,
Mass., Haverhill, Mass., and Kingston, N. Y.,
in all of which cities it now has furniture
respect and esteem of the entire community.
He was a consistent and active member of the
Free Baptist Church, of which he was deacon
for a number of years. He married Susanna
M. Huestis, of New Brunswick, where she still
"resides at an advanced age, and although over
eighty-five years old still retains her faculties
to a marked degree. They were the parents of
nine children, LeBaron and Mrs. George K.
Lugrin, of Brockton, being the only ones who
reside in the United States.
LeBaron Atherton received his early education
in the common schools and the high school
of his native town. After leaving school he
entered Lemont's variety and furniture store
at Fredericton, York County, New Brunswick,
as clerk, in which capacity he remained for a
period of about six years. Believing that a
young man had a better opportunity in a larger
city, he then came to Boston, Mass., his aim
being to get into the furniture business, for
which he had a decided liking, but the opportunity
did not at first present itself, so he
accepted a position as clerk in a grocery, having
the understanding with his employer that
when he had the opportunity he would return
to the furniture business. After clerking in
the grocery store for a time, the desired opening
presented itself, and Mr. Atherton took a position
with B. A. Atkinson & Co., one of the
largest furniture houses in Boston, and for the
next six years was employed in their Boston
store. Then he was made manager of their
Lewiston (Maine) store, which was at that time
'not in a prosperous condition. Under Mr.
Atherton's management tlie establishment
proved a success and the volume of business
was greatly increased. Mr. Atherton continued
as manager of this store for a period of about
six years, until in August, 1900, in company
with Messrs. George E. Wilbur and W. E.
Walker, of Taunton, Mass., he purchased the
business, which has since been conducted under
the name of the Atherton Furniture Company.
This store at Lewiston, Maine, proved
to be the nucleus of the large aiid extensive
business now done by this enterprising and
progressive corporation. Following the stores which are enjoying a large and steadily
increasing patronage,
acqui-
the business in Springfield
being conducted by what is known as the
Metropolitan Furniture Company; the Haverhill
store by the Atherton-Byard Furniture
Company the ; Bangor store by the Hodgkins &
Fiske Company; the Kingston store as the
Atherton-Carl Furniture Company; the others
under the name of the Atherton Furniture
Company. Each store is incorporated separately.
Mr. Atherton is general manager of
the Atherton Furniture Company, and in that
capacity has oversight of all the stores, which
he frequently visits. In September, 1902, the
Atherton Furniture Company opened its
Brockton store, and upon its incorporation in
1904 Mr. Atherton was elected treasurer of the
same, in which capacity he has since continued
in connection with his duties as general man-*
ager of the corporation's several stores.
In politics Mr. Atherton affiliates with the
Republican party. Fraternally he is a Mason,
holding membership in Ashler Lodge, A. F. &
A. M., and is algo a member of King Hiram
Chapter, R. A. M., both of Lewiston, Maine.
On Oct. 31, 1904, Mr. Atherton was united
in marriage with Grace G. Atwood, daughter
of Stephen M. and Rose (Bonney) Atwood,
of West Minot, Maine, where Mrs. Atherton's
father is engaged in the milling business. Mr.
and Mrs. Atherton have had two children,
namely: Atwood Atherton, who was born in
Brockton, Mass., July 31, 1905; and Bettina
Atherton, born Jan. 2, 1911.
Since taking up his residence in Brockton
Mr. Atherton has taken an active interest in
the affairs of the city and its industrial growth
and development, and every such project has
his liberal and enthusiastic support.
EMMONS DEXTER GUILD, late one of
Attleboro's well-known jewelry manufacturers
and representative citizens, Civil war veteran,
and for several years commander of Wm. A.
Streeter Post, Grand Army of the Republic,
was born in Wrentham Sejit. 11, 1843. The
Guild family is an old and honorable one in
New England, and the first of the name in
America was
(I) John Guild, who with Samuel and Ann
Guild, perhaps his brother and sister, came
from Scotland about 1636. Their names ap-